B.F
813.4
W456£
NORTHWESTERN
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
Biblioteca Femina
•
The Gift of
Chicago Public Library
Assembled for the
World's Fair of 1893
No. 208.
Out of School.
Se<* y
TT1E
LITTLE WENDALS
AJTD
THEIR FOXES.
By Miss SARA MARIA WELLS.
•Take us Eie fuxe<. the little foxes, that spoil the rines: for aai
vines have tender grapes."
TWO ^.LUSTRATIONS.
NEW TORN:
PnlLLIPS & HUNT.
CINCINNATI:
CRANSTON d STONE.
B F.
SI3.-V
IV4-5 G
Entered according: to Act of Conjrress. in the year 1869. by
CARLTON & LANAHAN,
D the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for
the Southern District of New York.
TO THE
BOYS AND GIELS
WHO WOULD NOT HAVE THEIR TENDER VINES SPOILEI
BY THE LITTLE FOXES
®f)i's yolumt
IB PRAYERFULLY AND HOPEFULLY DEDICATED
BY THE AUTHOR.
CON T E N T S.
Chapter Pace
I. HoJ'.E 9
II. Grandpa's Story 23
III. Tub Snow-Storm 33
IV". The Visit to Uncle John's 44
V. The Little Foxes 58
VI. The Strawberry-beds G8
VII. Lucy in Great Trouble 18
Fill. Lucy's Lesson 83
IX. The Letter 91
X. Aunt Minerva's Visit 98
XI. "Will's California Trip and What Came
of It 105
XIL The Student and tiie Clerk 117
XIII. The Wedding 122
XIV. Temptations and Victory 130
XV. The Prophecy Fulfilled 138
XVI. Harry and his Foxes 140
Illustrations.
Oct of School 2
11 un ting the I'lgs 74
the
LITTLE WENDALS
AND THEIR FOXES.
CHAPTER I.
home.
The door of the brown school-house at
the foot of the hill swung heavily back
on its frosted hinges with a loud, hoarse
creak, and a moment afterward boys,
large and small, in caps, comforters, and
mittens, and girls of various sizes, cloaked
and hooded, rushed out bearing dinner
baskets, satchels, books, slates, sleds, and
skates.*
* See Frontispiece.
io Little Wendals and their Foxes.
It was biting cold, and as most of them
had been from home since morning, they
did not tarry long by the school-house,
nor by the way.
Each hurried off in the direction of
home, not, however, without some shouts,
some laughter, and the exchange of a few
snow-balls.
" Harry, have you got the dinner bas¬
ket?" shouted William Wendal to his
younger brother, who was several rods
behind him.
"No. You can take it yourself," was
the reply.
" I sha'n't do it; it's your turn."
" I don't care, I'm not going to bring
it."
"Well, then, you can go without
your dinner to-morrow; you know what
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 11
mother said; and you'll be hungry
enough to eat your mittens too, I'll
warrant," and Will bounded off up the
hill with the other boys, and in five
minutes afterward was flying down on
the opposite side as fast as his sled could
carry him.
" O Harry, do go back and get it!"
said Lucy coaxingly.
"Ho, I wont. Will makes me take it
most every night."
" Why, no he don't, Harry. Come, go
back quick before the door is closed,"
urged his sister.
" I sha'n't do it," said Harry, and
away he ran.
So Lucy turned back, and after a
little search found the basket under
William's seat, where Harry had put it,
12 Little Weudats and their Foxes.
though it was really his turn to take
it home.
When she came out of the school-house
her brothers were both out of sight.
So she hurried up the hill toward home
as fast as she could go, the dinner basket
on one arm and Will's satchel on the
other, for he had asked her to carry it a
little way, while he tried a race on his
sled with some of the other boys.
When she reached the top of the hill
the boys were just coming up on the
opposite side for another ride. "When
Will saw her he called to her to wait
till he came up, and she might ride down
with him.
" This is splendid," she said, as they
flew over the hard, smooth track down
the hill, and far into the street beyond.
Little Wendats and their Foxes. 13
"You mustn't say splendid about
6uch common things; the master says
that isn't the word to use," said
William.
" What shall I say ? "
" Well, I should say ' buncombe,' or—
but then that isn't a girl's word. Nice, or
pleasant, or something of that sort, I sup¬
pose, would sound better for you."
" Well, it was awful nice any way, and
I wish I could ride just so all the way
home," said Lucy as she got off from
the sleigh.
"'Awful,'" said Will, "that isn't much
better than ' splendid.' Don't you know
Mr. Jones said that meant something
dreadful or fearful."
" Well, I forgot," said Lucy. " But do
wait for me, I can't walk so fast,"
14 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
" Get on the sled again and we will
draw you a little way," said Will.
Lucy got on the sled, but the snow was
nearly worn off from the road, and it
was not very pleasant riding; besides,
they made rather slow progress, so she
soon got off again, and the three trudged
home together, to the comfortable farm¬
house about half a mile beyond. And
though it was very cold they kept up
good courage, for they knew a good fire
and a wa.„ supper was awaiting them,
and that Kitty, or " Kitten," as grandpa
called her, would be very glad to see
them, and that grandpa himself would
have a pleasant word for each of them,
just as he always did.
Kitty was watching for them, and ran
to open the door when she saw them
Little Wcndals and their Foxes. I5
coming, grandpa stirred the fire and put
on an extra stick, and their mother put
down the baby to assist Lucy in unfast¬
ening her hood and cloak, for her fingers
were very stiff and cold.
The great kitchen, with its shining,
painted floor, clean,white walls, and nicely
kept appurtenances, was always the pleas-
antest room in the house to grandpa ar.d
the children ; but it seemed particularly
inviting to-night with its bright stove all
aglow, its well spread table, jsrli.dpain his
arm-chair and Kitty on his knee, mother,
the baby, and Roxy all there. Nor was the
savory smell of the tea, baked potatoes,
and sausages, which were sputtering away
on the stove, in the least objectionable to
the hungry, half frozen children.
" I tell you, this is worth coming home
16 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
for," said William, rubbing bis hands and
sniffing his nose with great satisfaction.
" That's so," said Lucy, taking the
proffered seat on grandpa's other knee,
" and 1 hope Roxy has got lots of pota¬
toes."
" I hope so too," said Harry " I'm as
hungry as the she-bear that eat up her
own cubs, that grandpa told about last
night."
"Well, I reckon I've got enough for
you all," was Roxy's reply ; " but if I
haven't, there is enough more where these
came from," and she set the lamps on the
table and called Mr. Wendal to supper.
After supper Mrs. Wendal took the
baby to the sitting-room to put him to
sleep, and Mr. Wendal soon followed
with his paper.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 17
"Now for a story," said the children,
gathering around grandpa's chair.
" Another one about the hears!" ex¬
claimed Harry.
" O yes! that was such a good one yea
told us last night," said Lucy. " Do tell
us another."
" Are you sure you have nothing to
do ?" grandpa asked, looking around on
them.
" I've brought in my wood," said Will,
" and father said Patrick might do the
rest of my night chores while the days
are so short; it is almost dark when I
get home from school."
" And my chores too," said Harry.
"Well, have you nothing else to do?
How is it with my little girl here?"
grandpa asked, stroking Lucy's head
18 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
caressingly as she leaned against his arm¬
chair.
Lucy thought, and grandpa thought,
lie knew she was apt to put off what she
had to do until another time, so she was
often behindhand, and not unfrequently
missed doing it altogether. Then he
knew they were all apt to forget just
what he particularly wished them to
remember to do to-night.
"I can't think of any thing," said
Lucy.
" Nor I," said the boys, both at the
same time. Still grandpa waited, and
looked from one to the other.
" O, I know ! " exclaimed "William at
last. "He means the verses. Well,
I've got mine."
" So have I mine," said Harry.
Little Wen dais and their Foxes. 19
Lucy hung her head. ""Well, I was
going to get it by and by," she said.
" Yes, and by and by you will be so
sleepy that you will conclude to wait until
morning; and then you will try to learn
it when you ought to be getting ready
for breakfast, and so not do it either well
or in time. Ah, my little girl, the
present moment is the one to improve.
Don't put off until another time what
you can do just as well now."
Grandpa spoke earnestly but kindly.
He remembered how Lucy had done
that morning, and many previous ones,
and he wanted her to correct this great
fault.
It was expected that each member of
the Wendal family should recite a verse
from the Bible at their family devotions
2
20 Little Wcndals and their Foxes.
in the morning, and this is what the
children meant about their verses.
" Well, Lucy, I will teach you a verse,"
said grandpa, " but I want to hear what
the boys have got first."
So Will repeated, "'My son, if sinners
entice thee consent thou not.' "
And Harry recited, "'A soft answer
turneth away wrath : but grievous words
stir up anger.'"
" Yery good," said grandpa, " always
remember them. This is mine: 'Come,
ye children, hearken unto me; I will
teach you the fear of the Lord.' And
now for Lucy's, and I want you all to
learn it, though she is to recite it in the
morning: 'Take us the foxes, the little
foxes that spoil the vines; for our vines
have tender grapes.'"
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 21
The children looked up with surprise.
Kitty, who occupied her accustomed seat
on grandpa's knee, was the first to speak.
"Why, grandpa, what a funny verse?"
she said.
" O, he is only joking! " said Harry.
"You've teased him so much to tell
bear stories he has concluded to change
the subject," suggested Will.
"No, that is the verse that I want
Lucy to learn."
"Is there really such a verse in the
Bible ?" Lucy asked.
" Well, Will can decide that in a
minute. Just turn to the second chapter
of Solomon's Song, and read the fifteenth
verse."
Will took down the Bible and did as.
he was bidden. " It is so; that's a fact! "
22 Little Wcndals and their Foxes.
he said, reading it aloud. " I didn't think
you was in earnest."
