WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:04.799 Section one of Harper's Young People, Volume one, issue eighteen 2 00:00:05.480 --> 00:00:10.679 March second, eighteen eighty. This is a LibriVox recording. All 3 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:14.519 LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information 4 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:21.000 or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. A hunting adventure. 5 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:24.879 I had been traveling in the interior of Africa in 6 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:28.440 company with a Portuguese ivory trader for several weeks, greatly 7 00:00:28.559 --> 00:00:32.240 enjoying the wild and exciting life we were compelled to lead. 8 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:37.560 The exercise had steadied embraced my nerves, which before setting 9 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:40.359 out were in a shattered condition from the effects of 10 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:44.359 a severe and long attack of fever. Constant practice had 11 00:00:44.359 --> 00:00:48.799 also made me an expert shot and a successful hunter. Indeed, 12 00:00:48.880 --> 00:00:51.399 if one only knew how to handle a gun and 13 00:00:51.479 --> 00:00:54.799 went to work with proper precaution, the amazing abundance of 14 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:57.880 animal life everywhere to be met with could not fail 15 00:00:57.960 --> 00:01:01.439 in making him more or less of a shortsmen. In 16 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:04.680 hunting the large game, such as the lion, the elephant, 17 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:08.120 and the rhinoceros, there was always a spice of danger, 18 00:01:08.519 --> 00:01:11.400 and I had, in two or three several instances, found 19 00:01:11.400 --> 00:01:15.200 myself in positions of extreme peril from which nothing but 20 00:01:15.280 --> 00:01:18.719 presence of mind or good fortune brought me safely out. 21 00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:22.719 But the danger incurred only lent additional charms to the pursuit, 22 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:26.840 while a proud feeling of exultation would steal over the 23 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:31.519 heart when thinking that an insignificant and feeble man should 24 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:34.480 be more than a match for such huge creatures in 25 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:39.519 spite of their gigantic strength. One day, in our several canoes, 26 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:42.560 we were paddling up a broad river. On either bank 27 00:01:42.640 --> 00:01:47.280 stretched an apparently impenetrable forest, many of the trees of 28 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:50.719 which approached to the very water's edge. While the ends 29 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:54.799 of creepers fell into and huge plants actually raised their 30 00:01:54.799 --> 00:01:58.200 heads out of the river itself from the branches of 31 00:01:58.239 --> 00:02:02.599 the trees. Curious looking monkey gazed inquisitively at us, chattering 32 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:05.519 to each other as if inquiring what business we had 33 00:02:05.599 --> 00:02:10.400 in invading their domains. Numbers of brilliantly colored birds hovered 34 00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:14.400 on the wing, making the air resound with their varied 35 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:18.840 and peculiar notes. The gentle gazelle would timidly approach to 36 00:02:18.919 --> 00:02:22.159 slake his thirst at the water. The noble lion would 37 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:25.439 stalk out in all his majesty for the same purpose. 38 00:02:26.080 --> 00:02:29.319 While ever and Anon now close to the canoes, now 39 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:33.479 yards away, a loud snort would startle us, and the huge, 40 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:37.199 ugly head of a hippopotamus would be thrust above the surface. 41 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:41.479 Journeying thus by waters a pleasant and RESTful change from 42 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:46.319 the everlasting tramp tramp through the forest, which, although enjoyable, 43 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:50.520 sometimes becomes a little wearisome. This particular day of which 44 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:53.599 I speak made the third. We had thus progressed without 45 00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:58.560 any startling adventure occurring to interrupt our voyage. It was not, however, 46 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:02.599 to have so peaceful as the other two. When within 47 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:05.479 some miles of the spot where we intended camping for 48 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:08.280 the night, as our larder was low, I told the 49 00:03:08.360 --> 00:03:11.919 trader I would land and procure some fresh meat for supper, 50 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:15.199 and that I would meet him before long at the 51 00:03:15.280 --> 00:03:19.560 trysting place. My canoe was accordingly directed to the shore, 52 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:23.080 taking with me four of the natives to carry my 53 00:03:23.159 --> 00:03:26.520 spare gun and what game I might shoot. I plunged 54 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:29.599 into the forest. I did not go very far from 55 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:32.159 the banks of the river, for as the day was 56 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:35.120 drawing to a close, I was in hopes of meeting 57 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:37.479 with plenty of game on their way to the water, 58 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:41.039 so I followed the course of the stream toward our 59 