 A Apple Pie by Kate Greenaway Read for lippervox.org by Chad Horner A. Apple Pie B. Bit it C. Cut it D. Delt it E. Eat it F. Thought for it G. Got it H. Had it J. Jumped for it K. Nelt for it L. Longed for it M. Morned for it N. Knotted for it O. Opened it P. Peeped in it Q. Quartered it R. Ran for it S. Signed for it T. Tick it U, V, W, X, Y, Z all had a large slice and then went off to bed End of A Apple Pie by Kate Greenaway Read for lippervox.org by Chad Horner The Spaniards live in Spain. They are tall and thin with their complexions. The men shave their beards, but leave mustachios on their upper lip. The gentlemen pay great regard to the ladies and it is common for a gentleman to approach a lady with his knees bend it, kissing her hands. The Indians are the people that inhabited this country before the white people came here. They are of a copper colour with long black hair and small eyes. They wear but little clothing and live in small huts. The Italians live in Italy, one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Italy produces very fine grapes and many of the people are engaged in tending the vineyards. There are various races of people in South America. Some are Indians, some Negroes and some Spaniards. In dress the ladies follow the Spanish fashion. They are fond of ornaments. The Turks live in Turkey. Their complexions are fair and the women are considered very handsome. They are fond of smoking and use long pipes. The Turks are solemn, grave and slow but easily provoked. The Russians are a strong hearty people and very industrious. Their country is cold and the ground is covered with snow most of the year. The Russians resemble the English in appearance but the women paint themselves with rouge. The Hindus live in the southern part of Asia. They have dark complexions and are very ignorant. They are idolaters and worship strange images of every shape and colour. End of Book of Nations for Children by an Unknown Author Happy and Gay Marching Away by an Unknown Author This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Rep by Chad Horner. Happy and Gay Marching Away Introduction Here are Toot, Tom and Toby. There are lots of things to see. There are dogs and cats and horses and goats as happy as they can be. Turn the leaves gently. The dogs and the cats and the little children too. Will be heard if you tear them. How would you feel if anyone tore up you? Fly little bird away. A little girl, bred in her book. How a wicked boy a wild bird took. From out its nest in the Greenwood tree. A captive now is forced to be. And flutters its per wings all day long. And beats the bars of its cage so strong. Per little bird she softly cried. Then on her head her hood she tied. Took down the cage of her own bird. Opened the door with joyous word. Fly little bird away. Quoth she. Back to your home in the Greenwood tree. Away, away the glad bird flew. Far out of sight in Heaven's blue. The wee girl watched with wondering eye. Till it had faded in the sky. Then sat her down and cried boo-hoo. My bird is gone. What shall I do? Her pinnacle with tears was wet. My bird again I'll never get. At last she raised her weeping eye. And there at hand. What should she spy? But birdie hopping in his door. Tired of his freedom back once more. May day. One day all in the sweet spring weather. Two little folk went out together. On the bright May day. Sun was shining. Birds were singing. Flowers blooming. Maybells ringing. Oh, the glad May day. So they too went forth as Maying. Laughing, dancing, singing, saying. Oh, the bright May day. What care we for mother's warning? Who would bide at home this morning? Oh, the glad May day. Hi, diddle, diddle. Hi, diddle, diddle. The cat and the fiddle. The coy jumped over the moon. The little dog laughed to see such sport. And the dish ran away with the spoon. Jack and Jill. These are Jack and Jill. Do you not see their peel? They fill it with salt water. What a sweet little lamb. Said May. No, it is a wolf. I must run. He will eat me. Dole and I. Oh, dear, on dear. Tis almost nine. The birds all sing. The sun does shine. Per dole and I. To school must go. I don't see why we hate it so. I hate those letters. They twist and turn. There's no just trying. I'll never learn. Hurrah! Hurrah! At last it's two. I am so glad. What shall we do? Come, doll, let's run. I'll never go. When I get big, to school I know. But every minute of the day I'll spend just as I like in play. The birthday present. Hold it tight, Tom, dear, said May. Mama will be pleased at her birthday gift. I think it is just lovely. But the words were not out of her mouth when Tom caught his foot and fell at full length on the carpet. Crash went the vase that was to have been Mama's present in two bits. May burst into tears, but she stopped all at once when she saw that Tom did not get up and that his face was growing very white. Oh, Tom, she cried, is anything the matter? My knee groaned, Tom. It hurts awfully. May ran at once for Papa. He came and Tom was lifted up and put to bed, and the doctor was sent for. It was found that his knee was badly hurt, and that he must not get out of bed for a month. Hard work it is for Tom, but May stayed by him all the time, and at the month's end he was well again. Rover passes by. A sacred little couple, fright in each eye. Oh, what is the matter? A dog passes by. Bow wow. I'm sure it is a big dog, or a kitty to not hide, and her brave little mistress so nearly have cried. Bow wow. The Seafoam. One bright spring day Tom got out of his new sailboat, the Seafoam. Dolly went with him, and they set out for the pond. They had but just put the boat in the water when they saw their cousins Grace. She had a doll in her arms, which she was carrying with great care, and she had her eyes on the ground as she walked along. End of happy and gay marching away by an unknown author. Denslow's Humpty Dumpty by William Wallace Denslow. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Denslow's Humpty Dumpty by William Wallace Denslow, read by Chad Horner. Humpty Dumpty was a smooth, round little chap with a winning smile and a great golden heart in his broad breast. Only one thing troubled Humpty, and that was that he might fall and crack his thin, white skin. He wished to be hard all the way through, for he felt his heart wobble when he walked or ran about, so off he went to the Black Hen for advice. This hen was kind and wise, so she was just the one for him to go to with his trouble. Your father, Old Humpty, said the hen, was very foolish and would take warning from no one. You know what the poet said of him. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king's horses and all the king's men cannot put Humpty Dumpty together again. So, you see, he came to a very bad end, just because he was reckless and would not take a hint from anyone. He was much worse than a scrambled egg. The king, his horses and his men, did all they could for him, but his case was hopeless, and the hen shook her head sadly. What you must do, continued the hen, as she wiped a tear from her bright blue eye, is to go to the farmer's wife next door and tell her to put you into a pot of boiling hot water. Your skin is so hard and smooth, it will not hurt you, and when you come out, you may do as you wish, nothing can break you, and you can tumble about to your heart's content, and you will not break, nor even tint yourself. So Humpty rolled in next door and told the farmer's wife that he wanted to be put into boiling hot water, as he was too brittle to be of any use to himself or to anyone else. Indeed you shall, said the farmer's wife, what is more, I shall wrap you up in a piece of spotted calico, so that you will have a nice coloured dress. You will come out looking as bright as an Easter egg. So she tied him up in a gay new rag, and dropped him into the copper keel of boiling water that was on the hearth. It was pretty hot for Humpty at first, but he soon got used to it, and was happy for he felt himself getting harder every minute. He did not have to stay in the water long before he was quite well done, and as hard as a brick all the way through. So on tying the rag he jumped out of the keel as tough and as bright as any hard-boiled egg. The calico had marked him from head to foot with big bright red spots. He was as gaudy as a circus clown, and as nimble and merry as one. The father's wife shook with laughter to see the pranks of the little fellow, for he frolicked and fisked about from table to chair and mantelpiece. He would fall from the shelf to the floor, just to show how hard he was, and after thinking the good woman most politely. For the service she had done him, he walked out into the sunshine on the clothesline like a rope dancer, to see the wide, wide world. Of the travels of Humpty Dumpty, much could be said, he went east, west, north and south. He sailed the seas, he walked and rode on the land through all the countries of the earth, and all his life long he was happy and content. Sometimes as a clown in the circus he would make fun for old and young again as a wandering minstrel. He twangled the strings of his banjo and sung a merry song, and so on through all his travels he would lighten the cares of others and make them forget their sorrows and fill every heart with joy. But wherever he went, in sunshine, or in rain, he never forgot to sing the praises of the wise black hen, nor the good kind farmer's wife, who had started him in life, hardened against sorrow, with the big heart in the right place for the chair and comfort of others. End of Denslow's Humpty Dumpty by William Wallace Denslow Jack and Gell and Old Dame Gill by an unknown author Jack and Gell went up the hill to fetch a pail of water. Jack fell down and broke his crown and Gell came tumbling after. Then Jack got and home did trot as fast as he could caper. Dame Gill did the job to plaster his knob with vinegar and brown paper. Then Gell came in and she did grin to see Jack's paper plaster. Her mother put her a false cap on for laughing at Jack's disaster. This made Gell pout and she ran out, and Jack did quickly follow. They rode dog-wall, Gell got a fall, how Jack did laugh and hollow. Then Dame came out to know all about. Gell said Jack made her tumble, said Jack I'll tell you how she fell, then judge if she any crumble. Dame Gill did grin as she went in, and Gell was plagued to Jack oh. Will Goat came by and made Jack cry, and knocked him on his back oh. Now Gell did laugh and Jack did cry, but his tears did soon abate. Then Gell did say that they should play at Seasaw across the gate. They Seasaw'd high, they Seasaw'd low, at length they both did tumble. We both are down, we both must own, let neither of us crumble. Then the next thing, they made a swing, but Gell set up a big cry, for the swing gave way in the midst of the play, and threw her into the pig's tie. The Seaw came by, says Jack I'll try, if I can't ride his prancer. He'd give a jump on old Seaw's rump, but she'd let him a droll dance, sir. Seaw ran and squalled while Jack he bawled, and Gell joined in the choir, dog-ball being near, bit Seaw in the ear, and threw Jack in the mire. Though Jack was not hurt, he was all over dirt, I wish she had but seen him, and how Gell did jump with him to the bump, and bumped on him to clean him. Hearing the rite, Dame Gill came out, with the horse whip from the door. She laid it on Jack, and poured Gell's back, until they both did roar. Ball held Seaw's ear, and both in rear ran against old Dame and Hither, that she did fall over Seaw and Ball, how Jack and Gell did Twitter. And now all three went in to sea, to put the place to write all, which done they sup, then drink a cup, and with you a good night all. End of Jack and Gell and Old Dame Gill by an unknown author. Jimmy Boy's Valentine by John Kendrick Banks. