Cupid and Chow Chow
Ma began it by calling her rosy, dimpled, year-old baby Cupid, andas he grew up the name became more and more appropriate, forthe pretty boy loved everyone, everyone loved him, and he madethose about him feel fond of one another, like a regular little godof love. Especially beautiful and attractive did he look as hepranced on the doorsteps one afternoon while waiting the arrival ofa little cousin. Our Cupid's costume was modernized out of regardto the prejudices of society, and instead of wings, bandage, bowand arrow, he was gorgeous to behold in small buckled shoes,purple silk hose, black velvet knickerbockers, and jacket with alace collar, which, with his yellow hair cut straight across theforehead, and falling in long, curling love-locks behind, made himlook like an old picture of a young cavalier.It was impossible for the little sprig to help being a trifle vainwhen everyone praised his comeliness, and every mirror showedhim a rosy face, with big blue eyes, smiling lips, white teeth, acunning nose, and a dimple in the chin, not to mention the goldenmane that hung about his neck.Yes, Cupid was vain; and as he waited, he pranced, arranged thedear buckled shoes in the first position, practised his best bow, feltof his dimple, and smiled affably as he pictured to himself thepleasure and surprise of the little cousin when he embraced her inthe ardent yet gentle way which made his greetings particularlyagreeable to those who liked such tender demonstrations.Cupid had made up his mind to love Chow-chow very much, bothbecause she was his cousin, and because she must be interesting ifall papa's stories of her were true. Her very name was pleasing tohim, for it suggested Indian sweetmeats, though papa said it wasgiven to her because she was such a mixture of sweet and sour thatone never knew whether he would get his tongue bitten out by ahot bit of ginger, or find a candied plum melting in his mouthwhen he tried that little jar of Chow-chow."I know I shall like her, and of course she will like me lots 'causeeverybody does," thought Cupid, settling his love-locks andsurveying his purple legs like a contented young peacock.Just then a carriage drove up the avenue, stopped at the foot of thesteps, and out skipped a tall, brown man, a small, pale lady, and achild, who whisked away to the pond so rapidly that no one couldsee what she was like. A great kissing and hand-shaking went onbetween the papas and the mammas, and Cupid came in for a largeshare, but did not enjoy it as much as usual, for the little girl hadfled and he must get at her. So the instant Aunt Susan let him gohe ran after the truant, quite panting with eagerness and all aglowwith amiable intentions, for he was a hospitable little soul, and heloved to do the honors of his pleasant home like a gentleman.A little figure, dressed in a brown linen frock, with dusty bootsbelow it, and above it a head of wild black hair, tied up with alarge scarlet bow, stood by the pond throwing atones at the swans,who ruffled their feathers in stately anger at such treatment.Suddenly a pair of velvet arms embraced her, and half turning shelooked up into a rosy, smiling face, with two red lips suggestivelypuckered for a hearty kiss.Chow-chow's black eyes sparkled, and her little brown faceflushed red as her ribbon as she tried to push the boy away with ashrill scream."Don't be frightened. I'm Cupid. I must kiss you. I truly must. Ialways do when people come, and I like you very much."With this soothing remark, the velvet arm pressed her firmly, andthe lips gave her several soft kisses, which owing to her struggles,lit upon her nose, chin, top-knot, and ear; for, having begun, Cupiddid not know when to leave off.But Chow-chow's wrath was great, her vengeance swift, andgetting one hand free she flung the gravel it held full in the flushedand smiling face of this bold boy who had dared kiss her withoutleave. Poor Cupid fell back blinded and heartbroken at such areturn for his warm welcome, and while he stood trying to clear hissmarting eyes, a fierce little voice said close-by,-"Does it hurt?""Oh! Dreadfully!""I'm glad of it.""Then you don't love me?""I hate you!""I don't see why.""I don't like to be hugged and kissed. I don't let anybody but papaand mamma do it, ever-so, now!""But I'm your cousin, and you must love me. Won't you please?"besought Cupid, with one eye open and a great tear on his nose."I'll see about it. I don't like crying boys," returned theheard-hearted damsel."Well, you made me; but I forgive you," and Cupidmagnanimously put out his hand for a friendly shake. ButChow-chow was off like a startled deer, and vanished into thehouse, singing at the top of her voice a nursery rhyme to thiseffect,-"And she bids you to come in,With a dimple in her