00:03:41.080 --> 00:03:45.400 camping place. A sudden plunge from the dazzling brilliancy of 60 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:48.319 the sun to the solemn gloom of the forest made 61 00:03:48.360 --> 00:03:52.120 it almost impossible to see anything clearly until my eyes 62 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:56.479 got accustomed to the peculiar light, so I was perforce 63 00:03:56.520 --> 00:03:59.960 obliged for a short time to grope my way cautious 64 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:04.800 along my four attendants followed one a lad bearing my 65 00:04:04.879 --> 00:04:09.520 spare gun, two armed with long lances, and the fourth, 66 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.800 whom I always called Nako, and who was one of 67 00:04:12.840 --> 00:04:16.439 the best native hunters I have ever known. Active, brave 68 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:20.199 and cool in the presence of danger, carrying a gun 69 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:23.680 of his own which he could use with something like skill. 70 00:04:24.439 --> 00:04:27.120 Nako always kept close to my heels, for I think 71 00:04:27.199 --> 00:04:30.439 he looked upon himself as my shield and guardian, and 72 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:34.759 thought his protection necessary to insure my safety, otherwise I 73 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:39.199 should run into danger and come to inevitable grief. His 74 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:42.839 coolness and courage had, on more than one critical occasion, 75 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:46.800 aided me very materially. After a quarter of an hour's 76 00:04:46.879 --> 00:04:50.759 trampling through the grass and bush and prickly thorn, a 77 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:54.079 fine deer offered himself as a target to my rifle. 78 00:04:55.439 --> 00:04:58.600 He was on his way to the river when hearing 79 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:02.120 our approach, he stopped a listen, and in so doing 80 00:05:02.240 --> 00:05:06.000 turned his shoulder toward me. Lefting my rifle, I took 81 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:10.360 quick aim and fired the noble Bee, sprang into the air, and, then, 82 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:14.360 falling forward on his knees, gave a few convulsive struggles 83 00:05:14.480 --> 00:05:17.879 and lay perfectly still, leaving two of the natives to 84 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:20.439 convey the carcasse to the boat. I pushed on with 85 00:05:20.519 --> 00:05:23.680 the others, hoping to get another shot. I had not 86 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:27.040 proceeded far when Nacho expressed his opinion that there were 87 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:30.199 lions in the neighborhood. What leads you to think so, Knako, 88 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:34.319 I inquired. Before he could reply, there was a rustling 89 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:38.199 in a foliage, and a graceful gazelle bounded into view, 90 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:42.319 evidently fleeing from some pursuer. Quick as thought, my gun 91 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:44.759 was at my shoulder, and in an instant he was 92 00:05:44.839 --> 00:05:48.279 rolling over. Then and only then I became aware that 93 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:51.319 his pursuer was close at hand. As the roar of 94 00:05:51.360 --> 00:05:54.600 a lion fell upon my ear, I began quickly to 95 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:57.959 reload my rifle, but before I had rammed down the bullet, 96 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:01.639 A large lion sprang on the bar, while a lioness 97 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:05.120 with her half grown cub followed at his heels with 98 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:08.000 his two forepaws placed on the body of the gazelle. 99 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:11.680 The lion stood erect and turned his face in our direction. 100 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:15.439 No sooner did he see us than he gave utterance 101 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:19.079 to a savage roar, but seemed uncertain what to do, 102 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:22.959 whether to keep possession of the slaughtered prey or attack 103 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:28.079 the new Meanwhile, the lioness crouch, growling down by the 104 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:30.839 side of the dead body, while the cub licked the 105 00:06:30.839 --> 00:06:34.519 blood trickling from the wound. I never stirred, but kept 106 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:37.680 my eyes fixed upon the lion, telling the lad with 107 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:39.560 a spare gun to be ready to hand it to 108 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:43.399 me when I should require it. Nacho stood prepared for 109 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:46.759 what might follow. For a minute we stood thus. I 110 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:49.680 was unwilling to lose the gazelle, but hesitated to fire 111 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:52.800 at the lion, for even if I should be fortunate 112 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:55.680 enough to kill him, there would be the lioness to 113 00:06:55.680 --> 00:07:00.639 contend with. I determined to run the risk. Taking steady aim, 114 00:07:00.759 --> 00:07:04.360 I fired. The explosion was followed by a terrific roar. 115 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:07.600 The bullet had not touched the vital part. I had 116 00:07:07.600 --> 00:07:11.600 only succeeded in dangerously wounding him. I had now an 117 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:16.000 angry and formidable foe to encounter. Throwing down my empty rifle, 118 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:18.639 