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings can be found in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Jimmy Boy's Valentine. Jimmy Boy had been watching for the postman all day, and he was getting just a little tired of it. It was Valentine's Day, and he was very naturally expecting that some of his many friends would remember the fact and send him a Valentine. Still, the postman, strange to say, didn't come. He'll be later than usual, said Jimmy Boy's mama. The postman has always lay on Valentine's Day. He has so many Valentine's to leave at people's houses. Well, I wish he'd hurry, said Jimmy Boy, because I want to see what my Valentine's look like. Jimmy Boy always called Valentine's Valentine's, so nobody paid any attention to that mistake. And then the front door bell rang. I guess, maybe, perhaps, that's the postman. Though I didn't hear his whistle, said Jimmy Boy, rushing to the head of the stairs and listening intently. But no one went to the door, and Jimmy Boy became so impatient that he fairly tumbled down the stairs to open it himself. How do you do? he said as he opened the door, and then he stopped short in amazement. There was no one there, and yet his solution was returned. How do you do? something said. I'm glad you came to the door, because I might have gotten in if the maid had opened it. People who don't understand queer things don't understand me, and I rather think if the girl had opened that door and had been spoken to by something she couldn't see, she'd had started to run and hide, shrieking lawfully while. I've half a mind to shriek law myself, said Jimmy Boy, a little fearfully. For he wasn't quite easy about this invisible somewhat he was talking to. Who are you, anyhow? I'm not a who, I'm a what, said the queer thing. I'm not a person, I'm a thing. Just a plain, homely queer thing. I couldn't hear it of light, so there's no reason why you should cry law. Well, what kind of queer thing are you? asked Jimmy Boy. Are you the kind of queer thing I can invite into the house, or would it be better for me to shut the door and make you stay outside? I don't like to say, said the queer thing with a pathetic little sigh. I think I'm very nice, and that anybody ought to be glad to have me in the house, but that's only my opinion of myself. Somebody else might think very differently. In fact, somebody else has thought differently. You know rhinoceroses and crocodiles think themselves very handsome, and that's why they sit and gaze at themselves in the water all the time. Everybody else, though, knows that they are very ugly. Now that's the way with me. As I have said, I'm sure in my own mind that I am perfectly splendid, and yet your uncle, Periwinkle, who thought of me, wouldn't write and send me to you. You must be very wise if you know what you mean, said Jimmy Boy. I don't. Oh no, I'm not so wise. I'm only splendid. That's all, said the other. You see, I'm a Valentine. Only. I was never made. I was only thought of. Your uncle, Periwinkle, thought of me, and he was going to send me to you, and then he changed his mind and thought you'd rather have a box of candy. So he didn't write me and sent you a box of chocolate creams instead. The postman's got him, and if he doesn't find out what they are and eat them all up, you'll receive them this afternoon. Won't you let me come in and tell me about myself and see if you don't like me? I want to be liked, oh ever so much, and I was awfully disappointed when your uncle decided not to send me. I cried for eight minutes and then resolved to come here myself and see if after all he wasn't wrong. Let me come in, and if you don't like me, I'll go right out again and never come back. I like you already, without knowing what kind of Valentine you are, said Jimmy Boy kindly. Of course you can come in, and you can stay as long as you want to. I don't believe you'll be in anybody's way. Thank you very much, said the Valentine, gratefully, as it moved into the house, and, to judge from where its voice next came, settled down on the big sofa cushion. I'd hoped you'd say that. What kind of Valentine are you? asked Jimmy Boy in a moment. Are you a funny one or a solemn one, with paper thrills all over in a box and a little cupid peeping out from behind a tree? I am almost afraid to tell you, said the Valentine timidly. I am so afraid you won't like me. Oh yes I will, said Jimmy Boy hastily. I like all kinds of Valentine's. Well, that's a relief, said the other. I'm comic. Hooray! cried Jimmy Boy. I just love comic Valentine's, with red and blue pictures in them and funny verses. Do you really return the Valentine cheerfully? Then I can say hooray too, because that's what I was to be. I was to be a picture of a boy with red trousers on, sitting crosswise on a great yellow broomstick, galloping through a blue sky toward a pink moon. How do you like that? It is splendid, just as you said, returned Jimmy Boy with a broad smile. Those are my favourite colours. You like those colours better than you do chocolate cream colour? asked the Valentine. Oh, my yes, said Jimmy Boy. Probably you wouldn't want to be so good to eat as a chocolate cream, but for a Valentine you're much better. I don't want to eat Valentine's, I want to keep him. You don't know how glad you make me, said the pathetic little Valentine, its voice trembling with happiness. Now if you like my verses as well as you do my picture, I will be perfectly content. I guess I'll like them, said Jimmy Boy. Can you recite yourself to me? I'm not written, didn't I tell you, returned the Valentine? That's the good part of it. I can tell you what I might have been, and you can take your choice. That's good, said Jimmy Boy, then I'm sure to be satisfied. Just so, said the Valentine, now let me think what I might have been. Hmm, well, what do you think of this? If I'd had a cat with a bright red tail and a parrot whose voice was soft and low, I'd put him away in a water pail and send him to where the glowworms glow. And then I would sit on an old whisk broom and sail through the great soft starlet in the sky to where bright moonbeams gaily froome their songs to the parboiled Gemini. And I'd say to the frooming moonbeams that I'd come from the home of the sweet woodbine deserting my parrot and red-tailed cat to ask if they'd be my Valentine. I guess that's good, said Jimmy Boy, only I don't know what frooming is. Neither do I, said the Valentine, but that neither make any difference. You see, it's a nonsense rhyme anyhow and I couldn't remember any word that rhymed with broome. Froome isn't a bad word and in so much as it's new to us we can make it mean anything we want to. That's true, said Jimmy Boy, but why do you send the cat and the parrot off? They aren't in the picture to the Valentine, and so of course we have to get rid of them before we have the boy start off on the broomstick. It would be very awkward to go sailing off through the sky on a broomstick with the parrot and cat in tow. Then to show the moonbeams how much the boy thinks of them you have to have him leave something behind that's a great deal of, and that something might just as well be a parrot and a cat as anything else. And what does it all mean, asked Jimmy Boy, is the boy supposed to be me? No, explained the Valentine. The boy is supposed to be Uncle Perrywinkle and you are the moonbeams. In putting the poem the way I've told you is just another nonsense way of saying that he'll be your Valentine and will take a great deal of trouble and make sacrifices to do it if necessary. I see, said Jimmy Boy, and I think it's very nice indeed, though I might like some other roast better. Of course you might, said the Valentine. That's the way with everything. No matter how fine a thing may be there may be something else that might be better and the thing to do it is to look about and try to find the thing that's better. How's this? The broom went round to Jimmy Boy's and cried Oh Jimmy Boy B, come forth in the night, desert your toys and take a fine ride with me. I'll take you off through the starlit sky we'll visit the moon so fine if you will come with my alacrity and be my Valentine. That isn't so bad either, said Jimmy Boy. I sort of wish a broomstick would come after me that way and take me sailing off to the moon. I'd be its Valentine in a minute if it would do that. I'd like to take a trip through all the stars and see why they twinkle and why they twinkle. Interrupted the Valentine. Why they twinkle? Why? I can tell you that. For as a secret just between you and me I know a broomstick that has been up to the stars and told me all about them. The stars twinkle because from where they are they are so high up and they can see all that is going on in the world and