The Project Gutenberg eBook of Ida's new shoes

This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: Ida's new shoes

Author: Madeline Leslie

Release date: March 20, 2024 [eBook #73213]

Language: English

Original publication: Boston: Henry A. Young & Co

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IDA'S NEW SHOES ***

Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.

AUNT HATTIE'S LIBRARY

Ida's New Shoes.

BY

AUNT HATTIE

[MADELINE LESLIE]

AUTHOR OF THE "BROOKSIDE SERIES," ETC.

"He that ruleth his spirit, is better

than he that taketh a city."—SOLOMON

BOSTON:

HENRY A. YOUNG & CO.

24 CORNHILL.

1870.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867, by

REV. A. R. BAKER,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of

Massachusetts.

To

NELLIE, ROLAND COTTON, ANNIE, AND FULLER APPLETON,

CHILDREN OF MY BELOVED NEPHEW,

THE REV. JOHN COTTON SMITH, D.D.,

THESE SMALL VOLUMES ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED,

WITH THE EARNEST PRAYER

THAT THEIR LIVES MAY PROVE THEM TO BE LAMBS IN THE FOLD

OF THE GREAT AND GOOD

Shepherd of Israel.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. THE NEW SHOES

CHAPTER II. IDA'S SNARLED HAIR

CHAPTER III. THE ORANGES

CHAPTER IV. VISIT TO GRANDMA

CHAPTER V. THE DANDELIONS

CHAPTER VI. JOSEPH'S PASSION

CHAPTER VII. THE SICK BOY

CHAPTER VIII. THE COUSINS

IDA'S NEW SHOES.

CHAPTER I.

THE NEW SHOES.

"LOOK, aunty, see my pretty new shoes!"

Little Ida danced up and down, holding back the skirt of her dress to display the present papa had brought her.

"Very pretty," said Aunt Mary. "I hope my little niece will never let them carry her into mischief."

"No, indeed, aunty! I'm going to be a real good girl now. See how softly I can step in them."

And she went on tiptoe to the door of the bedroom, where her mother was confined with an attack of nervous headache.

Mrs. Kent's head was bandaged tightly with a wet towel, the room being darkened, in the hope she would be able to drop to sleep.

But Ida did not think of this.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

She wanted her mamma to see how nicely her foot looked in the new boot. She was so quick in her motions, that before Aunt Mary knew what she was about, she had pushed a cricket to the side of the bed, and jumped up, boots and all.

"O Ida! What are you doing?" exclaimed the lady, with a groan. "I was just falling asleep. Jump right off the bed, dear; you jar my head dreadfully."

"See my shoes, first, mamma! Berty tied 'em up for me."

"Ida Kent, come out of that room this minute!" said Aunt Mary. "Your ma is very sick; and you'll make her worse with your noise."

"No, I won't! I'll make her better. I'm going to comb your hair, mamma. You said I might."

Mrs. Kent groaned again. "Do take her away, Mary. I shall die with this dreadful pain. If I could be quiet one hour, I think I should be better."

Aunt Mary took Ida firmly by the hand.

"I won't go! I won't!" screamed the naughty child, at the top of her voice, clinging at the same time to the bedpost.

"Go this minute, Ida," said her mother, holding her throbbing head between her hands. "And Mary, take off those new shoes. She mustn't wear them till she can behave better."

The naughty girl gave a scream of passion, and was carried out of the room by Aunt Mary, who was obliged to hold her hands to keep her from scratching anywhere she could reach.

Mamma tried to shut her ears, but no, she could hear the loud, angry screams, until Aunt Mary closed the doors in a distant chamber.

Even then, her head throbbed painfully, as she readily imagined the naughty conduct of her little girl.

"What shall I do with her?" she kept saying to herself. "How can I help her conquer her hasty temper? So affectionate one moment, so passionate the next."

Toward night, Mrs. Kent's pain was relieved. She was able to sit up in bed and take a cup of gruel. Nothing could exceed Ida's fond attention. She ran softly to the entry for a shawl, then upstairs for another pillow, and afterwards sat in a chair, her curly head resting on the bed, her forefinger in her mouth, looking as placid and happy as if no cries of passion had ever distorted her features.