I put my hand behind me to receive the other 119 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:21.319 from the boy. He was a few steps from me, 120 00:07:21.399 --> 00:07:23.560 and before he could place it within my reach, I 121 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:28.560 saw the lion making ready for the fatal spring fire. Knacko, 122 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:32.120 I cried as the animal bounded into the air swift 123 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:35.480 as thought, the flame leaped from his barrel. I heard 124 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:37.759 the thud of the bullet on the body of the lion, 125 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:40.319 but it could not check the impetus of his spring, 126 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:44.759 and in another moment I was hurled violently to the ground, 127 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:48.759 and for a moment lay stunned by the shock. A dead, 128 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:51.600 heavy weight upon my body and legs soon brought me 129 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:55.480 back to consciousness. Opening my eyes, I found my face 130 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:59.560 within an inch or two of the lions. Nako, seeing 131 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:02.560 me knock dover, had thrown his own gun to the 132 00:08:02.560 --> 00:08:05.079 ground and picked up a spare one, and was now 133 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:08.240 approaching to give the lion his coup de gras. The 134 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:11.759 animal watched the hunter's motions but was unwilling or too 135 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:15.399 badly wounded to leave me and attack him. The bold 136 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:18.639 black approach within six paces of the foe, and aiming 137 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:22.600 behind his ear, fired a shuddering quiver ran through the 138 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:26.639 mighty frame. I felt a sudden relief from the oppressive 139 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:29.279 weight which confined me to the ground. As the lion 140 00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:34.159 rolled over dead, Nacho assisted me to my feet, running 141 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:37.000 his hands over my body to ascertain if any bones 142 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:40.679 were broken. But with the exception of several severe bruises 143 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:43.440 and a feeling of general soreness all over my body, 144 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:47.480 I was unhurt. We looked round for the lioness in 145 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:50.919 her cub. They were nowhere to be seen, and must 146 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:54.679 have decamped during my encounter with the lion, for which 147 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:57.360 I felt not a little thankful, as I had no 148 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:03.840 wish for another such encounter. And of Section one recording 149 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:14.799 by Keith sallis Section two of Harper's Young People, Volume one, 150 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:21.240 issue eighteen March second, eighteen eighty. This is a LibriVox recording. 151 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:25.480 All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more 152 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:31.600 information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. Biddy 153 00:09:31.639 --> 00:09:38.320 o'dolan by missus Zandel b Gustafson, Chapter two. Missus Brown 154 00:09:38.480 --> 00:09:40.639 was not quite so bad as her word, for she 155 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:43.600 did not take away Biddy's doll every night when Biddy 156 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:47.320 could not give her extra pay. Of course, there were 157 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:50.039 many nights when Biddy could not do this, even with 158 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:54.120 Charley's help. She had, in the first place to pay 159 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:58.399 for her straw, her soup, and her bread. Whenever she 160 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:01.559 had earned more than an For this, Missus Brown had 161 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:03.919 always tried to get it away from her on some 162 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:08.200 pretense or other. Biddy had a brave heart. She had 163 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:11.240 never been afraid of the rough old woman, and often 164 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:15.240 had her own way. If you should use your soft 165 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:18.159 little hands to do coarse and heavy work, it would 166 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:20.399 not be long before they would get out of shape 167 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:24.679 and become covered with a thick skin. They might still 168 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:28.399 be very good and dear little hands inside, but they 169 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:31.840 would not so quickly feel the softness of Mamma's cheek. 170 00:10:32.519 --> 00:10:36.000 All the pleasure of the sense of touch, which you 171 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:39.360 would then find had been great, and of many kinds, 172 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:43.320 would be lost to you. So it was with Biddy's heart. 