chin,Billy boy, Billy boy"When Cupid, with red eyes and a sad countenance, made hisappearance, he found Chow-chow on her father's knee eating cake,while the elders talked. She had told the story, and now from thesafe stronghold of papa's arms condescended to smile upon theconquered youth.Cupid went to mamma, and in one long whisper told his woes;then sat upon the cushion at her feet, and soon forgot them all inthe mingled joys of eating macaroons and giving Chow-chowsmile for smile across the hearth-rug."I predict we shall be much amused and edified by the progress ofthe friendship just begun," said Cupid's papa, a quiet man, wholoved children and observed them with affectionate interest."And I predict a hard time of it for your young man, if he attemptsto tame my strong-minded little woman here. Her mother's ideasare peculiar, and she wants to bring Chow-chow up according tothe new lights, - with contempt for dress and all frivolous pursuits;to make her hardy, independent, and quite above caring for suchtrifles as love, domestic life, or the feminine accomplishments weused to find so charming."As Chow-chow's papa spoke, he looked from the child in her uglygray frock, thick boots, and mop of hair tied up in a style neitherpretty nor becoming, to his wife in her plain dress with her knob ofhair, decided mouth, sarcastic nose, and restless eyes that seemedalways on the watch to find some new wrong and protest against it."Now, George, how can you misrepresent my views and principlesso? But it's no use trying to convince or out-talk you. We never geta chance, and our only hope is to bring up our girls so that theymay not be put down as we are," returned Mrs. Susan, with adecided air."Show us how you are going to defend your sex and conquer ours,Chow-chow; give us your views generally. Now, then, who is infavor of the Elective Franchise?" said Uncle George, with atwinkle of the eye.Up went Aunt Susan's hand, and to the great amusement of all upwent Chow-chow's also and, scrambling to her feet on papa's knee,she burst into a harangue which convulsed her hearers, for in it thechild's voice made queer work with the long words, and the redbow wagged belligerently as she laid down the law with energy,and defined her views, closing with a stamp of her foot"'This is ourplatform: Free speech, free love, free-soil, free every thing; antiWoman's Puckerage for ever!"Even Aunt Susan had to laugh at that burst, for it was deliveredwith such vigor that the speaker would have fallen on her nose ifshe had not been sustained by a strong arm.Cupid laughed because the rest did, and then turned his big eyesfull of wonder on his mother, asking what it all meant."Only fun, my dear.""Now, Ellen, that's very wrong. Why don't you explain this greatsubject to him, and prepare him to take a nobler part in the comingstruggle than those who have come before him have done?" saidMrs. Susan, with a stern look at her husband, who was petting thelittle daughter, who evidently loved him best."I don't care to disturb his happy childhood with quarrels beyondhis comprehension. I shall teach him to be as good and just a manas his father, and feel quite sure that no woman will suffer wrongat his hands," returned Mrs. Ellen, smiling at Cupid's papa, whonodded back as if they quite understood one another."We never did agree and we never shall so I will say no more; butwe shall see what a good effect my girl's strength of character willhave upon your boy, who has been petted and spoiled by too muchtenderness."So Aunt Susan settled the matter; and as the days went on, theelder people fell into the way of observing how the little pair goton together and were much amused by the vicissitudes of thatnursery romance.In the beginning Chow-chow rode over Cupid rough-shod quitetrampled upon him in fact; and he bore it, because he wanted herto like him, and had been taught that the utmost courtesy was due aguest. But when he got no reward for his long-suffering patiencehe was sometimes tempted to rebel, and probably would have doneso if he had not had mamma to comfort and sustain him.Chow-chow was very quick at spying out the weaknesses of herfriends and alarmingly frank in proclaiming her discoveries; sopoor Cupid's little faults were seen and proclaimed very soon andlife made a burden to him, until he found out the best way ofsilencing his tormentor was by mending the faults."My papa says you are a dandy-prat, and you are," saidChow-chow, one day when the desire to improve her race was verystrong upon her."What is a dandy prat?" asked Cupid, looking troubled at the newaccusation."I asked him, and he said a vain fellow; and you are vain,-so now!""Am I?" and Cupid stopped to think it over."Yes; you're horrid vain of your hair, and your velvet clothes, andthe dimple