" "What a queer verse ; I don't see whaf
it is in the Bible for. What does it
mean ?"
"Well, in those Eastern countries
where grapes were extensively cultivated,
young foxes and other small animals fre¬
quently spoiled the tender vines, so that
they would not bear. But it has another
meaning, which I will explain to you
when you have learned the verse."
The children recited it together a few
times after their grandfather, and it was
soon learned.
" I will tell you a story soon," he said,
" and then, if you do not understand it, I
will explain it to you."
Little Wendals and their Foxes.
23
CHAPTER II.
grandpa's story.
''Some years ago a gentleman with
whom I had long been acquainted
consulted me in reference to his son, a
promising boy about fourteen years of
age, for whom he wished to get a situa¬
tion as clerk in some good establishment,
as he had set his heart on being a mer¬
chant.
"I had seen George a great many
times; thought him a good, active, intel¬
ligent little fellow, and very gentlemanly
withal, and accordingly recommended
him to a friend of mine who was doing a
large business in the city where I was then
24 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
residing. He was in want of just such a
boy, so George found no difficulty in ob¬
taining the situation. After a few days
I thought I would call around and see
how they were getting along. Mr. Brown
(that was the gentleman's name) seemed
a little disappointed I thought, though he
only said George had not been there
long enough to learn their ways yet. He
would probably do better in time.
" On calling again a few weeks after¬
ward I was surprised to find he had
been dismissed.
"' He was such a nice boy, I thought
he would just suit you,' I remarked to
Mr. Brown.
'"Yes, he was an active, intelligent,
pleasant boy,' said Mr. Brown; ' but
I didn't like his company.'
Little IVeiidals and their Foxes. 25
" ' What do you mean ?' I asked. ' I
always thought he kept good company.'
" 'Well, I don't know but he did; but
he kept a couple of little foxes that were
very troublesome, and did a deal of mis¬
chief.'
" ' Little foxes !' I said. ' I don't un¬
derstand you.'
"' Yes, little foxes. The name of one
of them was Careless, the other Forget¬
ful. You know it is the little foxes that
spoil the vines; and they did so spoil
the vine in this case for us that we could
not use it.'
" ' Ah, I understand now,' I said. On
further inquiry he told me the boy was
so forgetful that he could not be trusted,
even with an errand of any importance;
and so careless that he was constantly
26 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
leaving things out of order, putting
things out of place, burning, or destroy¬
ing something. He needed him, and had
hoped, for his father's sake, for whom
he had a high regard, as well as the
boy's, to be able to keep him; but it was
of no use, for with such habits he could
be of no service to him.
"Yes, the bad habits, the little faults,
and what are sometimes called the small
sins, are the little foxes that spoil the
vines," said grandpa. " I wonder if my
little girls and boys here have got any
foxesV he asked, turning to the chil¬
dren, who had been listening very at¬
tentively.
Harry thought about the dinner basket.
Yes, there was a little fox there, and its
name was Selfishness.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 27
Lucy thought how long she had kept
her brothers waiting that morning be¬
cause she was not ready for school in
time, in consequence of which they were
all marked "tardy." Then she remem¬
bered how often she put off' learning her
verses.
Will was also thinking, and was the
tirst to speak. " Well, I shouldn't won¬
der if I had a whole drove of the little
rascals," he said, half laughingly and half
seriously. " But I'll look out for them
in future, and if I catch them nibbling
my vines I'll just give them a shot."
l'es, though Will was a very pleasant,
kind-hearted, generous boy, he had his
foxes, and we shall see in future what
they were.
"Grandpa, has I got any foxesV
28 Little Wendals and^ their Foxes.
asked Kitty, nestling so close to the old
man that his long white beard fell in
silver threads among her golden curls.
"You got any foxes, Kitten! I hope
not many. What do you think about
it?"
" Well, I guess I got one, 'cause I let
baby wake up when mamma told me to
rock him. I wanted to play, that's why
I did it. Don't you think it was a fox?"
The children laughed, and grandpa
told her he was afraid that it was, and
that next time she must tell the naughty
fox to go and play while she rocked the
baby.
Just then Mr. Wendal came to the
door to ask William to go to the cellar
for a dish of apples, but seeing him with
a book in his hand he told Harry to go.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 29
•'Can't Will go?" said Harry, with a
frown.
"Ho, my son, I told you to go," said
his father.
"Take care, Harry," said grandpa;
"lazy foxes are just as troublesome as
mischievous ones; and selfish ones are
the very meanest kind."
But it was already past Kitty's bed¬
time, so she and Lucy kissed grandpa,
good night; and after getting their good¬
night kisses from their father and mother
they retired, and the boys soon followed.
"Where is Lucy?" asked Mr. Wendal,
as the family took their seats around the
breakfast table the next morning.
" She is not quite ready," said Mrs.
Wendal. Lucy , came bustling in a mo¬
ment afterward, just as her father was
30 Little Wendals and their Foxes
asking the blessing, stumbling over a
footstool in her baste, and causing a good
deal of confusion.
Her mother gave her a reproving look ;
Ilarry turned bis eyes up with a mali¬
cious kind of grin, while AVill, by whom
she took a seat, as soon as the blessing
was over said, in an audible whisper,
"Foxes ! foxes ! "
Lucy was very much vexed at herself,
as well as greatly annoyed by the boys'
notice. She saw that, small a matter
as her tardiness seemed to her, it had
affected every one at the table. Her
father was displeased, her mother was
grieved. Grandpa—dear, kind, patient
grandpa!—looked at her very gravely,
and even little Kitty showed what she
was thinking about by asking, in her
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 31
eweet, artless way, " Lucy, does you know
grandpa's verse to-day ?"
And she was greatly relieved, if not
really glad, when Roxy upset a cup of
coffee she was about to pass, thus divert¬
ing attention from her.
" I do wish we could go to Uncle John's
on Saturday," said Will, as they were
leaving the table.
" It don't look much like it now," said
his father. " The little snow and ice that
we have had is so nearly gone that I
shall be obliged to go to town in a buggy
to-day: then there are strong indications
of a thaw. We can't go until we have
more snow. Did you tell Mr. Plum about
the corn yesterday ?"
"No, sir," said Will, looking across to
grandpa and hanging his head ; " I thought
32 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
I'd stop just a minute at Mr. Smith's to
see liow Archie was getting along with
his cages, and just then the school bell
rang."
"You had plenty of time if you had
gone directly there," said his father some¬
what sternly.
" I did not stay long."
" Time usually passes quickly when
boys are at play. I engaged to let him
know by this morning, if not before, so
you will have to go now, if you are late
at school."
Will imagined he saw a little fox in
each of Lucy's eyes as she turned them
upon him, and he thought he would never
say foxes to her again when she was late
to breakfast, for he knew he should be
late to school.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 33
CHAPTER III.
the show-storm.
"Hurrah! what's that?" exclaimed
Will one morning, springing up in bed
before he was half awake. " Sleigh bells!
and no mistake."
" I guess it's the bell to make us get up,
there aint no snow," drawled Henry with¬
out opening his eyes.
"No, it's not the breakfast bell," said
Will, bounding out of bed and running
to the window, " no, indeed; it snows
like fun. I tell you if the feathers don't
fly ! Now for the sleigh rides and Uncle
John's! Hurrah for the old goose-picker
up in the clouds! Hurrah for my new
34 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
sled! Hurrah for Uncle John's, sleigh
rides, and fun !"
Will was a wide-awake boy when he
was awake, and his greetings to the first
real snow-storm of the season was heartv
and boylike; besides, he liked play and
fun as well as any live boy.
"Come, Harry, get up. You've slept
long enough. Let's have some fun," he
6aid, hurrying on his clothes. But Harry
did not stir. He was fast asleep again.
" There, there, old boy, if sleigh bells
wont bring you out there is something
that will," he said, as the rising bell
sounded up from the foot of the stairs.
Harry stretched, and yawned, and
grunted, and sniffed, and finally turned
out. But Will was already in the loft
of the wood-house after his new sled.
Little Wetidals and their Foxes. 35
where it had been left in reserve for more
snow and better sleighing.
He had got it out, and was drawing
it np the lane, when his father called to
him.
"William, what are you going to do?"
he said.
" Try my new sled, sir."
" And let your chickens go hungry?"
" O, I forgot."
Will loved play so well he was apt to
forget things of more importance; indeed,
this was one of his foxes. He was, how¬
ever, good-natured, and very cheerfully
left his sled to do his chores, one of v hich
was to feed the fowls. In the meantime
the hell rang for breakfast.
The subject of the proposed visit to
Uncle John's was discussed at the table,
3
36 Little IVeudals and their Foxes.
and it was decided to go on Saturday if
the weather should prove favorable.
Uncle John was an older brother of Mr.
Wendal's, who lived about twelve miles
from him in the country. The families
were in the habit of exchanging visits
during the winter, and had been waiting
for sleighing to do so this season. As the
entire family usually went on these occa¬
sions the children enjoyed the visits ex¬
ceedingly, so now they were full of joy in
the anticipation of it.
They were also delighted to hear their
father tell Patrick he might get out the
sleigh and take the children to school,
as the snow was too deep for Lucy to
walk.
"You just run round to the kitchen,
Harry, and get the dinner basket and
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 37
satchel, and I'll bring Lucy out on my
back," said Will, springing from the
sleigh as it drew up to the gate.
" O, pshaw! I don't want to get out.
You can get the basket and satchel too.
You know it's your turn, any way," said
Harry.
" Here, Lucy, you just get on my back
and I'll carry you out; then you wont
get covered with snow," said Will, sitting
down on the steps before her.
" I'm afraid I'm too heavy," said Lucy.