173 00:10:43.720 --> 00:10:46.600 She had never had any of the little pleasures in 174 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:51.120 good times, little hopes and plans to which all the 175 00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:56.000 children have a perfect right. Her hard, friendless, cheerless life 176 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:59.320 had made the outside of Biddy's brave little heart tough, 177 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:04.240 just as hard, unfit work would toughen your little hands. 178 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:06.720 But the doll had made a difference to Biddy in 179 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:10.039 every way. She had done all she could for her doll. 180 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:13.559 She loved it. She made it a dress from a 181 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:16.840 piece of her own. She had been beaten again and 182 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:20.080 again for its sake, almost more than you would be 183 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:22.600 willing to do for your doll, is it not. But 184 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:26.720 it had done and was doing a thousand times more 185 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:32.279 for Biddy, because Biddy had what her doll had not life. 186 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:35.919 Missus Brown sometimes forgot the torment Biddy about the doll, 187 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:39.240 and at other times she seemed to feel too stupid 188 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:42.519 and dull to care about it. But she remembered quite 189 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:46.639 often enough, and got away all Biddy's money and gave 190 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:50.679 Biddy many a scare and heartache about it. At last, 191 00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:54.279 the hard hearted old woman went too far, as cruel 192 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:57.759 people are pretty sure to do. In the end. Well 193 00:11:57.960 --> 00:12:00.960 four months had passed since Biddy for found her doll. 194 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:05.080 The warm winds, the green buds and singing birds of 195 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:08.720 spring had come. When one night missus Brown took the 196 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:12.120 doll away from Biddy and told her that unless she 197 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:14.960 could bring her at least two dollars by the close 198 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:18.960 of the week, she should never see it again. That night, 199 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:22.279 Biddy lay awake a long while thinking over what she 200 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:24.919 could do. It was late in the night when she 201 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:27.919 whispered to Charlie that she made up her mind and 202 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:30.759 wanted to see him somewhere in the morning and tell 203 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:34.200 him her plan. Charlie answered that he would watch for 204 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:37.399 her in the bowery, near a jewelry shop where they 205 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:40.000 had often stopped to look at the pretty things in 206 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:42.960 the window. He said he would be there about half 207 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:47.799 past eight o'clock. After this was settled, Biddy fell asleep. 208 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:51.240 In the morning, the children met as they had agreed, 209 00:12:51.279 --> 00:12:53.960 and walked slowly down the bowery for a block or 210 00:12:54.000 --> 00:12:58.639 two while Biddy told her plan to Charlie. I can't 211 00:12:58.679 --> 00:13:02.480 tell you all I've been thinking, said Betty. It feels 212 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:06.480 all stirred up with thinking, like the soup when Grumpy 213 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:09.320 puts the stick in it. I never slept at all 214 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:12.080 till I thinked it out as how I'd do just 215 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:18.240 one thing, Yes, yes, said Charlie, eagerly. I'll find a 216 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:22.200 home for Dolly and me, said Betty. I'll begin and 217 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:26.279 never stop till I gets it. You'll find a home, 218 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:32.320 asked Charlie. He was a good deal. Puzzled, yes, said Betty. 219 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:35.799 I telled you. My mind's made up. I'll look at 220 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:39.279 every man as I meets, and I'll act the first 221 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:42.279 one as I likes the looks of to take me 222 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:45.879 and try me. Some of em will be wanting a girl. Sure, 223 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:50.399 Charlie continued to look so astonished that Betty explained, most 224 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:54.320 everyone wants a girl to do chores and sweep and 225 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:59.759 dust and make fires and such. I've seen lots of 226 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:02.879 girls no better nor me, sweeping in the big houses 227 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:06.559 with cloths on her heads. You know all them things, 228 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:11.200 said Charley. And if I don't, can I be teached? 