in your chin. I know it 'cause you always look in theglass when you're dressed up, and keep feeling of that ugly hole inyour chin, and I see you brush your hair ever so much." Poor Cupidcolored up with shame, and turned his back to the mirror, as thesharp-tongued young monitor went on:- "My mamma said if youwere her boy she'd cut off your curls, put you in a plain suit, andstick some court-plaster over that place till you forgot all about it."Chow-chow expected an explosion of grief or anger after that lastslap; but to her amazement the boy walked out of the room withouta word. Going up to his mother as she sat busy with a letter, heasked in a very earnest voice,-"Mamma, am I vain?""I'm afraid you are a little, my dear," answered mamma, deep inher letter.With a sad but resolute face, Cupid went back to Chow-chow,bearing a pair of shears in one hand and a bit of court-plaster in theother."You may cut my hair off, if you want to. I ain't going to be adandy-prat anymore," he said, offering the fatal shears with thecalmness of a hero.Chow-chow was much surprised, but charmed with the idea ofshearing this meek sheep, so she snipped and slashed until thegolden locks lay shining on the floor, and Cupid's head looked as ifrats had been gnawing on his hair."Do you like me better now?" he asked, looking in her eyes as hisonly mirror, and seeing there the most approving glance they hadever vouchsafed him."Yes, I do; girl-boys are hateful."He might have retorted, "So are boy-girls," but he was agentleman, so he only smiled and held up his chin for her to coverthe offending dimple, which she did with half a square of blackplaster."I shall never wear my velvet clothes any more unless mammamakes me, and I don't think she will when I tell her about it, 'causeshe likes to have me cure my faults," said Cupid when the sacrificewas complete, and even stern Chow-chow was touched by thesweetness with which he bore the rebuke, the courage with whichhe began the atonement for his little folly. When he appeared atdinner, great was the out-cry; and when the story was told, greatwas the effect produced. Aunt Susan said with satisfaction,-"You see what an excellent effect my girl's Spartan training has onher, and how fine her influence is on your effeminate boy."Uncle George laughed heartily, but whispered something toChow-chow that made her look ashamed and cast repentantglances at her victim. Cupid's papa shook hands with the boy andsaid, smiling, "I am rather proud of my 'dandy-prat,' after all."But mamma grieved for the lost glory of her little Absalom, andfound it hard to pardon naughty Chow-chow, until Cupid lookedup at her with a grave, clear look which even the big patch couldnot spoil, and said manfully,-"You know, I was vain, mamma, but I won't be any more, andyou'll be glad, because you love me better than my hair, don'tyou?"Then she hugged the cropped head close, and kissed the hiddendimple without a word of reproach; but she laid the yellow locksaway as if she did love them after all, and often followed the littlelad in the rough gray suit, as if his sacrifice had only made himmore beautiful in her eyes.Chow-chow was quite affable for some days after this prank, andtreated her slave with more gentleness, evidently feeling that,though belonging to an inferior race, he deserved a trifle of regardfor his obedience to her teachings. But her love of power grew bywhat it fed on and soon brought fresh woe to faithful Cupid, whoadored her, though she frowned upon his little passion and gavehim no hope."You are a 'fraid-cat," asserted her majesty, one afternoon as theyplayed in the stable, and Cupid declined to be kicked by the horseChow-chow was teasing."No, I ain't; but I don't like to be hurt, and it's wrong to fretCharley, and I won't poke him with my hoe.""Well, it isn't wrong to turn this thing, but you don't dare to putyour finger on that wheel and let me pinch it a little bit," addedChow-chow, pointing to some sort of hay-cutting machine thatstood nearby."What for?" asked Cupid, who did object to being hurt in any way."To show you ain't a 'fraid cat. I know you are. I'm not, see there,"and Chow-chow gave her own finger a very gentle squeeze."I can bear it harder than that," and devoted Cupid laid his plumpfinger between two wheels, bent on proving his courage at allcosts.Chow-chow gave a brisk turn to the handle, slipped in doing so,and brought the whole weight of the cruel cogs on the tender littlefinger, crushing the top quite flat. Blood flowed, Chow-chowstopped aghast; and Cupid, with one cry of pain, caught andreversed the handle, drew out the poor finger, walked unsteadily into mamma, saying, with dizzy eyes and white lips, "She didn'tmean to do it," and then fainted quite away in a little heap at herfeet.The doctor came