<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/cover.jpg" width-obs="533" height-obs="800" alt="Cover" /></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='maintitle'>Our Little Siamese Cousin</div>
<hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='bbox'>
<div class='adtitle2'><small>THE</small><br/>
Little Cousin Series</div>
<div class='center'><small>(TRADE MARK)</small><br/>
<br/>
Each volume illustrated with six or more full-page plates in<br/>
tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover,<br/>
per volume, 60 cents<br/>
<br/>
<br/>LIST OF TITLES<br/><br/>
<span class="smcap">By Mary Hazelton Wade</span><br/>
<small>(unless indicated otherwise)</small><br/><br/><br/></div>
<div class="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Book and author list">
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little African Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Alaskan Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Arabian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Argentine Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Eva Cannon Brooks</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Armenian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Australian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Belgian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Bohemian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Clara V. Winlow</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Brazilian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Canadian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Elizabeth R. MacDonald</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Chinese Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Isaac Taylor Headland</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Cuban Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Danish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Luna May Innes</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Dutch Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Egyptian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little English Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Eskimo Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little French Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little German Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Grecian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Hawaiian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Hindu Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Hungarian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Indian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Irish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Italian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Japanese Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Jewish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Korean Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By H. Lee M. Pike</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Malayan (Brown) Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Mexican Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Edward C. Butler</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Norwegian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Panama Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By H. Lee M. Pike</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Persian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By E. C. Shedd</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Philippine Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Polish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Florence E. Mendel</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Porto Rican Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Portuguese Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Edith A. Sawyer</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Russian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Scotch Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Siamese Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Spanish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Swedish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Claire M. Coburn</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Swiss Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Turkish Cousin</b></td></tr>
</table></div>
<div class='center'><br/>
L. C PAGE & COMPANY<br/>
53 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.<br/></div>
</div>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class="figcenter"><SPAN name="frontispiece"></SPAN> <ANTIMG src="images/frontis.jpg" width-obs="333" height-obs="500" alt="Boy sitting with bird on his hand and legs in water" /> <div class="caption">CHIN.</div>
</div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Title page">
<tr><td align="center" colspan='3'><ANTIMG src="images/title_top.png" width-obs="350" height-obs="18" alt="border top" /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><ANTIMG src="images/title_left.png" width-obs="20" height-obs="559" alt="border left" /></td>
<td align='center'><h1>Our Little<br/> Siamese Cousin</h1>
<div class='center'>
By<br/>
<span class='author'>Mary Hazelton Wade</span><br/>
<br/>
<i>Illustrated, by</i><br/>
L. J. Bridgman<br/><br/><br/></div>
<ANTIMG src="images/emblem.png" width-obs="97" height-obs="120" alt="Emblem: Spe Labor Levis" />
<div class='center'><br/><br/>
Boston<br/>
L. C. Page & Company<br/>
<small><i>PUBLISHERS</i></small><br/></div>
</td>
<td align="right"><ANTIMG src="images/title_right.png" width-obs="20" height-obs="559" alt="border-right" /></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center" colspan='3'><ANTIMG src="images/title_bottom.png" width-obs="350" height-obs="18" alt="border bottom" />
</td></tr>
</table></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='copyright'>
<i>Copyright, 1903</i><br/>
<br/>
<span class="smcap">By L. C. Page & Company</span><br/>
<br/>
(INCORPORATED)<br/>
<br/>
<i>All rights reserved</i><br/>
<br/>
Published June, 1903<br/>
<br/>
Fourth Impression, June, 1909<br/>
Fifth Impression, November, 1912<br/></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>Preface</h2>
<p><span class="smcap">Many</span> years ago there came to America
two young men who were looked upon as the
greatest curiosities ever seen in this country.</p>
<p>They belonged to another race than ours.
In fact, they were of two races, for one of
their parents was a Chinese, and therefore of
the Yellow Race, while the other was a Siamese,
belonging to the Brown Race.</p>
<p>These two young men left their home in
far-away Siam and crossed the great ocean for
the purpose of exhibiting the strange way in
which nature had joined them together. A
small band of flesh united them from side to
side.</p>
<p>Thus it was that from the moment they
were born to the day of their death the twin<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</SPAN></span>
brothers played and worked, ate and slept,
walked and rode, at the same time.</p>
<p>Thousands of people became interested in
seeing and hearing about these two men.
Not only this, but they turned their attention
to the home of the brothers, the wonderful
land of Siam, with its sacred white
elephants and beautiful temples, its curious
customs and strange beliefs.</p>
<p>Last year the young prince of that country,
wishing to learn more of the life of the white
people, paid a visit to America. He was
much interested in all he saw and heard while
he was here.</p>
<p>Now let us, in thought, return his visit, and
take part in the games and sports of the
children of Siam.</p>
<p>We will attend some of their festivals, take
a peep into the royal palace, enter the temples,
and learn something about the ways and habits
of that far-away eastern country.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>Contents</h2>
<div class="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents">
<tr><td align="left" colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td>
<td align="left"><small>PAGE</small></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">I.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">The First Birthday</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_9">9</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">II.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">Little Chie Lo</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_25">25</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">III.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">Night on the River</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_36">36</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">IV.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">Work and Play</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_47">47</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">V.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">New Year's</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_55">55</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">VI.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">White Elephants</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_61">61</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">VII.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">In the Temple</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_67">67</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">VIII.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Legend of the Peace-Offering</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_78">78</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">IX.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">Queer Sights</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_87">87</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">X.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Queen's City</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_98">98</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="right">XI.</td>
<td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Monsoon</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_104">104</SPAN></td>
</tr>
</table></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>List of Illustrations</h2>
<div class="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations">
<tr><td align="left"> </td>
<td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Chin</span></td>
<td align="left"><i><SPAN href="#frontispiece">Frontispiece</SPAN></i></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Chin's Home</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_29">29</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Great Temple at Bangkok</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_40">40</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="left">"<span class="smcap">They carried some of their flowers to the statue of Buddha</span>"</td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_57">57</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="left">"'<span class="smcap">They would pick up the logs with their trunks</span>'"</td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_63">63</SPAN></td>
</tr>
<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Siamese Actors</span></td>
<td align='right'><SPAN href="#Page_92">92</SPAN></td>
</tr>
</table></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle2'>Our Little Siamese Cousin</div>
<h2>CHAPTER I.<br/> <small>THE FIRST BIRTHDAY</small></h2>
<p><span class="smcap">If</span> you had seen Chin when he was born,
you would have thought his skin yellow
enough to suit anybody.</p>
<p>But his mother wasn't satisfied, for the
baby's nurse was told to rub him with a
queer sort of paste from top to toe. This
paste was made with saffron and oil, and had a
pleasant odour. It made Chin's skin yellower
and darker than ever.</p>
<p>It did not seem to trouble him, however,
for he closed his big brown eyes and went<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</SPAN></span>
to sleep before the nurse had finished her
work.</p>
<p>After this important thing had been done,
the tiny baby was laid in his cradle and covered
over. This does not appear very strange
until you learn that he was <i>entirely</i> covered.
Not even the flat little nose was left so the
boy could draw in a breath of fresh air.</p>
<p>It is a wonder that he lived, for his home
is very near the equator and the weather is
extremely warm there all the time. But he
did live, and grew stronger and healthier every
day. Each morning he was rubbed afresh and
stowed away under the covers of his crib.</p>
<p>He had one comfort, although he did not
realize it. The mosquitoes could not reach
him, and that was a greater blessing than you
can, perhaps, imagine. There are millions of
these insects in Siam,—yes, billions, trillions,—and
the people of that country are not
willing to kill one of them!</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Destroy the life of a living creature! It
is a dreadful idea," Chin's mother would exclaim.
"Why, it is against the laws of our
religion. I could never think of doing such
a thing, even if my darling boy's face were
covered with bites."</p>
<p>If she were to see one of Chin's American
cousins killing a fly or a spider, she would
have a very sad opinion of him.</p>
<p>She was only fourteen years old when Chin
was born. People in our country might still
call her a little girl, yet she kept house for her
husband, and cooked and sewed and spun, and
watched over her new baby with the most
loving care.</p>
<p>The father was only a little older than the
mother. He was so glad that his first baby
was a boy that he hardly knew what to do.
He was quite poor and had very little money,
but he said:</p>
<p>"I am going to celebrate as well as I can.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</SPAN></span>
Rich people have grand parties and entertainments
at such times. I will hire some actors
to give a little show, at any rate."</p>
<p>He invited his friends, who were hardly
more than boys themselves, to come to the
show. The actors dressed themselves up in
queer costumes, and went through with a
play that was quite clever and witty. Every
one laughed a great deal, and when it was
over the guests told the new father they had
enjoyed themselves very much.</p>
<p>After a few months, Chin had grown strong
enough to walk alone. He did not need to
be covered and hidden away any longer. His
straight black hair was shaved off, with the
exception of a round spot on the top of
his head, and he was allowed to do as he
pleased after his morning bath in the river
was over.</p>
<p>The bath did not last long, and was very
pleasant and comfortable. There was no<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</SPAN></span>
rubbing afterward with towels, for the hot
sunshine did the drying in a few moments.</p>
<p>Nor was there any dressing to be done, for
the brown baby was left to toddle about in
the suit Dame Nature had given him. It
was all he could possibly desire, for clothing
is never needed in Siam to keep one from
catching cold.</p>
<p>Chin's mother herself wears only a wide
strip of printed cloth fastened around her
waist and hanging down to the knees. Sometimes,
but not always, she has a long scarf
draped across her breast and over one
shoulder.</p>
<p>There are no shoes on her little feet, nor is
there a hat on her head except in the hottest
sunshine. There are many ornaments shining
on her dark skin, even though she is not rich;
and baby Chin did not have his toilet made
till a silver bracelet had been fastened on his
arms, and rings placed on his fingers.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>After a year or two the boy's ears were
bored so that gilt, pear-shaped earrings could
be worn there. Soon after that a kind relative
made him a present of silver anklets, and
then he felt very much dressed indeed. Few
boys as poor as he could boast of as much
jewelry.</p>
<p>Chin was born on the river Meinam in a
house-boat. There was nothing strange about
that, for the neighbours and friends of the
family had homes like his. It was cool and
pleasant to live on the water. It was convenient
when one wished to take a bath, and it
was easy for the children to learn to swim
so near home.</p>
<p>Yes, there were many reasons why Chin's
parents preferred to make their home on the
water. Perhaps the strongest one of all was
that they did not have to pay any rent for the
space taken up by the boat. A piece of land
would have cost money. Then, again, if they<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</SPAN></span>
should not like their neighbours, they could
very easily move to a new place on the river.</p>
<p>Chin's father built the house, or the boat,
just before he was married. He had some
help from his friends, but it was not such hard
work that he could not have done it all alone.</p>
<p>A big raft of bamboo was first made. This
served as the floating platform on which the
house should stand. The framework of the
little home was also made of bamboo, which
could be got from the woods not far away, and
was very light and easy to handle.</p>
<p>How should the roof be protected from the
heavy rains that fell during a portion of the
year? That could be easily managed by
getting quantities of the leaves of the atap
palm-tree for thatching. These would make
a thick, close covering, and would keep out
the storms for a long time if they were carefully
cemented with mud.</p>
<p>The broad, overhanging eaves would give<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</SPAN></span>
shade to baby Chin when he was old enough
to play in the outdoor air, and yet not strong
enough to bear the burning sunshine.</p>
<p>Of course, there were many windows in the
little house, you would think. There were
openings in the walls in the shape of windows,
certainly, but they were openings only, for
they were not filled with glass, nor any other
transparent substance. Chin's father would
say:</p>
<p>"We must have all the air we can get. At
night-time, when the rain falls heavily, we can
have shutters on the windows. They are
easily taken down whenever we wish."</p>
<p>Why, the whole front of the house was
made so it could be opened up to the air and
sunshine, as well as the view of passers-by.
The family have few secrets, and do not mind
letting others see how they keep house.</p>
<p>At this very moment, perhaps, Chin's
mother is sitting on the edge of the bamboo<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</SPAN></span>
platform, washing her feet in the river; his
grandmother may be there preparing the vegetables
for dinner; or, possibly, Chin himself
is cleaning his teeth with a stick of some soft
wood.</p>
<p>The boy's mother has taught him to be
very careful of his teeth. It is a mark of
beauty with her people to have them well
<i>blacked</i>. They will tell you, "Any dog can
have white teeth." But there is nothing they
admire more than bright red gums showing
plainly with two rows of even, dark-coloured
teeth.</p>
<p>How do they make their gums such a fiery
red? It is caused by chewing a substance
called betel, obtained from a beautiful kind of
palm-tree very common in Siam.</p>
<p>Many of Chin's brown cousins chew betel,
as well as the people of his own land. It is
even put in the mouths of babies. Betel-chewing
grows to be such a habit with them<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</SPAN></span>
that they become unhappy and uncomfortable
if long without it. Even now, although Chin
is only ten years old, he would say:</p>
<p>"I can go without food for a long time, if
need be, but I must have my betel."</p>
<p>Let us go back to the boy's home.</p>
<p>If we should count the windows, we should
find their number to be uneven. The Siamese
believe something terrible would be sure to
happen if this were not so. They seem to
think "There is luck in odd numbers," for
not only the steps leading to the houses, but
the stairs leading from one floor to another
must be carefully counted and made uneven.</p>
<p>There are three rooms in Chin's home.