they see so many amusing things that it keeps them laughing all the time and they have to twinkle just as your eyes do when they see anything funny. That's it, is it? said Jimmy Boy. Yes sir, said the Valentine and it's fine too to watch him when you are feeling sad. You know how it is when you're feeling sort of unhappy and somebody comes right along who feels just the other way who laughs and sings how you get to feel better by yourself right off? Well, remember the stars when you don't feel good. How they're always twinkling. Watch him and by and by you begin to twinkle yourself. And further, Jimmy Boy added this altogether strange Valentine when anybody tries to make you think that this world has got more bad things and good things in it. Look at the stars again. They wouldn't twinkle if that was so until the stars got twinkling and began to frown. I don't think you'll ever think badly of the world. I won't, said Jimmy Boy. I always did like the world. As long as I've been in it I thought it was a pretty fine place. It is, said the Valentine. Nobody can spoil it either unless you do it yourself. But I say, if you'd like to have me I'll introduce you to my brimstick friend sometime and maybe someday he'll give you that right. Will you? cried Jimmy Boy with delight. That will be fine. You are the dearest old Valentine that ever was. Saying which, forgetting in this happiness that the Valentine was not to be seen and so could not be touched but to hug him affectionately as he sat on the sofa cushion which may account for the fact that when Jimmy Boy's papa came home he found Jimmy Boy clasping the sofa cushion in his arms asleep and unconscious of the fact that the postman had come and gone leaving behind him six comic Valentine's four solemn ones and a package of chocolate creams from Uncle Perrylynkel. When he waked he was rejoiced to find them but he has often told me the finest Valentine he ever got was the one Uncle Perrylynkel thought he wouldn't like as well as the candy and I believe he still has hopes that the invisible Valentine may turn up again someday bringing with him his friend the brimstick who will still take Jimmy Boy off for a visit to the twinkling stars. End of Jimmy Boy's Valentine by John Kendrick Bangs read by Armour Pinter Little Play Fellows Sugar Plum series by Anonymous this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Chad Horner from Ballet Claire in County Hunter, Northern Ireland situated in the north east of the island of Ireland Little Play Fellows Sugar Plum series by Anonymous The Little Cavalier A little boy was playing with his hobby horse one day and making a great deal of noise when an old gentleman who lived in the next room called him and said can you not play more quietly? The little boy answered it is raining and I can't go out of doors the old gentleman said but can you not make less noise for I am sick and need rest the little boy said if that is the case I will not make any noise when his mother came home she praised him for his kindness and said he did right Little Johnny, for that was his name the box came to him on which was written to my young neighbour a souvenir of a rainy day the box was full of beautiful lead soldiers and cannons with which he had a great deal of pleasure when his mother saw him she said you see my son kindness always receives its reward the little Savoyard there was once a little boy he came from Savoy to the city of Paris with a fellow countryman soon after arriving his countryman deserted him though he had promised his brother to take care of him Little Pierre did not know what to do all alone in this great city he walked around all day crying bitterly but when evening came he thought of a prayer his mother had taught him and he repeated it my god you who watch over the little birds oh do not forsake the little children as he ended the prayer the pigeons of the city which were very numerous flew about him and one lit on his shoulder he said to a beautiful bird go and tell my mother to come and get me a lady passing by heard him repeat the prayer and give the message to the bird she knew at once that he was a good boy so she took him to her home where she gave him nice clothes and plenty to eat she sent a letter to his mother and while waiting for her to come to him he used to go out and play with the pigeons they would run to be caressed by him for they well knew that they could trust a child who prays the goat and her kid goats are not naturally vicious but will defend themselves if attacked there was once a little boy in New York named Harry who went to visit his aunt in the country this aunt had a goat named Grissette who had a little kid and she told Harry that he could feed Grissette but he must not tease her but Harry was very mischievous and liked to see the goat run on the hillsides to make her run he would poke her with a stick when one day he stuck the stick in her nose which was more than Grissette could stand so she put her down her head butted him with her horns and down he rolled to the bottom of the hill Harry was much bruised and had to be carried into the house and put to bed where he was combined for six weeks thus losing most of his holiday let this be a lesson to you my little friends never torment any animals the dog of the regiment this dog is named Pompey he is called the dog of the regiment because he has been with the regiment of soldiers for many years he is a wonderful dog he can march on his hind legs to his paws and pretend to be dead Pompey has been very useful to his regiment once he carried a dispatch through a fire of masquerade another time he woke up a sleeping sentinel and again he pointed out a trip of the enemy hidden in the woods finally he saved the life of the surgeon of the regiment who had been left to die on the field of battle Pompey is a friend to all soldiers from the colonel down you will see him in the picture pretending to be a bear that he may get a piece of sugar which the colonel's son is offering him the little mariners George and his sister Lily are having a nice time sailing their little boat in the brook their mother told them they could play here but the water was not deep she also told them a story about their friend Emile who could not swim although his father was a fisherman Emile thought the water was not deep enough so he went to the river with his boat in leaning over the bank to push it into the current he lost his balance and fell into the water he would have been drowned had not his father the engineer came to his rescue there was no fear for George and Lily for they will not dissuade their mama and no danger will come to them poor Gustaf little boys and girls often think their parents are severe because they have reprimanded them for their faults but they always know what is best for them there was once a little boy named Gustaf who had but one eye Gustaf was naturally sweet and affectionate but he was fond of teasing and this felt cost him to lose his eye I will tell you how it happened Frank, he found him in his garden trying to catch a beautiful butterfly for his collection of insects Gustaf slipped up behind him which made the butterfly fly off Frank turned suddenly and knocked Gustaf over he fell on a large rose bush one of the thorns of which penetrated his left eye destroying the site forever you see that little causes often produced great effects Gustaf had not been fond of teasing he would not have lost his eye end of little playfellows sugar plum series by anonymous this recording is in the public domain Lizzie Lindsay I'm Mary McGregor this is a LibraVox recording all LibraVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org Lizzie Lindsay in the fairest city of Edinburgh there lived many many years ago a beautiful maiden named Lizzie Lindsay her home was in the cannon gate which is now one of the poorest parts of the city but in the days when Lizzie danced and sang and made her father's and mother's heart rejoice the cannon gate was the home of all the richest lords and ladies for close to the cannon gate was holy root the palace where the king held his court and it was well thought the lord and ladies of long ago to live near the palace where there were many gay sites to be seen Lizzie had been a bonny wee girl and as she grew up she grew bonnier still until not only in Edinburgh but far and wide throughout the country people would speak of her beauty even the folk who dwelt away over the hills and the highlands heard of the beauty of Lizzie Lindsay Dame Lindsay loved her daughter well and gave her beautiful gowns of silk and velvet her father too would bring her home many a sparkling jewel many a brilliant gem it seemed as though Lizzie Lindsay had all that her heart could wish certainly she did not wish to leave her home in the cannon gate for though lord after lord noble after noble begged for her hand Lizzie but tossed her beautiful head high in the air as she said them nay but though it was well known that the lovely maiden had kind looks and gentle words to spare for none save only her dear father and her doting mother yet still the lords and nobles would dance more gladly with Lizzie than with any other maiden and a ball even a ball given by the court at the palace of Holy root seemed to be less glad some were it known that the fair maiden would not be there now as I have told you the fame of Lizzie Lindsay's beauty had spread even to the highlands and Donald the young laird of King Cassie heard that she was fair than any other maiden in the land and that she was haughtier and more willful as well where she would have not to say to any of the rich suitors who surrounded her then Donald who was tall and handsome and it was used to have his own way smiled as he heard of Lizzie's willful spirit and her great beauty he made up his mind that he would go to Edinburgh and try to win as his bride the Bonnie Lassie would have not to do with noble or with lord the young laird lived with his father and mother in a castle built high amid the heather covered hills and little until now had Donald cared for city ways or city walls to hunt the deer to chase the row to spend the long hours from early morn until even among the heathery moors which were all his own had been happiness enough for him but now the glory