Mrs. Kent was greatly refreshed by the gruel. She sat up in bed long enough for Aunt Mary to smooth her tangled hair, and then lay down, saying—

"I feel as if I could sleep."

Presently she put her hand softly on Ida's cheek. "You're a good girl now," she said. "You're mamma's comfort."

Ida caught her mother's hand and kissed it, then went to sucking her finger again.

By and by papa came home, and rocked his little girl in his arms until the tea-bell rang.

"The sky seems remarkably clear to-night," he said to his sister Mary, after a glance at Ida.

"Yes," she said, smiling; "a storm generally clears the sky; and there has been a terrible one to-day."

"Was that what made her mother's head ache so bad?"

"No, she had gone to bed before; but of course the scream's made it worse."

"The thunder you mean. In what direction did the storm arise?"

"In the direction of the s-h-o-e-s." Aunt Mary spelled the word so that Ida need not understand.

"To look at her now, one would think there never could be a storm."

The little girl sat in a high chair by the side of her father, diligently engaged in eating her bread and milk.

"I know what kind of storms you mean," said Berty, laughing.

"Yes, I suppose so," answered his father. "You are quite a man, you know."

"There were never such storms in his day," remarked Aunt Mary, glancing kindly in the face of her favorite nephew.

"Please, aunty, give Ida some cake!" asked the little girl, holding out her plate.

"Yes, dear;" and then added, "I wish her mother could see her now."

"We have a nice young lady at table this evening," remarked Mr. Kent. "I would to have her come here to tea every night."

"I'm going to be good all the time now," said Ida, smiling in her father's face.

CHAPTER II.

IDA'S SNARLED HAIR.

IDA KENT was a very handsome child. Her face was round and fair, her eyes deep-blue, her mouth small and rosy, and her hair rippled and curled all over her head. This was a great affliction to Ida; for, as it hung in ringlets over her neck, it took a long time in the morning to comb out the snarls.

Mrs. Kent, too, used to dread the job; and was always happy when it was completed without arousing Ida's temper. Many a time she had threatened to cut off the curls; but her husband would not consent. He felt very proud of them, and could not be made to believe that the child would be better without them.

Mamma used to get a bowl of water, a towel to pin around Ida's neck, the comb and brush all ready before she called the little girl; and then she tried to amuse her by telling some funny stories.

A few mornings after Mrs. Kent's sickness, Ida sat in her mother's lap, and all was going on beautifully, when an unlucky snarl caught in the comb, giving it quite a pull.

As quick as thought, the child turned and struck her mother in the face.

"If you do that again, I'll whip you, naughty mamma!" she cried, her face growing very red and angry.

"Stop, Ida! You mustn't talk so; it's wicked," said Mrs. Kent, holding the child's hands. "You know mamma didn't mean to pull; but I shall have to punish you with a rod, if you strike me, or talk so; it is very wicked."

"I won't have my hair done any more!" screamed the naughty girl, kicking with all her might.

"Ida!" called out her father from the next room. "Stop that! Do you know, child, whom you are talking to?"

Berty came in at this minute, and Mrs. Kent took advantage of this opportunity while her attention was engaged to finish the curls.

In a few moments she had forgotten all about her trouble. She came up to kiss papa, her mouth looking as sweet as a ripe cherry, and then went dancing about the room as happy as happy could be.

When her brother had led her to the parlor, Mrs. Kent said with a sigh, "That is the way she acts more than half the time while I am curling her hair. I have tried whipping, and coaxing, and everything I can think of. Her passion grows worse every day."

"I have always hoped she would outgrow it," answered Mr. Kent; "but I see something must be done."

"If you'll tell me what, I'll thank you," murmured the mother in a discouraged tone.

The next week a lady called to see Aunt Mary. Ida was playing quietly with some blocks in the corner of the room, when the visitor caught a glimpse of her.

"Oh, what a darling little girl!" she exclaimed. "Come and see me, my dear."

Ida obeyed, walked slowly across the floor, and glanced shyly in the lady's face from under her curls.

"You little beauty!" repeated the stranger, taking the child in her lap.

"Don't touch the lady's bonnet," said Aunt Mary, seeing that her friend began to look annoyed at having her flowers pulled out of place.

"I will! I will!" And Ida gave a rose-bud a sudden jerk which left it in her hand.