First, there is the sitting-room, where friends
are received, although there is much less visiting
done in Siam than in many other countries.
It took little time and money to furnish the
room. There are no pictures or ornaments
here. There are two or three mats on which<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</SPAN></span>
one may sit, and there is a tray filled with
betel from which every one is invited to help
himself.</p>
<p>If callers should arrive and the betel were
not offered to them, they would feel insulted
and would go away with the intention of
never coming to that house again.</p>
<p>The second room is that set apart for sleeping.
Very little furniture is found here, as
well, for all that Chin's father had to prepare
was a number of long, narrow mattresses,
stuffed with tree-cotton. Some pillows were
made in the shape of huge bricks. They
were also packed full of tree-cotton, and were
stiff, uncomfortable-looking things; but Chin
and his parents like them, so we should certainly
not find fault.</p>
<p>You remember there are great numbers of
mosquitoes in the country. How do they
manage to sleep when the air around them is
filled with the buzzing, troublesome creatures?<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</SPAN></span>
Coarse cotton curtains hang from the roof
down over the beds. While these keep the
mosquitoes away from the sleepers, they also
keep out the air, so it is really a wonder that
one can rest in any comfort.</p>
<p>When Chin is in the house during the day,
he spends most of his time in the kitchen,
which is also the eating-room. But, dear me!
it is a smoky place, for the boy's father never
thought of building a chimney.</p>
<p>The cooking is done over a little charcoal
stove and, as the flames rise, the smoke rises,
too, and settles on the ceiling and walls. Chin
has had many good meals cooked over the
little fire, and eaten as the family squatted
around the tiny table.</p>
<p>Just think! It stands only four inches
above the floor, and is not large enough to
hold many dishes. That does not matter,
for each one has his own rice-bowl on the
floor in front of him. Chin has been brought<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</SPAN></span>
up so that he is satisfied with one or two
things at a time. The little table is quite large
enough to hold the dish of curried fish or
meat from which each one helps himself.</p>
<p>Chin is a very nice boy, yet I shall have to
confess that he usually eats with his fingers!
Yes, not only he, but his father and mother
and sister, and even grandmother, do the same
thing. One after another helps himself from
the same dish and thinks nothing of it.</p>
<p>People who are a little richer use pretty
spoons of mother-of-pearl; Chin's mother
owns one of these useful articles herself, but
of course, that won't serve for five persons,
so it is seldom seen on the table. As for
knives and forks, she never even saw any.</p>
<p>One of her friends once watched a stranger
from across the great ocean eating with these
strange things. She laughed quietly when she
told of it, and said:</p>
<p>"It must take a long, long time before one<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</SPAN></span>
can get used to them. They are very
clumsy."</p>
<p>As Chin squats at his dinner he can look
down through the split bamboos and see the
water of the river beneath the house. It does
not matter if he drops some crumbs or grains
of rice. They can be easily pushed through
the cracks, when down they will fall into the
water to be seized by some waiting fish.</p>
<p>The good woman doesn't even own a
broom. Her house-cleaning is done in the
easiest way possible. Anything that is no
longer useful is thrown into the river, while
the dirt is simply pushed between the wide
cracks of the floor.</p>
<p>The dish-washing is a simple matter, too.
Each one has his own rice-bowl, and after the
meal is over it is his duty to clean it and then
turn it upside down in some corner of the
kitchen. It is left there to drain until it is
needed again.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Chin's mother cooks such delicious rice
that he wonders any one can live without it.
He needs no bread when he can have that,
for it is a feast in itself. When poured out,
it looks like a mountain of snow; each grain
is whole and separate from the others.</p>
<p>It is cooked in an earthen pot with the
greatest care, and, when it is done, never fails
to look beautiful and delicate. Chin's mother
would think herself a very poor housekeeper
if she should make a mistake in preparing the
rice.</p>
<p>When a dish of rat or bat stew is added to
the meal, Chin feels that there is nothing more
in the world that he could wish. He knows
that the rich people in the city often have
feasts where twenty or thirty different dainties
are served. But he does not envy them. A
person can taste only one thing at a time, and
nothing can be better than a stew with plenty
of curry and vegetables to flavour it. We<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</SPAN></span>
don't need to think of the rats and bats if it is
an unpleasant idea.</p>
<p>As for Chin, if he had seen you shudder
when they were spoken of, he could not have
imagined what was the matter.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER II.<br/> <small>LITTLE CHIE LO</small></h2>
<p>"<span class="smcap">Chie Lo!</span> Chie Lo! come out quickly,
or you won't see it before it passes," called
Chin to his sister.</p>
<p>She was playing with her dolls in the sitting-room,
but when she heard Chin calling she
put them down and came out on the platform
where her brother sat dangling his feet in the
water and holding his pet parrot.</p>
<p>"Chie Lo! Chie Lo!" screamed the parrot,
when she appeared. He was a bright-looking
bird with a shining coat of green
feathers and a red tuft on his head. He
must have loved Chie Lo, for he reached up
for her to pat him as she squatted beside her
brother.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Look, look," said Chin, "isn't that
grand?"</p>
<p>The boy pointed to a beautiful boat moving
rapidly down the river.</p>
<p>"It is the king's, you know," he whispered.
"Do you see him there under the canopy,
with his children around him?"</p>
<p>"Yes, yes, Chin, but don't talk; I just
want to look."</p>
<p>It was no wonder that Chie Lo wished to
keep still, for it was a wonderful sight. The
boat was shaped like a huge dragon, whose
carved head, with its fierce eyes, could be
seen reaching out from the high bow. The
stern was made in the shape of the monster's
tail. The sides of the royal barge were
covered with gilded scales, inlaid with pearls,
and these scales shone and sparkled in the
sunlight.</p>
<p>A hundred men dressed in red were rowing
the splendid boat, and they must have had<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</SPAN></span>
great training, for they kept together in perfect
time.</p>
<p>"Isn't the canopy over the king the loveliest
thing you ever saw?" said Chin, who
could not keep still. "It is made of cloth-of-gold,
and so are the curtains. Look at the
gold embroidery on the king's coat. Oh,
Chie Lo, it doesn't seem as though he could
be like us at all. I feel as though he must
be a god.</p>
<p>"The young prince who took the long
journey across the ocean last year is there
with him," Chin went on. "Father told me
that he visited strange lands where all the
people have skins as white as pearls, and that
he has seen many wonderful sights. But,
Chie Lo, there is nothing in the world grander
than our king and his royal boat, I'm sure."</p>
<p>As the barge drew nearer, the children threw
themselves face downward on the platform
until it had passed down the river. It was<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</SPAN></span>
their way of showing honour to the ruler
of the land.</p>
<p>In the olden times all who came into the
presence of the king, did so in one way only.
They <i>crawled</i>. Even his own little children
were obliged to do this. No one dared to
stand in his presence.</p>
<p>But such things have been changed now.
The king loves his people and has grown
wiser since he has learned the ways of other
countries. When he was a little boy, an English
lady was his teacher for a long time, and
she taught him much that other Kings of Siam
had never known.</p>
<p>It is partly because of this that he is the
best ruler Chin's people have ever had.</p>
<p>The royal barge was decorated with beautiful
white and yellow umbrellas, many stories high.
There was also a huge jewelled fan, such as no
boat was allowed to carry except the king's.</p>
<p>Other dragon-shaped boats followed the<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</SPAN></span>
royal barge, but they were smaller and less
beautiful. They were the king's guard-boats,
and moved along in pairs.</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i029.jpg" width-obs="334" height-obs="500" alt="man on deck of houseboat, house in background" /> <div class="caption">CHIN'S HOME</div>
</div>
<p>Many other interesting sights could be seen
on the river this morning. Vessels were just
arriving from distant lands, while here and
there Chinese junks were scattered along the
shores. Chin and his sister can always tell
such boats from any others. An eye is always
painted on the bow.</p>
<p>A Chinaman who was once asked why he
had the eye there, answered, "If no have
eye, how can see?"</p>
<p>It is so much pleasanter outside, it is no
wonder that Chin and his sister do not spend
much time indoors.</p>
<p>After the royal procession had passed out
of sight, Chie Lo went into the house and
brought out her family of dolls. Of course
they did not look like American dolls; you
wouldn't expect it.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Some of them were of baked mud and wore
no clothes. Others were of stuffed cotton and
made one think of the rag dolls of Chie Lo's
white cousins. The father and mother dolls
were dressed in strips of cloth wound around
their bodies, just like the real grown-up people
of Siam, but the baby dolls had no more
clothes than the children of the country.</p>
<p>Chie Lo talked to her dolls and sang queer
little songs to them. She "made believe"
they were eating, just as other little girls play,
far away across the great ocean. Then she
kissed them and put them to bed on tiny
mattresses under the shady eaves of the
house.</p>
<p>Perhaps you wouldn't have known that
Chie Lo was kissing them, however, for the
fashions of Siam are quite different from those
of our country. She simply touched the dolls'
noses with her own little flat one and drew in
a long breath each time she did so. That was<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</SPAN></span>
her way of showing her love,—gentle little
Chie Lo.</p>
<p>Chin didn't laugh, of course. He was used
to seeing his sister playing with her dolls, and
as for the kissing, that was the only way of
doing it that he knew himself.</p>
<p>"Chie Lo, I saw some beautiful dolls in a
store yesterday," he said, as he stopped working
for a minute. He was making a new shuttlecock
for a game with his boy friends the
next day.</p>
<p>"What kind were they, Chin?" asked his
sister.</p>
<p>"They were lovely wooden ones. Only
rich children could buy them, for they cost
a great deal. I wish I could get one for you,
Chie Lo, but you know I haven't any
money."</p>
<p>"What else did you see, Chin?"</p>
<p>"There were doll-temples in the store, and
boats filled with sailors, and lovely ivory furniture<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</SPAN></span>
for the doll-houses. You must see the
things yourself."</p>
<p>Chie Lo went on with her play. She finished
putting her own toy house in order. It
was one Chin had made for her. It looked
like her own home,—it stood on a bamboo
platform, it had a high, slanting roof, covered
with palm leaves, and there were three rooms
inside. Chin was a good boy to make it.
All brothers were not as kind as he.</p>
<p>"Yes, I should like to see all those things,"
Chie Lo answered, after awhile. "But I am
happy here with my own toys. I must row
up the river to-morrow and sell some fruit
for father. I won't have any time for play
then."</p>
<p>"Come to dinner, children," called their
mother. "Chin, take this jug and get some
fresh water before you come in."</p>
<p>She handed a copper jug to Chin. He
quickly filled it by reaching over the platform,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</SPAN></span>
and followed his sister into the kitchen a moment
later.</p>
<p>Every one was thirsty, and the jug was
passed from one to another for each to help
himself. There were no tumblers nor cups.
Chin had made small dishes for his mother
by cutting cocoanuts in halves and scooping
out the delicious cream from the inside; but
they did not use them for drinking the water.</p>
<p>Nor did they put their lips to the jug.
Each one cleverly twisted a palm leaf into the
shape of a funnel and received the water
through this. It was done more quickly than
I can tell you about it.</p>
<p>Chin and his sister thought it was a fine
dinner. The evening dews were falling, and a
gentle breeze came floating down the river.
The terrible heat of the day was over and it
was the very time to enjoy eating.</p>
<p>In the first place, there was the dish of
steaming rice. There was also a sort of stew<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</SPAN></span>
made of meat chopped very fine and seasoned
with red pepper. If you had tasted it, you
would probably have cried:</p>
<p>"Oh dear, my mouth is burnt; give me a
drink of water at once."</p>
<p>But Chin and Chie Lo thought it very nice
indeed, and not a bit too hot.</p>
<p>"Isn't this pickled turnip fine?" said
Chin's mother. "I bought it this morning
from a passing store."</p>
<p>What could she mean by these words? It
was a very common thing for these little
brown cousins to see not only houses but
stores moving past them down the river. The
storekeepers were always ready to stop and sell
their goods to any one who wished them.</p>
<p>Chin's mother never made bread, nor pies,
nor cake, nor puddings. She bought most of
the vegetables already cooked from the floating
stores, so you can see she had quite an
easy time in preparing her meals.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>But to-day, after the rice and stew had been
cooked, she laid bananas to roast in the hot
coals, and these were now taken out and
handed to her family as they squatted on the
mats around the table.</p>
<p>If the children had no bread with their
dinner, they ought to have had milk, you
think. But they never drink it. The cows
of Siam are not milked at all, and so the rich
children of the country are brought up in the
same way as Chin and his sister.</p>
<p>When the meal was finished, Chie Lo did
not forget that her dear pussy must still be
fed. It was an odd-looking little creature.