faded from the heather and the hunt and chase lost their delight Sir Donald's heart was in the fair city of Edinburgh with beautiful Lizzie Lindsay whom though he had not seen he loved at length one day the young laird went to his lady mother and kissing her hand right courteously he begged her to grant him a boon for Donald had been well trained and though he was no longer a boy he did not dream of leaving his home among the hills until he had gained his mother's consent grant me a boon lady mother said the young laird send me away to the fair city of Edinburgh for it is there that my true love dwells and if he will do this I will bring you home a daughter more beautiful than any other maiden in the land now the young laird's mother had heard of Lizzie Lindsay and it may be that she was glad that her son should wish to bring to the castle so beautiful a bride yet she had no wish for the maiden to be one by ought saved by love for her dear son alone Lizzie had refused to wed with lord or noble it was true yet the broad lands the ancient castle of the McDonald's might please her fancy but the lady of Kinkassie determined that neither for land nor for castle should Bonnie Lizzie Lindsay come to the highlands when she saw young Donald at her side and heard him begging leave to go to the fair city of Edinburgh she smiled as she looked into his eager face and answered slowly my son you shall go to Edinburgh and it please you and so you are able you shall bring back with you Lizzie Lindsay as your bride a fair maiden I can well believe has never graced these walls yet if you go not be as Sir Donald the McDonald to air to broad lands and ancient castles but as a simple stranger without riches and without rank then if you do win your bride it will be through love alone said his mother gravely but her eyes shone bright and glad for she thought that there was not a maiden in all the land who would not be proud to wed her son though he had neither riches nor lands as for the old lair he laughed when he heard why his son had grown to be at the hunt and listless at the chase he laughed and cried let the lad go to the city before a year has passed away he will be home again and the beautiful Lizzie Lindsay with him for his old father too thought that no maiden could refuse to love his Bonnie self-willed son well young Donald was too anxious to be off and away to Edinburgh to be grieved to go as a simple Highlander before the day was over he had said farewell to his old father and to his gentle lady mother and clad in a rough tartan kilt and without a servant to follow him the young laird was off to the fair city of Edinburgh when Donald reached Edinburgh he wondered how he would see the maiden of whose beauty and of whose cleverness he had so often heard he had not long to wait or he had scarce been a day in the city when he heard that a great ball was to be given and to be graced by the presence of the fair maiden whom he hoped to win as his bride Donald made up his mind that he too would go to the ball and it was easy for him to do this as there were many in the city who knew the young laird when he entered the ballroom he saw that the lords and nobles were dressed in suits of velvet or silk and satins while he wore only his kilt of rough tartan the lords and ladies too stared at the tall handsome young Highlander in his strange garments and some who did not know him for good manners and smiled and nudged each other as he passed down the room but the young laird had no thought to spare for the crowd he was making his way to the circle in the midst of which stood Lizzie Lindsay he had heard too often of the beautiful maiden not to be sure it was she as soon as his eyes fell upon her face young Donald in his home spun tartan stood on the outskirt of the little crowd that surrounded her listening the lords and their gay suits were doing their utmost to win the goodwill of the maiden but their flattery and foolish words seemed to give her little pleasure indeed she was too used to them to find them ought but a weariness soon Donald was bowing before the maiden he had left his home to win and begging her to dance with him and something in the bright eyes and gallant bearing of young Donald pleased the petted maiden and despite his rough suit she had not but smiles for the young stranger from the Highlands the lords and their silks and velvets opened their eyes wide in astonishment as Lizzie glided past them with young Donald the lady smiled and flouted her but the maiden paid no heed to their words or looks Donald was not flattering her as she was used to be flattered he was telling her of the country in which he dwelt and Lizzie as she listened heard the hum of the bees smelled the fragrance of the heather nay she even forgot the ballroom and she was out silent moorland or climbing the steep mountains side by side with the young stranger whose face was so eager whose eyes were so bright she was stooping to pluck the wildflowers that grew in the nooks of some shelter glen or she was kilting her dainty gown and crossing the mountain streamlets and ever the tall young stranger was by her side before the ball was over Donald knew that Lizzie Lindsay's home was in the cannon gate and he had begged to be allowed to see her there Lizzie had no wish to lose sight of the bright young Highlander and she told him gaily that if he came to the cannon gate to see her he should be welcome both to her and her dear father and mother when the dance ended the young Laird went to his lodgings and his heart was light and his dreams glad his old father had thought he might be in Edinburgh a year ere he won his bride but young Donald murmured to himself that it would scarce be twelve long months before he was back again to the Highlands with his Bonnie Lizzie Lindsay the next day Donald was at the cannon gate but times and Lizzie welcomed him merely and her father and mother looked in kindly fashion at the young stranger who indeed Donald had the gift of winning hearts but neither father nor mother dreamed that the country clad youth would win their beautiful daughter's hand or had she not refused it to many a lordly earl and noble knight yet the more Lizzie heard about Highlands the more she longed to be there with young Donald by her side at length the day came when Donald with little fear and much hope in his heart asked the maiden if she would go with him to the Highlands we will feed on curds and way cried the daring young Donald your cheeks will grow more pink and your brow more white with our simple fare your bed shall be made on the fresh green bracken and my plaid shall wrap you round will you come to the Highlands with me Lizzie Lindsay now Lizzie had listened to young Donald's words with joy but also with some fear her food had been of the daintiest her bed of the softest down and the young stranger who was indeed scarce a stranger now had it seemed but little to offer her safe his love yet Lizzie still wished to go to the Highlands but when Dame Lindsay heard what young Donald had said she hardened her heart against the Bonnie young Highlander you shall speak no more to my daughter she cried until you have told me where your home is and how many broad lands are your own for it seemed to the old Dame that a penniless lad would never dare to win her daughter when lords and nobles had wooed her in vain but Donald's head was high and he seemed to feel no shame as he answered the old Dame bravely my name is Donald McDonald and I hold it high in honor my father is an old shepherd and my mother a dairymaid yet kind and gentle will they be to your beautiful daughter if she will come with me to the Highlands Dame Lindsay could scarce believe she had heard her right her daughter marry a shepherd lad nay that should never be though indeed the lad was a Bonnie one and brave then in her anger she begged young Donald be gone if he do steal away my daughter then without doubt ye shall hang for it she cried young Laird turned hotly on his heel he had little patience nor could his spirit easily brook such a horn as the old Dame flung at him he turned on his heel and he said there is no law in Edinburgh city this day which can hang me but before he could say more Lizzie was by his side come to my room Donald she pleaded and as he looked at the beautiful girl the young Laird's wrath vanished as quickly as it had come come to my room for an hour until I draw a fair picture of you to hang in my bower ye shall have ten guineas if you will but come your golden guineas I will not have cried Donald quickly I have plenty of cows in the Highlands and they are all my own come with me Lizzie and we will feed on curds and way and thou shalt have a Bonnie blue plaid with red and green strips come with me Lizzie Lindsay we will herd the wee lambs together yet though Lizzie loved young Donald McDonald she still hesitated to leave her kind parents and her beautiful home she sat in her bower and she said to her maid Helen what shall I do my heart is in the Highlands with Donald then the maid who was well nice beautiful as her mistress cried though I were a princess and sat upon a throne yet would I leave all to go with young Donald McDonald oh Helen cried Lizzie would ye leave your chests full of jewels and silk gowns and would ye leave your father and mother and all your friends to go away with a Highland laddie who wears knot but a home spun kilt but before her maid could answer her Lizzie had sprung from her chair saying yet I think he must be a wizard and have enchanted me for come good or come ill I must even go to the Highlands then early one morning Lizzie tied up her silk robes in a bundle and clad herself in one of Helen's plain gowns with her bundle over her arm Lizzie Lindsay was off to the Highlands with Donald McDonald Donald's heart was glad as he left the fair city of Edinburgh behind him Lizzie by his side he had so much to tell his beautiful bride so much too to show her that at first the road seemed neither rough nor long but as the hours passed the way grew rougher the hills steeper and Lizzie's strength began to fail her shoes too which were not made for such rough journeys were soon so worn that her feet grew hot and blistered alas side Lizzie Lindsay I would I were back in Edinburgh sitting alone in my bower we're