"You know you aint such a great deal
larger than I am."
" I'm more than two years older; be¬
sides, I'm a boy, and you know boys are
stronger and can do things girls can't,"
he said a little proudly, and the next
moment Lucy was set down in the sleigh.,
38 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
and he ran round to the kitchen after the
basket and satchel.
" Harry, I'm ashamed of you," said
Mr. Wendal, who had heard what had
just passed between the brothers. "Why
didn't you go when William asked you
to!"
" I didn't want to get out in the
snow again," said Harry, looking a little
ashamed.
" Get out in the snow again !" said his
father. "You've been in the snow up to
your ears all the morning, and nothing
suits you better. You're very much
afraid of doing something that you think
belongs to William to do. It is very un¬
obliging in you, besides showing a mean,
selfish spirit. Try to overcome it, my
boy."
Little Weudals and their Foxes. 39
Just then Will came bounding out, and
springing iuto the sleigh, shouted " All
aboard!" Then, as they drove off, he
set up a sharp barking.
"Why, Will, I don't see any thing
much to bark at," said Pat, drily.
" O, I'm only barking for Harry's foxes
because they are too lazy to do their own
barking," said Will; " but there, stop and
take Jim and Betsey in, I'm sure they'll
be glad of a ride."
They gathered up all the children on
the way, and had a right jolly load when
they arrived at the school-house. And a
merry time too they had in playing in
the clean new snow at the recess. Snow¬
men rose up like marble giants. Huge
balls were rolled up by the side of them ;
while smaller ones flew in every direction,
40 Little Weudals and their Foxes.
and little sleds and great snow-shoes left
their tracks all about.
Let boys, and girls too, play in the
beautiful snow. It leaves the brain clear,
the hands clean, and the heart cleaner too
than many another sport, because it is
healthful and invigorating. Those boys
who have never played with snow
have lost one of boyhood's greatest
pleasures, one of its most stirring amuse¬
ments.
"Lucy, aren't you most ready?" said
Harry, as he drew on his mittens and
stood with his hand on the door the next
morning. " Come, we shall be tardy
again if you don't hurry."
"No, Lucy is not ready, and you must
not wait for her," said his mother.
" O, I don't want to go alone!" said
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 41
Lucy. " Cau't be wait just a minute or
two ?"
"No, Lucy, your brothers have been
late to school too many times already this
winter by waiting for you. In future you
must go alone if you are not ready in
time."
Mrs. Wendal spoke firmly, though
kindly. She felt as though it was time
that this great fault of Lucy's was cor¬
rected.
So Lucy was left to go to school alone,
besides being marked " tardy," and kept
in at the recess.
Now Lucy would have been a very
good girl but for these faults ; but these
were very annoying, and made her friends,
as well as herself, a great deal of trouble ;
indeed, these little foxes were spoiling the
42 Little IVendals and their Foxes.
vines. Instead of being a help to her
mother, as she might have been, she was
a constant care. "Will Lucy be ready for
breakfast? Will Lucy be ready in time
for school? Will Lucy be ready for
church ? and similar questions arose con¬
stantly in her mind. Then she seldom
did any thing just when she was bidden
to do it. If she was told to mind the
baby, it was sure to get thoroughly
wakened before her hand touched the
cradle. If she was bidden to look
after something on the stove, it would
usually be burned or spoiled before she
got there. If a piece of work was given
her to do, it was put off until another
time.
" In a minute," was her usual reply
when told to do a thing. But her minutes
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 43
were so long that often some important
matter was neglected, or some great mis¬
chief done during one of them. And it
was a very sad lesson which at last made
her truly feel her folly.
44 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER IV.
the visit to uncle john's.
It was Friday evening, and preparations
were being made for the visit to Uncle
John's the next day.
" Lucy, you had better have every thing
ready to-night," Mrs. Wendal said as she
was leaving the kitchen. "We shall
start early, so there will be no time to do
any thing in the morning. I observed
that one of the strings was otf from your
hood when you came from school; you
had better sew that on, and then put some
new strings in your shoes."
Lucy was cutting some paper dolls, and
thought she would finish those first, as
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 45
there would be plenty of time afterward,
60 she kept at work.
But the time passed so rapidly that she
thought it had only been a few minutes
when she was astonished to hear the
clock strike eight.
It was her bed-time, and Kitty was
already nodding in her chair. Her first
thought was to wait until morning. But
recalling the troubles of the previous
morning, and remembering what her
mother said as she left the room, she
quickly changed her mind.
But the missing hood-string was not to
be found. " Have you seen it, Roxy ? "
6he asked.
" Ho, child."
" Wont you help me find it ?"
"You should have saved it when your
46 Little Wcndals and their Foxes.
mother told you to. I've got something
else to do besides looking up stray
bonnet-strings for little girls that don't
take care of their things," was Roxy's tart
reply.
Roxy was very kind hearted, " and,"
as she said, " sot most as much by the
children as their mother did, as she had
been in the house nigh about seven years."
But she was sorely tried with Lucy for
" putting off doing things besides, she
was out of humor that night.
Lucy began to cry. She was m
trouble.
" O, do please look for it, Roxy. You
always find things when they're lost,"
she said. "I know mamma wont let me
go if it is not found."
Roxy couldn't stand this. Her heart
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 47
began to soften. She loved Lucy, and
knew it would almost break the little
girl's heart if she was not allowed to go
to Uncle John's.
" You go and get the shoe strings, and
may be by that time t'other string will
turn up," she said. And it did turn up,
or was turned up, by Roxy, while Lucy
was gone.
It was soon fastened to the hood, and
the other strings put in the shoes, and
Lucy went to bed with a light heart.
All were up betimes the next morning.
The weather and the sleighing was so
fine that grandpa had concluded to go,
which added greatly to the children's
pleasure.
" This is a precious load," said Mr.
Wendal, tucking the buffalo robes care-
48 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
fully in, after having stowed away the
last of the little folks, Kitty, in the bottom
of the sleigh at grandpa's feet.
" A pretty happy one, too, I 'should
think," returned his wife, as one peal of
laughter after another rang out on the
clear morning air.
" All aboard for the Wendal House ! "
shouted Will.
"But don't let your grays run away
with us, driver," added grandpa, as they
drove briskly off.
"Wont we have a jolly time of it
though ! " said Harry. " I wonder if they
will expect us to-day. Do you think
they will, father?"
" I presume so. They knew we would
wait until Saturday, when all you
youngsters would be out of school."
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 49
" Grandpa, are you cold ? " asked Kitty
after a little.
" Cold, Puss, why no ; you are as good
as> a foot-stove, or as a real live kitten to
keep one's feet warm. If the others are
cold I don't know but I ought to pass
you around, just as the old ladies do their
footstoves at church."
"We don't need her back here," said
Will; " we are steaming now. May be
Lucy would like her; girls are always
cold."
"No, I don't want to be passed," said
Kitty. " I rather sit here."
"Well, you shall stay here," said
grandpa. " But how is it, Lucy, are you
cold? You have scarcely spoken since
we started."
" No, sir, I'm not cold a bit. I was
50 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
watching the trees and bushes, and think¬
ing how beautiful they looked, especially
when the sun shines on them; they glitter
and sparkle so then."
"Jack Frost must be very industrious
to do so much work in one night," said
Will.
" Winter foliage grows much more
rapidly than summer leaves," remarked
grandpa.
" How does it grow, and what is it,
grandpa? It is different from snow,"
said Lucy.
" No, it is not snow. It is frozen dew.
You see the atmosphere is full of it. But
the sun will soon melt it again."
The roads were so smooth, and all en¬
joyed the ride so much that the distance
seemed very short; so short, that the
Little Wendals atid their Foxes. 51
children were surprised when they came
in sight of Uncle John's house.
" There, I do believe there are the boys
looking for us," said Will, observing two
dark specks on the snow in front of the
house.
Sure enough; the specks began to
move and to enlarge, and were soon ruu-
ning down the street to meet them.
"Wont we have a grand time of it?"
said Will. " Halloo, there, Jacob! Hal¬
loo, Pete ! " he shouted; "jump in here;"
and before Mr. Wendal could stop the
horses the two boys had tumbled into the
back of the sleigh.
" Say, were your folks expecting us ? "
asked Harry as soon as the usual greetings
were exchanged.
" Of course they were. Mother has got
4
52 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
her pudding in the stove, and her chicken-
pie most made; and Marthy has had a
fire in the spare room ever since break¬
fast," said Jacob.
" And we've popped lots of corn, and
cracked heaps of nuts, and Jane is going
to help us make some molasses candy
after dinner, mother said she might,"
added Peter.
Uncle John and the two little girls
were waiting for them as they drove into
the yard, and Marthy and Jane stood in
the door.
" I've had my eye out for you all the
morning," said Uncle John. " Are you
all here ?"
" I guess you will think so," returned
his brother, " by the time we unload."
'' The more the merrier. Come, Lucy,
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 53
you are the nearest, I'll take you first.
Hattie and Kate have been in a raging
fever all the morning from fear of dis¬
appointment," and he lifted her out.
" And here is the old cat and his kitten,"
he said, putting the robes back from
grandpa and Kitty.
" Yes, we are here just as snug as if at
home on our rug," said grandpa, joining
in the general laugh.
"And this is mine," said Uncle John,
taking his little namesake, John Milton,
from his mother's arms and marching into
the house with him. " Come, Marthy,
stir the fire, grandpa and the children
must be cold."
" Not a bit of it," said grandpa, " we've
made quick time. Peter's grays are as
good as a locomotive."
54 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
Aunt Matilda soon came bustling in
from the kitchen, looking very red and
very good-natured. " I was sure you
would come to-day," she said, " so I hur¬
ried up my baking to get through for a
good visit."