Although it was a grown-up cat, yet its eyes
were as blue as those of a week-old American
kitten. It had a funny little tail twisted up
into a knot. It was better off than many
other cats of Siam, however, who go about
with none at all.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER III.<br/> <small>NIGHT ON THE RIVER</small></h2>
<p><span class="smcap">After</span> Chie Lo had watched her pussy eat
all the fish she could possibly wish, the children
went outdoors again to sit in the cool
evening air.</p>
<p>The night was already pitch-dark, for there
was no moon, and there is no long twilight in
the tropics at any season of the year.</p>
<p>But what a beautiful sight now met the
children's eyes! It seemed almost like fairy-land,
there were so many lights to be seen in
every direction.</p>
<p>Their home stood just below the great city
of Bangkok, and along the shores of the river
the houses and palaces and temples could be
seen almost as plainly as in the daytime.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</SPAN></span>
Floating theatres were passing by, each one
lighted with numbers of coloured paper lanterns.</p>
<p>"Look! look!" cried Chin. "There are
some actors giving a show outside. They
want to tempt people to stop and come in to
the play. See the beautiful pointed finger-nails
on that one. What fine care he must
take of them!"</p>
<p>It is no wonder Chin noticed the man's
finger-nails, for they were at least five inches
long.</p>
<p>"See the wings on the other actor, Chin,"
said his sister. "I suppose he represents
some strange being who does wonderful deeds.
I should like to go to the play. Look! there
is a party of people who are going on board
of the theatre."</p>
<p>The children now turned their eyes toward
the small boat of a Chinaman who was calling
aloud to the passers-by:</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Come here and buy chouchou; it is a fine
dish, indeed."</p>
<p>A moment afterward he was kept so busy
that he had no time to call. His canoe was
fairly surrounded by other boats, for many
people were eager to taste the delicious soup
he served from an odd little stove in front of
him.</p>
<p>It is hard to tell how chouchou is made.
Many kinds of meat and all sorts of vegetables
are boiled down to jelly and seasoned
with salt and pepper. He must have had
a good recipe, for every one that tasted his
chouchou seemed to like it and want more.</p>
<p>"Listen to the music, Chie Lo," said her
brother, as he turned longingly away from the
chouchou seller.</p>
<p>It seemed more like <i>noise</i> than music. Two
men stood on a bamboo raft causing loud,
wailing sounds to come from some queer reed
instruments. A third player was making the<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</SPAN></span>
loudest noise of all. He sat in the middle of
a musical wheel, as it is called. This wheel is
made of metal cups of different sizes placed
next each other in a circle.</p>
<p>It seems strange that Chin and his sister
should enjoy such "music," and stranger still
that the grown-up people should also like it;
but they seemed to do so. Were they doing
it for their own pleasure? Oh no, they had
dainties to sell as well as the chouchou maker,
and this was their way of attracting attention.</p>
<p>New sights could be seen constantly. Here
were the beautifully-trimmed boats of the rich
people taking a ride for pleasure after the heat
of the day. There were the canoes of the
poor, who were also out to enjoy the sights,
for Bangkok is a city built upon the water.</p>
<p>The river Meinam flows through its very
centre. The name of the river means
"Mother of Waters," just as the name of
our own Mississippi means "The Father<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</SPAN></span>
of Waters." It is well named, for many
canals reach out from it in different directions.</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i040.jpg" width-obs="341" height-obs="500" alt="Crowd of people with Temple in background" /> <div class="caption">THE GREAT TEMPLE AT BANGKOK.</div>
</div>
<p>If a person is going to a temple to worship,
if he has shopping to do, or a visit to make,
he does not take a car or carriage, nor does he
often walk. He steps into a boat, and after a
pleasant sail or row, he finds himself at his
journey's end.</p>
<p>"Let's go down the river before we go to
bed," said Chin, who had grown tired of sitting
still.</p>
<p>He stepped from the platform into his own
little canoe and Chie Lo followed him.</p>
<p>The children looked very much alike.
Their faces were of the same shape, their
eyes were of the same colour, and the two
little round heads were shaved in exactly the
same way. A tuft of hair had been left on
the top of each and was coiled into a knot.</p>
<p>When Chin grew a little older there would<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</SPAN></span>
be a great celebration over the shaving of his
tuft. It would mark his "coming of age,"
but that would not be for two or three years
yet. He was only eleven years old now and
was left to do much as he pleased.</p>
<p>The little canoe made its way in and out
among the big boats and soon left the city
behind. Tall palm-trees lined the banks of
the river and waved gently in the evening
breeze.</p>
<p>Suddenly there was a loud sound, like a
big drum, in the water directly under the
boat. "Tom, tom! Tom, tom!" It startled
Chie Lo, and she exclaimed:</p>
<p>"What is it, Chin? What is it?"</p>
<p>"It must be a drum-fish, Chie Lo. Nothing
else could make a sound like that."</p>
<p>"Of course, Chin. It was all so quiet, and
then the sound was so sudden, I didn't think
for a moment what it could be."</p>
<p>They had often seen this ugly-looking fish,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</SPAN></span>
which is never eaten by the people of their
country. It is able to make a loud noise by
means of a sort of bladder under its throat,
and it is well called the "drum-fish."</p>
<p>The children still went onward, keeping
time with their sculls. Suddenly the air
around them blazed with countless lights, and
a moment afterward the darkness seemed
blacker than ever. Then, again the lights
appeared, only to be lost as suddenly, while
Chin and his sister held their oars and
watched.</p>
<p>"Aren't they lovely?" said Chie Lo. "I
never get tired of looking at the fireflies."</p>
<p>It is no wonder she thought so. The fireflies
of Siam are not only very large and brilliant,
but they are found in great numbers.
And, strange to say, they seem fond of gathering
together on certain kinds of trees
only. There they send forth their light and
again withdraw it at exactly the same moment.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</SPAN></span>
It seems as though they must be under the
orders of some leader. How else do they
keep together?</p>
<p>"I can hear the trumpeter beetle calling
along the shore," said Chin, as the boat floated
about. "He makes a big noise for his size,
and takes his part in the song of the night.
There must be hundreds of lizards singing
up there among the bushes, too, and I don't
know what else."</p>
<p>"I suppose the parrots are asleep in the
tree-tops by this time, as well as the monkeys.
Don't you love to go about in the woods,
Chin?"</p>
<p>"It is almost the best fun in the world, I
think. Oh, Chie Lo, I saw something the
other day I didn't tell you about. You made
me think of it when you spoke of the monkeys.
Father and I had gone a long way up
the river in the canoe to get wild bananas.
We had just turned to come home when I<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</SPAN></span>
saw a crocodile ahead of us, lying close to the
shore. His wicked mouth was wide open and
his eyes were glittering.</p>
<p>"All at once I saw what was the matter.
A chain of monkeys was hanging from a tree-top
above him. They were having sport with
the monster. The lowest monkey would suddenly
strike out with his paw and touch the
crocodile's head when he was off his guard.
Then the whole chain of monkeys would
swing away as quick as a flash, and the crocodile
would snap too late.</p>
<p>"Oh, he did get so angry after awhile, it
made me laugh, Chie Lo. The monkeys
grew bolder after awhile, and chattered more
and more loudly.</p>
<p>"Then the crocodile began to play a game
himself. He shut his eyes and pretended to
be asleep. Down swung the monkeys, straight
over his head. His jaws opened suddenly in
time to seize the little fellow who had been<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</SPAN></span>
teasing him. That was the last of the silly
little monkey, whose brothers and sisters fled
up into the tree-tops as fast as they could go.
I didn't see them again, but we could hear
them crying and wailing as long as we stayed
near the place."</p>
<p>"I wish I had been there," sighed Chie Lo.
"It must have made you laugh to watch the
monkeys before they were caught. But they
are easily scared. I shouldn't be afraid of
monkeys anywhere."</p>
<p>Chin smiled when his sister said these
words.</p>
<p>"If there were enough monkeys together,
Chie Lo, and if they were all angry and chasing
you, I don't think you would exactly enjoy it.</p>
<p>"Father told me of a time when he was off
with a party of men in a deep forest. They
caught a baby monkey, and one of the men
was going to bring it home. It made the
mother wild to have her child taken from her.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</SPAN></span>
She raised a loud cry and started after the
men. Her friends and relatives joined her,
crying and screaming.</p>
<p>"But this was not all, for every other
monkey in the forest seemed to get the idea
of battle. On they came by the hundreds
and the thousands. Do you think those men
weren't scared? They hurried along as fast as
they could, stumbling over bushes and floundering
in the mud. They were only too glad to
reach the bank of the river, where they jumped
into the canoes and paddled quickly away. The
monkeys crowded on the shore and screamed
at them. I wish I could have seen them."</p>
<p>Chin lay back and laughed as he finished
the story.</p>
<p>"We mustn't stop to talk any more, for it is
getting late," said Chie Lo. "But I love to
hear you tell these stories, Chin. I hope you
will remember some more to-morrow night.
Now we must paddle home as fast as we can go."</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER IV.<br/> <small>WORK AND PLAY</small></h2>
<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next morning the children were awakened
early by the cawing of large flocks of
crows. These noisy birds were leaving their
resting-places in the trees near by, and starting
out to search for breakfast in the fields
and gardens of the country.</p>
<p>Chie Lo and her brother jumped out of
bed, and a moment afterward were taking a
refreshing swim in the waters of the river.
The water felt cool and pleasant before the
hot sunshine had warmed it.</p>
<p>"Come to breakfast," called their mother,
as they were in the midst of a game of chase
around the platform. "Come and eat the<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</SPAN></span>
fine hoppers I have just bought from the
baker."</p>
<p>The children did not need to be called
twice, for they loved the delicious cakes made
of rice flour and cocoanut milk. The breakfast
was soon eaten, and then Chin and his
sister made haste to load Chie Lo's boat with
the fruit she must sell on the river.</p>
<p>The mangosteens were placed in the first
pile. They would surely be sold, because
they were not only beautiful to look at, but
fragrant to smell and delicious to taste. You
may look for them in many parts of the world,
but you will fail to find them unless you visit
Chin and Chie Lo in their own country, or go
to the islands near by.</p>
<p>The rind is of a brownish purple that
changes its tints in the sunlight. Cut the
fruit carefully in halves and you will find a
creamy, white pulp, with a dark-red rim.</p>
<p>"They look too good to eat," you say.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</SPAN></span>
But if you have once tasted them, you will
long for more.</p>
<p>Chin and his sister are very fond of mangosteens,
and so is nearly every person who
has the pleasure of eating them.</p>
<p>But Chie Lo likes the durions better still.
When she sorted the boat-load this morning,
she was very careful to place this fruit so it
should not touch any other kind. What an
odour came from it! Ugh! It makes one think
of bad eggs and everything else unpleasant.</p>
<p>But people who stop to-day to buy from
the little girl will not consider that. If they
have lived in the country for only a short
time, they have grown to think of it as the
finest of all fruits.</p>
<p>Picture the nicest things you have ever
eaten,—walnuts, and cream and strawberries,
and a dozen other delicious things,—they
are all mingled together in the flavour of the
durion.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Besides the durions and the mangosteens,
there were great luscious oranges, noble pineapples,
mangoes and bananas, breadfruit and
sour-sops. Chie Lo would certainly have no
trouble in selling her goods.</p>
<p>When she had rowed away from the house,
Chin went inside and got his shuttlecock.
He must find his boy friends and have a
game before the day grew too hot. You
mustn't blame him for letting his sister work
while he played. It is the way of his people,
and the idea never entered his head that girls
should have, at least, as easy a life as boys.
Yet this cousin of ours is gentle and good-natured
and loving.</p>
<p>An hour after Chie Lo had gone away,
Chin and his friends were having a lively
game in the shade of some tall palm-trees,
near the bank of the river. It was great
sport. The shuttlecock was made of bamboo
and was very light and easy to toss. But it<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</SPAN></span>
took great skill to keep it moving through
the air for ten minutes at a time. The boys
did not once touch it with their hands. As it
came bounding toward Chin, he held the sole
of his foot to receive it, and kicked it off in
another direction. Perhaps the next boy
struck at it with his heel, and the next with
the side of his ankle or his knee. Forward
and back it flew from one to another.</p>
<p>These naked boys of Siam were wonderfully
graceful in their play. They must have spent
many days of their short lives in gaining such
skill as this.</p>
<p>There was little noise about it. There are
places in the world where children think they
are not having much fun unless there is a good
deal of shouting and yelling. Siam is not
such a country, and Chin is not that kind of a
boy. He has many good times and many
pleasures, although he enjoys them in a quiet
manner.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>How was Chie Lo getting along with her
load of fruit this morning? She paddled
down the river among the vessels which had
come to anchor there.</p>
<p>"Fine oranges! Ripe durions!" her sweet
voice called. And the people on the decks of
the English steamers and the queer Chinese
boats looked down at the little girl in her
canoe.</p>
<p>Many of them smiled at the tiny fruit-seller,
and beckoned to her to bring some
of her fruit on board.</p>
<p>By noontime her wares were all sold and
Chie Lo started homeward with a bag of odd-looking
coins to give her father. It was very
hot and the sunlight was so bright as it
sparkled on the river that the little girl kept
shutting her eyes.</p>
<p>All at once she felt a tremendous thump
and the next moment she found herself far
down under the surface of the water. The<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</SPAN></span>
boat had been overturned and was bobbing
around over her head.</p>
<p>Do you suppose she tried to scream, or that
she lost her senses from fright? Certainly
not. As soon as she got her breath, she
began to swim with one arm; with the other
she reached out for the boat and quickly
righted it.</p>
<p>After half a dozen strokes, she was able to
spring into the canoe, and was soon paddling
homeward as if nothing had happened.</p>
<p>What had caused her boat to upset? A
passing fisherman had carelessly run into her.
The accident did not seem to worry him, however.
He did not even stop to see if Chie Lo
needed help, but kept straight on his way.
