31. There was the old sled, which won for the first ten, in the middle. Number one was a gaily painted sled with a flag bearing the name "Dandy." Number two was a wooden sled with no iron on its runners. Its runners had been rubbed with oil until they were water-proof. Number four was a fine sled that had won a race in another town. 32. Away they went. back to see how they would go. Soon the "Dandy" fell behind all but Hugh. When they came near the bottom he ran on and came out ahead of the "Dandy," but fourth in the race. Hugh held his sled 33. Now the four sleds fell in line. Hugh drew three. Away they went. This time Hugh came out third just barely ahead of the wooden sled. 34. Now came the trial of the three. Hugh got the middle of the track. On the word, he shot ahead of all, half down the hill. But here he seemed to catch his foot. The sled turned on its side and Hugh fell to the snow, But he held the sled and was on again in a second. He came out second, just ahead of the sled from the other town. 35. Now the race was between Hugh and the old sled that won for the first ten, and had won every race of the five. Hugh was on the left side. Off they went together. The old sled ran ahead. Hugh crossed to the right. Then he ran ahead of the old sled. Then he crossed in front of it to the left again, having gone around the other sled. Now he ran slow and the other sled caught up. They came to the mark just together. "Run again," shouted the crowd. The boy on the old sled was a good coaster. 36. "No," he said, "Hugh is only playing with me." He 37. "Run it out," cried the other boys. Hugh got the right side this time. got in front at once. At the bottom he was ten yards ahead. 38. The crowd shouted, "Hurrah for Hugh, hurrah, hurrah!" The boys put Hugh on his sled and pulled him to the top of the hill. 39. The father of the "Dandy" boy was a rich man. He walked up to Hugh. "I will give you twenty-five dollars for your sled," he said. 40. "That would not be fair to you," said Hugh. "I can get another one for five dollars." 41. "Yes," said the man, "but I would not give a dollar for the next one. You made this out of your own head and won on it. Anybody can make another by following yours." 42. "Take it," said the teacher. So Hugh went home champion of the school and with twenty-five dollars besides. THE BABY BY GEORGE MACDONALD 1. Where did you come from, baby dear? Out of the everywhere into the here. 2. Where did you get your eyes so blue? Out of the sky as I came through. 3. Where did you get that little tear? I found it waiting when I got here. 4. What makes your forehead so smooth and high? A soft hand stroked it as I went by. 5. What makes your cheek like a warm white rose? Something better than any one knows. 6. Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss? Three angels gave me at once a kiss. 7. Where did you get that pearly ear? God spoke, and it came out to hear. 8. Where did you get those arms and hands? Love made itself into hooks and bands. 9. Feet, whence did you come, you darling things? From the same box as the cherubs' wings. 10. How did they all just come to be you? God thought about me, and so I grew. 11. But how did you come to us, you dear? God thought of you, and so I am here. LITTLE MISS MUFFET Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating of curds and whey; And sat down beside her, And frightened Miss Muffet away. |