about a few miles away from the city said Donald will you even now go back but the tears trickled slowly down the maidens cheeks and she sobbed now would I receive no welcome from my father no kiss from my mother for sore displeased will they be that I have left them for you Donald McDonald on and on they trudged in silence and his evening crept on Donald cried aloud dry your tears now Lizzie for there before us is our home and he pointed to a tiny cottage on the side of the hill an old woman stood at the door gazing down at the hill and as they drew near she came forward without stretched hands welcome Sir Donald she said welcome home to your own she spoke in gay like his Highlanders do so Lizzie did not know what she said Sir Donald whispered quickly in the same language hush call me only Donald and pretend that I am your son the old woman though sore dismayed at having to treat the young Laird in so homely a way promised to do his bidding then Donald turned to Lizzie your mother he said is my lady love whom I have won in the fair city of Edinburgh the old woman drew Lizzie into the cottage and spoke kindly to her but the maidens heart sank for a peep fire smoldered and on the hearth and the room was filled with smoke there was no easy chair no couch on which to rest her weary body so Lizzie dropped down on to a heap of green turf her sadness did not seem to trouble Donald he seemed gayer, happier every moment we are hungry mother he said make us a good supper of curds and whey and then make us a bed of green rushes and cover us with yonder gray plaids the old woman moved about eagerly as though overjoyed to do all that she could for her son and his young bride curds and whey was the supper dainty enough for a queen as Lizzie whispered to her shepherd lad with a little sigh even the bed of green rushes did not keep her awake no sooner had she lain down then worn out with her long journey she fell fast asleep nor did she awake until the sun was high in the sky as she awoke she heard Donald's voice he was reproaching her and she had not been used to reproach it would have been well said Donald that you had risen an hour ago to milk the cows to tend the flock the tears gathered in Lizzie's eyes and trickled down her cheeks I would I had never left my home for here I am of little use I have never milked a cow nor do I know how to begin and flux have I never tended a last that I ever came to the Highlands yet well do I love Donald McDonald and long and dull were the days have been had he left me behind him in Edinburgh shed no more tears Lizzie said Donald gently get up and dress yourself in your silk gown for today I will take you over the hills and show you the glens and dales where I used to play when I was been a little lad then Lizzie dried her tears and soon she was up and dressed in her finest gown and leaning on Donald's arm she wandered with him over the heathery hills until they reached a noble castle joyously then laughed the young Laird as he bade Lizzie gaze all around her and be glad I am the Lord of all you see Lizzie cried he for this castle is my home in the broad lands then joyously to laugh Lizzie Lindsay where she knew that her shepherd lad was none other than the far famed Sir Donald McDonald at that moment the castle gates were flung wide and the old Laird of King Cossey came out to greet the bride you are welcome Lizzie Lindsay welcome to our castle he said right courteously many were the Lords and Nobles who begged for your hand but it is young Donald my son the glance of his Bonnie blue eyes and the old Laird laughed merrily as he looked up at his son the Laird's gracious mother too came down to greet her and well was she pleased that her boy had won the beautiful maiden he loved as for Lizzie Lindsay she sent to Edinburgh to fetch her father and mother that they might see for themselves how wise their daughter had been to follow Donald McDonald to the Highlands end of Lizzie Lindsay read by Betty B the car stopped and the shaggy little dog named Rags was pushed into the street Rags owner was very angry that's the last slipper of mine you old chew up he said and sped away Rags stood in the street so that was it he thought but he had had so many slippers in his closet how was I to know he'd mind if I just chewed a few the street was wide and empty and Rags was frightened what was a small dog to do what could he do of course he must find another home suddenly Rags grew up he would never again chew a slipper up on the sidewalk he scrambled ready for adventure he didn't feel sad at all now surely he thought I can soon find a nice home he walked down the sidewalk looking at every house in front of one was a lady watering her flowers Rags walked up to her politely whoof whoof he said and wagged his tail the lady turned oh you dirty ragged creature she cried get off my lawn and with that she turned the water upon him Rags ran he didn't want a home in that lady's house or in her neighborhood cold and wet and frightened he ran along the street he was too tired to run anymore when he saw a man rocking on the porch of a very pretty house perhaps this man would give him a home Rags stood still did he dare go up and ask him timidly he crept up stood very still and wagged his tail the man looked over his glasses and said well well Rags looked up and said whoof which meant in dog language I need a home Rags didn't see the cat on the arm of the man's chair he didn't know she was there until arching her back she sprang forward and landed on his face she screeched her claws were sharp she was telling him this is my home go away Rags ran he cried he ran and he ran the houses were smaller now and not so close together he saw some boxes on a vacant lot he went over crawled into one and went to sleep the boxes belonged to a little boy named Gary he was building a playhouse with him and as soon as he had carried in the wood and swept the walks he would call grandma everything's done may I play in my box house now? yes dear said grandma so Gary hurried to the vacant lot he was proud of his box house for days he had worked dragging the boxes to this grassy spot and nailing them together carefully he crawled inside there in the corner lay Rags fast asleep why you poor little dog cried Gary Rags woke up he said woof woof Gary understood him you want to stay with me don't you? he asked woof woof woof Rags answered Gary knew that he meant yes yes yes Gary gathered him in his arms you're so ragged and dirty he said I'm going to name you Rags and Rags said woof which meant all right Grandma Gary shouted as he ran towards the kitchen Rags has come to live with us when grandma saw Rags she dropped the potato that she was peeling it rolled across the floor good gracious Gary where did you find him in my playhouse well I don't believe that I ever saw a dirtier more ragged dog in my life but isn't he dear Gary pleaded look he's wagging his tail at you indeed Rags did wag his tail he wagged and he wagged then he had a bright idea he scooted across the floor picked up the potato and carried it to grandma see Gary cried Rags will be a helper Rags stood still his brown eyes looked hopefully into grandma's face she hated to turn him out yet she could scarcely manage their own meals she could never feed a stray dog she looked down at Rags well we'll keep him until tomorrow she said then we will hunt a home for him Rags was happy Grandma gave him some milk he said woof woof for thank you and lapped it up hungrily then he played with Gary and took another nap night came a pillow on the kitchen floor it was warm by the stove and Rags was happy he curled up and went to sleep Grandma and Gary went to sleep too suddenly Rags woke up sniff sniff sniff what was that queer smell crackle crackle crackle there was a red light on the wall near the chimney something was wrong Rags stood up and went home woof woof Grandma jumped up and ran to the kitchen oh the house is on fire she screamed snatching the broom she beat at the flames but she could not put them out she was wide awake now quickly she filled a dishpan with water and threw it on the wall five dish pans of water and the fire was out Grandma stooped and picked up the dog you saved our home she crooned softly and you can stay with us always Rags licked her hands Grandma didn't go back to bed she sat by the kitchen window with Rags in her lap it was almost morning Grandma watched the clouds turn pink and golden over the dark hills she was very thankful Rags had saved their home after a while Gary woke up and so did Rags Grandma told Gary what had happened so we'll keep him she said but I don't know how we'll manage to feed him Gary had an idea come Rags he said Rags scampered down the street beside him they went to the meat market where the butcher was just opening his doors I want a job said Gary but some way I can earn meat for my dog the butcher looked into Gary's earnest face and down at the little raggedy dog I think so I need someone to sweep out the store every morning Gary set to work and the store was soon clean then the butcher wrapped up some meat and handed it to Gary here's a dime besides you did a fine job oh thanks guest Gary he ran down the street with Rags at his heels they burst into the kitchen Grandma I've got a job and here's meat for Rags and ten cents and I can do it every day Rags was nosing happily about his new home around the chairs and under the curtains in the bedroom were two blue slippers he picked them up carefully and carried them to the kitchen and carried them at Grandma's feet Rags had grown up Rags would never choose slippers anymore end of Rags the story of a dog by Karen Neiman read by Tom Hirsch the story of Miss Muppet by Beatrix Porter this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Chad Horner the story of Miss Muppet by Beatrix Porter this is a pussy called Miss Muppet she thinks she has heard a mice this is the mice peeping out behind the cupboard I'm making fun of Miss Muppet he is not afraid of a kitten this is Miss Muppet jumping just too late she misses the mice and hits her own head she thinks it is a very hard cupboard the mice watches Miss Muppet from the top of the cupboard Miss Muppet ties up her head in a duster and sets before the fire the mice thinks she is looking very ill he comes