He did not mean to be unkind. He simply
did not think there was any danger to the
little girl. And there was none, for swimming
is as natural as walking to the children of
Siam, who have no fear of the water.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>All that Chie Lo thought of was her precious
coins, and those were safe in the little
bag hanging around her neck. The next day
would be a holiday and she knew her father
would wish the money to spend.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER V.<br/> <small>NEW YEAR'S</small></h2>
<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was the 27th of March, but to Chin and
his sister it was the first day of a new year.</p>
<p>They woke up happy and smiling, for they
would have much fun for three whole days.
It is all very well for some people to be satisfied
with a festival which lasts only twelve
hours, but it is not so with the Siamese.
They think they cannot do justice to such
a joyful time unless they frolic and feast
three times as long as that, at least.</p>
<p>On the first day the children must go to the
temple and carry offerings. This duty should
certainly not be forgotten. But before they
left home that morning they helped their
mother give dishes of rice to the yellow-robed<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</SPAN></span>
priests who rowed slowly down the river as
the sun was rising.</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i057.jpg" width-obs="339" height-obs="500" alt="children giving flowers to statue of Buddha" /> <div class="caption">"THEY CARRIED SOME OF THEIR FLOWERS TO THE STATUE OF BUDDHA."</div>
</div>
<p>These priests in their long yellow gowns
looked alike. Each one held before him a
begging-bowl. He did not ask for food or
money. It was the duty of the people to feed
him and give what was needed to keep him
from want.</p>
<p>This was what Chin and those of his country
believed. And so, when each night was
over, the priests left their cells and entered
their boats. They passed along the river and
through the canals. Some people gave to
one, and some to another; some gave money,
and some, food. But each one thought as he
gave, "I am gaining merit by this deed of
kindness." And he felt better for doing so.</p>
<p>When the priests had passed along, Chin
and his sister began to think of their friends.
They had presents of sweetmeats for them.
They had saved all their spare coins for many<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</SPAN></span>
days to buy them. These sweetmeats looked
very tempting as they divided them up and
placed them in tiny baskets they had woven
out of grasses.</p>
<p>Some of them were made of sugar and
cocoanut. Others were rich with glutinous
rice and peanuts. Their friends would be
delighted with their gifts.</p>
<p>Before the day was over, Chin and Chie Lo
had received many presents themselves, for
the poorest people in the country manage to
remember the New Year's festival.</p>
<p>The day was noisier than usual. The children
laughed and shouted more than Siamese
children commonly do. They danced and
they sang. They went into the country
and gathered flowers. They made wreaths
and garlands. They carried some of their
flowers to the statue of Buddha and placed
them in the open palms of their saint.</p>
<p>They played tricks on each other. Chin<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</SPAN></span>
and Chie Lo were both caught by their playmates
before the day was over and their faces
blackened, and then they were shoved into the
river. But they took the joke with perfect
good nature, and laughed over it as merrily as
their friends.</p>
<p>The best sport of the day was with their
dear old grandmother. As she sat on the
platform by the water's edge, Chin came up
suddenly and dashed water all over her.
After that, he sprinkled her with perfume and
a sweet-smelling powder.</p>
<p>But this was not all, for he ran into the
house and brought her out a new waist-cloth
and a scarf to throw over her old shoulders.
At the same time Chie Lo pressed two silver
coins into her hand, and shouted with delight
at the smile on the dear grandmother's face.</p>
<p>Without doubt the New Year's festival was
very merry. Best of all, the children were
allowed to do just as they pleased for the three<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</SPAN></span>
long, happy days. It is no wonder they were
sorry when it was over.</p>
<p>"It is even better than the Swing Days,"
Chie Lo said to her brother, as they settled
themselves for a good night's rest.</p>
<p>"Yes, I think so, too, yet we have a great
deal of fun then," answered her brother,
sleepily.</p>
<p>Girls never take part in the exercises of the
Swing Days, but Chin had been training for
two or three years to try his skill when he
should be a little older.</p>
<p>A part of the city is set aside for the entertainment,
and it is there that the swings are
set up on high poles. A short distance away
stands another pole marked with a waving
banner. Just below this banner hangs a purse
filled with gold.</p>
<p>Each person who enters the swing is allowed
to work it back and forth till he brings himself
near the precious purse. He has one<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</SPAN></span>
chance given him to reach out and seize it in
his mouth. If he succeeds, it is his to keep,
and he goes down to the ground on a rope
ladder by the side of the pole, while the bystanders
greet him with shouts and cheers.</p>
<p>If he fails, however, he is obliged to jump
from the swing and slide down to the ground
on the pole, while every one joins in a laugh
at his awkwardness.</p>
<p>On Swing Days there are many processions
through the streets. Banners and flags are
waving everywhere, no work is done, and
every one is gaily dressed and full of joy.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER VI.<br/> <small>WHITE ELEPHANTS</small></h2>
<p>"<span class="smcap">I never</span> rode on an elephant in my life,"
said Chie Lo with a sigh.</p>
<p>Chin had just been telling her of a trip he
had made with his father. He had gone into
the teak forest, and had travelled every bit
of the way on an elephant.</p>
<p>"Perhaps you wouldn't like it if you had
a chance to try," answered her brother. "You
would feel safe enough, and the howdah is big
enough for you to lie down in and take a nap.
But the elephant swings from side to side as
he walks, and the motion might make you
feel sick until you get used to it."</p>
<p>"It looks comfortable, anyway," said Chie
Lo. "A howdah looks like a tiny house, and<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</SPAN></span>
the bamboo top keeps off the hot sun nicely.
Doesn't it ever slip on the elephant's back,
Chin?"</p>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i063.jpg" width-obs="339" height-obs="500" alt="Elephant picking up a log" /> <div class="caption">"'THEY WOULD PICK UP THE LOGS WITH THEIR TRUNKS.'"</div>
</div>
<p>"Of course not. It is fastened behind by
a crupper that goes under the tail, while it is
held in front by a band of rattan passed
around the neck. So it is perfectly safe."</p>
<p>"Elephants are very wise animals, and I
love them. Mother told me that a long time
ago there was an elephant in the city that used
to ladle out rice to the priests as they came
out of the temple. He did it every morning,
and was as careful about it as any person
could be. He made no mistakes, for he
never gave the rice to any people unless they
were priests. Wasn't that wonderful, Chin?"</p>
<p>"It was very wise, at any rate, Chie Lo.
But, of course, he could tell the priests because
of their long yellow robes. I've heard
more wonderful stories than that, though.</p>
<p>"I've watched elephants at work in a lumber<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</SPAN></span>
yard, myself. They would pick up the
logs with their trunks, and carry them to the
place where they were to be piled up. Then
they would lay them down, one on top of
another, and each time they would place them
in such good order that the ends of the pile
would be kept perfectly even. They are very
careful workers; men couldn't do any better."</p>
<p>"Weren't you afraid when you crossed the
river on the elephant's back, Chin? I heard
you speaking about it to father when you got
home."</p>
<p>"Not the least bit. The water grew deeper
until at last only my howdah and the animal's
head were above the surface. But he went on
slowly and surely, and as he felt safe, I did,
too. In a few minutes we were on dry land
again, and climbed up the steep bank without
stopping to rest.</p>
<p>"It was great fun whenever we went down
hill. The big clumsy fellow knelt on his fore<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</SPAN></span>
legs, and actually slid down, with his hind legs
dragging behind him."</p>
<p>"What good times you have, Chin. I wish
I were a boy!" and Chie Lo sighed again.</p>
<p>"They say that the white elephants are
going to march through the streets to-day.
Let's go up in the city to see them," said
Chin.</p>
<p>He was always glad to have his sister go
about with him.</p>
<p>The home of our Siamese cousins is a
strange country. It is often spoken of as
the "Land of the White Elephant." You
shall hear the reason.</p>
<p>Whenever a white elephant is seen in the
forests, word is at once sent to the king, and
parties of hunters go forth to secure him. He
is looked upon as a sacred animal, for many
of the people believe that the soul of some
great and wise person has come back to dwell
for a while in his body.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>In the olden times there was a great celebration
after a white elephant had been caught
and was brought into the city. The king and
his nobles, as well as hundreds of priests, went
out to meet him with bands of music. He
was led to the royal stables, and large pictures
of the forests were hung around him, so he
should not grow lonesome and long for his
home in the jungle.</p>
<p>It is even said that he was fed from golden
dishes, and that only the sweetest sugar-cane,
the ripest bananas, and the tenderest grasses
were given him as food. He was loaded with
gifts.</p>
<p>The ways of the people are changing now,
however, and both the king and his people
are wiser than they used to be. Yet the
white elephants are still treated with honour,
and kept in the royal stables, while on great
days they march in state through the streets
of the city.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>It is hardly right, however, to speak of
them as white. Some of them are of a pale,
pinkish gray colour. Others are ashy gray.
Their eyes look washed-out and dull. They
are not nearly as grand and noble-looking as
their brothers, for it seems as though Mother
Nature were tired and had not finished her
work, when one looks at them.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER VII.<br/> <small>IN THE TEMPLE</small></h2>
<p><span class="smcap">After</span> the children had watched the procession
of white elephants, Chin said:</p>
<p>"Let us go to the temple, Chie Lo. It
will be a pleasant walk. And, besides, father
said we ought to go to-day. He gave me
these coins to carry there." Chin held up
two pieces of silver. "One of them is for
you, Chie Lo, and the other is for me."</p>
<p>The place where the temple stood had been
set apart from the rest of the city. It was
divided up into large fields surrounded by
walls. In each of these fields there was at
least one large temple, and several small ones,
besides the buildings where the priests lived
with their pupils. Such a place is called a wat.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>As Chin and his sister drew near one of
these wats, they found many little stands from
which men were busily selling gold-leaf to
those who were on their way to the temples.</p>
<p>What would the people do with this gold-leaf,
you wonder.</p>
<p>They would use it to cover any bare spots
on their favourite images. It would "make
merit" for them, as they would say; or, in
other words, they would at some time be rewarded
for the act of goodness.</p>
<p>It is in this way that the images are kept
richly gilded, and many of them are fairly
loaded with the precious stuff.</p>
<p>"We can't buy any to-day," said Chin,
"we haven't money enough. But I wish I
could get one of those rings that man is selling.
They are made of hairs out of the
manes and tails of the sacred horses. It
would bring good fortune, I'm sure."</p>
<p>Poor ignorant Chin! As though anything<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</SPAN></span>
but his own honest little heart and good deeds
would bring him happiness and success.</p>
<p>And now the children passed through the
gateway and into the beautiful grounds.
Stately trees grew on every side, and flowering
plants were to be seen in every direction.
Here and there stood large stone statues.
They were ugly-looking figures, but were supposed
to be the guardians of this holy place.</p>
<p>"After we come out, let's have a game
of hide-and-seek with those children," said
Chin.</p>
<p>He pointed to some boys and girls playing
among the trees and statues, and having a
merry time.</p>
<p>As the children turned toward the buildings,
they passed under some trees from whose
branches hung pieces of wood, stone, and
porcelain.</p>
<p>"People hung those offerings there because
they are going to build a home," said Chin.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</SPAN></span>
"Or perhaps they are just married, and are
beginning housekeeping."</p>
<p>"I know that, of course," answered Chie
Lo.</p>
<p>As the boy and girl entered the temple,
they stopped at the cistern of water near the
door. Wooden dippers were handed to them,
which they were to fill. They must wash
their hands and rinse their mouths before they
dared to draw near the statue of the holy
Buddha or knelt in prayer. They must
do it as a symbol that their tongues were
pure.</p>
<p>After this was done, they threw their coins
into a large money-box, and passed into the
main part of the temple. There were no
seats, but the worshippers sat together on the
floor in little circles.</p>
<p>The altar was beautifully carved, and built
up in the shape of a pyramid. Many offerings
could be seen lying upon it. There were<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</SPAN></span>
lovely flowers, luscious fruits, and piles of
snow-white rice. These had all been brought
here to-day by those who had come to worship
and to pray. Behind the altar were high
panels on which the life of Buddha was
pictured.</p>
<p>Chin and his sister loved to study these
pictures and dream of the Holy One in whom
they believed.</p>
<p>Their mother had taught them that long
ago a great being lived in this world. He
was born in a palace, and was the son of a
king. He knew only joy and comfort until
one day, when he met a poor old man.
His heart went out in pity to him, and he
said to himself:</p>
<p>"I will not live in comfort any longer if
others in the world suffer and are poor."</p>
<p>He went out from the palace and spent the
rest of his life teaching and giving help.</p>
<p>Chin and his sister did not stop to look at<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</SPAN></span>
the pictures now. They joined one of the
groups sitting cross-legged upon the floor.