flying, shook his head over the wound, and drewout a case of dreadful instruments that made even strong-mindedAunt Susan turn away her head, and bound up the little hand thatmight never be whole and strong again. Chow-chow stood by quitewhite and still until it was all over and Cupid asleep in his mothera arms; then she dived under the sofa and sobbed there, refusing tobe comforted until her father came home. What that misguidedman said to her no one ever knew, but when Cupid was propped upon the couch at tea-time, Chow-chow begged piteously to beallowed to feed him.The be wounded hero, with his arm in a sling, permitted her tominister to him; and she did it so gently, so patiently, that herfather said low to Mrs. Ellen,-"I have hopes of her yet, for all the woman is not taken out of her,in spite of the new lights."When they parted for the evening, Cupid, who had often sued for agood-night kiss and sued in vain, was charmed to see the redtop-knot bending over him, and to hear Chow-chow whisper, witha penitent kiss, "I truly didn't mean to, Coopy."The well arm held her fast as the martyr whispered back, "Just sayI ain't a 'fraid-cat, and I don't mind smashing my finger."Chow-chow said it that night and thought it next day and for manyfollowing days, for each morning, when the doctor came to dressthe "smashed" finger, she insisted on being by as a sort of penance.She forced herself to watch the bright instruments withoutshivering, she ran for warm water, she begged to spread the salveon the bandage, to hold the smelling-bottle, and to pick all the lintthat was used.And while she performed these small labors of love, she learned alittle lesson that did her more good than many of mamma'slectures. For Cupid showed her the difference between the rashdaring that runs foolish risks, and the steady courage that bearspain without complaint. Every day the same scene took place;Chow-chow would watch for and announce the doctor; wouldbustle out the salve-box, bandage, and basin, set the chair, and callCupid from his book with a new gentleness in her voice.The boy would answer at once, take his place, and submit the poorswollen hand to the ten minutes torture of little probes andscissors, caustic and bathing, without a word, a tear, or a sound ofsuffering. He only turned his head away, grew white about the lips,damp on the forehead, and when it was all over would lean againsthis mother for a minute, faint and still. Then Chow-chow wouldpress her hands together with a sigh of mingled pity, admiration,and remorse, and when the boy looked up to say stoutly, "It didn'thurt very much," she would put his sling on for him, and runbefore to settle the pillows, carry him the little glass of wine andwater he was to take, and hover round him until he was quitehimself again, when she would subside close by, and pick lint orhem sails while he read aloud to her from one of his dear books."It is a good lesson in surgery and nursing for her. I intend to haveher study medicine if she shoes any fondness for it," said AuntSusan."It is a good lesson in true courage, and I am glad to have her learnit early," added uncle George, who now called Cupid "trump"instead of a "dandy-prat.""It is a good lesson in loving and serving others for love's sake, asall women must learn to do soon or late," said gentle Mrs. Ellen."It is teaching them both how to bear and forbear, to teach andhelp, and comfort one another, and take the pains and pleasures oflife as they should do together," concluded Cupid's papa, watchingthe little couple with the wise kind eyes that saw a pretty story intheir daily lives.Slowly the finger healed, and to every one's surprise was not muchdisfigured which Cupid insisted was entirely owing toChow-chow's superior skill in spreading salve and picking lint.Before this time, however, Chow-chow, touched by his bravepatience, his generous refusal to blame her for the mishap, and hisfaithful affection, had in a tender moment confessed to her littlelover that she did "like him a great deal," and consented to go andlive in the old swan-house on the island in the pond as soon as hewas well enough.But no sooner had she enraptured him by these promises than shedashed his joy by adding certain worldly conditions which she hadheard discussed by her mamma and her friends."But we can't be married until we have a lot of money. Nobodydoes, and we must have ever so much to buy things with.""Yes, but papa said he'd give us some little furniture to put in ourhouse, and mamma will let us have as much cake and milk-tea aswe want, and I shall be very fond of you, and what's the use ofmoney?" asked the enamoured Cupid, who believed in love in acottage, or swan-house rather."I shan't marry a poor boy, so now!" was the mercenaryChow-chow's decision."Well, I'll