And they did have a good visit, old
and young, though the day was quite too
short for them all, especially for the
children.
The boys soon went to the barn on an
exploring expedition, and the girls to the
chamber where the dollies and play¬
things were.
Fortunately the little foxes were mostly
left behind, or shut out during the day.
Once during one of their games Harry
became a little jealous, imagining his
cousins showed Will some favor, and
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 55
started for the house, upon which Will
bounded after him, sniffing first on one
side of the path, and then on the other, in
such a comical way that the boys set up
an uproarious laughter, and called to
t-now what he was doing.
" O I'm scenting out Harry's foxes,"
he said.
" You'd better look after your own
foxes," returned Harry sullenly.
"Well, I suppose I've got enough of
them, to be sure," said Will; "but I am
going to cut their tails off, so I shall know
them from yours."
Harry could not help joining in the
laugh, so good-nature was restored, and
he went back and finished the game with
the boys ; after which, at his cousin's re¬
quest, Will explained to them what lie
56 Little Weiidals and their Foxes.
meant by the foxes, by repeating the
verse grandpa had taught them, and, as
far as he could, the explanation which he
had made of it.
" I shouldn't wonder if we had a few
of them up here," said Jacob, when "Will
had finished.
"Very likely," returned Will. "The
little rascals seem to be very plenty.
When I get to be a parson I shall take
that verse for my first text."
The sound of the dinner-horn inter¬
rupted the conversation, and they has¬
tened to the house, ready to do justice to
Aunt Matilda's excellent dinner.
After dinner was over the children
gathered around grandpa for a story, and
then they all went to the kitchen to have
a good time together with their nuts,
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 57
apples, popped corn, and candy making;
and so swiftly did the afternoon pass that
they were astonished when Mrs. Wendal
came to the door and told her children
Uncle John had gone for the horses, and
they must be getting ready to go home.
They wished the hours had been a day
long, and the day a week long. But
they became quite reconciled to this sud¬
den ending of their sports when Aunt
Matilda assured them the visit should be
repaid in a few weeks.
58 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER V.
the little foxes.
"Well, boys, what is the report to¬
night ?" grandpa asked one evening to¬
ward spring as the children, with the
exception of Lucy, gathered around him
after supper.
" Not very good," said Will, looking
unusually sober.
"What has been the trouble ?"
Will hesitated. " I'm ashamed to tell
you, grandpa," he said at last.
" Never mind, out with it; it will do
you good."
Now, though grandpa thought his
6ight was failing him a little, he was
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 59
not so blind but that he saw something
had gone wrong with the children as soon
as they came from school, so, hoping to
help them out of their trouble, he asked
the question.
"Well, to tell you the truth," began
Will, " the foxes have all been out to-day.
Lucy was late to breakfast this morning,
and that made her late at school, so she
lost her place in her class, and cried so
that, what with it, and with going without
her dinner, she got such a headache she
could not learn her other lessons, and
came home sick. Then I forgot the din¬
ner basket, and because it was my turn
to take it Harry would not bring it; and
though he had two great apples and a
pocket full of nuts, he was too stingy to
share either even with Lucy ; the result
6o Little WestJals and their Foxes.
of all this was, that father made him eat
a eold supper alone, and he is as cross as
a bear.
" And I — well — I forgot the dinner
basket, as I told you; then I went a
skating at the recess this noon and forgot
myself, and before I knew it it was two
o'clock. It was the afternoon for the
distribution of the monthly prizes, and
by this means I lost both of mine ; and
that wasn't the worst of it. Esquire Mills
and several other gentlemen and ladies
were visiting the school, and Mr. Jones
reprimanded me before them all. Some¬
how time always seems so short when I
am playing I can't tell any thing about
it. Father says I can't take my skates
to school any more; and I don't care
much, for I shouldn't have had so much
Little Wen dais and their Foxes. 61
trouble, nor forgotten the dinner basket
either, if it hadn't been for them."
" These foxes are a thievish, lying, de¬
ceitful, lazy, selfish set," said grandpa.
" Lucy's stole her time this morning, and
just see how much trouble that has made
her. Yours deceived you by making you
believe you had been on the ice only half
an hour when you had been there two
whole ones ; that brought you into dis¬
grace before the school and before
company, besides robbing you of your
prizes and your happiness. And Har
ry's foxes have been nibbling away at his
vines until some of them are withering,
and others are covered with the mildew
of selfishness, making him appear very
mean and lazy sometimes; besides, to-day,
they put a lie in his mouth."
62 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
Harry started and looked very red. He
did not know that grandpa knew every
thing about the falsehood ; he did not
know that grandpa had heard him tell
his mother he thought Will had taken
the basket.
"Yes, boys, these foxes make a deal
of trouble," continued grandpa; "and
let me tell you, now is the time to get
rid of them, for if you do not they will
grow larger and stronger, and more and
more mischievous. Will's will lead him
to neglect duties of importance, and if
he is not careful, may in time lead him
into vice and ruin. Harry's will make
a selfish, penurious, and, I am afraid, a
dishonest man of him. I say plain things
to you, my boys; but remember I shall
not always be here to talk to you."
Little Weft dais and their Foxes. 63
" What will my foxes do, grandpa ?"
asked Kitty, ready to cry over his earnest
•words, though she did not fully compre
hend them all.
"Don't have any, darling; don't let
them grow," said grandpa, pressing her
close to his bosom.
"But, grandpa, I has got some. I
forgot to pray last night," sobbed the
little girl; " and to-day I'm afraid I was
cross because mamma didn't get me some
bread and milk when I wanted it."
"Well, don't do so again. Don't let
the foxes stay. Get rid of them," said
grandpa, stroking her head caressingly.
"I thought I had got rid of mine two
or three times," said Will, " but they
keep coming back."
" It is not always an easy matter to
64 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
get rid of them," said grandpa; "but it
can be done."
" "Well, I guess we shall have to have a
regular fox-hunt," said Will. "Will you
help us, Watch ? " and he snapped his fin¬
ger at the great dog that lay on the hearth.
"You will need more help than that,"
said grandpa. "You will need two of
them."
AVill at first thought grandpa was car¬
rying out his joke, but when he observed
his grave face and very earnest manner
he looked inquiringly at him.
"No, my boys, one will not be enough,"
said the old man, while the tears trembled
in his eyes. " One will not be enough;
you will need two of them, Watch and
Pkay."
The boys made many resolutions that
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 65
night to give heed to their grandpa's
advice, and often afterward recalled his
words and strove to overcome their
faults; but it was not until years had
passed that Will was brought to fully
understand and appreciate those instruc¬
tions and warnings.
Lucy was lying in the bed-room, where
she could hear the conversation, and
went to sleep with the full determina¬
tion to be ready in time for breakfast
the next morning, and, if possible, never
to be late at school again. And by con¬
stant watching and striving she was
enabled to keep her good resolutions,
and in time acquired the habit of strict
punctuality, or, as Will said, killed the
fox that made tardy marks, and sat in
her chair at the breakfast table.
65 LAttle Wen dais and their Foxes.
But it was a very sad lesson that
taught her the folly and danger of pro¬
crastination ; that taught her not to put
off until another time that which should
be done at once.
It seemed particularly hard, too, for
Harry to overcome his selfishness. The
very next morning after the conversation
Julius Haws asked him to loan him one
of his slate pencils, as he had lost his
on his way to school. Harry was about
to do it when he remembered that
Julius was the only boy in his class that
had more credits than he. He thought
it would be a good opportunity to get
in advance of him, so he declined loaning
the pencil on the pretense that he was
afraid he might lose it.
Julius was very indignant. He bad
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 67
divided his only pencil to give Harry a
share the day before, and had often
obliged him in various ways. He, how
ever, succeeded in getting a pencil else¬
where, and had his lesson, and, as usual,
came out in advance of Harry. But he
could not forget Harry's meanness and
selfishness, not only on this occasion, but
also on many previous ones. Indeed,
this fault of Harry's was rendering him
very unpopular among the boys; so much
60, that when a large fishing party was
made up among them a few weeks after¬
ward, on the occasion of which they were
to have a grand fish-fry, Harry was left
out, to his great disappointment and
mortification.
5
68 Little Wcndals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER VI.
the strawberry-beds.
When spring came Mr. Wendal gave
each of the boys a bed of strawberries
to cultivate, the avails of which they
were to have for pocket-money. They
were anticipating a large crop, and had
already made many estimates on the
amount of money it would bring, and
various calculations on the investment
of it, both of which was always large.
Will wanted so many tilings he hardly
knew which to choose. He thought it
would be very fine to have a gun. He
wanted a new knife, some fishing-tackle,
and a cage for the squirrels he was
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 69
taming; besides, lie must reserve enough
to buy something for Kitty and Johnny.
Harry proposed to spend enough of
his to get a knife, and a few fish-hooks
and a line, and put the balance in the
Savings Bank in town.
"Ar'n't they splendid!" said Will, as
they were looking over their beds one
afternoon, just as the berries began to
ripen. "But I suppose Mr. Jones would
say that was not a proper word to use."
" Yes, and they ought to bring us lots
of money," said Harry.
" They will; and I've about made up
my mind I'll have the gun to begin
with. Mr. Plum says, he will let me
have it real cheap," said Will.
" But then it will cost a great
deal," returned Harry, " and father says
70 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
you're not large enough to handle a gun
well."
" I'm as large as Bill Plum."
"Well, I sha'n't spend my money on
such foolish things. I'll put it in the
Savings Bank, then I'll have some¬
thing."
"Well, I guess I'll have something
when I get my gun!" was the quick
retort.
The next day was Sabbath. And what
was Will's surprise and vexation to find
his strawberry-bed entirely rooted up
when he came home from church that
afternoon.
