Under the Lilacs

a most interesting play. First came the phaeton, which Ben spent all his leisure moments in admiring; wondering with secret envy what happy boy would ride in the little seat up

hem to play at. The live stock appeared next, creating a great stir in the neighborhood, for peacocks were rare birds there; the donkey's bray startled the cattle and convulsed the people with laugh

so late that only Mrs. Moss went over to help them settle. The children were much disappointe

procession approached, a voice from the porch called out, "Good-morning little neighbors!" so unexpectedly, that Bab nearly spilt the new milk she carried, Betty gave such a start that

ta is; and I can bring her

ine;" and Miss Celia's pretty color brightened as she spoke, either from some happy thought or because she was bashful

eir errand; and having delivered their offerings, they were abou

rder. I see signs of busy hands and feet both inside the h

d Ben, proudly eying th

proachful glance at several green sprigs fall

as she surveyed the late summer residence of her exiled family. Miss Celia guessed

he playthings? I don'

round, so we took them all home,"

s the little 'duds' from porch and path. Suppose you come to tea with me to-night and

e to come! and we'll b

china poodle when we go visiting or have company

nd his poodle is especially invited," added Miss Celia, as Sancho came and

I," said Ben, feeling that few spots combined so many advantages in the way of climbable trees, arched gates, half-a-d

er these very bushes, and picked chickweed over there for my bird, and rode Thorny in his baby-wagon up and

b, for something in Miss Celia's face made h

'd gone to," said Ben, looking down the path as eage

od a mother; I've found that out already," and the sun shone agai

haven't got any of your own," said Betty with a pitiful

w it seems;" and Celia took both the chubby hands in hers, feeling ready to love every

irectly; for this was the food it wanted, and Thorny had not learned yet to return one half of the affection he received. Holding the child close, she played with the yellow braids while she told them about the little German girls in

ldn't wait another minute;" and she went in to breakfast with a good appetite, while the

Sancho and all the baby things invited. Can't we wear our Sunday frocks? A s

t of the eager mouths, and with still more difficulty, got breakfast into them, for t

ed because they were not going also. At noon their mother kept them from running over to the old house lest they should be in the way; so they consoled themselves

Lita till her coat shone like satin, then drove her gently down to the coac

ss?" he asked, when all was ready, looking up at the porch, wh

and out by the lodge, and leave the avenue to grass and dandelions, meantime,"

Ben had shaken out the new duster

ht now?" asked th

ia watched his anxious face as his eyes wandered from the tips of Lita's ear

began, much mortified to thi

y turnout?" she said, with a look which left no doubt in his m

mered, as he hesitated, looking dow

and I haven't got

s,-"A great man said his coat-of-arms was a pair of shirt-sleeves, and a sweet poet sang about a barefooted boy; so I

ind their masters in fine dog-carts or carriages. Mrs. Moss nodded as they drove past the lodge, and Ben touched his torn hat-brim in the most dignified man

gry sparrows. Miss Celia knew the boy was pleased, but he had no words in which to express his gratitude for the great contentment she had given him. He could only beam at all he met, smi

so to see the superb indifference with which that young man regarded the vulgar herd who went afoot. He couldn't resist an affable nod to B

. "My brother has been ill, and I have brought him here to get well. I want to do all sorts of things to

rtily that no further assurances were nee

him in; and the paths are so hard, it will be easy to roll him about. That will be one thing you can do. Another is to take care of his pets till he is able to do it himself. Then you can tell him your adventures, and talk

se him, and so will Sanch; he's fond of children," answered Ben, heartily, for the new place

aller every day. He seems like a child to me, because I am nearly ten years older than he is; but you needn't be a

call me a 'spalpeen,' and fire things at me,"

oy' as he called you. Squire Allen says I may trust you, and I am glad to do so, for it saves me much trouble to find what

't got any answer yet. I know they are on the go now, so may be we won't hear for ever so long,

willing leave you for the summer if he is away. Now show me the baker's, the candy-shop,

the ends of which shone silvery anchors. He was also allowed to drive home, while his new mistress read her letters. One particularly long one, with a queer stamp on the en