229 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:15.159 Said Biddy, almost angrily. This question seemed to make everything 230 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:20.320 quite sure. Now I'm going to begin, said Biddy. She 231 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:22.799 darted away and ran back to the place where she 232 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:27.000 and Charley had met. Charley slowly followed. He held his 233 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:30.639 unsold papers under his arm and stopped by the jewelry window. 234 00:14:31.440 --> 00:14:34.440 Biddy had taken her stand on a corner just opposite 235 00:14:34.919 --> 00:14:37.960 A gentleman with a closed umbrella in his hand, which 236 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:40.799 he used as a cane, was coming down the bowery 237 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:44.159 toward them. He did not seem to notice either of 238 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:47.519 the children. His head was down as if he was thinking. 239 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:52.120 At the same instant, another man with his ulster coat 240 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:56.159 flying back, came swiftly across the street, and, taking the 241 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:59.080 first gentleman by the arm, said so loud that both 242 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:03.240 children heard it. Bless me if it isn't Phil Kennedy, 243 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:06.919 How ought is this the first day for an age 244 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:09.679 when I'm not thinking of an hunting for you? Phil? 245 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:13.759 I find you, but I'm very busy. You really must 246 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:17.519 not keep me, said the one called Phil Kennedy. He 247 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:21.399 smiled as he spoke. Biddy saw his smile. She did 248 00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:24.200 not wait an instant. She stepped up close in front 249 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:27.879 of him. Did you, missus be want a girl? Both 250 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:31.440 men looked down at her. The man in the ulster laughed, 251 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:35.639 Get along, you little drab, said he in the same 252 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:39.559 loud voice as before. Biddy did not move nor take 253 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:42.919 his eyes from Phil Kennedy's face. The fingers of her 254 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:45.679 hands were twisting together, as on the day when she 255 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:49.480 had first begged missus brown for her doll. Biddy did 256 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:53.799 not know she was doing anything with her hands. Be off, 257 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:56.679 I say, said the man in the ulster. He spoke 258 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:59.559 very sharply this time. It was like a blow from 259 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:03.960 a cane. Can you read? Said Phil Kennedy to Biddy. 260 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:07.039 He was feeling in his vest pocket as he asked 261 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:09.919 the question and drew out a card. I knows him, 262 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:14.080 as can, said Biddy. He gave her the card. Get 263 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:16.720 some one to tell you what is on it, he said, 264 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:19.840 And come to the place it says, let me see. 265 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:24.120 Can you come tomorrow morning about this time? Biddy took 266 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:28.320 the card. Will he be there, said Biddy, Yes, my 267 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:31.879 little girl, I will. He smiled at her as he spoke. 268 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:35.279 Biddy crossed her hands over the bag she carried and 269 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:39.799 walked away without a word. I see you're just the same, 270 00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:43.639 said the man in the ulster. He looked vexed. Who'd 271 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:47.759 believe you'd give that thankless little beggar your card while 272 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:50.240 some of your best friends don't know where to find you. 273 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:56.000 Thankfulness is better than politeness, said Phil Kennedy. She can 274 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:59.159 be taught to be polite. If you'd had looked at her, 275 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:02.000 you would have seen that she thanked me. The two 276 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:05.720 men then walked away. Charlie had not looked round at 277 00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:08.960 Biddy and the gentleman once he had looked steadily into 278 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:13.440 the window, which had on it in large letters jewelry 279 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:18.200 and diamonds. His heart beat very fast. He hardly noticed 280 00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:21.640 the gems that flashed and sparkled in the trays and boxes. 281 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:25.119 But when the men had passed on, he turned and 282 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:27.640 looked up and down the street, and after a moment 283 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:30.960 saw Biddy sitting on the lower steps of a wholesale store. 