A moment afterward their heads were bent,
and their small hands were pressed together in
prayer.</p>
<p>From time to time, one of the worshippers
rose and stepped over to a big bronze bell,
and rung it violently. This was because he
felt that his prayers were not heard, and he
wished to call attention.</p>
<p>Listen! A priest is reading from a palm-leaf
book; and now he chants a prayer with
his face hidden behind a big fan. He keeps
time by striking a bell, or beating on a block
of wood. The people rise upon their knees
and bow to the ground as he chants. There
is no music in the strange service.</p>
<p>As Chin got up to go away, he turned to
Chie Lo and whispered:</p>
<p>"I love to look at the bronze elephants
carved on the walls. They look very wise<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</SPAN></span>
and strong. They are the symbols of the
Buddha, who taught men to be patient and
faithful."</p>
<p>"I always love to look at the flag of our
country, too," answered Chie Lo. "The great
white elephant pictured on the red cloth makes
me think of the same thing."</p>
<p>"I believe I shall like it when I am old
enough to come here to study with the
priests," her brother went on. "I shall like
to serve them, and they will teach me many
good things. But I don't believe I shall ever
be a priest myself."</p>
<p>It is the custom of Chin's country for all the
boys to live awhile in the wats, as soon as they
are old enough to have their heads shaved.
They help the priests in the temples, and
serve them in different ways. They are also
taught to write and cipher. After they have
stayed a certain time, they may choose for
themselves what they will do. They may<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</SPAN></span>
study to become priests themselves, or they
may go back to their homes and choose some
kind of work.</p>
<p>As for Chie Lo, what would she do when
Chin went away from home? Her parents
were too poor to send her to a school for girls.
She would sell fruits and vegetables in her
little boat until she was old enough to get
married.</p>
<p>Poor little child! She turned to her brother
as they left the temple, and said:</p>
<p>"I wish, Chin, that I could go to school
and be able to recite poems and stories."</p>
<p>For in that strange country of Siam, few
girls learn either to read or write, even if they
are able to go to school.</p>
<p>Their teacher recites some lines and the
pupils repeat them after him until the whole
piece is learned. Then another is taken up
in the same way, and still another. But every
child must be sure of one thing: she must<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</SPAN></span>
know an <i>odd number</i> of pieces when she has
finished.</p>
<p>You remember the Siamese seem to be
afraid of even numbers in anything whatsoever.</p>
<p>As for geography, or history, or any other
pleasant study, such as you have, very few of
the children of that country have even heard
of them. I doubt if Chin and his sister know
anything about the great, beautiful country on
the other side of the world, where their American
cousins are living.</p>
<p>But Siam is slowly changing, and, as I have
already said, the king who now rules is wiser
than those before him. He will help his
people to become wiser, too.</p>
<p>As the children went on their way home,
they fell to talking about their ruler. They
spoke of him as "The Lord of the Celestial
Elephant," and other queer titles.</p>
<p>"He worships in the temple of the Emerald<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</SPAN></span>
Buddha," Chin told his sister. He had heard
others describe the beautiful place.</p>
<p>"It seems as though I could almost see it,"
the boy declared. "It must be wonderful.
Just think, Chie Lo, the floor is paved with
bricks of brass, and the walls are covered with
paintings. The altar is several times as high
as our house. It is loaded with images from
the bottom to the very top. They are covered
with gold, except the Emerald Buddha
itself, which is above all the rest.</p>
<p>"Its hair is made of solid gold, in which
are diamonds and rubies and many other
kinds of precious gems. I wish I could
look at it just once, although it is so high
up, a person can hardly see it as he stands
on the floor."</p>
<p>"Mother said nobody made that statue,"
said Chie Lo when her brother had finished.
"It was a miracle, and suddenly appeared in
the world after a visit of Buddha."</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"Mother and father know a great deal,"
replied Chin. "When we get home to-night,
let's ask them to tell us the story of how gold
and silver came to be in the world."</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER VIII<br/> <small>THE LEGEND OF THE PEACE-OFFERING</small></h2>
<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was a beautiful moonlight night. The
stars shone faintly in the clear sky.</p>
<p>"They do not look as though they felt as
happy as usual," said Chin to Chie Lo, who
sat beside him on the platform of the house.
"They are jealous because the moon is hiding
them by her brightness. Here comes father;
now we can ask him."</p>
<p>"Father, will you tell us the story of
Rosy Dawn?" said his son, as the boat drew
up beside the platform and the man jumped
out.</p>
<p>"As soon as I fill my betel-box, Chin,"
was the answer.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Five minutes afterward, the family gathered
around the story-teller by the side of the quiet
river.</p>
<p>"Once upon a time," he began, "Father
Sun was much nearer the earth than he is now.
He was ever ready to advise his younger
brother, the king of our country, and would
even order his officers, the stars, to do anything
which might help this blessed land.</p>
<p>"It was long, long ago that all this happened.
Everything was so different then from what it
is now, that there was no sickness nor sorrow
in the land. People lived to be hundreds of
years old. Why, my children, the King of
Siam himself was looked upon as a very
young man, although he was at least one
hundred and sixty years old.</p>
<p>"His father, the old king, was still alive, but
had grown tired of ruling after two hundred
years of such work. He had given it into his
son's hands, and now took his ease.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"His only daughter, a beautiful maiden
named Rosy Dawn, spent most of her time
in cheering him and making his life happy.
No one had ever looked upon her sweet face
except her own family. She was as good and
simple as she was beautiful. Her days must
have passed very quietly, for her only amusements
were singing her old father to sleep
and wandering alone through the fields and
woods.</p>
<p>"A sad thing happened about this time.
The naughty stars grew jealous of their lord,
the Sun. They did not like it because he
chose to keep awake all the time, and was
having such pleasure with the earth and its
people that he never thought of sleeping.</p>
<p>"Day and night, summer and winter, he gave
his bright light to the world; he seemed afraid
that something ill might happen to his young
brother the king, if he left him for a moment.
Of course, the stars had no chance of showing<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</SPAN></span>
their own beauty, and this was what put them
out of temper. They said to each other:</p>
<p>"'Our lord has some reason for not sleeping
which we do not understand. We will
watch him, and set a snare for him.'</p>
<p>"So, when they themselves should have been
sound asleep, for it was now bright noonday,
they set to watch the jolly, laughing Sun.</p>
<p>"It happened at this very time that Rosy
Dawn left her sleeping father's side and went
out for a frolic in the woods. She picked the
wild flowers and made them into wreaths; she
softly sang sweet songs to herself, and she
watched the squirrels and lizards as they
played about among the trees.</p>
<p>"All at once she spied a beautiful butterfly
move past her. It was larger and more
brilliant than any she had ever seen before.
She said to herself:</p>
<p>"'I must have the lovely creature,' and
ran after it.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"On flitted the butterfly, faster and faster;
on sped Rosy Dawn after it. But it was in
vain. For after a long chase, and just as she
thought she was about to succeed, the butterfly
rose up into the air, higher and higher
above her head.</p>
<p>"Now the fair maiden turned back toward
home, and for the first time she thought of
how tired she was. Her dainty feet fairly
ached from the long chase, and she stopped
at a refreshing brook to bathe.</p>
<p>"Just at this moment, the Sun's glorious
chariot appeared over the hilltop. The warm
light fell upon Rosy Dawn and made her feel
quiet and restful. At the same time the Sun
himself looked down upon the beautiful
maiden and he fell in love with her then
and there.</p>
<p>"When she had finished her bath, Rosy
Dawn left the stream and entered a shady
cavern near by, where she might rest.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"The Sun's great chariot flew through the
heavens as his noble steeds were spurred onward.
It seemed as though he could not wait
a moment longer before he should come to the
charming girl he had just seen.</p>
<p>"You ask me if he won Rosy Dawn's love
in return. Ah, yes! And, sad to say, trouble
followed after.</p>
<p>"You remember that the jealous stars were
watching their lord's movements. After
a while they discovered that he was making
love to Rosy Dawn. They followed him
one day when the two were fondly talking
together in their favourite resting-place, the
cavern.</p>
<p>"Alas! the chariot was outside. The wicked
stars seized it and carried it off, and the frightened
steeds ran away. They did not turn
their heads until they had reached home.</p>
<p>"The angry stars did not stop here. They
raised a great shout against their ruler, and<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</SPAN></span>
declared they would be his subjects no longer.
The poor old Sun began to tremble, and shed
tears of gold.</p>
<p>"The mountains were truly sorry for him.
They opened up a passageway through which
he might return home. They promised him
that he might drive through this cavern every
day and be perfectly safe. Again he wept,
and more plentifully still.</p>
<p>"At last he started on his way homeward,
and, as he journeyed along, his tears fell and
formed pools of gold. Those pools are now
the gold mines of Siam.</p>
<p>"It took twelve hours for Old Sol to reach
home, after which he went out every day; but
he came back regularly at night-time by way
of the cavern that the mountains had given
him.</p>
<p>"After this poor Rosy Dawn wandered
sadly about through the caves and mountains.
She, too, wept, and her tears were very plentiful.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</SPAN></span>
Wherever they fell you will now find the
silver mines of our country.</p>
<p>"But you must not think her joy was at an
end. The wicked stars at last made an agreement
with their lord, the Sun. They said he
might live with Rosy Dawn for one-half the
month, if they were allowed to look at her
beautiful face for the other half.</p>
<p>"Ever since that time the Sun meets Rosy
Dawn at the mouth of the cave where he first
saw her, and carries her home to stay with him
for two weeks out of each month."</p>
<p>"You didn't mention one important thing,"
said Chin, as his father ended the story. "You
forgot to say that the stars insisted on the
Sun's never kissing Rosy Dawn when any one
can see him. We know hers is another name
for the Moon; and the Sun breaks his agreement
with the stars once in a great while,
whenever there is an eclipse."</p>
<p>"Yes, that is why the people beat drums<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</SPAN></span>
and fire off guns at such times," said the children's
mother. "It is to shame the Sun, and
to make him stop such conduct at once. Of
course it takes some time for the sounds to
reach him, but as soon as he hears, he seems
to be ashamed, for the eclipse soon passes by."</p>
<p>"When I was a boy, I went on a pilgrimage
to the very cavern where the Sun first met
Rosy Dawn," said the father. "I was careful
to carry both a silver coin and a gold one.
When we reached the place, I threw the
money into the cavern. Every one else did
likewise. We offered these coins in hopes of
making merit for ourselves."</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER IX.<br/> <small>QUEER SIGHTS</small></h2>
<p>"<span class="smcap">I am</span> going to the city to-day to buy a new
waist-cloth," said Chin's father one morning.
"Chin, you may go with me, if you like."</p>
<p>A few moments afterward the two were
paddling down the river past the temples and
palaces which lined the shore.</p>
<p>Besides the homes of the rich, surrounded
by stately palm-trees and beautiful gardens,
there were other houses belonging to poorer
people. These last were built close to the
river's edge, but were raised high up above the
water, on posts.</p>
<p>This was a wise thing to do for several
reasons. In the first place, the river would
rise after the fall rains began, and the houses<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</SPAN></span>
might float away,—or, at least, the people
inside would be flooded, unless they had been
careful to build high enough to prepare for
such times.</p>
<p>The fine houses were of brick or wood, but
the poorer ones were much like Chin's house-boat,
woven of bamboo and thatched with
leaves.</p>
<p>The boy and his father soon left the main
part of the river and turned into one of the
canals. They were now in a part of the city
where a good deal of business was going on.
They left the boat, after fastening it to the
bank, and walked along through the narrow
street.</p>
<p>The fronts of the houses here were all open
and everything within could be plainly seen.
In this one was a big counter, almost filling
the room, and the merchant himself sat cross-legged
upon it with his goods around him.</p>
<p>There was a bakery where the cakes and<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</SPAN></span>
bread were made and baked in sight of everyone
who passed. Chin liked to stop and look
at the various workmen. There was much to
see and learn. The metal-workers were pounding
and hammering away, and, as the boy
watched them, he could see bracelets and anklets
shaped, and sheets of copper formed into
various dishes.</p>
<p>In many places the families of the storekeepers
lived in the one room that was both
store and dwelling, but they did not seem to
be troubled when they noticed Chin's black
eyes following them.</p>
<p>In one store a hammock hung from the
ceiling and a baby was swinging there. What
did he care if he was brought up on the
street, as one might say? Care! He seemed
to think the coming and going of so many
people was meant all for him, and he laughed
and crowed at each new face.</p>
<p>"Do look, father," said Chin, as they<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</SPAN></span>
passed a barber's shop. "There is a Chinaman
having his head and eyebrows shaved.
He won't be satisfied until his eyelashes have
been pulled out. Other people have strange
fashions, don't they?"</p>
<p>His father smiled. "Yes, Chin, we are all
different from each other in this world. But
I know one thing in which we are like the
Chinese. We love kites, don't we?"</p>
<p>Chin's eyes sparkled. "Yes, indeed, father.
There is a kite store, now. Let us go in and
look around. The kites there are beautiful."</p>
<p>It is no wonder Chin longed to stop.
All sorts of kites were there to tempt the
passer-by. They were in the shapes of flowers
and boats, dragons and elephants, and I
can't tell how many other odd or lovely patterns.
Chin's father was as much interested
as his son, and a half-hour was spent before
they finally decided on buying a kite in the
form of a butterfly.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"We will have great sport in flying it this
afternoon," said Chin. "Chie Lo must enjoy
it with us."</p>
<p>He had finished speaking when he caught
sight of a procession coming in that direction.
A moment before there had been so many
children, dogs, and cats in the street they
seemed to block the way of everything else;
but now the children quickly turned aside
and ran into the doorways.</p>
<p>As the procession drew near, a great shouting
and beating of drums could be heard.</p>
<p>"Father, look quickly," said Chin. "The
men are carrying a statue of Buddha on a
litter. Isn't it beautiful? It is all covered
with gilt. I wonder where they will carry it.
