Part 14 (1/2)

But, ere the latest breath was drawn, The father's brother came-- Nearest of kin, upon whose love The orphaned ones had claim-- And he made oath to cherish them As his own blood and name.

The will devised three hundred pounds A year unto the son, Three hundred, on her marriage-day, To Jane, the little one.

Thus it was from the uncle's greed That trouble first begun.

For if, by chance, they both should die, He was to have their gold; He felt no love for either child-- His heart was hard and cold.

And, while he promised fair, he planned A scheme both bad and bold.

A twelvemonth did his darksome mind Plot for the dreadful deed.

Two brutal ruffians he hired To help him in his need; And yet, so secret were his ways, None knew to intercede.

He formed a wily, plausive tale, And told it everywhere, How the two children were to go, Under the best of care-- Two friends of his--for holiday To London, for the fair.

The horses stood before the gate, The ruffians twain astride; And gay with scarlet girth and rein They started, side by side.

O, blithe the babies' spirits were, That they could have a ride!

For every pretty sight they saw, For every sound they heard, The boy had noisy laugh or shout, The girl had winsome word-- He questioned, never satisfied, She chattered like a bird.

Meanwhile each ruffian surly sat, In dark and restless mood; Little the prattlers, in their joy, Such silence understood, As on through the warm early day They rode towards the wood.

They reached the leafy wilderness, And then the way grew wild; But ever with new glee the babes The gathering gloom beguiled.

Until, at last, quite cheered and won, One of the ruffians smiled.

Love had o'ercome within his breast His wicked avarice.

”I will not kill the little things,”

He said, ”for any price!”

Then pa.s.sed hot words between the two, But only once or twice,

For blows fell, and the kindly one Dropped to the earth and died; The children sank upon the ground, Trembling and terrified, And clung together, wondering, And moaned, and sobbed, and cried.

Then he who lived led them away, Both s.h.i.+vering with dread; They begged for food; he paused a s.p.a.ce; ”Stay here awhile,” he said, ”And I will go into the town At once, and fetch you bread.”

He went. In their sweet innocence They trusted to his word; Meanwhile, the sparkling morning sun With a grey cloud was blurred; And long, in vain, they waited there, Nor cried again, nor stirred!

How can I write the mournful end-- And tell how, up and down, At last, by hunger driven, they stray Over the mosses brown-- She clutching at his little coat, He clinging to her gown?

More than one day--more than one night, Comes on them there alone!

They search for blackberries, so weak And starving they are grown, Now through a thicket of wild brier, Now 'gainst a hindering stone!

Then they lie down to die, poor babes!

The cruel ground receives Their little bodies as a bed; Long time the south wind grieves Above them; and a hovering bough A pall of shadow weaves; And robin-red-b.r.e.a.s.t.s pity them, And cover them with leaves!

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

Ah, very, very poor was she-- Old Dame Pig, with her children three!

Robust, beautiful little ones Were those three sons, Each wearing always, without fail, A little fanciful knot in his tail.

But never enough of sour or sweet Had they to eat; And so, one day, with a piteous squeak, Did the mother speak: ”My sons, your fortune you must seek!”

And out in the world, as they were sent, The three pigs went.

Trotting along, the first one saw A man who carried a bundle of straw.