The lady put her upon the floor; and Aunt Mary was so mortified that she caught her up and carried her screaming from the room.

"I am sorry, for your sake, I spoke to the child," apologized the visitor; "but she looked so smiling I never thought of her having such a temper."

"I never saw such a passionate girl," murmured Aunt Mary, looking as if she were going to cry, "I always feel as if an avalanche were hanging over my head. Sometimes she's as sweet and loving as a June rose; and, in a moment, her temper is beyond control."

"Is she well governed?"

"It is difficult to know what to do with one of her disposition. Both my brother and his wife are very solicitous concerning her. I wonder often at my sister's patience. She has tried whipping and shutting her in a room by herself; but nothing seems to have any lasting effect. I really think half the cause of Mrs. Kent's nervous headaches may be from anxiety about Ida. Yesterday she tried a new plan—she led the child into her bedroom, and, without taking the least notice of her screams and struggles, began to pray for herself and her little girl."

"And what effect did this have?"

"Very quieting. My brother feared it was only the novelty, but sister was encouraged to try it again."

CHAPTER III.

THE ORANGES.

"Do you know, my love, who made you?"

"Yes, mamma; God made me and Berty and all the folks."

"And what did he make you for, Ida?"

"I don't know, mamma."

"He made you and all his creatures, to be good, and to do good."

"I'm good now, mamma; I don't kick any." And Ida looked the picture of self-complacence.

"Yes, dear, no one can be better than you, when you try; but I am sorry to say you don't always try. Do you know the good God in the sky looks down upon you then, and is very much displeased?"

"Then, what do you pray to him for?"

Mrs. Kent sighed. "Because," she answered, "I am afraid, if my little girl does not try to correct her naughty temper, that God will punish her. I ask him to forgive you, and help you do right; and then ask him to give me strength to govern you according to his will."

"I won't never be naughty again, mamma; I'm going to be your good little Ida all the time now."

"Dear child, if I could believe that, a heavy burden would be lifted off my heart."

It was scarcely half an hour later that Berty came in from school eating an orange which a companion had given him.

"I want an orange, mamma," cried Ida, her face flushing.

"Berty will give you a piece of his; dear."

"I would, mamma; but the juice is all sucked out. See Ida, it's nothing but skin."

"I want an orange! I will have an orange!" began the little girl, kicking and screaming with all her strength.

Mrs. Kent put her handkerchief to her face. The disappointment was too bitter. Ida had seemed so penitent, she had really hoped her heart was touched, and would not show such temper again.

"What a naughty girl!" said Berty. "See, you've made mamma cry!"

Ida stopped kicking; stood for a moment irresolute; then she ran and laid her head in her mother's lap.

"I'm sorry, mamma; I don't want an orange now. Take away your handkerchief. See, I'm a good girl."

Mrs. Kent gazed in the child's face. It was beaming with the new delight of having conquered. She took Ida in her arms; pressing her to her heart.

"You have made mamma very happy," she said, kissing her again and again. "Now I know you do mean to try and conquer those wicked passions. Berty, go to the store, darling, and buy the largest orange you call find. Buy two large ones. We must have them cut up for supper; and Ida shall sprinkle sugar on them and help us all herself from the glass dish. I want papa and Aunt Mary and nurse to know that my dear little girl is determined to be good; that she has begun already to conquer herself."

I wish you could have seen Ida. She danced about the room, kissing mamma ever so many times, and kept running to the window to see whether Berty was coming.

Mrs. Kent looked as happy as her little girl. "Oh, if this will only last!" she said to herself. And then she lifted her heart in prayer to her heavenly Father, beseeching him to put good thoughts into Ida's mind.

When tea was on the table, mamma brought forward the nice dish of orange, and put it before Ida's plate. Then she took the bowl from the tray and said—

"There, love, you may sprinkle on the sugar now. You have been very patient while I cut the oranges."

Ida took the sugar-spoon and began her work. She did not smile. She looked very solemn as if she felt the importance of the trust.

"Why, what is this?" asked papa, coming behind her on tiptoe.

"O papa!" Ida was so excited she sprang almost out of her chair. "I'm going to help the oranges to you and everybody. I've began to be good, and mamma won't have to pray for me any more."

"You have, indeed, arrived at a state of perfection, if that is no longer necessary," replied Mr. Rent, with a smile; "but I want to hear all the particulars of so important a change."

