Chapter XXXIX: Tell Us More

But some little boy or girl will say, "Tell us more.

Tell me,--did Mew-Mew die?

Did the lady take Bow-Wow and Mew-Mew into the house again?

What did she do for them, if she took them in?

Did puss ever get her white coat again?

And if they both got quite well again, were they good or bad afterward?"

I will tell you.

The lady was very glad to see her pets home once more.

They were in such a sad way that she did not whip them.

She gave Mew-Mew a cup of warm milk before the fire.

Bow-Wow had a great lump of meat with no bone.

Then each of them had a warm bath, and Mew-Mew was put to bed.

As to Mew-Mew's coat, she washed it so often, and took such care of it, that in a few weeks it grew long and was quite white again.

And I am glad to be able to add, that Bow-Wow and Mew-Mew were as good a little dog and cat ever after, as you and I could wish them to be.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bow-Wow and Mew-Mew is one of the few books for beginners in reading that may be classed as literature. Written in words of mostly one syllable, it has a story to tell, which is related in so attractive a manner as to immediately win the favor of young children. It teaches English and English literature to the child in the natural way: through a love for the reading matter. It is the character of story that will, in the not distant future, replace the ordinary primer or reader with detached sentences, and which seldom possesses any relation to literature.

The ultimate objects of any story can only be effected through the _love_ for a story. The prominent point in this story is development of good character, which may well be regarded as the highest purpose of education. The transformation from bad to good traits in the dog and cat cannot but have a desirable effect on every child that reads the story. Bow-Wow and Mew-Mew become dissatisfied with their home and their surroundings, and ungrateful toward their benefactress. As the story tells, "They did not find good in any thing." But after running away and suffering hunger, neglect, and bad treatment, their characters begin to change. They naturally come to reflect their mistress's goodness. They learn the value of companionship and friendship, and the appreciation of a home. However, the ethical thoughts in the story are presented without a moral. The child really _lives_ the scenes described. He has the emotions of the characters and feels their convictions. And this determines the worth of a story as an agent in character development.

The narrative furnishes, further, the proper kind of exercise for the imagination. It affords abundant opportunity for the play of the dramatic instinct in the child, and effects a happy union of the "home world" and the "school world." The illustrations, drawn by Miss Hodge, have been planned and executed with considerable care.

J. C. S.

GOOD BOOKS FOR CHILDREN'S READING

For children from five to ten years

=Nonsense Rhymes and Animal Stories.= By Alhambra G. Deming.

Charming little rhymes and stories, incidentally teaching habits of good English to the little folks. 64 pages, with 35 illustrations in black and color. _Cloth, 65 cents._

=The Teenie Weenies.= By William Donahey and Effie E. Baker.

The adventures of these strange tiny folks are related in a manner that is delightfully simple and realistic, and which will be found to appeal to the child's sense of humor. 141 pages, with 72 illustrations in colors and decorated end sheets. _Cloth, 70 cents._

=Two Indian Children of Long Ago.= By Frances Lillian Taylor.

A collection of beautiful Indian legends, giving an intimate picture of Indian child life. 160 pages, with 40 illustrations in black and color. _Cloth, 70 cents._

=Nixie Bunny in Manners-Land.=. By Joseph C. Sindelar.

This is the first of the popular NIXIE BUNNY BOOKS which have been read wherever there are children. It is a rabbit story of good manners. 144 pages, with 62 illustrations in colors and decorated end sheets. _Cloth, 70 cents._

The other books in the same series are:

=Nixie Bunny in Workaday-Land=

A rabbit story of the occupations and industry. 144 pages, with 90 illustrations in colors and decorated end sheets. _Cloth, 70 cents._

=Nixie Bunny in Holiday-Land=

A rabbit story of the holidays. 159 pages, with 82 illustrations in colors and decorated end sheets. _Cloth, 70 cents._

=Nixie Bunny in Faraway-Lands=

A rabbit story of strange little folk. 160 pages, with 94 illustrations in colors and decorated end sheets. _Cloth, 70 cents._

BECKLEY-CARDY COMPANY _Publishers_ CHICAGO

End of Project Gutenberg's Bow-Wow and Mew-Mew, by Georgiana M. Craik