" I should like to know who turned the
pigs into my strawberries ?" he said,
rushing into grandpa's room in great
excitement.
Little Weudals and their Foxes. 71
"I don't believe any body would do
tbat," said grandpa.
"But they Lave," returned Will, im¬
patiently. " There is not a root left; but
Harry's have hardly been touched. It's
downright mean, whoever did it; and if
I only knew who it was I'd kill their
pigs, or pay them off in some other
way. Who do you think it could have
been ?"
"I know who it was," said grandpa,
in his quiet way.
Will looked surprised. " Who was it? "
he asked eagerly.
" One of your two enemies. And I'm
afraid the other will do you still greater
harm if you don't get rid of him."
" I can't think who it can be," said
Will, greatly perplexed. "I'm good
72 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
friends with all the boys. Julius Haws
is mad at Harry; may be he thought it
was his bed; but then Julius wouldn't
do so mean a thing as that."
" Ho, it was not Julius," said grandpa.
" It was a fox—a little fox. His name is
Careless. I saw him do it. And I ad¬
vise you to kill the fox instead of the
pigs."
Will hung his head. The truth flashed
upon him. His father sent him back for
the whip after they had started for church
that morning. He ran through the gar¬
den, as that was the nearest way to the
carriage-house, and left the gate open.
Grandpa had been conflned to the house
for several days with the rheumatism,
and Ivitty was the only one that was left
at home with him.
No. 298.
Hunting the Pigs.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 75
She went in pursuit of the mischievous
pigs, but the more she tried to drive them
out the more they ran all over the gar¬
den. Grandpa succeeded at last in hob¬
bling out on his crutches; but before he
got there they had destroyed "Will's straw¬
berries, besides doing some other mis¬
chief.
" I called to you to come back, but
didn't succeed in making you hear," said
grandpa, seeing Will looked very much
vexed.
" Well, it's just the meanest kind of
luck. I'd like to ring those pigs' noses,"
said Will.
"That would do no good," returned
grandpa. " Can't you think of something
better to do ?"
" 1 suppose you think I might better
76 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
ring my old fox's neck," said Will,
smiling in spite of liis ill-humor.
" Y ou've hit it exactly," said grandpa,
good naturedly. " And when you have
disposed of him you can take the other
in hand, for I'm sure he will make you
just as much trouble in some other
way."
" It is too bad, though," said Will, re¬
ferring again to his loss.
"Perhaps Harry will give you a part
of his," suggested Kitty. " I would if
they were mine."
" Hot he. He keeps all he has got
and gets all he can." And Will put on
his cap, and went out to take another
survey of the ruins.
" They're all gone up. It's of no use
to try to do any thing with them," he
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 77
said, turning away in disgust. " It was
great carelessness in me, too. I don't
wonder grandpa named my fox Careless ;
but it is useless to cry over spilled milk,
as Roxy would say; I'll kill the fox
though, I will."
78 Little Wetidals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER YII.
lucy in great trouble.
" There is a shower arising, Lucy; step
into the bedroom and put the window
down. I am afraid Johnny will take cold,
he was so warm when he went to sleep,"
said Mrs. Wendal.
" Yes, ma'am," said Lucy, without look¬
ing up from her book.
Her mother passed on to the kitchen,
and her little girl thought she would
finish the chapter, as it was a short one,
before she laid down the book. Then, as
that left the story at a very interesting
point, she waited to look over a few
pages more to see how it was " coming
Little Wendells and their Foxes. 79
outand finally became so absorbed
that she forgot her mother's request alto¬
gether, until she was aroused and startled,
nearly half an hour afterward, by a heavy
peal of thunder, and on looking up saw
the rain dashing against the window,
and knew it must be pouring in upon
the bed where her little brother was
sleeping.
She threw down the book, and started
for the bedroom; but the hoarse cough
which came from it brought both
her mother and Roxy to the bedside
before she had time to think what
to do.
" O Lucy, Lucy, how could you do
so!" exclaimed her mother, quickly
taking up the gasping child from his
wet pillow.
3o Little Wendals and their Foxes.
" I didn't mean to; I forgot," was all
the excuse that Lucy could offer, and
even this did not seem to reach her
mother's ears, so intently occupied were
she and Roxy in removing Johnny's
wet clothing.
She watched their hasty movement a
few minutes, then stole away to her room
with her book. She felt very guilty, and
was very much alarmed about her little
brother, for she remembered how he had
been brought to the verge of the grave
by a similar attack a few months pre¬
vious, and the Doctor had expressed
doubts about his recovery should he have
another. She tried to read, but the book
had lost its charm ; then she tried to com¬
fort herself by thinking he might not be
very sick after all, and finally ventured
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 81
to go down to tlie kitchen and ask Roxy
about it.
Roxy was very cold and stern, and to
her anxious inquiry only said, "Yes, in¬
deed, he's sick enough; and that aint all,
you may thank yourself for it."
Lucy ate her supper with a heavy
heart, and went to bed feeling very much
like a criminal.
She could not sleep ; and when Roxy
came up stairs half an hour afteiward,
and found her crying, she was sorry she
had spoken so harshly, and tried to com¬
fort her.
" Maybe he'll be better in the morn
ing," she said kindly. " He's got a good
constitution to build on."
" But if he shouldn't, and he should
die," sobbed Lucy.
82 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
" Well, he's quiet now, and we'll hope
for the best, so you had better go to
sleep ; it wont do any good to fret about
it. I shouldn't wonder if a good sweat
would bring him out of it, and that's
what we are trying to give him, and I
guess the sage tea will do it; there's
nothing better."
So Lucy was comforted, and soon went
to sleep.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 83
CHAPTER Till.
lucy's lesson.
When Lucy came down stairs the next
morning she found her mother looking
pale and anxious, and was surprised to
learn that the doctor had been there the
most of the night.
She wanted to see her little brother
very much, for she loved him dearly, and
felt that she had done him a great wrong;
but he was sleeping, and the doctor had
ordered him to be kept very quiet. She
wanted to ask about him too; but every
body seemed so grave and silent, and
looked so coldly on her, she thought, she
did not venture to say any thing about it
84 Little Wen dais and their Foxes.
until she found herself alone with her
grandfather some time after breakfast.
"Is Johnny so very sick, grandpa?"
she asked, coming close up to him.
"Yes, Johnny is very sick," was the
sad reply.
" Don't you think he will get well ?"
Grandpa shook his head mournfully.
" The doctor thinks not."
" O, grandpa, I'm so sorry ! I didn't
mean to do it. If Johnny should die !
O if he should die !" said Lucy as she
laid her head 011 her grandpa's shoulder
and sobbed aloud.
" No, my child, we know you did not
mean to do it. You love your little
brother too much to wish to injure him,
and we hope that in future you will be
more ready to do just as you are bidden.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 85
You see it is sometimes very dangerous to
put off doing a thing until another time
which ought to be done at once. A great
mischief may be done, great trouble may
come from even a few minutes' delay,"
6aid grandpa kindly.
"Yes, I know, I know," returned
Lucy. " And I've promised too ; but,
then, if he shouldn't get well—poor little
Johnny !"
'• Well, we will hope for the best," said
grandpa; " and we will pray that God
will bless the means employed for his re¬
covery. He may get well after all. You
know he was very ill last winter." And
he took the little girl on his knee and
tried to divert her thoughts from the sad
subject, for he was pained to see her great
distress and anxiety.
6
86 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
But she refused to be comforted.
Koxv's encouraging words, and even her
father's and mother's assurance that they
knew she meant no wrong, and had
wholly forgiven her, only made her weep
the more.
" O if he should die ! if he should die!
and I be the cause of it!" she was con¬
stantly saying, until, exhausted with grief
and the pain in her head, she was carried
to her room really ill with a burning
fever, and when the doctor came he
found another patient almost as sick as
Johnny. The days that followed were
sad, dark ones to the Wendals. Dear,
kind-hearted little Kitty was much grieved
over the sad state of affairs in the house¬
hold. She was full of sympathy for every
body, and particularly troubled abou*
Little We?idals and their Foxes. 87
Lucy ; but she only moved around the
more quietly or nestled the more closely
to grandpa.
" May I go and speak to her, grand¬
pa ?" she asked softly as she heard Lucy's
moans from the adjoining room one after¬
noon. " I've got something to tell her.
Please, let me go."
Grandpa hesitated. He was afraid it
might disturb her.
"It wont hurt her. It is something
good, and I'll be very still," she said
pleadingly.
"Yes, darling, I will trust you," he
said, as he looked down into her earnest
eyes, " but be careful, for Lucy is very
sick."
Kitty stepped quietly down from his
knee and stole softly into her sister's
88 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
room. Grandpa saw her creep up into
the chair that stood by the bed and lay
her face gently against Lucy's, but he did
not hear any thing. In a moment she
came back and resumed her seat on his
knee.
" It did not hurt her, grandpa, 'cause
I didn't stay but a minute, and I said it
very softly; and I guess she was glad,
'cause she kissed me."
""What did you say?" grandpa asked,
interested to know what the communica¬
tion could be.
" O, I only said, 1 Go and tell Jesus,'
and she said she would. I told him all
about it this morning, and I think he
heard me. Don't you, grandpa?"
"Yes, darling, Jesus hears and for¬
gives."
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 89
And Jesus did hear and forgive, for
Lucy came from that sick bed a chas¬
tened and forgiven child of God ; and by
his grace and in his strength was able to
overcome her besetting sins—the little
foxes that had been spoiling the vines
and making so much trouble.
And yet it was not accomplished all at
once; for she was often tempted to do
wrong, and it was only by watching, and
praying, and trusting in God for assist¬
ance that she was enabled to do right.