sliding down the bell-pull Miss Muppet looks worse and worse the mice comes a little nearer Miss Muppet holds her purr head in her paws and looks at him through a hole in the duster the mice comes very close and then all of a sudden Miss Muppet jumps upon the mice and because the mice has teased Miss Muppet Miss Muppet thinks she will tease the mice which is not at all nice of Miss Muppet she ties him up in the duster and tosses it about like a ball but she forgot about that hole in the duster and when she untied it there was no mice he had wriggled out and run away and he is dancing a jig on the top of the cupboard end of The Story of Miss Muppet by Beatrix Porter The Magic Fish Boom a holiday romance from the pen of Miss Alice Reimberg by Charles Dickens this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Chad Horner the story contained herein was written by Charles Dickens in 1867 it is the second of four stories entitled Holiday Romance and was published originally in a children's magazine in America it purported to be written by a child aged 7 it was republished in England in all the year round in 1868 for this and for other Christmas pieces Dickens received £1,000 Holiday Romance was published in Book, formed by Mr Chapman Hall in 1874 with Edwin, Druid and other stories for this reprint the text of the story as it appeared in all the year round has been followed there was once a king and he had a queen and he was the manliest of his sex and she was the loveliest of hers the king was in his private profession under government the queen's father had been a medical man out of town they had 19 children and were always having more 17 of these children today took care of the baby and Alicia the eldest took care of them all their ages varied from 7 years to 7 months let us now resume our story one day the king was going to the office when he stopped by at the fishmongers to buy a pound and a half of salmon not too near the teal which the queen who was a careful housekeeper had requested him to send home Mr Pickles the fishmonger said certainly sir is there any other article good morning the king went on towards the office in a melancholy mood for a quarter day was such a long way off and several of the dear children were going out of their clothes he had not proceeded far when Mr Pickles errant boy came running after him and said sir you didn't notice the old lady in our shop what old lady inquired the king I saw none now the king had not seen any old lady because this old lady had been invisible to him though visible to Mr Pickles boy probably because he messed and splashed the water about to that degree and flopped the pairs of souls down in that violent manner that if she had not been visible to him he would have spoilt her clothes just then the old lady came trotting up she was dressed in silk of the richest quality smelling of dried lavender king Watkins the first I believe said the old lady Watkins replied the king is my name papa if I am not mistaken of the princess Alicia said the old lady and of eighteen other darlings replied the king listen you're going to the office said the old lady it instantly flashed upon the king that she must be a fairy or how could she know that you're right said the old lady answering his thoughts I am the good fairy grand marina attend when you return home to dinner politely invite the princess Alicia to have some of the salmon you bought just now it may disagree with her said the king the lady became so very angry at this absurd idea that the king was quite alarmed and humbly begged her pardon we hear a great deal too much about this thing disagreeing and that thing disagreeing said the old lady with the greatest contempt it was possible to express don't be greedy I think you wanted all yourself the king hung his head under this for proof and said he wouldn't talk about things disagreeing anymore be good then said the fairy grand marina and don't when the beautiful princess Alicia consents to protect of the salmon as I think she will you will find she will leave a fish bone on her plate tell her to dry it and to rub it and to polish it till it shines like mother of pearl and to take care of it as a present from me is that all asked the king don't be impatient serve returned the fairy grand marina scolding him severely don't catch people short before done speaking just away with you grown-up persons you're always doing it the king again hung his head and said he wouldn't do so anymore be good then said the fairy grand marina and don't tell the princess Alicia with my love that the fish bone is a magic present which can only be used once but that it will bring her that once whatever she wishes for provided she wishes for it at the right time that is the message take care of it the king was beginning might I ask the reason when the fairy became absolutely furious will you be good sir she exclaimed stamping her foot on the ground the reason for this and the reason for that indeed you're always wanting the reason no reason there hooty tooty me I am sick of your grown-up reasons the king was extremely frightened by the old ladies flying into such a passion said he was very sorry to have offended her and he wouldn't ask for reasons anymore be good then said the old lady and don't with those words grand marina vanished and the king went on and on and on till he came to the office there he wrote and wrote and wrote till it was time to go home again then he politely invited the princess Alicia as the fairy had directed him to partake of the salmon and when she had enjoyed it very much he saw the fish bone on her plate as the fairy said to him he would and he delivered the fairy's message and the princess Alicia took care to dry the bone and to rub it and to polish it till it shone like mother of pearl and so when the queen was going to get up in the morning she said oh dear me dear me my head my head and then she fainted away the princess Alicia who happened to be looking in at the chamber door asking about breakfast was very much alarmed when she saw her royal mama in this state and she rang the bell for Peggy which was the name of the lord chamberlain but remembering where the smelling bottle was she climbed on a chair and got it and after that she climbed on another chair by this bedside and held the smelling bottle to the queen's nose and after that she jumped down and got some water and after that she jumped up again and wetted the queen's forehead and in short when the lord chamberlain came in that dear old woman said to the little princess what a trot you are I couldn't have done it better myself but that was not the worst of the good queen's illness oh no she was very ill indeed for a long time the princess Alicia kept the 17 young princes and princesses quiet and dressed and undressed and danced the baby and made the kettle boil and heated the soup and swept the hearth and poured out the medicine and nursed the queen and did all that ever she could and was as busy busy as busy could be for there were not many servants at that palace for three reasons because the king was short of money because the rise in his office never seemed to come and because quarter day was so far off that it looked almost as far off and as little as one of the stars but on the morning when the queen fainted away where was the magic fishbone why there it was in the princess Alicia's pocket she had almost taken it out to bring the queen to life again when she put it back and looked for the smelling bottle after the queen had come out of her swim that morning and was dosing the princess Alicia hurried upstairs to tell a most peculiar secret to a most particularly confidential friend of hers who was a duchess people did suppose her to be a doll but she was really a duchess though nobody knew it except the princess this most peculiar secret was a secret about the magic fishbone the history of which was well known to the duchess because the princess told her everything the princess nailed down by the bed in which the duchess was lying full dressed and wide awake and whispered the secret to her the duchess smiled and nodded people might have supposed that she never smiled and nodded but she often did though nobody knew it except the princess then the princess Alicia hurried downstairs again to keep watch in the queen's room she often kept watch by herself in the queen's room but every evening while the illness lasted she sat there watching with the king and every evening the king sat looking at her with a cross look wondering why she never brought out the magic fishbone as often as she noticed this she ran upstairs whispered the secret to the duchess over again and said to the duchess they think we children never have a reason or a meaning and the duchess through the most fashionable duchess that ever was heard of winked her eye Alicia said the king one evening when she wished him good night yes papa what has become of the magic fishbone in my pocket papa I thought you had lost it oh no papa or forgotten it no indeed papa and so another time the dreadful little snapping pug dog next door made a rush at one of the young princes as he stood on the steps coming home from school and terrified him out of his wits as he put his hand through a pane of glass and bled bled bled when the seventeen other young princes and princesses saw him bleed bleed bleed they were terrified out of their wits too and screamed themselves back to their seventeen faces all at once but the princess Alicia put her hands over all their seventeen mice one after another and persuaded them to be quiet because of the sick queen and then she put the wounded princes hand in the basin of fresh cold water while they stared with their twice seventeen or 34 put down four and carry three eyes and then she looked in the hand for bits of glass and there were fortunately no bits of glass there and then she said to two chubby leged princes who were sturdy though small bring me in the royal rag bag I must snip and stitch and cut and contrive so those two young princes tugged at the royal rag bag and lugged it in and the princess Alicia sat down on the floor with the large pair of scissors and a needle and thread and snip and stitched and cut and contrived and made a bandage and put it on and it fit it