see how much I've got; but I should think you would likeme just as well without," and Cupid went away to inspect hisproperty with as much anxiety as any man preparing formatrimony.But Cupid's finances were in a bad state, for he spent hispocket-money as fast as he got it, and had lavished gifts upon hissweetheart with princely prodigality. So he punched a hole in hissavings-bank and counted his small hoard, much afflicted to find itonly amounted to seventy-eight cents, and a button put in for fun.Bent on winning his mistress no sacrifice seemed too great, so hesold his livestock, consisting of one lame hen, a rabbit, and achoice collection of caterpillars. But though he drove sharpbargains, these sales only brought him in a dollar or two. Then hewent about among his friends, and begged and borrowed smallsums, telling no one his secret lest they should laugh at him, butpleading for a temporary accommodation so earnestly and prettilythat no one could refuse.When he had strained every nerve and tried every wile, he countedup his gains and found that he had four dollars and a half. Thatseemed a fortune to the innocent; and, getting it all in brightpennies, he placed it in a new red purse, and with pardonable pridelaid his offering at Chow-chow's feet.But alas for love's labor lost! The cruel fair crushed all his hopesby saying coldly,-"That isn't half enough. We ought to have ten dollars, and I won'tlike you until you get it.""O Chow-chow! I tried so hard; do play it's enough," pleaded poorCupid."No, I shan't. I don't care much for the old swan-house now, andyou ain't half so pretty as you used to be.""You made me cut my hair off, and now you don't love me 'causeI'm ugly," cried the afflicted little swain, indignant at suchinjustice.But Chow-chow was in a naughty mood, so she swung on the gate,and would not relent in spite of prayers and blandishments."I'll get some more money somehow, if you will wait. Will you,please?""I'll see 'bout it."And with that awful uncertainty weighing upon his soul, poorCupid went away to wrestle with circumstances. Feeling thatmatters had now reached a serious point, he confided his anxietiesto mamma; and she, finding that it was impossible to laugh orreason him out of his untimely passion, comforted him bypromising to buy at high prices all the nose-gays he could gatherout of his own little garden."But it will take a long time to make ten dollars that way. Don'tyou think Chow-chow might come now, when it is all warm andpleasant, and not stop until summer is gone, and no birds andflowers and nice things to play with? It's so hard to wait," sighedCupid, holding his cropped head in his hands, and looking theimage of childish despair."So it is, and I think Chow-chow is a little goose not to go at onceand enjoy young love's dream without wasting precious time tryingto make money. Tell her papa said so, and he ought to know,"added Uncle George, under his breath, for he had tried it, andfound that it did not work well.Cupid did tell her, but little madam had got the whim into herperverse head and the more she was urged to give in, the moredecided she grew. So Cupid accepted his fate like a man, anddelved away in his garden, watering his pinks, weeding hismignonette, and begging his roses to bloom as fast and fair as theycould, so that he might be happy before the summer was gone.Rather a pathetic little lover, mamma thought, as she watched himtugging away with the lame hand, or saw him come beaming inwith his posies to receive the precious money that was to buy areturn for his loyal love.Tender-hearted, Mrs. Ellen tried to soften Chow-chow and teachher sundry feminine arts against the time she went to housekeepingon the island, for Mrs. Susan was so busy hearing lectures, readingreports, and attending to the education of other people's childrenthat her own ran wild. In her good moods, Chow-chow took kindlyto the new lessons, and began to hem a table-cloth for the domesticboard at which she was to preside; also swept and dusted now andthen, and once cooked a remarkable mess, which she called"Coopy's favorite pudding," and intended to surprise him with itsoon after the wedding. But these virtuous efforts soon flagged, thetable-cloth was not finished, the duster was converted into afly-killer, and her dolls lay unheeded in corners after a fewattempts at dressing and nursing had ended in ennui.How long matters would have gone on in this unsatisfactory wayno one knows; but a rainy day came, and the experiences it gavethe little pair brought things to a crisis.The morning was devoted to pasting pictures and playing horse allover the house, with frequent pauses for refreshment and anoccasional squabble. After dinner, as the mammas sat sewing andthe papas talking or reading in one room, the