Oh, now I see; they have stopped at that
open place and are going to have a play.
There are the actors themselves."</p>
<p>"Some rich man is doing this," said Chin's
father. "He has probably hired the actors,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</SPAN></span>
and the show will be free to all. He is making
merit for himself, without doubt. We
will join the crowd."</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i091.jpg" width-obs="335" height-obs="500" alt="Two men in costumes" /> <div class="caption">SIAMESE ACTORS.</div>
</div>
<p>By this time the gilded statue had been set
up on a sort of throne, and sticks of incense
were lighted and placed on the rough altar in
front of it.</p>
<p>The strangest part came now, for the actors
began to put on their queer costumes right
before the people who had gathered around
the show. Then came the play.</p>
<p>There was neither stage nor curtain; nor
was there any scenery, except that of the place
itself. But Chin and his father enjoyed it as
well as the other onlookers. They laughed
and looked sad, in turn, and seemed to forget
that it was only a play, and not real life, that
was pictured before them.</p>
<p>When the play was over, Chin's father said:</p>
<p>"We must go back to the stores, for I have
not bought my waist-cloth yet."</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>The place they soon entered was different
from any dry-goods store you ever saw. The
room was fitted with pigeonholes, in each of
which was folded a strip of cloth one yard
wide, and three yards long. Some of these
pa-nungs, or waist-cloths, were of silk, and
others of cotton. Some were striped, and
others figured. They form, as you know,
the principal part of the dress of both men
and women in Siam.</p>
<p>After Chin's father had looked at a number
of the cotton waist-cloths, he finally decided on
one that was gaily striped. It was of no use
for him to examine anything made of silk. It
would cost more than the poor man could
afford.</p>
<p>"Now, for the tailor's," he said. "I must
buy thread and needles."</p>
<p>A few steps brought them to the tiny shop
where the tailor sat, working busily, but on
the watch for customers at the same time. He<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</SPAN></span>
held the cloth on which he was sewing between
his toes! That did not seem strange
to Chin. He had often watched carpenters
use their toes to hold boards in place. As
to himself, his own toes were put to every
possible use, so that you would almost call
him four-handed.</p>
<p>As his feet were always bare, why shouldn't
he make them useful in other ways than
walking and running, swimming and playing
games? There was no reason at all.</p>
<p>"I'm getting hungry, and we are a good
ways from home, father. I wish we could
buy some cakes."</p>
<p>Chin looked longingly at a stand under a
stone archway where two men stood in front
of a movable furnace. Square griddles were
on the furnace, and the men were busily baking
cakes. Each one was made in the shape
of the figure 8. Curlicue cakes, they were
called.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>A crowd of boys was standing as near to
the furnace as possible, watching the men.
Some were buying the cakes as they came
from the hot griddle; others had no money
and could only look on.</p>
<p>Each of the bakers held in his hand a terra-cotta
bottle with a small hole in the end. He
kept the bottle horizontal while he filled it
with the batter. When the griddle was hot
enough, he held the bottle upright for a moment
with his finger over the hole, then, taking
his finger away, he passed it quickly over
the griddle with the motion you would use in
making the figure 8. A minute afterward, a delicious
curlicue cake was ready for a customer.</p>
<p>"You may treat yourself here, Chin," said
his father, "while I go to the betel stand
yonder, to get my box filled."</p>
<p>It was now noon-time, and the sun was
very hot. The street, which had been
crowded all the morning, was nearly empty.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</SPAN></span>
Almost every one in the city, except the
poorer people, was now taking a midday
nap in the shadow of some tree or veranda.</p>
<p>"We must go home, Chin, for I am warm
and tired," said his father, but he smiled
pleasantly, for he had enjoyed the morning
as much as his son.</p>
<p>On their way to the boat they passed some
jugglers treading fire and climbing a ladder of
sharp knives with their bare feet. At most
times, a large crowd would have been gathered
around them, but there were few people now.
It was too hot, and even Chin was glad to
leave the city street and get into his little boat
once more.</p>
<p>Perhaps you wonder if there are no carriages
in this strange city of the East. There are not
many, since, as you remember, most of the
travelling is done on the water. But once in
a while one sees a queer sort of vehicle called
a jinrikisha.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>It is much like an open buggy on two
wheels and is drawn by men. It is more
common in the land of Chin's Japanese
cousins, however, than in his country.</p>
<p>Then, again, if any of Chin's people are in
a great hurry (but that very seldom happens),
they may hire gharries, which are very light and
have canvas tops. These are drawn by small
horses brought from China.</p>
<p>"The gharries are strange things," thinks
Chin's father; "the idea of using them must
have been given by those queer white people,
who do not seem to enjoy life as we Siamese
do. They move so much faster, and are not
satisfied to do things in the quiet, happy way
of my countrymen."</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER X.<br/> <small>THE QUEEN'S CITY</small></h2>
<p>"<span class="smcap">I have</span> had a lovely time to-day, too,"
said Chie Lo, when Chin had told her of his
walk through the city.</p>
<p>"I sold my fruit in an hour or two, and
then Pome Yik and I went off in my canoe
to have a good time by ourselves."</p>
<p>Chin laughed when his sister mentioned
Pome Yik. She was a curly-headed playmate
of Chie Lo's. The Siamese think that
straight, wiry hair is the only beautiful kind in
the world, and make fun of any one whose
hair is even wavy. So the little girl spoken
of came to have the nickname Pome Yik,
which means curly-head.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Her real name was almost forgotten, but,
poor child, she didn't enjoy hearing herself
called Pome Yik any more than if it had been
"double-toe" or "hunchback," or the name
given to any kind of deformed person by the
people of her country.</p>
<p>"We went several miles before we stopped,"
Chie Lo went on. "We passed that big rice
plantation, Chin, where you often go on
errands for father. Then we came to a field
flooded with water and covered with lotus
blossoms. They had been raised for market
and the people were busy gathering them.</p>
<p>"See, Chin, they gave me these to bring
home. Aren't they beautiful?"</p>
<p>Chie Lo held up a bunch of the great, delicate
lilies for her brother to admire. Their
hearts were golden; the petals, which were of
a faint pink near the centre, were of a deep,
bright red toward the tips.</p>
<p>The flower had a great meaning to these<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</SPAN></span>
children of Siam. It told the story of life, and
was sacred to the Buddha, who was often pictured
sitting on the lotus. Why should it
mean so much? Let us see.</p>
<p>The root of the plant lies embedded in the
mud. That represents our weak human
nature. As the long stems grow, they reach
up through the deep water toward the sunlight.
That is what we all do, is it not? for
we long to do right and seek the light of love
and wisdom.</p>
<p>At length a wondrous blossom appears on
the surface of the water. It is perfect in
shape, and beautiful in colour, while its heart
is golden, we remember. That is the blossoming
of a whole life. The lotus is a fine
symbol, we have to admit.</p>
<p>But Chie Lo spoke of the people gathering
the lotus for market. Of course the flowers
could be readily sold, but that was not all.
The Chinese in the city would be glad to<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</SPAN></span>
buy the seeds, which they grind and make
into cakes. The stems could be cooked and
served as a delicious vegetable; the fibres of
the leaf-stalks would furnish lamp-wicks.
The plant has many uses in the country
where it is raised.</p>
<p>"Father says the king has beautiful lotus
ponds in the grounds near the palace," said
Chin, as he smelled the flowers. "He has
seen them, as well as the fountains and statues
and lovely gardens."</p>
<p>"It must be a grand thing to be a king,"
replied Chie Lo, thoughtfully. "They say
that the palace is even more wonderful than
the grounds around it.</p>
<p>"Just think of it! the floors are paved with
marble and the tables are also of marble.
There are all sorts of couches to lie and sit on.
These are covered with silks and satins of
beautiful colours, and there are pictures on the
walls that have been painted to look just like<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</SPAN></span>
people the king has known. Ah! what a
sight it must be!"</p>
<p>Chie Lo shut her eyes, as though she might
then be able to see what she had been describing.</p>
<p>"The city of the royal women is inside
all the rest of the king's grounds," said
Chin. "You know that one must pass
through three walls before one can enter it.
No man can go there except the king and
the priests."</p>
<p>"Yes, mother has told me about it," answered
Chie Lo. "It is a real city, too, for it
contains stores and temples, theatres and markets.
There are all sorts of lovely trees and
plants, ponds and summer houses. The children
must have a fine time in such a lovely
place. It must be a grand thing to be born in
a king's family." Chie Lo sighed.</p>
<p>"Tell me what else you saw beside the lily-fields
this morning," said Chin, who was quite<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</SPAN></span>
satisfied to be a free, careless, happy boy, and
envied nobody.</p>
<p>"When we were still quite a distance from
home, we saw some men fishing in the river.
They were filling their boats very fast, for they
had a wheel set up near the bank. As one of
them turned the wheel, their nets were spread
out and sunk in the water. The other men
darted right and left in their boats, shouting
and beating drums, and making a great noise.
The frightened fishes must have been driven
into the nets in great numbers, for the men
were obliged to pull hard to lift them into the
boats."</p>
<p>"That is an easy way," said Chin. "There
is a good deal of sport in it, too, for father and
I fished with a wheel once, and I liked it for a
change. But see, there's father now. Let's
go to meet him."</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER XI.<br/> <small>THE MONSOON</small></h2>
<p>"<span class="smcap">It's</span> coming! it's coming!" cried Chin, as
he sat on the floating platform of his home.
As soon as he said these words, he jumped up
and followed Chie Lo and the rest of the
family into the house.</p>
<p>They all moved faster than usual, for it was
a time to hurry, if there ever was such a time
in Siam. The sky had been black and overcast
with clouds for two or three days, giving
warning to the people that the monsoon was
drawing near, but now the wind began to blow,
which told its arrival.</p>
<p>Did they fear? Surely not. They were
only too glad there was a rest from the burning
sunshine and the clouds of dust.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Unless rain should come soon, the sugar-cane
would dry up and immense crops would
be lost. The fruits would shrivel and many
people would become poor.</p>
<p>But now all could take refreshing sleep after
they had prepared for the yearly storm.</p>
<p>Chin had helped his father mend the roof
of the little home. The clusters of loose
leaves were pulled out, and fresh ones fastened
securely in their places. Heavy stones were
laid here and there on the roof to make it safe
when the gusts of wind should strike it. The
doors and window-casings must also be fastened
tightly.</p>
<p>As for Chie Lo and her mother, they had
been very busy carrying all the jars and baskets
inside the house. The mats, on which
spices had been drying, must also be put in a
safe place. In fact, everything that was loose
must be made tight.</p>
<p>The canoes were lifted from the water, and<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</SPAN></span>
placed on that side of the platform which
would be protected from the rising wind.</p>
<p>Now it was coming, as Chin said. The
cocoanut and mango-trees on the shore began
to rustle; leaves were flying in the air; the
crows were hastening to safe resting-places.</p>
<p>Then, all of a sudden, the rain fell in sheets,
the thunder rolled through the heavens, lightning
flashed right and left, and the wind
roared as though in fierce anger.</p>
<p>But Chin and Chie Lo sat in a snug corner
of the kitchen and felt little fear.</p>
<p>"They say that a giant lives far up in the
air, and when he gets angry with his wife and
chases her, we hear the thunder in the sky,"
whispered Chie Lo.</p>
<p>"He isn't angry with us, anyway," said
Chin. "Listen, Chie Lo. How our house
rocks! but it is fastened tightly, so we are all
right, and the wind won't keep up this way
very long."</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>After an hour or two the storm passed by,
and the blackness departed from the sky.
This was only the beginning of the fall rains,
however. Before the night was over, Chin
waked up to hear the downpour on the roof.
He went to sleep in a few moments, saying to
himself, "Rain, rain, rain, for a week at least.
I will make up now for the nights I couldn't
rest."</p>
<p>If Chin had been kept from sleeping, you
may well believe it had been very hot and
uncomfortable.</p>
<p>The next day there was little to do. Chin's
father did not care to venture out in the heavy
rain, and spent a good deal of the time in taking
refreshing naps. But when he was awake the
children got him to tell stories of the wonderful
country in which they lived.</p>
<p>He had never been in the jungle himself,
but several of his friends were hunters who
had met the wild elephant and the tiger in the<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</SPAN></span>
deep forests. They had chased the wildcat,
and had had narrow escapes from the rhinoceros
and the deadly cobra.</p>
<p>"Did you ever see a cobra yourself, father?"
asked Chin, as he listened to the stories with
wide-open eyes.</p>
<p>"Yes, indeed. It was only the other day
that I watched a snake-charmer, who wound a
cobra around his arm."</p>
<p>"Please tell us about it," cried his son. "I
wish I could have seen him. Wasn't he the
least bit afraid?"</p>
<p>"If he had been, he would probably have
lost his life," was the answer. "He charmed
the creature with music, while he swayed his
body back and forth as he played. The serpent
followed his motions as it listened to the
strange sounds. Of course the man played
with only one hand. He seized the cobra's
neck with the other, after which he took out
its teeth and venom-bag. When this was<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</SPAN></span>
done the cobra was no more harmful than
your kitten."</p>
<p>"How did he do it, father?"</p>
<p>"It was not very hard work, for he used a
pair of pincers. Coolness is the most important
thing. We should remember to be calm
in all things, my son."</p>
<p>"Yes, I must remember that, for I will
soon be old enough to have my hair cut, and
you will call me a man."</p>
<p>"I hope I can afford to have a fine celebration.
