Chapter II

When evening came Father and Brother Ben made a large bonfire near the corn-field.

They all sat around the bonfire and ate the good things which Mother and Sister Polly carried down in a basket.

Father showed them how to toast apples, pop corn and roast nuts in the fire.

“Now let us march around with the pumpkins on our heads,” said Brother Ben.

Mother sat on a rug and watched them. After a while little Martha joined her and soon the rug held them all.

“Please, Mother, tell us a story,” said little Martha.

Mother told them about the brownies and elves who come out on Hallowe’en to help the farmer, and all the busy people who work for us.

“I know a story about them, Mother,” said little Martha.

“Let us hear it, dear,” said Mother.

So little Martha told them about the Elves and the Shoemaker.

“I’ll tell about Cinderella and her Pumpkin Coach,” said Polly.

Father told them the story of Mondamin and his gift of corn to the Indians.

“I can say the poem,” said Brother Ben. “We learned it in school.”

Brother Ben gave the poem so well that they were all very still for a few moments.

Then Mother said softly, “It is bedtime now.”

As they turned away from the fire Polly said, “The Jack-o’-lanterns were fun, but I like the stories best of all.”

POP-CORN SONG.

In they drop with a click, clack, click,
Kernels so hard and yellow;
’Round they whirl with a hop, skip, hop,
Each little dancing fellow.
Up they leap, with a snap, crack, snap,
Tossing so light and airy;
Out they pour with a soft, swift rush,
Snowballs fit for a fairy.

SOPHIA T. NEWMAN.

PHILEMON AND BAUCIS.

A long time ago, on a high hill, lived old Philemon and his good wife Baucis.

They were poor, but they were two of the kindest old people that ever lived. Often they went without their supper to give it to some traveler.

One evening, Philemon and Baucis sat on their door-step looking at the sunset.

Soon they saw two travelers coming up the hill. Some children ran after them, shouting and setting their dogs on them.

“Come, Wife,” said Philemon. “Let us go and meet these travelers.”

“You go to them,” said Baucis, “while I get them some bread and milk.”

Philemon went to meet the travelers and said, “Welcome, strangers! Welcome!”

He asked them to come in to supper. Baucis gave the travelers bread and milk and honey.

On the table stood a pitcher half full of milk.

The travelers quickly drank the milk.

“What good milk!” said one of them. “May I have a little more, kind Baucis?”

“I am sorry,” said Baucis, “but there is no more milk.”

“Why,” said the traveler, “here is more milk!”

He took the pitcher and filled both bowls.

Baucis looked into the pitcher, and saw the white milk running in from the side. Soon it was full.

“May I have some bread, Mother Baucis,” said the traveler, “and a little of that honey?”

Baucis cut him some and found that the bread was no longer old and hard as it was when she and Philemon ate of it.

And, oh, the honey! It was better than any honey they had ever eaten.

“Who are you, wonderful travelers?” said Philemon.

“Your friends, my good Philemon. After this the pitcher will always be full of milk for you and Baucis, and for poor travelers.”