"Mamma will tell you about it. Oh, I'm so good!" and her eyes sparkled with happiness.

"Papa would like best to hear it from his little girl," said mamma, kissing her. "Then we will sit down to tea, and you may help us to your oranges."

The child looked somewhat confused, not knowing exactly where to begin.

"You know," said Berty, "you began to kick and scream because you wanted my orange."

"Yes, papa; and I saw mamma crying behind her handkerchief; and I didn't kick any more. I said right off I'd be good; and then mamma hugged me awfully. Now may I help to the orange?"

"Wait a minute, dear, till papa has thanked the good God for helping his little girl do right."

Papa kissed her with a tear twinkling in his eye. After he had asked God's blessing on the food, Ida began her pleasant task, passing each a few pieces of the fruit and laughing gayly as Aunt Mary, Berty, and papa said, "Thank you, Miss Kent."

CHAPTER IV.

VISIT TO GRANDMA.

ONE fine morning, about a month after this, Mr. Kent drove to the door with a carriage and span of horses. Mamma, Aunt Mary, Berty, and Ida were all ready for him; so they jumped in at once. The horses pranced and danced a little before they started off; but soon they grew sober and trotted along at the rate of eight miles an hour.

I suppose you will want to know whether Ida had persevered in being good all this time. I am glad to be able to tell you that she had really improved. To be sure she had forgotten herself a good many times, and began to say, "I will," or "I won't," "You shall," or "You sha'n't," to her mamma and Aunt Mary; but they all knew that she was trying very hard to correct her great fault, and to be a good little girl.

They were going now to visit Grandmother Kent, who was an excellent old lady, and who lived in the same house with one of her married daughters, Mrs. Amanda Mason.

This lady had three children, two daughters, and a son who was near Ida's age. None of the family had seen little Joseph since he was a baby; but Aunt Mary knew, from her mother's letters, that he had a temper worse, if possible, than Ida's had ever been.

It was a long ride from Mr. Kent's home to his mother's; and though they started at seven o'clock in the morning, they did not reach the end of their journey till night.

Grandma was expecting them, and sat, arrayed in her new cap, by the window which overlooked the road.

Minnie and Susan ran out to meet their cousins, but Josey was bashful and kept close to his mother's side.

"Go and kiss Ida," said Mrs. Mason, trying to push him forward. "Kiss her. She's a pretty little girl, and I want you to be good friends."

"I won't either! She isn't a bit pretty, and I don't like her," said Josey, his mouth drawn down into an ugly pout.

Mrs. Kent could scarcely help smiling when she saw with what a gaze of horror Ida regarded her cousin; while Aunt Mary whispered to her brother—

"She'll be ashamed to show any of her tantrums here when she sees how they make Joseph look."

Supper was all ready for the weary travellers. As soon as they could take off their outer garments and wash the dust from their faces, they drew around the table.

Josey usually sat in a high chair; but now his mother had put a large book into a common chair to raise him. When he saw Ida sitting in his, he caught hold of the back and jerked it so rudely that he almost threw her to the floor.

"Get out, you ugly girl!" he screamed, striking her in the face.

Mr. Mason caught the child and shook him till he could not stand. Then calling the servant, in a loud, angry tone, he said—

"Take Joseph upstairs and lock him in his room."

All this time Ida was anxiously watched by her parents. They both expected that she would resent the affront and begin to scream with passion. But to their surprise, she seemed more grieved than angry. Her lip quivered, and she clung to her mamma, trying to hide her eyes in the lady's dress.

"I don't love Josey," the little girl exclaimed, as Mrs. Kent was putting her to bed an hour later.

"Why don't you love him, dear?"

"Cause he acts so awfully."

"Did you ever see a little girl who gave way to her temper as he does?"

Ida hid her face and began to cry, not angry tears. "I won't do so any more," she said, softly.

"No, my darling. I am so glad you are trying to improve. You saw nurse carry off Joseph. He couldn't have the pleasure of eating supper with us."

"Didn't he have any supper, mamma?"

"Yes, I saw his father carry him a bowl of bread and milk. He was pounding against the door when his father opened it. I don't suppose Joseph imagines how ugly he looks when he is in a passion; and I'm afraid he don't think how such conduct displeases God."