She was also, in time, permitted to see
Johny's recovery, though it was slow,
and for a long time very doubtful. For
this mercy she did not forget to thank
her heavenly Father either, for she felt
that it -was only through his mercy that
her little brother's life was spared.
90 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
She was very kind and patient with
him, although he was troublesome and
often very fretful; and in this, and many
other ways, made herself very useful to
her mother.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 91
CHAPTER IX.
the letter.
" A letter ! a letter for you, mother!"
shouted "Will, as he came from the post-
office one afternoon, " and I guess it is
from Aunt Minerva, too."
"Yes, it is from her," said Mrs. Wen-
da], taking the letter from his hand and
looking over the contents.
" O goody ! When is she coming ?"
asked two or three voices.
" She expects to be here one week from
to-day."
" That's the best news I've heard in a
long time," said Will.
" I suppose you think you'll get that
92 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
California trip out of her yet," said Harry,
a little gruffly.
" I hope so," returned his brother. " I
should like to go, I can assure you. But
I am afraid there is no such good luck in
store for me."
"Did she promise to take yon to Cali¬
fornia?" asked Lucy.
"Ho, she didn't promise. I only wish
she had. Her promises are as good as
the bank. Don't you remember the first
time she was here she promised me a
box of tools when I was ten years old,
and though it was almost two years after,
they came the very day ?"
"Ho, I don't remember that, for I was
a very little girl when she was here the
first time; but I remember she taught me
a great many things when she was here
Little Wendals and their Foxes 93
tlie last time, and told me so many things
I wanted to know. I'm ever so glad she
is corning."
Harry was glad too, because she always
brought him a nice present.
Kitty was glad because, though she
did not remember her, she thought she
must be very good; and, after listen¬
ing for some time to what her brothers
and sister had to say about her, gave
it as her opinion that Aunt 'Nerva'
never had any foxes when she was a
little girl.
Grandpa was glad too, for Aunt Mi¬
nerva was his youngest daughter, and he
loved her very much. So they were all
glad and happy together.
But Will had a reason of his own for
thinking he was more delighted over her
94 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
coming than either of the others. The
reason was this. He had always been
quite a favorite with his aunt, and on her
last visit she had told him a great deal
about her visit to California, and also
talked to him about going with her should
she return there to reside, which she ex¬
pected to do in a few years; and Will
hoped it might end in something more
than talk. A trip to California would
be a grand thing, he thought, and so the
children all thought.
" Do you really think she was in ear¬
nest?" asked Lucy.
"Well, I don't know as she was exact¬
ly, but I hope she will be this time."
"Did she want you to stay?" asked
Kitty, a little anxiously, for she began
already to think of a separation, and her
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 95
warm little heart clung closely to her
eldest brother.
"She said, if father was willing, she
would like to have me live with her until
I was twenty-one, and help uncle, and be
company for her. But she is so particu¬
lar, may be I shouldn't suit her."
"Mamma says she had a little boy
once whose name was Willie; may be
that is why she likes you so much," sug¬
gested Lucy.
The expected visit was the theme of
conversation at the Wendals during the
following week.
True to her word, Aunt Minerva came
at the time appointed. Nor did she dis¬
appoint the expectations of the children
in the least. Besides visiting with their
father and mother aud grandfather, she
96 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
found time to talk to them about a great
many things which interested and in¬
structed them, to teach them new games
and plays with them occasionally, to pay
a daily visit to the orchard with some
of them, to go with the boys to see their
poultry, their calves, their lambs, and
colts; to teach Lucy, and even little
Kitty, some pretty fancy work, besides
stopping frequently, as she passed through
the kitchen, to say an encouraging word
to Roxy, or to teach her how to prepare
some new dish for the table.
Roxy entertained about as high an
opinion of her as the children did, and
often declared she thought it quite re¬
markable that such a fine city lady should
have so much "every-day sense," just
such as she needed to assist her in her
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 97
work and the children in their play.
"Indeed, just such," as she often said,
" as every body needed."
And so it was, for Aunt Minerva knew
how to adapt herself to every one around
her, besides having a helping hand for
all.
98 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER X.
aunt minerva's visit.
" Mother, may Harry and I go a berry¬
ing?" Will asked one morning soon after
his aunt came. "You know Aunt Mi¬
nerva is very fond of raspberries, and she
seldom gets them in the city."
" I have no objections, if your father
can spare you."
"Father is down in the meadow, and
I have nothing particular to do this
morning."
"Well, don't fail to be home by noon,
as they will need you in the hay field
after dinner."
Will promised to return in good time,
"iv.
Little Wendals and their FoxesMn;9gr
^hrai
and hurried off toward the woods, near
the edge of which the berries grew.
Noon came, but not the boys.
"I'm sorry Will is not here," said Mr.
Wendal, as he rose from the dinner-
table. " I need his help."
" I think they will be here soon; he
' promised to be home by noon," said his
wife.
" Will don't think much about his
promises when he is having a good time,"
returned Mr. Wendal.
It was nearly two hours after this that
he came up to the barn with a load of
hay, and stepped into the house to in¬
quire again after Will.
" That boy never knows when to come
home. He has probably found company,
and we shall not see him until night,"
ioo Little Wendals and their Foxes.
lie said, on being informed that Will
liad not returned vet. "We are going
to get a shower, and I need his help
very much, for I am anxious to secure
the hay before it rains."
But Will did not come until he was
driven home by the storm.
Aunt Minerva overheard the conver¬
sation, and she watched Will closely after
this. She had come to Mr. Wendal's with
the hope of being allowed to take Will
home with her, although she had not
mentioned the subject yet, except on one
occasion, to ask him if he would like to
go to California with her, and to suggest
to his father that she had thought of
asking.for him. Both she and Mr. Gar-
nard had been greatly pleased with Will
on their former visits, and thought it
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 101
would be very pleasant to have such a
cheerful, good-natured boy in their family;
and having plenty of money and no
children of their own, they felt that they
could give him better advantages than
he could have at home; besides, as Mr.
Garnard was something of an invalid, he
thought Will was so active and bright
he might be of real service to him, and
in time he would settle him in business.
So they had their plans all laid, and this
was one reason why Mrs. Garnard watched
Will with so much interest.
The afternoon was pretty well spent
when the boys came plodding home in
the rain.
"Why did you stay so long, Will?
your father has wanted you very much,"
asked Roxy as they made their appear-
'7
102 Little IVendals and their Foxes.
ance in the kitchen, dripping with rain
and bespattered with mud, which they
had thrown over themselves in trying to
run away from the shower, as Harry said.
"We didn't think it was so late," said
Will.
" Will didn't, but I did," chimed in
Harry. " I tried to get him to come
home, for I was awful hungry; but
Archie Smith came, so they stopped to
play in the creek."
"Well, I didn't think it would make
any difference."
" Didn't you know your father wanted
your help in the hay field ? "
" I forgot all about it until it began
to rain."
"Where are your berries?" asked
Lucy.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. IC3
" There, I've left my basket, and they
will all be spoiled ! That's too bad ! "
"Tt's just like you, though," said
Harry, ill-naturedly.
" Why didn't you bring it, then ? You
had nothing to carry, and I had the fish."
" I didn't think of it until we got part
way home."
" Well, why didn't you speak of it
then ?"
"Because I knew, as you had hurt
your feet, you wonld want me to go back
after it, and I did not want to go."
"Well, where are yours?" asked
Kitty.
" O, I put them with Will's."
" Precious few of them you put with
mine ; I should think they went down
your throat mostly I "
jc>4 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
" O the little foxes ! " thought grand¬
pa as he listened to the conversation,
and thought of Harry's selfishness and
Will's carelessness and love of play.
Aunt Minerva had her thoughts too,
for the sitting-room door was open and
she had heard the conversation ; but we
will mention only one of them. Her
husband had proposed that she should
bring Harry back with her, providing
Mr. and Mrs. Wendal could not spare
Will, but she thought it looked a little
doubtful. There was too much selfish¬
ness exhibited even in this little affair to
please her, and it was not the only thing
of the kind she had seen in him.
Little Wen dais and their Foxes. 105
CHAPTEK XI.
will's california trip, and what
came of it.
Day after day passed away and Aunt
Minerva watched the boys very care-
fully.
As her husband was in feeble healtL,
she felt that she could not take the
responsibility of training a boy that was
given to bad habits, especially when she
knew he would have careful training at
home. So she hesitated about saying
any thing more to Will or his father
about her plans.
But it did not take her long to settle
the question about Harry. His ill nature,
IO6 Little Weudals and their Foxes.
as well as his selfishness, was too apparent.
And she felt that she might better leave
him in the care of his watchful, judicious
parents, than to take him with her.
It was not so easy to decide in refer¬
ence to Will. He was so good-natured
and kind, so ready to oblige every body,
even his selfish brother, that she could
but give him a warm place in her heart.
And yet, while she saw all of his good
qualities, she was not blind to his faults.
His carelessness was unpardonable. But
his great danger lay in his unbounded
love for amusements and young company.
Study, work, and all other duties were
neglected when there was any play or
fun to be enjoyed ; indeed, he seemed to
forget every thing else when once at play.
Hot a day passed that she did not see
Little Wen dais and their Foxes. 107
some exhibition of this great fault-, and
6he finally had an illustration of it which
enabled her to decide the matter.
Mr. Wendal had an interest in a large
establishment in Boston in which he had
invested considerable capital.
While Mrs. Garnard was at his house
he received a dispatch from one of the
firm requesting him to come immediately
or all would be lost. The train for the
East was due at the nearest station in
about two hours. It was but six miles
distant, and he decided at once to take
that train. Accordingly Will was dis¬
patched to Mr. Smith's to borrow his
light buggy, as his own was at the vil¬
lage undergoing repairs, and he and Mr.