beautifully and so when it was all done she saw the king her papa looking on by the door Alicia yes papa what have you been doing snipping stitching cutting and contriving papa where is the magic fish bone in my pocket papa I thought you had lost it oh no papa or forgotten it no indeed papa after that she ran upstairs to the Duchess and told her what had passed and told her the secret over again and the Duchess shook her flax and curls and laughed with her rosy lips well and so another time the baby fell under the grate the seventeen young princes and princesses were used to it for they were almost always falling under the grate or down the stairs but the baby was not used to it yet and it gave him a swelled face and a black eye the way the poor little darling came to tumble was that he slid out of the princess Alicia's lap just as she was sitting in a great course apron that quite smothered her in front of the kitchen fire beginning to peel the turnips for the broth for dinner and the way she came to be doing that was that the king's cook had run away that morning with her own true love who was a very tall but very tipsy soldier then the seventeen young princes and princesses who cried at everything that happened cried and roared but the princess Alicia who couldn't help crying a little herself quietly called to them to be still on account of not throwing back the queen upstairs who was fast getting well and said hold your tongues you wicked little monkeys every one of you while I examine baby then she examined baby and found that he hadn't broken anything and she held cold iron to his poor dear eye and smoothed his poor dear face and he presently fell asleep in her arms then she said to the seventeen princes I am afraid to lay him down yet lest he should wake and feel pain be good and you shall all be cooks they jumped for joy when they heard that and began making themselves cooks caps out of old newspapers so to one she gave the salt box and to one she gave the barley and to one she gave the herbs and to one she gave the turnips and to one she gave the carrots and to one she gave the onions and to one she gave the mix box till they were all cooks and all running about at work she sitting in the middle smothered in the great course apron nursing baby by and by the broth was done and the baby woke up smiling like an angel and was trusted to the sedate princess to hold while the other princes and princesses were squeezed off into a far off corner to look at the princess Alicia turning out the saucepan full of broth here as they were always getting into trouble they should get splashed and scalded when the broth came tumbling out steaming beautifully and smelling like a noose gay good to eat they clapped their hands that made the baby clap his hands and that and his looking as if he had a comic toothache made all the princes and princesses laugh so the princess Alicia said laugh and be good and for dinner we will make him a nest on the floor in a corner and he shall sit in his nest and see a dance of 18 cooks that delighted the young princes and princesses and they ed up all the broth and washed up all the plates and dishes and cleared away and pushed the table into a corner and then they in their cooks caps and the princess Alicia in the smothering course apron that belonged to the cook that have run away with their own true love that was the very tall but very tipsy soldier dance to dance of 18 cooks before the angelic baby who forgot his swelled face and his black eye and crude with joy and so once more the princess Alicia saw King Watkins the first her father standing in the doorway looking on and he said what have you been doing Alicia cooking and contriving papa what else have you been doing Alicia keeping the children light hearted papa where is the magic fishbone Alicia in my pocket papa I thought you had lost it oh no papa or forgotten it no indeed papa the king then sighed so heavily and seemed so spirited and sat down so miserably leaning his head upon his hand and his elbow upon the kitchen table pushed away in the corner that the 17 princes and princesses crept softly out of the kitchen and left him alone with the princess Alicia and the angelic baby what is the matter papa I am dreadfully poor my child have you no money at all papa none my child is there no way left of getting any papa no way said the king I have tried very hard and I have tried always when she heard those last words the princess Alicia began to put her head into the pocket where she kept the magic fishbone papa said she when we have tried very hard and tried always we must have done our very very best no doubt Alicia when we have done our very very best papa and that is not enough then I think she must have come for asking help of others this was the very secret connected with the magic fishbone which she had found out for herself from the good very grand marina's words and which she had so often whispered to her beautiful and fashionable friend the Duchess so she took out of her pocket the magic fishbone that had been dried and rubbed and polished till it shone like mother of pearl and she gave it one little kiss and wished it was quarter day and immediately it was quarter day and the king's quarters salary came rattling down the chimney and bouncing into the middle of the floor but this was not half of what happened no not a quarter for immediately afterwards the good fairy grand marina came riding in in a carriage in four peacocks with mr. pickle's boy up behind dressed in silver and gold with a cocked hat powdered hair pink silk stockings a dueled cane and a nose guy down jumped mr. pickle's boy with his cocked hat in his hand and wonderfully polite being entirely changed by enchantment and handed grand marina out and there she stood in her rich shot silk smelling of dried lavender fanning herself with a sparkling fan alicia my dear said this charming old fairy how do you do I hope I see you pretty well give me a kiss the princess alicia embraced her and then grand marina turned to the king and said rather sharply are you good the king said he hopes so I suppose you know the reason now why my god daughter here kissed the princess again did not apply to the fishbone sinner said the fairy the king made her a shy boy ah but she didn't then said the fairy the king made her a shy boy any more reasons to ask for said the fairy the king said no and he was very sorry be good then said the fairy and live happy ever afterwards then grand marina waved her fan and the queen came in most splendidly dressed and the seventeen young princes and princesses no longer grown out of their clothes came in newly fitted out from top to toe with tucks in everything to admit of its being let out after that the fairy tapped the princess alicia with her farm and the smothering away and she appeared exquisitely dressed like a little birdie with a reef of orange flowers and a silver veil after that the kitchen dresser changed of itself into a wardrobe made of beautiful woods and gold and looking glass which was full of dresses of all sorts all for her and all exactly fitting her after that the angelic baby came in running alone with his face and eye not a bit worse but much the better then grand marina begged to be introduced to the duchess and when the duchess was brought down many compliments passed between them a little whispering took place between the fairy and the duchess and then the fairy said out loud yes I thought she would have told you grand marina then turned to the king and queen and said we are going in search of prince certain personio the pleasure of your company is requested at church at half an hour precisely so she and the princess alicia got into the carriage and mr pickle's boy handed in the duchess who sat by herself on the opposite seat and then mr pickle's boy put up the steps and got up behind and the peacocks flew away with their tail spread prince certain personio was sitting by himself eating barley sugar and waiting to be 90 when he saw the peacocks followed by the carriages coming in at the window it immediately occurred to him that something uncommon was going to happen prince said grand marina I bring you your bride the moment the fairy said those words prince certain personio's face left off being sticky and his jacket and corduroy's changed to peach bloom velvet and his hair curled and a cap and feather flew in like a bird and settled on his head he got into the carriage by the fairy's invitation and there he renewed his acquaintance whom he had seen before in the church were the prince's relations and friends and the princess alicia's relations and friends and the 17 princes and princesses and the baby and the crowd of the neighbors the marriage was beautiful beyond expression the duchess was bridesmaid and beheld the ceremony from the pulpit where she was supported by the cushion of the desk grand marina gave a magnificent wedding feast afterwards in which there was everything and more to eat and everything and more to drink the wedding cake was delicately ornamented with white satin robins fostered silver and white lilies and was 42 yards round when grand marina had drunk her love to the young couple and prince certain personio had made a speech and everybody had cried hip hip hip hurrah grand marina announced to the king and queen that in future there would be 8 quarter days in every year except a leap year when there would be 10 she then turned to certain personio and alicia and said my dears you will have 35 children and they will all be good and beautiful 17 of your children will be boys and 18 will be girls the hair of the whole of your children will curl naturally they will never have the measles and will have recovered from the whipping cough before being born and in the next good news everybody cried out hip hip hip hurrah again it only remains said grand marina in conclusion to make an end of the fishbone so she took it from the hand of the princess alicia and it instantly flew down the throat of the dreadful little snapping punk dog next door and choked him and he expired in convulsions the end end of the magic fishbone a holiday romance episode 7 by charles dickens the poor devil by unknown this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org read by chat horner