children played in theother, quite unconscious that they were affording both amusementand instruction to their elders."Let's play house," suggested Cupid, who was of a domestic turn,and thought a little rehearsal would not be amiss."Well, I will,"consented Chow-chow, who was rather subdued by the violentexercises of the morning.So a palatial mansion was made of chairs, the dolls' furniturearranged, the stores laid in, and housekeeping begun."Now, you must go off to your business while I tend to my work,"said Chow-chow, after they had breakfasted off a seed-cake andsugar and water tea in the bosom of their family.Cupid obediently put on papa's hat, took a large book under hisarm, and went away to look at pictures behind curtains, while Mrs.C bestirred herself at home in a most energetic manner, spankingher nine dolls until their cries rent the air, rattling her dishes withperilous activity, and going to market with the coal-hod for herpurchases.Mr. Cupid returned to dinner rather early, and was scolded for sodoing, but pacified his spouse by praising her dessert,-a sandwichof sliced apple, bread, and salt, which he ate like a martyr.A ride on the rocking-horse with his entire family about him filledthe soul of Mr. Cupid with joy, though the trip was rendered a littlefatiguing by his having to dismount frequently to pick up thevarious darlings as they fell out of his pockets or their mother'sarms as she sat behind him on a ______________."Isn't this beautiful?" he asked, as they swung to and fro,-Mrs.Cupid leaning her head on his shoulder, and dear little ClaribelMaud peeping out of his breast-pocket, while little WalterHornblower and Rosie Ruth, the twins, sat up between the horse'sears, their china faces beaming in a way to fill a father's heart withpride."It will be much nicer if the horse runs away and we all go smash.I'll pull out his tail, then he'll rear, and we must tumble off,"proposed the restless Mrs. C., whose dramatic soul delighted intragic adventures.So the little papa's happy moment was speedily banished as hedutifully precipitated himself and blooming family upon the floor,to be gathered up and doctored with chalk and ink, and plasters ofpaper stuck all over their faces.When this excitement subsided, it was evening, and Mrs. Cupidbundled her children off to bed, saying,-"Now, you must go to your club, and I am going to my lecture.""But I thought you'd sew now and let me read to you, and have ourlittle candles burn, and be all cosey, like papa and mamma,"answered Cupid, who already felt the discomfort of astrong-minded wife."My papa and mamma don't do so. He always goes to the club, andsmokes and reads papers and plays chess, and mamma goes toWoman's Puckerage meetings,-so I must.""Let me go, too; I never saw a Puckerage lecture, and I'd like to,"said Cupid, who felt that a walk arm-in-arm with his idol wouldmake any sort of meeting endurable."No, you can't! Papa never goes; he says they are all gabble andnonsense, and mamma says his club is all smoke and slang, andthe never go together."Chow-chow locked the door, and the little pair went their separateways, while the older pair in the other room laughed at the joke,yet felt that Cupid's plan was the best, and wondered how Ellenand her husband managed to get on so well.Chow-chow's lecture did not seem to be very interesting, for shewas soon at home again. But Mr. Cupid, after smoking alamp-lighter with his feet up, fell to reading a story that interestedhim, and forgot to go home until he finished it. Then, to his greatsurprise, he was told that it was morning, that he had been out allnight, and couldn't have any breakfast. This ruffled him, and hetold madam she was a bad wife, and he wouldn't love her if she didnot instantly give him his share of the little pie presented by cook,as a bribe to keep them out of the kitchen.Mrs. C. sternly refused, and locked up the pie, declaring that shehated housekeeping and wouldn't live with him anymore, whichthreat she made good by quitting the house, vowing not to speak tohim again that day, but to play alone, free and happy.The deserted husband sat down among his infants with despair inhis soul, while the spirited wife, in an immense bonnet, prancedabout the room, waving the key of the pie-closet and rejoicing inher freedom. Yes, it was truly pathetic to see poor Mr. Cupid'sefforts at housekeeping and baby-tending; for, feeling that they hada double claim upon him now, he tried to do his duty by hischildren. But he soon gave it up, piled them all into one bed, andcovered them with a black cloth, saying mournfully, "I'll play theyall died of mumps, then I can sell the house and go away. I can'tbear to stay here when she is gone."The house was sold, the dead infants buried under the sofa, andthen the forsaken