Chin, you will go to the temple, of
course. The seven steps of the altar will be
covered with fresh banana leaves, and figures
of angels and animals will be placed there."</p>
<p>"Do I have to walk around the altar three
times, holding a wax candle in my hand?"</p>
<p>"Yes, Chin, and then your friends will take
the other candles and blow the lights out
directly over your head.</p>
<p>"After that you will be given a fresh cocoanut<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</SPAN></span>
and a cup containing pieces of money.
Music will come next."</p>
<p>"It will be the great time of my life, father.
I must think about it and get ready for it."</p>
<p>"There are many kinds of people in our
city, Chin. There are the Chinese, who live
here in great numbers; there are Hindus with
pride in themselves; there are the white people
who come here on business, or to teach
their religion to those who will listen. But
Chin, we are Siamese, and we like the ways of
our own country. We hear of different fashions,
but ours are still the best to us."</p>
<div class='center'><br/>
THE END.<br/></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_1_ad" id="Page_1_ad">[A-1]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle1'><i>L. C. Page and Company's</i><br/>
BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE</div>
<div class='adtitle2'><br/><br/>THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS</div>
<div class='center'>(Trade Mark)<br/>
<br/>
<i>By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON</i><br/>
<br/>
<i>Each 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per vol.</i> $1.50<br/></div>
<div class='booktitle'>
THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)<br/></div>
<p>Being three "Little Colonel" stories in the Cosy Corner
Series, "The Little Colonel," "Two Little Knights of
Kentucky," and "The Giant Scissors," in a single volume.</p>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOUSE PARTY</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HOLIDAYS</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING-SCHOOL</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHRISTMAS VACATION</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOR</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL'S KNIGHT COMES RIDING</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL'S CHUM</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>MARY WARE IN TEXAS</div>
<div class='booktitle'>MARY WARE'S PROMISED LAND</div>
<div class='center'><i>These 12 volumes, boxed as a set, $18.00.</i></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_2_ad" id="Page_2_ad">[A-2]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL</div>
<div class='trademark'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='booktitle'>TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE GIANT SCISSORS</div>
<div class='booktitle'>BIG BROTHER</div>
<div class='center'>Special Holiday Editions<br/>
Each one volume, cloth decorative, small quarto, $1.25</div>
<div class='blockquot'>New plates, handsomely illustrated with eight full-page
drawings in color, and many marginal sketches.</div>
<div class='hang1'><span class='booktitle'>IN THE DESERT OF WAITING:</span> <span class="smcap">The Legend of
Camelback Mountain</span>.</div>
<div class='hang1'><span class='booktitle'>THE THREE WEAVERS:</span> <span class="smcap">A Fairy Tale for
Fathers and Mothers as Well as for Their
Daughters</span>.</div>
<div class='booktitle'>KEEPING TRYST</div>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART<br/><br/></div>
<div class='hang1'><span class='booktitle'>THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME:</span> <span class="smcap">A Fairy Play for Old and Young</span>.</div>
<div class='hang1'><div class='booktitle'>THE JESTER'S SWORD</div>
</div>
<div class="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="book prices">
<tr><td align="left">Each one volume, tall 16mo, cloth decorative </td><td align="right">$0.50</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left">Paper boards</td><td align="right">.35</td></tr>
</table></div>
<p>There has been a constant demand for publication in
separate form of these six stories, which were originally
included in six of the "Little Colonel" books.</p>
<div class='hang1'><span class='booktitle'>JOEL: A BOY OF GALILEE:</span> By <span class="smcap">Annie Fellows
Johnston</span>. Illustrated by L. J. Bridgman.</div>
<div class='center'>
New illustrated edition, uniform with the Little Colonel Books, 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth decorative $1.50<br/></div>
<p>A story of the time of Christ, which is one of the author's
best-known books.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_3_ad" id="Page_3_ad">[A-3]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL GOOD TIMES BOOK</div>
<div class="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="prices">
<tr><td align="left">Uniform in size with the Little Colonel Series </td><td align="right">$1.50</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left">Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold</td><td align="right">3.00</td></tr>
</table></div>
<p>Cover design and decorations by Peter Verberg.</p>
<p>Published in response to many inquiries from readers
of the Little Colonel books as to where they could obtain
a "Good Times Book" such as Betty kept.</p>
<div class='booktitle'>THE LITTLE COLONEL DOLL BOOK</div>
<div class='center'>
Large quarto, boards $1.50<br/></div>
<p>A series of "Little Colonel" dolls. There are many of
them and each has several changes of costume, so that
the happy group can be appropriately clad for the rehearsal
of any scene or incident in the series.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>ASA HOLMES;</span> <span class="smcap">Or, At the Cross-Roads</span>. By
<span class="smcap">Annie Fellows Johnston</span>.</div>
<p>With a frontispiece by Ernest Fosbery.</p>
<div class='center'>
Large 16mo, cloth, gilt top $1.00<br/></div>
<p>"'Asa Holmes; or, At the Cross-Roads' is the most
delightful, most sympathetic and wholesome book that
has been published in a long while."—<cite>Boston Times.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>TRAVELERS FIVE: ALONG LIFE'S HIGHWAY.</span>
By <span class="smcap">Annie Fellows Johnston</span>.</div>
<p>With an introduction by Bliss Carman, and a frontispiece
by E. H. Garrett.</p>
<div class='center'>
Cloth decorative $1.25<br/></div>
<p>"Mrs. Johnston's . . . are of the character that cause
the mind to grow gravely meditative, the eyes to shine
with tender mist, and the heart strings to stir to strange,
sweet music of human sympathy."—<cite>Los Angeles Graphic.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class="adtitle5">THE RIVAL CAMPERS;</span> <span class="smcap">Or, The Adventures
of Henry Burns</span>. By <span class="smcap">Ruel Perley Smith.</span></div>
<div class='center'>
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>A story of a party of typical American lads, courageous,
alert, and athletic, who spend a summer camping on an
island off the Maine coast.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class="adtitle5">THE RIVAL CAMPERS AFLOAT;</span> <span class="smcap">Or, The
Prize Yacht Viking</span>. By <span class="smcap">Ruel Perley Smith</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>This book is a continuation of the adventures of "The
Rival Campers" on their prize yacht <i>Viking</i>.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_4_ad" id="Page_4_ad">[A-4]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE RIVAL CAMPERS ASHORE</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Ruel Perley Smith</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"As interesting ashore as when afloat."—<cite>The Interior.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class="adtitle5">THE RIVAL CAMPERS AMONG THE
OYSTER PIRATES;</span> <span class="smcap">Or, Jack Harvey's Adventures.</span>
By <span class="smcap">Ruel Perley Smith</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"Just the type of book which is most popular with lads
who are in their early teens."—<cite>The Philadelphia Item.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A TEXAS BLUE BONNET</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Emilia Elliott</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"The book's heroine Blue Bonnet has the very finest
kind of wholesome, honest lively girlishness and cannot
but make friends with every one who meets her through
the book as medium."—<cite>Chicago Inter-Ocean.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY</div>
<p>A Sequel to "A Texas Blue Bonnet." By <span class="smcap">Emilia
Elliott</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>The new story begins where the first volume leaves off
and takes Blue Bonnet and the "We Are Seven Club"
to the ranch in Texas. The tables are completely turned:
Blue Bonnet is here in her natural element, while her
friends from Woodford have to learn the customs and
traditions of another world.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE</div>
<p><span class="smcap">Or, Peggy Raymond's Success</span>. By <span class="smcap">Harriet Lummis
Smith.</span></p>
<div class='center'>
12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>This is a book that will gladden the hearts of many
girl readers because of its charming air of comradeship
and reality. It is a very interesting group of girls who
live on Friendly Terrace and their good times and other
times are graphically related by the author, who shows
a sympathetic knowledge of girl character.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_5_ad" id="Page_5_ad">[A-5]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle2'>FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES</div>
<div class='chaptertitle'><i>By <span class="smcap">CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON</span></i></div>
<div class='center'>
<i>Each, large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated</i> $1.50<br/></div>
<div class='adtitle3'>FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS</div>
<p>Biographical sketches, with anecdotes and reminiscences,
of the heroes of history who were leaders of cavalry.</p>
<p>"More of such books should be written, books that
acquaint young readers with historical personages in a
pleasant informal way."—<cite>N. Y. Sun.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS</div>
<p>In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of
the Indian braves who have figured with prominence in
the history of our own land, including Powhatan, the
Indian Cæsar; Massasoit, the friend of the Puritans;
Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous war
chief of the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous war chief
of the Sioux; Geronimo, the renowned Apache Chief, etc.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVENTURERS
OF THE SEA.</div>
<p>In this volume Mr. Johnston tells interesting stories
about the famous sailors of fortune. There are tales of
Captain Otway Burns, patriot, privateer and legislator;
Woodes Rogers, scourge of the South Sea trade; Captain
William Death, wolf of the ocean; and of many others.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>FAMOUS SCOUTS</div>
<p>"It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascination
for boys and young men and while it entertains them
it will also present valuable information in regard to those
who have left their impress upon the history of the country."—<cite>The
New London Day.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES
OF THE BORDER</div>
<p>This book is devoted to a description of the adventurous
lives and stirring experiences of many pioneer heroes
who were prominently identified with the opening of the
great west. The stories of these border heroes are graphically
presented, and their desperate battles with Indians,
border desperadoes, and wild beasts are splendidly told.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_6_ad" id="Page_6_ad">[A-6]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>BEAUTIFUL JOE'S PARADISE;</span> <span class="smcap">Or, The Island
of Brotherly Love</span>. A Sequel to "Beautiful Joe."</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Marshall Saunders</span>, author of "Beautiful Joe."</p>
<div class='center'>
One vol., library 12mo, cloth illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"This book revives the spirit of 'Beautiful Joe' capitally.
It is fairly riotous with fun, and is about as unusual
as anything in the animal book line that has seen the
light."—<cite>Philadelphia Item.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class="adtitle5">'TILDA JANE.</span> By <span class="smcap">Marshall Saunders</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"I cannot think of any better book for children than
this. I commend it unreservedly."—<cite>Cyrus T. Brady.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class="adtitle5">'TILDA JANE'S ORPHANS.</span> A sequel to "'Tilda Jane."
By <span class="smcap">Marshall Saunders</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50<br/></div>
<p>'Tilda Jane is the same original, delightful girl, and as
fond of her animal pets as ever.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class="adtitle5">'TILDA JANE IN CALIFORNIA.</span> A Sequel to
"'Tilda Jane," and "'Tilda Jane's Orphans." By
<span class="smcap">Marshall Saunders</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50<br/></div>
<p>The scene of the story is sunny California, where the
heroine, 'Tilda Jane, an Eastern girl of high resolves and
warm impulses, goes on a long visit to distant relatives.
