cut a long grapevine and fastened it to the great
bell.

It was in the springtime, and green shoots and leaves hung from the
grapevine rope.

Near Atri, there lived a rich old soldier.

This soldier owned a horse that had been with him through many battles.

The horse had grown old and lame, and was no longer able to work.

So his cruel master turned him out into the streets to get his living as
best he could.

"If you cannot find enough to eat, then you may die," said the miser;
"you are of no use to me."

The old horse went limping along; he grew thinner and thinner.

At length he limped up to the tower where the bell of justice hung.

His dim eyes saw the green shoots and the fresh leaves of the
grapevine.

Thinking they were good to eat, he gave a pull at the vine.

"Ding-dong! ding-dong!" said the great bell. The people came running
from all sides.

"Who is calling for justice?" they cried.

There stood the old horse, chewing on the grapevine.

"Ding-dong! ding-dong!" rang the great bell.

"Whose horse is this?" asked the judges, as they came running up.

Then the story of the old horse was told.

The judges sent for his cruel master.

They ordered that he should build a warm barn, and that the faithful
horse should have the best of hay and grain as long as he lived.

The people shouted for joy at this act of justice, but the miser hung
his head in shame and led the old horse away.

_German Folk Tale_

THE BABY

No shoes to hide her tiny toes,
No stockings on her feet;
Her little ankles white as snow,
Or early blossoms sweet.

Her simple dress of sprinkled pink;
Her tiny, dimpled chin;
Her rosebud lips and bonny mouth
With not one tooth between.

Her eyes so like her mother's own,
Two gentle, liquid things;
Her face is like an angel's face--
We're glad she has no wings.

HUGH MILLER

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

BRUCE AND THE SPIDER

Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, was hiding in a hut in the forest. His
enemies were seeking him far and wide.

Six times he had met them in battle, and six times he had failed. Hope
and courage were gone.

Bruce had given up all as lost. He was about to run away from Scotland,
and to leave the country in the hands of his enemies.

Full of sorrow, he lay stretched on a pile of straw in the poor
woodchopper's hut. While he lay thinking, he noticed a spider