Ida sighed, and hid her face on her mother's shoulder.

"Will God punish him, mamma?"

"Yes, God certainly will unless he repents, and tries to conquer his passion, as you are trying to do."

"I'm going to pray to help him be a good boy."

"That's right, my darling. We will pray now."

CHAPTER V.

THE DANDELIONS.

AFTER a pleasant evening spent in conversation with Grandma Kent and Mr. and Mrs. Mason, they were just about retiring, when Mrs. Mason said, with a sigh—

"This is the only time when I can take the least comfort. Joseph is so hasty in temper, and when he is roused, is so furious, that I live in constant dread of an outbreak."

Mrs. Kent glanced toward her sister Mary, as if she would say, "How well I can sympathize with her!"

"I tell my wife," began Mr. Mason, his voice growing angry at the thought of his unruly boy, "that his passion must be checked, or it will render him a maniac. Whip him till he will submit."

"I doubt whether whipping is always the best remedy," suggested Mrs. Kent, mildly.

"You would think differently if you had such a child as Joseph to manage. Why, he's so strong in his fits of passion, that Amanda can do nothing with him. If I'm away, she just lets him thrash about till he's tired."

"Have you ever tried praying with him?" inquired Mary. "I've known that to work wonders."

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughed Mr. Mason. "One might as well pray to the wind. That's just like an old maid."

"Mary has had a good deal of experience with children," said Mrs. Kent, firmly, "though she is but little past twenty years old. She has a natural tact in getting along with them."

"Well, she has my consent to pray over Joseph as much as she pleases. Suppose you begin to-night, while he is asleep;" and Mr. Mason laughed again.

Grandma had remained quiet through the whole conversation; now she pressed Mrs. Kent's hand, as an intimation to say no more. So, with many cordial "goodnights," they parted.

Mary occupied a bed with her mother, and took the earliest opportunity, in the morning, to talk with her brother about it.

"There is nothing," she said, "but a board partition between her room and that where the children sleep, so that she is kept awake, by their quarrels, till a late hour; and then Joseph begins to snarl as soon as it is light. I can see that the conduct of that boy is wearing her out, though when I said a word, she only shook her head."

"Is there no other room she can have?" inquired Mr. Kent, eagerly.

"I should think so, when the whole house is hers. Before we go, I want something to be done about it."

The visit of her children and grandchildren seemed to revive the old lady, who had been rather feeble for a year. Especially she took delight in talking with Berty, or hearing him read. The little fellow loved his grandma, and embraced every opportunity to be attentive, though his little cousins often laughed at him, and teased him to leave her and join them in their play.

Ida, too, loved to wait on grandma, to bring her glasses, and place a cricket for her feet. One day she greatly amused them all by gathering a bouquet of dandelions, which she insisted were "pretty flowers," and putting them in a tumbler by grandma's plate.

On this occasion Ida, for the first time during her visit, showed something of her old temper. She was very sensitive to ridicule, and when her cousins, and even their mother laughed at her bouquet, she threw herself on the floor, kicking and screaming with passion.

Without a word Mrs. Kent arose, took Ida firmly by the hand, and led her to her own chamber. Before they reached it, the child began to be ashamed.

"I'm sorry, mamma," she said, humbly; "I didn't remember how naughty it was."

"My dear little daughter, do you know whom you have displeased?"

"Yes, mamma, my good Jesus."

"What ought you to do, then?"

Ida instantly kneeled down and asked God to please forgive her, and help her not to forgot any more.

It was scarcely ten minutes from the time they left the room till they returned, the child talking gayly about some dandelion curls her mother had promised to show her how to make.

"I don't see how you can govern your temper so," began Mrs. Mason, when the children had gone out to play.

"Of what use is it to try and govern our children, if we cannot control ourselves?" asked the lady, with a smile.

"If you had Joseph to deal with, you'd find it different. Why, I should consider it almost a miracle if he'd give up as easy as Ida did just now. Well, everybody has their trials; I suppose having unruly children is to be mine."

"It will be a trial, indeed, if they are not taught to control themselves while young. Every year makes them more stubborn, and the lesson more difficult."

"I'm not fond of children as Mary is," said the mother, sighing. "Sometimes I think we don't manage ours right; but it's hard to know what to do."