284 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:34.519 He hurried up to her. Biddy had been crying a little, 285 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:37.559 but her eyes were shining with hope. She held the 286 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:41.960 card to Charlie. I asked him in there, said she, 287 00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:45.359 And they telled me as it's a place where a 288 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:49.039 very nice gentleman have his home, and it's his name 289 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:52.039 on it too. And they asked me, however did I 290 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:56.359 get that gentleman's card? And oh, Charlie, do you think 291 00:17:56.599 --> 00:18:00.039 as his missus will be wanting me? And oh, do 292 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:03.200 you think you can hook away my dolly from Crumpy? 293 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:07.079 Biddy stopped for breath. Charlie looked up at the window 294 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:09.720 of the store as if he were trying with all 295 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:13.119 his might to see just how they were made. Then 296 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:17.519 he looked back toward the bowery again. How queer you look, 297 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:21.400 said Biddy. Then for the first time, Betty thought of 298 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:25.799 what Charlie might be thinking. She rose quickly from the steps. Here, 299 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:29.200 you take the card, said she. I'll maybe lose him 300 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:32.799 or she'll be after getting it, and you should go 301 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:36.119 with me in the morning. And if I get a home, 302 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:39.000 i'll speak for you. Do you mind that, Charlie? They'll 303 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:42.079 be after wanting for a boy as much as a girl, 304 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:45.559 and I can give you a first rate recommend so 305 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:49.200 I can. Biddy made him take the card and punched 306 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:51.559 him once or twice to make sure of his attention. 307 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:55.759 Did you look at him, Charlie, she asked, as they 308 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.720 walked along. Did you mind the two kind eyes of him? 309 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:02.519 The minute ever he looked at me, I weren't a 310 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:05.759 bit of feared, and I felt as I could work 311 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:09.200 my fingers to the bone for him. Biddy went the 312 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:11.880 next day to the place written on the card mister 313 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:15.920 Phil Kennedy had given her. She teased and coaxed Charlie 314 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:18.079 a long time before she could get him to go 315 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:21.880 with her, for he was very bashful, and hung back 316 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:25.240 all the way while she stood at the foot of 317 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:27.960 the steps, looking up to be sure about the number. 318 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:32.440 Mister phil Kennedy himself came to the door and called 319 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:36.160 her in. He looked just as kind and smiling asun 320 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:39.839 the day before, and Biddy bobbed her curly head up 321 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:43.519 and down to show him how glad she was. She 322 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:45.960 was so eager that she did not think to say 323 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:49.839 good morning, but she cried out in glad piping voice, 324 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:54.359 here's Charlie, sir, and the best boy you could ever see. 325 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:56.880 And if you wants a boy to take here the 326 00:19:56.920 --> 00:20:00.240 furnace and fetch the coal, and he can run of 327 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:05.079 errands faster, ner me and he mended me, now, Charlie. 328 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:09.200 While Biddy talked, she kept making little springs and jumps 329 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:12.480 at Charlie, who kept edging away, so that Biddy was 330 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:15.720 likely to get half way down the block, when all 331 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:18.759 at once Charlie turned and showed his speed by running 332 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:22.079 out of sight very quickly. Indeed, Biddy looked as if 333 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:25.680 she was going to run after him, but mister phil Kennedy, 334 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:29.119 who stood laughing in his doorway, called after her, and 335 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:33.200 Biddy came back. He led her through the hall into 336 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:36.559 a very pleasant room. There was an open fire, a 337 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:39.400 bright rug in front of it, a mocking bird in 338 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:42.799 a cage in the window, and a beautiful lady sitting 339 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:45.039 in an arm chair with her feet on a cushion. 340 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:49.200 The lady was pale, her hands were thin and white. 