man was a homeless wanderer. He tried in manyways to amuse himself. He travelled to China on the tailless horse,went to California in a balloon, and sailed around the world on araft made of two chairs and the hearth-brush. But these wanderingsalways ended near the ruins of his home, and he always sat downfor a moment to watch the erratic movements of his wife.That sprightly lady fared better than he, for her inventive fancykept her supplied with interesting plays, though a secret sense ofremorse for her naughtiness weighed upon her spirits at times. Shehad a concert, and sang surprising medleys, with drumaccompaniments. She rode five horses in a circus, and jumpedover chairs and foot-stools in the most approved manner. She hada fair, a fire, and a shipwreck; hunted lions, fished for crocodiles,and played be a monkey in a style that would have charmedDarwin.But somehow none of these festive games had their usual relish.There was no ardent admirer to applaud her music, no two-leggedhorse to help her circus with wild prancings and life-like neighs,no devoted friend and defender to save her from the perils of floodand fire, no comrade to hunt with her, no fellow-monkey to skipfrom perch to perch with social jabberings, as they cracked theircocoa-nuts among imaginary palms. All was dull and tiresome.A strong sense of loneliness fell upon her, and for the first time sheappreciated her faithful little friend. Then the pie weighed uponher conscience; there it was, wasting its sweetness in the closet,and no one ate it. She had not the face to devour it alone; she couldnot make up her mind to give it to Cupid; and after her fiercerenunciation of him, how could she ask him to forgive her?Gradually her spirits declined, and about the time that the otherwanderer got back from his last trip she sat down to consider herposition.Hearing no noise in the other room, Uncle George peeped in andsaw the divided pair stting in opposite corners, looking askance ateach other, evidently feeling that a wide gulf lay between them,and longing to cross it, yet not quite knowing how. A solemn andyet a comical sight, so Uncle George beckoned the others to comeand look."My boy will give in first. See how beseechingly he looks at thelittle witch!" whispered Mrs. Ellen, laughing softly."No, he won't; she hurt his feelings very much by leaving him, andhe won't relent until she goes back; then he'll forgive and forgetlike a man," said Cupid's papa."I hope my girl will remain true to her principles," began AuntSusan."She'll be a miserable baby if she does," muttered Uncle George."I was going to say that, finding she has done wrong, I hope shewill have the courage to say so, hard as it is, and so expiate herfault and try to do better," added Aunt Susan, fast and low, with asoft look in her eyes, as she watched the little girl sitting alone,while so much honest affection was waiting for her close by, ifpride would let her take it.Somehow Uncle George's arm went round her waist when she saidthat, and he gave a quick nod, as if something pleased him verymuch."Shall I speak, and help the dears bridge over their little trouble?"asked Mrs. Ellen, pretending not to see the older children makingup their differences behind her."No; let them work it out for themselves. I'm curious to see howthey will manage," said papa, hoping that his boy's first little lovewould prosper in spite of thorns among the roses.So they waited, and presently the affair was settled in a way no oneexpected. As if she could not bear the silence any longer,Chow-chow suddenly bustled up, saying to herself,-"I haven't played a lecture. I always like that, and here's a niceplace."Pulling out the drawers of a secretary like steps, she slowlymounted to the wide ledge atop, and began the droll preachmenther father had taught her in ridicule of mamma's hobby."Do stop her, George; it's so absurd," whispered Mrs. Susan."Glad you think so, my dear," laughed Uncle George."There is some sense in it, and I have no doubt the real and truewill come to pass when we women learn how far to go, and how tofit ourselves for the new duties by doing the old ones well," saidMrs. Ellen, who found good in all things, and kept herself sowomanly sweet and strong that no one could deny her any right shechose to claim."She is like so many of those who mount your hobby, Susan, andride away into confusions of all sorts, leaving empty homes behindthem. The happy, womanly women will have the most influenceafter all, and do the most to help the bitter, sour, discontentedones. They need help, God knows, and I shall be glad to lend ahand toward giving them their rights in all things."As papa spoke, Chow-chow, who had caught sight of the peepingfaces, and was excited thereby, burst into a tremendous harangue,waving her