"Pray to the Lord for strength, my daughter," said grandma, solemnly.

"Mr. Mason, you know; isn't a praying man," she said, trying to hide her emotion by a laugh, "and I've given up trying with Joseph long ago."

CHAPTER VI.

JOSEPH'S PASSION.

FOR two or three days, grandma had been much occupied in her room.

When the children ran in to see her, she always received them with a smile; but Berty noticed that she threw a towel over something she had in her lap. It was near the close of the week of their visit before he found out what she was doing; and then it came out that she had made a beautiful ball for him and a doll for Ida.

I think Aunt Mary had been in the secret; for Rosa, as the dolly was called, had a full suit, which the child could take off and put on, and a nice night-gown for her to wear to bed.

Perhaps you can imagine Ida's delight when she saw it. To be sure she had at home a porcelain doll, with a thin gauze dress; but this was nothing compared with Miss Rosa, who could boast a mantilla, bonnet, and pocket handkerchief. Rosa had a tiny apron, too, with a pocket in it; and what do you think was in the pocket?

Why, a little bit of a note, scarcely larger than a bean. In the note was written, in grandma's own hand—

"For a little girl who is trying to please God."

For the rest of the day Ida went up and down stairs and through the garden, carrying Miss Rosa. Everybody was pleased to see how happy she was with grandma's present.

Did I say everybody? There was one who was not at all pleased. This was her Cousin Joseph. He did not like it that grandma should spend so much time in making presents for Berty and Ida, when, as he said, she had never made him one in her life. This was not true. She had sent to the city for a beautiful picture-book, and had taken pains to line every leaf with linen; but the book had been torn to pieces within a week, and the old lady was quite discouraged from making anything else.

Toward night, Mr. Mason invited his friends to walk to the end of the garden, where he was setting out an orchard of pear-trees. They did so, leaving the children at play in the room with grandma and Aunt Mary.

On their return, Mrs. Kent was quite alarmed at hearing loud screams of anger and distress, above which Mary's voice rose, shouting for help.

The party hurried onward, though Mr. Mason; who had been interrupted in his talk, said angrily—

"It's some of master Jo's work, I'll be bound."

Mrs. Kent reached the scene first, and saw Berty shielding himself behind a door, his face pale with fright. Ida was sobbing in her grandmother's arms, while Mary, with the assistance of the servant, was holding Joseph in a chair by main force.

"What is it? What is the matter?" inquired Mrs. Kent, much alarmed.

"Look at Ida's face; and you will see," answered Mary, half crying. "I believe this wicked boy would have killed her, if we hadn't held him."

"I hate her! I do! I wish she'd go home! I hate Berty, too!" screamed Joseph, struggling to be free.

"Let mother see, darling," said Mrs. Kent, tenderly taking Ida in her arms.

Grandma sat rocking herself to and fro, tears streaming down her pale face, too much agitated to speak.

"O Ida!" sobbed her mother. "My poor darling."

Mr. Mason caught a glimpse of the torn face, which was still bleeding. And, only stopping to ask—"Did Joseph do that?"—seized the boy and gave him a blow with his fist, which sent him sprawling on the floor.

"Have you any arnica?" asked Mr. Kent, his mouth growing every moment more stern. "Mary, won't you wet a cloth and lay on the face? I shall send for a physician at once. I fear the eye is seriously injured."

Mrs. Kent held Ida fast in her arms, whispering, tenderly, "My poor darling, mamma will take care of her."

She was greatly affected when the child pulled her down and whispered—

"I was naughty, too, mamma. When he pulled my dolly away, I struck him, and called him ugly boy. I'm sorry now, mamma. Won't Jesus love me any more?"

All were so intent on attending to Ida, and so glad to be relieved from Joseph's noise, that for a time he lay on the floor unheeded. But presently grandma said, sharply—

"Look! That boy is in a fit. He's foaming at the mouth."

His father took him up and carried him into the bedroom, where he lay when the doctor drove up to the door.

He looked first at Ida, called it an ugly scratch, thought likely there would be a scar under the eye. The under lid was torn through. For this, he advised cold applications and a darkened room. It would take time, he said, to heal it.

Then he followed Aunt Mary to the bedroom—Mr. Kent carrying his little daughter to his own chamber, where he determined she should stay till they started for home.