Smith frequently exchanged such neigh¬
borly accommodations.
108 Little Wen dais and their Foxes.
Harry accompanied his brother, and
Mr. Smith very readily consented to let
the bnggy go, and called his hired man
to get it out of the carriage-house and put
the horse to it which the boys had rode
down there.
In the mean time Archie called them
to come and see the great kite which he
had just finished, and then to try his
new croquet mallets.
"Now the one that gets to the post
first shall have a pull at my new kite,1'
he said, as Harry sent his ball rolling
through the second arch.
Once interested, "Will forgot every thing
else until Mr. Smith called to know if his
father was not in a hurry for the horse
and buggy.
" One more arch and I am to the post;
Little Weudals and their Foxes. 109
then for the kite," he was just saying,
when Mr. Smith's call reminded him of
nis father's last charge, and he threw
down the mallet and sprang into the
buggy, which was standing near by.
" I'm afraid father will be waiting,"
he said, a little anxiously, as he drove
rapidly away.
" I thought you were staying too long,"
said Harry.
"Why didn't you say so? I didn't
think of such a thing; in fact I didn't
think any thing about it."
Harry was ashamed to tell the reason.
He knew it was a very selfish and a very
frivolous one. The truth was, he wanted
to fly Archie's great kite, partly for the
fun of it, and partly to get the start of
Will; so while he thought they might be
r 10 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
staying too long, lie also tried to think
there might be time enough, and if there
wasn't, why, it would be Will's fault—the
business was intrusted to him.
They found their father waiting anx¬
iously at the gate with his traveling bag
in his hand.
" Why did you stay so long ?" he asked
hurriedly, and without waiting for an
answer sprang into the buggy and drove
rapidly away.
Will knew by his father's looks that lie
was feeling very anxious, and a glance at
the faces of his mother and his aunt
satisfied him that they, too, were feeling
troubled.
"I am afraid he will be too late for
the train," Mrs. Wendal said, as she
watched her husband from the window.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 111
" His time is very short," returned
Mrs. Garnard, looking at her watch;
"especially when your New England
hills are taken into consideration."
" Yes, and I don't like to have hirn
drive so rapidly over them. I think it
hazardous to do so," returned the anxious
wife.
Mr. Wendal drove with all possible
speed; but the train was just moving off
as he came in sight of the depot, so he
was obliged to wait until morning, and
arrived in Boston in time to find he was
just too late again, and consequently all
was lost.
" Have you decided to go to California
this fall?" "Will asked of his aunt one
evening after he had brought her a letter
from Mr. Garnard.
r 12 Little Wendals and their Poxes.
"We shall probably start in a few
weeks."
" IIow are you going ? "
"With our carriage from Omaha. The
doctors advise this mode of traveling for
your uncle. Ilis cough is growing more
troublesome of late, so we shall start as
soon as possible."
" O, that would be splendid! I mean
the journey," said Will. " How I should
like to go."
"Would you?"
" Yes, indeed."
" Well, my boy, we should like to have
you go with us. I came here for the
very purpose of taking you back with
me," said his aunt.
" Wont father let me go ?"
" I should be afraid to take you."
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 113
" Why, aunt, I'm not afraid."
"Aren't you ?"
" No, not of the Indians, nor any thing
else."
" Well, I'm afraid."
" What are you afraid of? "
" I'm afraid you would play so much
by the way that we should never get
there."
Will hung his head. He saw the point;
and though he felt greatlj disappointed
and mortified, he was ashamed to say
any thing more about it.
So he saw his fond hopes and bright
anticipations fall to the ground through
his own foolish and bad habits.
His aunt left in a few days. And he was
glad ever afterward to avoid the California
question, although he did not soon cease
r 14 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
to regret that he could not have accom¬
panied her.
She took Lucy with her to spend a few
weeks in the city, and would gladly have
taken her to California if her mother
could have spared her.
Lucy enjoyed both the visit and the
journey exceedingly, and was almost sorry
when the time came for her to return
home. But her aunt promised her that
when she came back to New Tork she
should come and spend a winter with her ;
which promise was fulfilled a few years
afterward, and Lucy spent a delightful
season there.
The day before she started for home
her uncle took her to a toy-shop to get
some presents for Kitty and Johnny, and
then they went to a large bookstore, and
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 115
be told her she might select a book for
herself, Will, and Harry, and also one for
her father and mother.
She found one full of pictures of ani¬
mals and birds which she thought would
please Ilarry, and then chose "Tip and
his Lamp " for "Will, and " Jessie Only "
for herself; but it was more difficult to
select for her father and mother, so she
asked her uncle to choose for her.
She thought him him very kind and
generous to give her so many beautiful
books and pretty toys, and was delighted
to think how happy it would make them
all at home ; but when he took her into
one of the handsome shops and bought
her " just the prettiest little hat she ever
saw" she was almost too happy, and
thought him really quite too good.
116 L ittle Wendals and their Foxes.
The journey home was very pleasant,
as she had the company of a little girl
about her own age who was going with
her mother to visit some friends that
lived in the same town where she did.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 117
CHAPTER XII.
THE STUDENT AND THE CLERK.
As Harry had many times expressed not
only a desire, but a determination, to
engage in the mercantile business when
he became a man, his father thought it
advisable to allow him to follow his
inclination in this matter. Accordingly,
when a situation as clerk in his uncle's
store in the city was offered him a few
years afterward he gladly permitted him
to accept the position.
"Will had entered college a few months
previous. The change was a great and
an important one to both boys, but
especially so to Will; for Harry was in
3
118 Little Weudals and their Foxes.
the care of his uncle, and had a home
in his family; while Will was with
strangers, and mostly in the society of
those about his own age.
But they were neither of them any
longer under the immediate direction of
their father's sound judgment and wise
instructions.
They were in a great measure, too,
beyond the reach of the tender, patient,
watchful care of their loving mother and
devoted 6ister. They missed grandpa's
counsels, advice, and warnings.
Harry's new home was a pleasant one,
and his uncle was a faithful friend, so
that he was subject to fewer temptations,
and had more help to resist them, than
his brother. He might have got along
nicely in his new business but that he
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 119
did not heed his grandfather's advice to
leave th & foxes behind. His disagreeable
temper, his selfishness, and the unobliging
disposition which grew out of it, rendered
him so unpopular with the other clerks
in the store the first year or two that he
was very unhappy, and several times
came near being dismissed in disgrace for
his unpleasant, unobliging manners.
But his uncle strove hard to convince
him of his folly, and to make a better hoy
of him.
After much bitter experience he was
brought to see the necessity of a change
himself, in the exterior at least, in order
to secure friends and success in business,
and in time became more affable and
more obliging, if really not much better.
It is true, he sometimes really mourned
120 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
over his faults, and strove to reform ; but
he trusted in himself, and in his own
strength, and, therefore, failed in a great
measure.
Will's carelessness had been corrected
in part before he left home; but he car¬
ried his old love of play, or pleasure, as
he now called it, to college with him, and
it was there that the little fox had full ac
cess to the vines, and well-nigh destroyed
them.
He was generous to a fault, good-
natured, kind and obliging to every one,
an apt scholar, and a " hail fellow well
met," so he was a favorite with all.
Even his tutors pronounced him a good
fellow, although they frequently had oc-
»
casion to reprimand him sharply, and at
one time would have expelled him from
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 121
college had he not made public confes¬
sion of his fault.
But with all of "Will's good qualities he
carried an enemy in his bosom, and he
had not been in college two years before
he seemed to be on the broad road to ruin.
He commenced by spending too much
time on the playground, and in other
amusements, which infringed on his study
hours ; then in joining his companions in
some stealthy visits to a neighboring
wood or tish-pond; afterward in nightly
frolics in his own or his classmates'
rooms; finally, in taking a social glass
with his friends, and at last ended in
dissipation.
But we will leave his history for an¬
other chapter.
122 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER XIII.
the wedding.
It is a beautiful June morning.
More than ten years have passed since
we first introduced our readers to the
"Wendals.
Will has just returned from college,
and Harry from his city home.
The family are once more gathered on
the long piazza in front of the house as
in other days, for the dear old home is
but little changed.
But great changes have taken place in
the family during these years.
Mr. and Mrs. Wendal are looking
older and more careworn. Lucy is now
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 123
a young lady, as good as she is beautiful,
and the darling of the household, for the
little foxes have been taken, and she is
not only a dutiful daughter and loving
sister, but also a devoted Christian.
Harry is a fair, delicate-looking youth,
with the airs of city life about him. The
tall, handsome young man who is sitting
apart from the others at the farther end
of the piazza is no other than "Will.
Johnny, a wide-awake boy of twelve, is
the little farmer, who promises to stay
with his father and mother in the old
home. Kitty, dear little Kitty, is not
here. She sleeps with grandpa under
the mosses. She went away one bright
morning long ago, but she is not forgot¬
ten to-night; neither is dear old grandpa
forgotten, for the family have not all
124 Little We? i da Is and their Foxes.
been together in more than two years,
and now as they mete on this summer
evening, after their long separation, and
on this especial occasion, the departed
loved ones are tenderly remembered.
It has been a busy day in the farm¬
house. Eows of biscuit, tarts, and cakes,
and fowls dressed, ready for an early
morning roasting, stand on the shelves of
the pantry. Table linen and silver have
been whitened and brightened to their
utmost capacity.
The house has been swept and gar¬
nished from roof to cellar. Bridal robes,
spotless and white, lie upon the bed in
the spare chamber, for to-morrow is Lu¬
cy's wedding-day.
Several guests have arrived during the
day, and have already retired to their
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 125
rooms; another is expected by the even¬
ing coach. He comes; and after a little
time the family separate for the night,
and all save one are soon wrapped in
slumbers, and that is Will.