hands, stamping her feet, and dancing about on herperch as if her wrongs had upset her wits. All of a suddent thewhole secretary lurched forward, out fell the drawers, open flewthe doors, down went Chow-chow with a screech, and the marbleslab came sliding after, as if to silence the irrepressible little oratorforever. How he did it no one knew, but before the top fell Cupidwas under it, received it on his shoulders, and held it up with allhis might, while Chow-chow scrambled out from the ruins with nohurt but a bump on the forehead. Papa had his boy out in atwinkling, and both mammas fell upon their rescued darlings withequal alarm and tenderness; for Mrs. Susan got her little girl in herarms before Mr. George could reach her, and Chow-chow clungthere, sobbing away her fright and pain as if the maternal purringwas a new and pleasant solace."I'll never play that nasty old puckerage anymore," she declared,feeling of the purple lump on her brow."Nor I either, in that way," whispered her mamma, with a look thatmade Chow-chow ask curiously,-"Why, did you hurt yourself too?""I am afraid I did.""Be sure that your platform is all right before you try again,Poppet, else it will let you down when you least expact it, anddamage your best friends as well as yourself," said Mr. George,setting up the fallen rostrum."I'm not going to have any platform; I'm going to be good and playwith Coopy, if he'll let me," added the penitent Chow-chow,glancing with shy, wet eyes at Cupid, who stood near with a tornjacket and a bruise on the already wounded hand.His only answer was to draw her out of her mother's arms, embraceher warmly, and seat her beside him on the little bench he loved toshare with her. This ready and eloquent forgiveness touchedChow-chow's heart, and the lofty top-knot went down uponCupid's shoulder as if the little fortress lowered its colors in tokenof entire surrender. Cupid's only sign of triumph was a gently paton the wild, black head, and a nod towards the spectators as hesaid, smiling all over his chubby face,-"Every thing is nice and happy now, and we don't mind thebumps.""Let us sheer off, we are only in the way," said Mr. George, and theelders retired, but found it impossible to resist occasional peeps atthe little pair, as the reconciliation went on."O Coopy! I was so bad, I don't think you can love me anymore,"began the repentant one with a sob."Oh yes I can; and just as soon as I get money enough, we'll go andlive in the swan-house, won't we?" returned the faithful lover,making the most of this melting mood."I'll go right away tomorrow, I don't care about the money. I likethe nice bright pennies, and we don't need much, and I've got mynew saucepan to begin with," cried Chow-chow in a burst ofgenerosity, for, like a true woman, though she demandedimpossibilities at first, yet when her heart was won she askednothing but love, and was content with a saucepan."O Goody! and I've got my drum," returned the enraptured Cupid,as ready as the immortal Tradles to go to housekeeping with atoasting fork and a bird-cage, or some such useful trifles."But I was bad about the pie," cried Chow-chow as her sins keptrising before her; and, burning to make atonement for this one, sheran to the closet, tore out the pie, and, thrusting it into Cupid'shands, said in a tone of heroic resolution, "There, you eat it all, andI won't taste a bit.""No, you eat it all, I'd like to see you. I don't care for it, truly,'cause I love you more than million pies," protested Cupid, offeringback the treasure in a somewhat ruinous state after its variousvicissitudes."Then give me a tiny bit, and you have the rest," said Chow-chow,bent on self-chastisement."The fairest way is to cut it 'zactly in halves, and each have a piece.Mamma says that's the right thing to do always." And Cupid,producing a jack-knive, proceeded to settle the matter withmasculine justice.So side by side they devoured the little bone of contention,chattering amicably about their plans; and as the last crumbvanished, Cupid said persuasively, as if the league was not quiteperfect without that childish ceremony,-"Now let's kiss and be friends, and never quarrel any more."As the rosy mouths met in a kiss of peace, the sound was echoedfrom the other room, for Mr. George's eyes made the sameproposal, and his wife answered it as tenderly as Chow-chow didCupid. Not a word was said, for grown people do not "'fess" andforgive with the sweet frankness of children; but both felt that thefuture would be happier than the past, thanks to the lesson theyhad learned from the little romance of Cupid and Chow-chow.
zpostcode
Recruit
weather
mreligion
Yellowpages
sport
constellation
shopping
name
game
directory
literature
Word
tour
furnish
Lottery
tftnews
lyrics
News
digital
car
dir
Edu
Finance