Many of the other beloved characters in the previous
"'Tilda Jane" books are introduced in this story.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class="adtitle5">THE STORY OF THE GRAVELYS.</span> By
<span class="smcap">Marshall Saunders</span>, author of "Beautiful Joe's
Paradise," "'Tilda Jane," etc.</div>
<div class='center'>
Library 12mo, cloth decorative. Illustrated by E. B. Barry $1.50<br/></div>
<p>Here we have the haps and mishaps, the trials and
triumphs, of a delightful New England family.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class="adtitle5">BORN TO THE BLUE.</span> By <span class="smcap">Florence Kimball
Russel</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.25<br/></div>
<p>The atmosphere of army life on the plains breathes on
every page of this delightful tale. The boy is the son of a
captain of U. S. cavalry stationed at a frontier post in the
days when our regulars earned the gratitude of a nation.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_7_ad" id="Page_7_ad">[A-7]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>IN WEST POINT GRAY</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Florence Kimball Russel</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"Singularly enough one of the best books of the year
for boys is written by a woman and deals with life at West
Point. The presentment of life in the famous military
academy whence so many heroes have graduated is realistic
and enjoyable."—<cite>New York Sun.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE SANDMAN: HIS FARM STORIES</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">William J. Hopkins</span>. With fifty illustrations by
Ada Clendenin Williamson.</p>
<div class='center'>
Large 12mo, decorative cover $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"An amusing, original book, written for the benefit of
very small children. It should be one of the most popular
of the year's books for reading to small children."—<cite>Buffalo
Express.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE SANDMAN: MORE FARM STORIES</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">William J. Hopkins</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>Mr. Hopkins's first essay at bedtime stories met with
such approval that this second book of "Sandman" tales
was issued for scores of eager children. Life on the farm,
and out-of-doors, is portrayed in his inimitable manner.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE SANDMAN: HIS SHIP STORIES</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">William J. Hopkins</span>, author of "The Sandman:
His Farm Stories," etc.</p>
<div class='center'>
Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"Children call for these stories over and over again."—<cite>Chicago
Evening Post.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE SANDMAN: HIS SEA STORIES</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">William J. Hopkins</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>Each year adds to the popularity of this unique series
of stories to be read to the little ones at bed time and at
other times.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_8_ad" id="Page_8_ad">[A-8]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Marion Ames Taggart</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a little girl and her comrade
father, written in a delightful vein of sympathetic
comprehension of the child's point of view.</p>
<p>"The characters are strongly drawn with a life-like realism,
the incidents are well and progressively sequenced,
and the action is so well timed that the interest never
slackens."—<cite>Boston Ideas.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>SWEET NANCY</div>
<p><span class="smcap">The Further Adventures of the Doctor's Little
Girl.</span> By <span class="smcap">Marion Ames Taggart</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>In the new book, the author tells how Nancy becomes
in fact "the doctor's assistant," and continues to shed
happiness around her.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>NANCY, THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE PARTNER</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Marion Ames Taggart</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>In Nancy Porter, Miss Taggart has created one of the
most lovable child characters in recent years. In the
new story she is the same bright and cheerful little maid.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>NANCY PORTER'S OPPORTUNITY</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Marion Ames Taggart</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>Already as the "doctor's partner" Nancy Porter has
won the affection of her readers, and in the same lovable
manner she continues in the new book to press the keynotes
of optimism and good-will.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>ALMA AT HADLEY HALL</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Louise Breitenbach</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
One vol., 12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"This delightful tale of boarding-school life is one that
cannot fail to appeal to the lover of good things in girls'
books. It will take rank for its naturalness and truth."—<cite>Portland
Press.</cite></p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_9_ad" id="Page_9_ad">[A-9]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Evaleen Stein</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated in colors by Adelaide Everhart $1.00<br/></div>
<p>Gabriel was a loving, patient, little French lad, who
assisted the monks in the long ago days, when all the books
were written and illuminated by hand, in the monasteries.</p>
<p>"No works in juvenile fiction contain so many of the
elements that stir the hearts of children and grown-ups as
well as do the stories so admirably told by this author."—<cite>Louisville
Daily Courier.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A LITTLE SHEPHERD OF PROVENCE</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Evaleen Stein</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Cloth, 12mo, illustrated by Diantha H. Marlowe $1.25<br/></div>
<p>"The story should be one of the influences in the life
of every child to whom good stories can be made to
appeal."—<cite>Public Ledger.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE LITTLE COUNT OF NORMANDY</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Evaleen Stein</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Cloth, 12mo, illustrated by John Goss $1.25<br/></div>
<p>"This touching and pleasing story is told with a wealth
of interest coupled with enlivening descriptions of the
country where its scenes are laid and of the people thereof."—<cite>Wilmington
Every Evening</cite>.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>ALYS-ALL-ALONE</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Una Macdonald</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Cloth, 12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"This is a most delightful, well-written, heart-stirring,
happy ending story, which will gladden the heart of many
a reader."—<cite>Scranton Times.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>ALYS IN HAPPYLAND.</span> A Sequel to "Alys-All
Alone." By <span class="smcap">Una Macdonald</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Cloth, 12mo, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"The book is written with that taste and charm that
prepare younger readers for the appreciation of good literature
when they are older."—<cite>Chicago Tribune.</cite></p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_10_ad" id="Page_10_ad">[A-10]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>THE RED FEATHERS.</span> By <span class="smcap">G. E. T. Roberts</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"The Red Feathers" tells of the remarkable adventures
of an Indian boy who lived in the Stone Age, many years
ago, when the world was young.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>FLYING PLOVER.</span> By <span class="smcap">G. E. Theodore Roberts</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull $1.00<br/></div>
<p>Squat-By-The-Fire is a very old and wise Indian who
lives alone with her grandson, "Flying Plover," to whom
she tells the stories each evening.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>COMRADES OF THE TRAILS.</span> By <span class="smcap">G. E.
Theodore Roberts</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull $1.50<br/></div>
<p>The story of a fearless young English lad, Dick Ramsey,
who, after the death of his father, crosses the seas and
takes up the life of a hunter in the Canadian forests.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>MARCHING WITH MORGAN.</span> <span class="smcap">How Donald
Lovell Became a Soldier of the Revolution.</span></div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">John V. Lane</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>This is a splendid boy's story of the expedition of
Montgomery and Arnold against Quebec.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>RODNEY, THE RANGER</span>, <span class="smcap">Or, With Daniel
Morgan on Trail and Battlefield</span>. By <span class="smcap">John V.
Lane</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>Young Rodney Allison, although but fifteen years of
age, played a man's part in the troublous times preceding
the American Revolution and in the War itself.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>CHINESE PLAYMATES</div>
<p>By <span class="smcap">Norman H. Pitman</span>.</p>
<div class='center'>
Small cloth 12mo, illustrated $1.00<br/></div>
<p>A worth-while, happy little story about two little
Chinese boys, Lo-Lo and Ta-Ta, and the strange fortunes
that befell them when they wandered from home.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_11_ad" id="Page_11_ad">[A-11]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND</span>; <span class="smcap">Or, The Adventures
of Allan West</span>. By <span class="smcap">Burton E. Stevenson</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>Mr. Stevenson's hero is a manly lad of sixteen, who is
given a chance as a section-hand on a big Western railroad,
and whose experiences are as real as they are thrilling.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER.</span> By <span class="smcap">Burton
E. Stevenson</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"A better book for boys has never left an American
press."—<cite>Springfield Union.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER.</span> By <span class="smcap">Burton E.
Stevenson</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"Nothing better in the way of a book of adventure for
boys in which the actualities of life are set forth in a practical
way could be devised or written."—<cite>Boston Herald.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER.</span> By <span class="smcap">Winn Standish</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high-school
boy.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS</span>; <span class="smcap">Or, Sports
on Land and Lake</span>. By <span class="smcap">Winn Standish</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>"It is exactly the sort of book to give a boy interested
in athletics, for it shows him what it means to always
'play fair.'"—<cite>Chicago Tribune.</cite></p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS;</span> <span class="smcap">Or, Millvale
<span style="margin-left: 1em;">High in Camp</span>. By <span class="smcap">Winn Standish</span>.</span></div>
<div class='center'>
Illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>Full of just the kind of fun, sports and adventure to
excite the healthy minded youngster to emulation.</p>
<div class='adtitle4'><span class='adtitle5'>JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE</span>; <span class="smcap">Or, The Acting
Captain of the Team</span>. By <span class="smcap">Winn Standish</span>.</div>
<div class='center'>
Illustrated $1.50<br/></div>
<p>On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wrestling,
tobogganing, but it is more of a <em>school</em> story perhaps
than any of its predecessors.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_12_ad" id="Page_12_ad">[A-12]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle2'>THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES</div>
<div class='center'>(Trade Mark)</div>
<div class='center'><br/>
Each one vol., 12mo, decorative cover, cloth, with full-page illustrations in color. Price per volume $0.60<br/>
<br/>
<i>By MARY HAZELTON WADE unless otherwise indicated</i><br/><br/></div>
<div class="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Little cousin books">
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little African Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Alaskan Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Arabian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Argentine Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Eva Cannon Brooks</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Armenian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Australian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Belgian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Bohemian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Clara V. Winlow</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Brazilian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Brown Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Canadian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Elizabeth R. Macdonald</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Chinese Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Isaac Taylor Headland</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Cuban Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Danish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Luna May Innes</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Dutch Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Egyptian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little English Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Eskimo Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little French Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little German Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Grecian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Hawaiian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Hindu Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Hungarian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Indian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Irish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Italian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Japanese Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Jewish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Korean Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By H. Lee M. Pike</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Mexican Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Edward C. Butler</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Norwegian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Panama Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By H. Lee M. Pike</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Persian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By E. C. Shedd</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Philippine Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Polish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Florence E. Mendel</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Porto Rican Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Portuguese Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Edith A. Sawyer</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Russian Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Scotch Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Blanche McManus</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Siamese Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Spanish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Swedish Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="right">By Claire M. Coburn</td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Swiss Cousin</b></td></tr>
<tr><td align="left"><b>Our Little Turkish Cousin</b></td></tr>
</table></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_13_ad" id="Page_13_ad">[A-13]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adtitle2'>COSY CORNER SERIES</div>
<div class='hang1'><br/>It is the intention of the publishers that this series shall
contain only the very highest and purest literature,—stories
that shall not only appeal to the children themselves,
but be appreciated by all those who feel with
them in their joys and sorrows.</div>
<div class='hang1'>The numerous illustrations in each book are by well-known
artists, and each volume has a separate attractive
cover design.</div>
<div class='center'><br/>
Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth $0.50<br/></div>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class='adauthor'><i>By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON</i></div>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE LITTLE COLONEL. <small>(Trade Mark)</small></div>
<p>The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine
is a small girl, who is known as the Little Colonel,
on account of her fancied resemblance to an old-school
Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and old family
are famous in the region.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE GIANT SCISSORS.</div>
<p>This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures
in France. Joyce is a great friend of the Little Colonel,
and in later volumes shares with her the delightful experiences
of the "House Party" and the "Holidays."</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY.</div>
<p><span class="smcap">Who Were the Little Colonel's Neighbors.</span></p>
<p>In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an
old friend, but with added grace and charm. She is
not, however, the central figure of the story, that place
being taken by the "two little knights."</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>MILDRED'S INHERITANCE.</div>
<p>A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who
comes to America and is befriended by a sympathetic
American family who are attracted by her beautiful
speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled
to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the
use of her eyes, and thus finally her life becomes a busy,
happy one.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>CICELY AND OTHER STORIES FOR GIRLS.</div>
<p>The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles
will be glad to learn of the issue of this volume for
young people.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>AUNT 'LIZA'S HERO AND OTHER STORIES.</div>
<p>A collection of six bright little stories, which will
appeal to all boys and most girls.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>BIG BROTHER.</div>
<p>A story of two boys. The devotion and care of
Steven, himself a small boy, for his baby brother, is the
theme of the simple tale.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>OLE MAMMY'S TORMENT.</div>
<p>"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a
classic of Southern life." It relates the haps and mishaps
of a small negro lad, and tells how he was led by
love and kindness to a knowledge of the right.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE STORY OF DAGO.</div>
<p>In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago,
a pet monkey, owned jointly by two brothers. Dago
tells his own story, and the account of his haps and mishaps
is both interesting and amusing.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE QUILT THAT JACK BUILT.</div>
<p>A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and
how it changed the course of his life many years after
it was accomplished.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>FLIP'S ISLANDS OF PROVIDENCE.</div>
<p>A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his
final triumph, well worth the reading.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_15_ad" id="Page_15_ad">[A-15]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adauthor'><i>By EDITH ROBINSON</i></div>
<div class='adtitle3'>A LITTLE PURITAN'S FIRST CHRISTMAS.</div>
<p>A Story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how
Christmas was invented by Betty Sewall, a typical child
of the Puritans, aided by her brother Sam.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A LITTLE DAUGHTER OF LIBERTY.</div>
<p>The author introduces this story as follows:</p>
<p>"One ride is memorable in the early history of the
American Revolution, the well-known ride of Paul
Revere. Equally deserving of commendation is another
ride,—the ride of Anthony Severn,—which was no less
historic in its action or memorable in its consequences."</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A LOYAL LITTLE MAID.</div>
<p>A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary
days, in which the child heroine, Betsey Schuyler,
renders important services to George Washington.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A LITTLE PURITAN REBEL.</div>
<p>This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the
time when the gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of
Massachusetts.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A LITTLE PURITAN PIONEER.</div>
<p>The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement
at Charlestown.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A LITTLE PURITAN BOUND GIRL.</div>
<p>A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great
interest to youthful readers.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A LITTLE PURITAN CAVALIER.</div>
<p>The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried
with all his boyish enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and
ideals of the dead Crusaders.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>A PURITAN KNIGHT ERRANT.</div>
<p>The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who
endeavored to carry out the high ideals of the knights
of olden days.</p>
<hr class="chap" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_16_ad" id="Page_16_ad">[A-16]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class='adauthor'><i>By OUIDA</i> (<i>Louise de la Ramée</i>)</div>
<div class='adtitle3'>A DOG OF FLANDERS: <span class="smcap">A Christmas Story</span>.</div>
<p>Too well and favorably known to require description.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE NURNBERG STOVE.</div>
<p>This beautiful story has never before been published
at a popular price.</p>
<hr class="chap" />
<div class='adauthor'><i>By FRANCES MARGARET FOX</i></div>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE LITTLE GIANT'S NEIGHBOURS.</div>
<p>A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose
neighbours were the creatures of the field and garden.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>FARMER BROWN AND THE BIRDS.</div>
<p>A little story which teaches children that the birds
are man's best friends.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>BETTY OF OLD MACKINAW.</div>
<p>A charming story of child-life, appealing especially to
the little readers who like stories of "real people."</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>BROTHER BILLY.</div>
<p>The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures
of Betty herself.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>MOTHER NATURE'S LITTLE ONES.</div>
<p>Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime,
or "childhood," of the little creatures out-of-doors.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>HOW CHRISTMAS CAME TO THE MULVANEYS.</div>
<p>A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children,
with an unlimited capacity for fun and mischief.
The wonderful never-to-be forgotten Christmas that
came to them is the climax of a series of exciting incidents.</p>
<div class='adtitle3'>THE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS</div>
<p>Miss Fox has vividly described the happy surprises that
made the occasion so memorable to the Mulvaneys, and
the funny things the children did in their new environment.</p>
<div class='tnote'><b>Transcriber's Note:</b> Obvious punctuation errors
repaired.</div>
<SPAN name="endofbook"></SPAN>
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