341 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:53.559 There were crutches beside her chair, but she looked as 342 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:57.279 if she were very happy, and when she smiled at Biddy, 343 00:20:57.519 --> 00:21:00.160 Biddy could not have told why. She felt as if 344 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:03.720 her heart was filling her whole body. Let her sit 345 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:07.400 here near me, phil said the lady. Then when Biddy 346 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:10.960 was seated between them, they asked her a great many questions, 347 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:14.000 and Biddy answered them all as well as she knew. 348 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:18.440 How both spoke so kindly, sometimes the lady and sometimes 349 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:21.559 the gentleman, and seemed to care so much to know 350 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:24.480 all about her that Biddy took a new interest in 351 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:28.079 her own story and told it very well. Like the 352 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:31.960 stories of thousands of other friendless children, Biddy's story was 353 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:35.400 very simple. She didn't know where she was born. She 354 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:38.480 had never seen her parents. She didn't know if she 355 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:41.680 had any brothers or sisters. She did know she had 356 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:45.559 never seen any She had never been at school. She 357 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:48.480 had never slept on a real bed, only when she 358 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:51.599 was in the hospital. She had had a real good 359 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:54.839 time in the hospital. A little girl had given her 360 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:58.359 some flowers. She had a friend. His name was Charley, 361 00:21:58.880 --> 00:22:01.279 and if they wanted a boy to do things, he 362 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:05.200 was a best boy. He had mended her doll. She 363 00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:08.160 wanted a home for her doll. Rumpy wouldn't let her 364 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:11.160 have her doll. That was why she wanted a home, 365 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:14.759 and if they would let her bring her doll, she 366 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:18.759 would do all she could and try hard to please them. 367 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:21.160 When Biddy came to the end of her story, mister 368 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:25.640 phil Kennedy said, this lady is my sister. She is 369 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:28.559 the only near friend I have in the world. Biddy, 370 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:31.400 if you come to live with us, she will take 371 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:33.880 good care of you, and you must take good care 372 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:37.799 of her. She is lame and can only walk a 373 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:41.720 very little. You must watch and learn to save her trouble. 374 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:44.720 She will teach you the things she wants to have 375 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:48.000 you do, but you must not make her tell you 376 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:51.799 the same things over and over again. Biddy sat very still, 377 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:55.200 and when mister Kennedy paused, she waited for him to 378 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:58.240 speak more. He seemed to think for a few minutes, 379 00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:02.279 very deeply. Then he said said, after you've learned what 380 00:23:02.359 --> 00:23:04.480 you are to do, Biddy, I shall want you to 381 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.880 help me find some other little girl who has no 382 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:10.519 friends and needs a home, just as you do, and 383 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:13.319 I can perhaps find a home for her too. I 384 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:16.359 have heard all you have said about Charley. There are 385 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:18.880 reasons why I cannot help him just at this time, 386 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:22.119 but I promise you that I will remember about him 387 00:23:22.160 --> 00:23:24.000 and we'll see what I can do for him as 388 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:27.440 soon as I can. Now, Biddy and mister Kennedy smiled 389 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:30.359 at the very merry. Look what wages do you think 390 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:33.200 we ought to pay you? Biddy did not seem to 391 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:36.440 even hear this question. She was so much interested in 392 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:39.440 the other things mister Kennedy had said, and the moment 393 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:42.240 he stopped speaking, she asked if she might really have 394 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:45.880 her doll, and when they had satisfied her on this point, 395 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:49.039 she told them Charley would bring it. Then she seemed 396 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:51.359 to suddenly feel how great a change had come in 397 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:54.359 her life. She jumped down from her chair, looked round 398 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:58.119 the room, her breath coming quick, then at her new friends. 399 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:02.079 Oh it's all, Oh it'll be and if you'll let 400 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:05.480 me begin, she cried, I'll try to be so good, 401 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:14.000