Hours have passed, but he has not
until now left his seat on the piazza.
His thoughts have been busy with the
past. His happy, guileless childhood has
been recalled. The day he left home for
eollege, a strong-hearted, pure-minded
lad, full of hope and promise, taking with
him the confidence and strong expecta¬
tion of success of his father, mother, and
sister, rises up before him.
He is astonished at the change. It has
been so gradual, step by step, that he has
not seen it fully before.
What a downward course it has been I
126 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
It is true, as he was an apt scholar he
had managed to keep in his class, but
that was all. He might have excelled;
he might have been an honor to that class;
he might have been an honor to his
friends, to society, to his country.
Eut he has disgraced himself and de¬
ceived and dishonored his father and
mother, and forfeited the love aud confi¬
dence of his faithfiil, generous sister.
He finds himself on the very verge of
ruin ; even now, in the home of his child¬
hood, longing for the wine-cup. He starts
back with terror at the prospect before
him. Another step and he is lost to him¬
self, he is lost to his friends, he is lost to
the world, and perhaps eternally lost.
O what a ruin ! what a ruin ! for he is
already fast becoming a dnmkard.
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 127
He is glad to feel assured that, though
his friends know something of his bad
nabits, they do not know the worst.
Thev have little idea of the extremes of
«/
folly and profligacy to which he has gone.
The whispered words of his sister, as she
left her good-night kiss on his cheek,
perhaps for the last time, are still sound¬
ing in his ears.
" It is the little foxes that have spoiled
the vines.f she whispered, and he knew
there were tears in her eyes—tears for
him on this, which should have been
the happy eve of her bridal-day. If he
had only listened to the advice given
him years ago; but it was too late, the
vines were already spoiled. What could
he do now ? He had often resolved to
reform, but he had not strength to do it.
128 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
He had failed each time. Must he give
himself up to utter ruin '(
He stepped out on the lawn, and
walked down to the gate. The old dog
—which, though he had outlived his use¬
fulness, and was no longer fit for active
service, still occupied his place in the
family—got up slowly from the mat on
the steps of the piazza and followed his
young master, touching his hand with
his nose as he leaned over the gate.
"Will started. "O it is you, Watch!"
he said, and the bowed figure of an old
man with silver hair, and placid, thought¬
ful face, rose suddenly up before him;
and the earnest, tremulous words, uttered
on that night years ago sounded again
in his ears: "Ho, my boys, one will not
be enough, one will not be enough ; vou
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 129
will want two of them: it must be Watch
and Fray."
"Will took the cigar from his month
and threw it into the street.
" That much I can do," he said. " I
will never again touch the vile weed!
Yes, and more than this will I do, with
the help of God."
He passed out to a grove a short dis¬
tance from the house, and there, on his
bended knees, implored God to help him ;
to keep him from temptation, and to
deliver him from evil. Again and again
he prayed for strength to overcome his be¬
setting sins, and to forsake his bad habits.
It was almost morning when he re¬
turned to the house. But he came with
the firm determination to turn from his
evil ways and to commence a new life.
130 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER XIY.
temptation and victory.
Lucy left her old home the next day for
another one, far away among strangers.
But new friends gathered around her,
and she found plenty to do, both in her
new home and in her Master's cause,
for there is always work to do there,
so she was contented and happy, besides
being very useful.
Her brothers, too, left the following
morning: Harry for business, and Will
to finish his college term, and then to
fulfill an engagement which he had
made for his summer vacation.
It was a hard struggle for the young
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 131
man to resist the temptations of college
life, and the strong influences which his
young companions threw ai'ound him, to
prevent him from keeping the promise
which he had so solemnly made while at
home.
The experience of the first evening
after his return will illustrate this.
"Glad to see you back, Wendal," said
his chum, as Will sprang from the coach
as it stopped in front of the college.
"Glad to see you back. We're going
to have a grand time of it to-night, and
were afraid you wouldn't be on hand;
you know we can't get up much of a
frolic without you," and he shook his
hand heartily and laughed merrily.
Will returned his friend's laugh; but
had he been observing he must have
132 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
felt that it was counterfeit, that it was
not a genuine Wendal laugh, for Will was
noted for heartiness in his merry-making.
The two went up to their room, and
were talking over the occurrences of the
few days which had intervened during
"Will's absence, when another classmate
entered, and after exchanging the usual
salutations invited them to his room.
"Come, Wendal, come, Wilson, the
champagne is waiting, and the other boys
will be there soon," he said.
" Not to-night," said W ill, "I'm tired
for he did not have courage enough to
give the true reason.
" O pshaw 1 it will rest you; come
along."
"You must excuse me, Jerry, this
time, for I really have no occasion."
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 133
"Had so many goodies at home that
you've lost your appetite, old fellow ?
Then that pretty sister of yours is really
married ? I hoped my chances might
be good there. But come, now. I got
this up for your especial benefit."
"Will shook his head.
"What's the matter with you, Wen-
dal ? One would think you had been to a
funeral instead of a wedding. Your face
is as long as a parson's, and as white as
a woman's! I thought the country was
the place to get bronzed cheap."
Will's courage was failmg him. He
dreaded the ridicule of the boys more
than any thing else. He knew Jerry
Lee's sarcasm cut like a knife.
" Aint getting pious, are you ?" Jerry
•ontinaed, observing Will's silence
9
134 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
"Wilson, briDg him along. It will cheer
up his spirits; besides, I'm getting
thirsty." And he moved toward the
door, motioning to them to follow
" Come," said Wilson, in his persuasive
way, at the same time drawing his arm
through Will's and moving toward the
door, " Come, don't spoil our fun; we
are all so glad to see you. I've been as
lonesome as a dog ever since you left."
Will could no longer resist. He crossed
the hall and passed into his friend's
room, where he had worse than wasted
many a precious hour in revelry over
the wine cup, deceiving his tutors and
disgracing himself. It was in this very
room, and through Jerry Lee's influence,
that he first put the intoxicating glass
to his lips.
Little We ft da Is and their Foxes. 135
The sight of the champagne bottles
brought back a pang of the agony he had
experienced that night while at home,
and the remembrance of it, and the
solemn promise which he there made,
roused his courage again, for he saw if lie
failed this time all would be lost. He
must take the decisive step now. Walk¬
ing up to Jerry, who had already filled a
glass for him, he said firmly, though with
trembling lips, "Jerry, I can't take it.
I cannot drink with you."
" O, well, if you really are ill we will
wait until to-morrow night. Excuse me,
I might have known you were sick," re¬
turned Jerry, observing Will's anxious
face.
Will turned to go. but he knew it
would not do to leave in this way, that
136 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
lie should not have accomplished any
thing if he did, for the temptation would
be renewed the next evening, so, turning
boldly round and facing his companions,
lie said, "No, boys, I'm not sick; I will
not deceive you; I have promised never
again to taste any thing that will in¬
toxicate."
"Ah, the old folks have taken you in
hand, have they? it's a pity they hadn't
done it before. Promised your ma, did
you? You'll get over it in a few days,"
said Jerry, with a contemptuous laugh.
"It was not to man or woman that I
made the promise, but to God," returned
Will solemnly.
"It's a great deal you care for him,"
said Jerry, with a sneer. "You'll forget
it all in less than a fortnight."
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 137
Will turned away. He knew he could
not trust himself there, and, hastily seek¬
ing his own room, he bowed again before
God, and plead for strength and help to
resist temptation and to keep his solemn
pledge.
This was but the beginning of his trials
and temptations. Indeed, his was a
struggle of months of resisting, watcn-
ing, and praying. But the victory was
gained at last; and when he returned
home, two years later, he came a changed
man. He came not only with worldly
honors, but he also came with " a humble
and contrite spirit."
He had learned to trust in God, and to
look to him for help and strength in every
time of need.
[38 Little Wendals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER XY.
the prophecy fulfilled
Twice two years more have passed, and
Sabbath evening bells are summoning
worshipers to the house of God.
A crowd of youth and children are
rapidly gathering into one of the largest
churches of a thriving western city, and
it is soon filled with earnest, expectant
listeners, for a stranger—the pastor elect
—is to preach to the young people that
evening.
Prayer is offered, the Scripture read,
the hymn sung, and the verse, chapter,
and book containing the text announced,
and he reads,
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 139
" Take us the foxes, the little foxes that
spoil the vines; for our vines have tender
grapes;" and in the young preacher we
recognize our old friend Will Wendal,
now the Kev. William Wendal.
The little foxes had been taken, so the
vines were not spoiled, and William Wen¬
dal was saved.
140 Little Weudals and their Foxes.
CHAPTER XYI.
HAEIiY AND HIS FOXES.
In time Harry engaged in business for
himself. He had not learned to trust in
a Higher Power than his own ; so, though
he sometimes strove a little to overcome
his faults, or, as Will said, "tried to kill
his foxes with straws," he did not succeed,
he did not overcome evil with good; and,
as he was successful in business, his self¬
ishness soon ripened into avarice, and he
determined to be rich.
In this he succeeded, and at last be¬
came a miser, too penurious to use his
money for his own good or for the happi¬
ness of others. And in his old age, al-
Little Wendals and their Foxes. 141
though he could count his gold and silver
by tens of thousands, he did not allow
himself even the common comforts of
life.
He lived alone in a little, low, dingy,
desolate house, with bare, smoky walls,
and bare, broken floors, too stingy to use
fuel enough to keep him warm, or to pro¬
vide suitable food to give proper nourish¬
ment to his body, and so he died, leaving
all his treasures on earth, for he had laid
up none in heaven.
The little foxes had not been taken, so
the vine.s were spoiled.
THE END.
B.F. 290644
81 3.4
1745 61