When he returned to the sitting-room, all was confusion. Mr. Mason was bringing in a tub for a warm bath, while his wife held Joseph's head, crying as if her heart would break.

"It's just what I always told you," she exclaimed, sobbing. "You've killed him with your heavy blow. Oh, dear! I can't bear it."

"You had better be calm, Mrs. Mason," said the doctor. "There will be a great deal to do for the sick boy."

Seeing that her wild grief rendered her unfit to be of use, Mr. Kent led her from the room, and, assisted by Mary, undressed the boy and put him in the bath, the doctor at the same time trying to force some drops between his closed teeth.

CHAPTER VII.

THE SICK BOY.

IN half an hour the boy had come out of the fit, and was lying in an unquiet sleep. Scarcely a sound was heard about the house so lately full of life.

The children sat in the parlor, not daring to raise their voices above a whisper.

Upstairs there was an eager consultation, and then grandma consented to return with her son for a long visit.

They were to start early the next morning; and there was much to be done, besides affording all the aid that was possible to the afflicted parents.

Poor Aunt Mary was so much distracted by the patient suffering of dear little Ida, who, she insisted on declaring, had "behaved like an angel," that her labor of packing grandma's trunks lasted till midnight.

As the old lady was only a boarder in her own house, there was nothing to be done, after her clothes were ready, but to turn the key in the lock of her door. This her daughter did, after removing to the chamber all her mother's treasures lying about the rooms.

The next morning, fortunately, was cloudy; though, as Ida's eyes were shaded by the wet bandages, and she, seated in her mother's lap, was shielded also by her mother's green veil, they hoped she would not suffer from the ride.

"Only let us once get her to our quiet home," exclaimed Aunt Mary, "and I'll be content. Oh, what a visit this has been!"

All through the night and during the early hurried breakfast, Joseph had slept on.

Mrs. Kent crept softly to the room again and again, and bent over the boy. She did not like the flushed face, nor the loud snore which accompanied every breath, nor the feverish pulse.

"I wish," she said to Mrs. Mason, "that the doctor would come before we leave. I should be so much happier to know he was better."

"I thought sleep was the best thing for him," said Mr. Mason, putting his hand on Joseph's head; "but he's too hot. I'm afraid I did give him a harder blow than I thought; but he's the most aggravating child I ever saw."

"I know, brother," said Mrs. Kent, softly, "that you will excuse me if I ask, do you think striking a child in anger, is a good way to cure him of his passionate temper?"

The tears, were in her eyes as she glanced at the boy.

"Sister Kent," he began, eagerly, "I never thought so much about the government of children, in all my life, as I did last night. I lay hours pondering the subject. Four hours by the clock I walked the floor; and I resolved then and there to begin first with the government of myself."

"Thank God!" she murmured, pressing his hands. "Now I can prophesy a happy future for you."

Still Joseph lay tossing restlessly in an unrefreshing slumber, and knew not when his cousin Berty crept in and softly kissed his hand in token of good-by; nor when Ida, carefully wrapped up, was brought down and placed in the carriage; nor when the horses, after dancing up and down, turned their faces willingly toward home. No, he slept through it all; and, when the doctor came soon after, he pronounced his sickness to be brain fever.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE COUSINS.

IT was a long and tedious journey for all.

Poor little Ida slept for several hours, her head sinking more and more heavily on her mother's arm; but the lady would not consent to give up her charge to Aunt Mary, who longed to relieve her.

Then grandma was feeble, and, after riding four or five hours, began to look pale.

When Ida was awake, it required constant exertion to take her attention from herself. From a bottle of arnica and water, Mrs. Kent often renewed the cold applications; and every time she was sorry to see the eye looked more inflamed. But she tried to keep up her spirits, and told all manner of wonderful stories, which amused grandma as well as Ida.

Then papa and Aunt Mary sang a funny song they had learned in their early home; and so the hours passed until Berty called out, joyfully—

"There's our church! We're most home now, Ida. Oh, how glad I am!"

Mr. Kent stopped a moment opposite the stable to tell the man to come for the horses, and in a few minutes they drove through their own gate, up the pretty avenue to the front door.

"I want to see! Let me see, mamma. Please do, dear mamma!" said Ida, struggling to pull off her bandages.