once upon a time there was a peasant who led his coy to pasture in the spring and prayed god to have her in his care the evil one was sitting in a bush heard him and said to himself alright well they thank god for it but if anything goes wrong then i am always to blame a few days later the coy strayed into a swamp and when the peasant came and saw her he said look at that the devil has had his finger in the pie again just what i might have expected thought the devil in his bush then the peasant went off to fetch people to help drive the coy out but in the meantime the devil slipped from his bush and helped out the coy for he thought now he will have something to thank me for too but when the peasant came back and saw the coy on dry land he said thank god she's out again end of the per devil by unknown this little pig went to market by an unknown author this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org read by chat horner this little pig went to market this little pig stayed at home this little pig had roast beef this little pig had none this little pig cried weepy all the way home end of this little pig went to market by an unknown author the three bears by an unknown author this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org the three bears by an unknown author read by chat horner the story of the three bears there were once three bears who lived in a wood their porridge was thick and their chairs and beds good the biggest bear brun was shirley his wife mrs brun was called mammy muff their son tiny cub was like dame goose's lad he was not very good no yet very bad brun the biggest the shirley old bear had a great granite bowl and a cast iron chair mammy muffs bowl and chair you would no doubt prefer they were both made of brick bats but both sit at her young tiny cubs bowl chair and bed were the best this big bears and baby bears freely confessed mr b with his wife and his son went one day to take a short stroll and a visit to pay he left the door open four said he no doubt if our friend should call in he will find us all out it was only two miles from dark hazelnut wood in which the great house of the three bruns stood that there lived a young miss daring funny and fair and from having bright curls she was called golden hare she had roamed through the wood to see what she could see and she saw going walking she said to herself to rob bears is no sin the three bears have gone out so I think I'll go in she entered their parlor and she saw a great bowl and in it a spin like a hair cutters pole that porridge said she may stay long enough there it tastes like the food of the shirley old bear she tried mammy muffs and she said mrs b I think your taste in my taste will never agree she tried tiny cubs bowl and said this is nice I will put in some salt and have bread a thick slice the porridge she ate soon made her so great the chair that she sat on broke down with her weight the bottom fell out and she cried in dismay this is tiny cubs chair and oh what will he say his papa is I know the most savage of bears his mamma is a fury who cares I'm sure I do not and then as for her son that young bear tiny cub from him shall I run no not I indeed but I will not sit here I shall next break the floor through that's what I most fear so upstairs she ran and there three beds she found she looked under each one and she looked all around but no one she saw it was surely old Bruns and well stuffed with lead mommy muffs next she tried it was stuffed with brown stones so she got into tiny cubs and rested her bones golden hair was asleep when the three bears came in said big Brun I'm hungry to eat let's begin who has been to my porridge he roared with such might his voice was like wind chimney at night who has been to my porridge growled out Mrs. B her voice was like cats fighting up in a tree who has been to my porridge and eating it all young tiny cub said in a voice very small who has been sitting in my great armchair in voice like a thunderstorm roared the great bear who has been sitting in my good armchair growled out mommy muff like a soul in despair in his chair and broken it down young tiny cub said and so fierce was his frown that his mother with bride to his father said there see our pet tiny cub can look just like a bear so roaring and growling and frowning the bears one after the other came running upstairs who has been upon my bed old Brun roared out in the voice just like rain down a large waters spout on my bed growled out mommy muff in the voice like her husband's but not quite so rough who is lying on my bed said young tiny cub in a voice like hot water poured into a tub and tiny cub's breath was so hot as he spoke that golden hair dreamt of hot water and woke she opened her eyes and she saw the three bears and said let me go please I'll soon run downstairs was angry and shouted out no you had no right to come hither and now you shan't go what we mean to do with you are long you shall find you can lie there and cry till I make up my mind to mommy and tiny then dead pig Brun roared go and block up the chimney and nail up the door this golden hair now has got into a scrape and if I can help it she shall not escape but golden hair saw that a window was there it was always kept open to let in fresh air so she jumped out of bed to the window she ran saying three bears goodbye catch me now if you can to the window the bears ran as fast as they could but golden hair flew like the wind through the wood she said the bear's breath had filled her with steam but when she grew older she said she was right to take such a view still some part of the story is certainly true for on to this day there is no one who dares to say that there never existed three bears end of the three bears by an unknown author the story of three little pigs by an unknown author this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org read by Chad Horner the story of the three little pigs by an unknown author once upon a time there was an old sigh with three little pigs and as she had not enough to keep them she sent them out to seek their fortune the first that went off met a man with a bundle of straw and said to him please man give me that straw to build me a house to which the man did and the little pig built a house with it presently came along a wolf and knocked at the door and said little pig little pig let me come in to which the pig answered no no by the hair of my chinny chin chin then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in said the wolf so he huffed and he puffed and he blew his house in and ate up the little pig the second pig met a man with a load of bricks and said please man give me that first to build a house which the man did and the pig built his house then along came the wolf and said little pig little pig let me come in no no by the hair of my chinny chin chin then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in so he huffed and he puffed and he huffed and at last he blew the house down and ate up the second little pig and said please man give me those bricks to build a house with so the man gave him the bricks and he built his house with them so the wolf came as he did to the other little pigs and said little pig little pig let me come in no no by the hair of my chinny chin chin then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in well he huffed and he puffed and he huffed and he puffed and he puffed and he huffed and I'll not get the house down when he found that he could not with all his huffing and puffing blew the house down he said little pig I know where there is a nice field of churnips where said the little pig oh in Mr Smith's home field and if you will be ready tomorrow morning I will call for you and we will go together and get some for dinner very well said the little pig I will be ready what time do you mean to go at five o'clock well the little pig got up at five and got the churnips and was home again before six when the wolf came he said little pig are you ready ready said the little pig I have been and come back again and got a nice pot full for dinner the wolf felt very angry at this but thought that he would be up to the little pig somehow or other so he said little pig where said the pig down at mary garden replied the wolf and if you will not deceive me I will come for you at five o'clock tomorrow and we will go together and get some apples well the little pig woke up for the next morning and bustled up and went off for the apples hoping to get back before the wolf came but he had further to go and had to climb the tree so that just as he was coming down from it he saw the wolf coming I suppose frightened him pretty much when the wolf came up he said little pig what are you here before me are they nice apples yes very said the little pig I will throw you down one and he threw it so far that while the wolf was going to pick it up the little pig jumped down and ran home the next day the wolf came again and said to the little pig little pig there is a fair in the town this afternoon will you go oh yes said the pig I will go what time should you be ready at three said the wolf so the little pig went off before the time as usual and got to the fair and bought a butter churn and was on his way home with it when he saw the wolf coming then he could not tell what to do so he got into the churn to hide and in doing so turned it round and it began to roll and rolled down the hill with the pig inside it so much that he ran home without going to the fair he went to the little pig's house and told him how frightened he had been by a great round thing which came down the hill past him then the little pig said ha I frightened you did I I had been to the fair and bought a butter churn and when I saw you I got into it and rolled down the hill then the wolf was very angry indeed and declared he would eat up the little pig and that he would get down the chimney after him now when the little pig saw what he was about he hung on the pot full of water and made up a blazing fire and just as the wolf was coming down took off the cover of the pot and in fell the wolf and the little pig put on the cover again in an instant boiled him up and ate him for supper and they tapped me ever after end of the story of the three little pigs by an unknown author