"Not now, darling, Be patient a little longer."

The next morning, their own physician came to see the little girl. He said the scratches would soon be well, and he hoped to prevent a scar under the eye. He cut some tiny strips of sticking-plaster, and put on the place where the lid was torn, talking very cheerfully to Ida about a new pup his little boy had bought.

"In a week or two you will be well enough to come and see it," he said, laughing, as he bid her good-by.

The next day the expressman stopped at the door; and there was a beautiful new bedstead, which papa had bought for his little girl. Grandma was to room with Aunt Mary, and Ida to go back to her old place by the side of mamma.

The old lady's trunks came safely by the cars, and, soon after, a letter from Uncle Mason, saying that Joseph had been very dangerously ill; but there was now hope he would recover. The doctor forbade any kind of excitement, and said the greatest care would be necessary to preserve his reason.

"You may think, sister Kent," he added, "that both wife and I have something to think of during these days of sorrow. If Mary should ask me now if I had prayed with Joseph, I could no longer say, 'no;' I have prayed by his couch many, many, times; and I have wept bitter tears, as I have thought of my own want of self-control. How could I expect my son to be different from what he was, while I set him so bad an example! Amanda and I are both resolved, with the help of God, to begin life anew, and, if he spares us our only son, we humbly look to him for strength and wisdom to guide him aright."

"Next year, when you bring mother home, for we cannot spare her longer, I know she will rejoice that we have at last begun to pray morning and night, for the blessing of God on our habitation."

This was delightful news.

"The very best," grandma said again and again.

Now, if they could hear that Joseph was entirely out of danger, they would feel happy.

Many a talk did Mrs. Kent and Ida have in her darkened chamber about the sick cousin. Every night, now, the little girl joined Josey's name with her own and Berty's, when imploring God's blessing. One day she remained unusually quiet. At last she said—

"Mamma, I want to write a letter to Josey. I can tell a letter, and you write it down."

Mrs. Kent, curious to know what she would say, brought her portfolio, when Ida began—

"DEAR JOSEY—I stay in a dark room; but I think of a good many things. I am very sorry you are sick. I want to send you some orangeade; but mamma says it couldn't go so far. I'm sorry I struck you, and called you ugly boy. I've asked God a good many times to forgive me, and I think he has. I pray for you every night. I used to be very naughty once; but I'm trying hard to be good now; and mamma says God always helps little children when they try to do right themselves. When you get well, I want you and your mamma and all the family to come and see us; and I'll show you all my playthings; and we'll have fine sport. That's all. From—"

"IDA KENT."

I have only a few more words to say. When Ida got well, she sometimes forgot herself for a moment, and would give way to her old passion; but she was always much ashamed, and never failed to ask God to forgive her once more, for her dear Saviour's sake. Every time she conquered herself, it was easier to do so.

Aunt Mary was no longer afraid to introduce her pet to her friends; and Ida, with Rosa her dolly, became a favorite with all.

In the quiet of her new home, grandma's health returned. Every day she used to walk out about the grounds of her son's pleasant home, and it was a privilege her granddaughter highly prized to accompany her. They conversed together; and her grandmother related to her many incidents of her early life, in which Ida found great delight, and about which her childish curiosity proposed many questions.

After a time, an answer came to Ida's letter, with which I must close my account of this little lamb.

"DEAR COUSIN—I can't write, you know; but pa puts down what I tell him. I am a better boy than I was before you came here. It's awful hard though to keep from screaming when Minnie and Susan won't do as I say; but pa helps me. Every time I conquer myself, he gives me a pretty book, and now I have five. Sometimes I get very red, and I would strike if I could; but pa and ma are so kind, I feel like trying to please them. Pa says this is the way to please God."

"I'm very, very sorry I scratched you so. Will you please to forgive me? I think when I go to see you, we shall be nice friends. Give my love to grandma, and Aunt Mary, and all the rest."

"Pa has bought a magic lantern for me to send to you. He showed us all the pictures. Pa prays with us every day in the parlor, and he's a dear, good pa."

"Your cousin,"

"JOSEPH MASON."

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IDA'S NEW SHOES ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works provided that:

- • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

- • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

- • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of receipt of the work.

- • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™

Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

Table of Contents

Ida's New Shoes.

CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE