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Title: Our Little Siamese Cousin
Author: Mary Hazelton Wade
Illustrator: L. J. Bridgman
Release Date: October 8, 2013 [EBook #43908]
Language: English
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Our Little Siamese Cousin
THE
Little Cousin Series
(TRADE MARK)
Each volume illustrated with six or more full-page plates in
tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover,
per volume, 60 cents
LIST OF TITLES
BY MARY HAZELTON WADE
(unless indicated otherwise)
=Our Little African Cousin=
=Our Little Alaskan Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Arabian Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Argentine Cousin=
By Eva Cannon Brooks
=Our Little Armenian Cousin=
=Our Little Australian Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Belgian Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Bohemian Cousin=
By Clara V. Winlow
=Our Little Brazilian Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Canadian Cousin=
By Elizabeth R. MacDonald
=Our Little Chinese Cousin=
By Isaac Taylor Headland
=Our Little Cuban Cousin=
=Our Little Danish Cousin=
By Luna May Innes
=Our Little Dutch Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Egyptian Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little English Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Eskimo Cousin=
=Our Little French Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little German Cousin=
=Our Little Grecian Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
=Our Little Hindu Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Hungarian Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Indian Cousin=
=Our Little Irish Cousin=
=Our Little Italian Cousin=
=Our Little Japanese Cousin=
=Our Little Jewish Cousin=
=Our Little Korean Cousin=
By H. Lee M. Pike
=Our Little Malayan (Brown) Cousin=
=Our Little Mexican Cousin=
By Edward C. Butler
=Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
=Our Little Panama Cousin=
By H. Lee M. Pike
=Our Little Persian Cousin=
By E. C. Shedd
=Our Little Philippine Cousin=
=Our Little Polish Cousin=
By Florence E. Mendel
=Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
=Our Little Portuguese Cousin=
By Edith A. Sawyer
=Our Little Russian Cousin=
=Our Little Scotch Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Siamese Cousin=
=Our Little Spanish Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Swedish Cousin=
By Claire M. Coburn
=Our Little Swiss Cousin=
=Our Little Turkish Cousin=
L. C PAGE & COMPANY
53 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.
[Illustration: CHIN.]
Our Little
Siamese Cousin
By
Mary Hazelton Wade
_Illustrated by_
L. J. Bridgman
[Illustration]
Boston
L. C. Page & Company
_PUBLISHERS_
_Copyright, 1903_
BY L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
(INCORPORATED)
_All rights reserved_
Published June, 1903
Fourth Impression, June, 1909
Fifth Impression, November, 1912
Preface
MANY years ago there came to America two young men who were looked upon
as the greatest curiosities ever seen in this country.
They belonged to another race than ours. In fact, they were of two
races, for one of their parents was a Chinese, and therefore of the
Yellow Race, while the other was a Siamese, belonging to the Brown Race.
These two young men left their home in far-away Siam and crossed the
great ocean for the purpose of exhibiting the strange way in which
nature had joined them together. A small band of flesh united them from
side to side.
Thus it was that from the moment they were born to the day of their
death the twin brothers played and worked, ate and slept, walked and
rode, at the same time.
Thousands of people became interested in seeing and hearing about
these two men. Not only this, but they turned their attention to the
home of the brothers, the wonderful land of Siam, with its sacred
white elephants and beautiful temples, its curious customs and strange
beliefs.
Last year the young prince of that country, wishing to learn more of
the life of the white people, paid a visit to America. He was much
interested in all he saw and heard while he was here.
Now let us, in thought, return his visit, and take part in the games
and sports of the children of Siam.
We will attend some of their festivals, take a peep into the royal
palace, enter the temples, and learn something about the ways and
habits of that far-away eastern country.
Contents
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE FIRST BIRTHDAY 9
II. LITTLE CHIE LO 25
III. NIGHT ON THE RIVER 36
IV. WORK AND PLAY 47
V. NEW YEAR'S 55
VI. WHITE ELEPHANTS 61
VII. IN THE TEMPLE 67
VIII. THE LEGEND OF THE PEACE-OFFERING 78
IX. QUEER SIGHTS 87
X. THE QUEEN'S CITY 98
XI. THE MONSOON 104
List of Illustrations
PAGE
CHIN _Frontispiece_
CHIN'S HOME 29
THE GREAT TEMPLE AT BANGKOK 40
"THEY CARRIED SOME OF THEIR FLOWERS TO THE STATUE OF BUDDHA" 57
"'THEY WOULD PICK UP THE LOGS WITH THEIR TRUNKS'" 63
SIAMESE ACTORS 92
Our Little Siamese Cousin
CHAPTER I.
THE FIRST BIRTHDAY
IF you had seen Chin when he was born, you would have thought his skin
yellow enough to suit anybody.
But his mother wasn't satisfied, for the baby's nurse was told to rub
him with a queer sort of paste from top to toe. This paste was made
with saffron and oil, and had a pleasant odour. It made Chin's skin
yellower and darker than ever.
It did not seem to trouble him, however, for he closed his big brown
eyes and went to sleep before the nurse had finished her work.
After this important thing had been done, the tiny baby was laid in his
cradle and covered over. This does not appear very strange until you
learn that he was _entirely_ covered. Not even the flat little nose was
left so the boy could draw in a breath of fresh air.
It is a wonder that he lived, for his home is very near the equator
and the weather is extremely warm there all the time. But he did live,
and grew stronger and healthier every day. Each morning he was rubbed
afresh and stowed away under the covers of his crib.
He had one comfort, although he did not realize it. The mosquitoes
could not reach him, and that was a greater blessing than you can,
perhaps, imagine. There are millions of these insects in Siam,--yes,
billions, trillions,--and the people of that country are not willing to
kill one of them!
"Destroy the life of a living creature! It is a dreadful idea," Chin's
mother would exclaim. "Why, it is against the laws of our religion. I
could never think of doing such a thing, even if my darling boy's face
were covered with bites."
If she were to see one of Chin's American cousins killing a fly or a
spider, she would have a very sad opinion of him.
She was only fourteen years old when Chin was born. People in our
country might still call her a little girl, yet she kept house for her
husband, and cooked and sewed and spun, and watched over her new baby
with the most loving care.
The father was only a little older than the mother. He was so glad that
his first baby was a boy that he hardly knew what to do. He was quite
poor and had very little money, but he said:
"I am going to celebrate as well as I can. Rich people have grand
parties and entertainments at such times. I will hire some actors to
give a little show, at any rate."
He invited his friends, who were hardly more than boys themselves, to
come to the show. The actors dressed themselves up in queer costumes,
and went through with a play that was quite clever and witty. Every
one laughed a great deal, and when it was over the guests told the new
father they had enjoyed themselves very much.
After a few months, Chin had grown strong enough to walk alone. He did
not need to be covered and hidden away any longer. His straight black
hair was shaved off, with the exception of a round spot on the top of
his head, and he was allowed to do as he pleased after his morning bath
in the river was over.
The bath did not last long, and was very pleasant and comfortable.
There was no rubbing afterward with towels, for the hot sunshine did
the drying in a few moments.
Nor was there any dressing to be done, for the brown baby was left to
toddle about in the suit Dame Nature had given him. It was all he could
possibly desire, for clothing is never needed in Siam to keep one from
catching cold.
Chin's mother herself wears only a wide strip of printed cloth fastened
around her waist and hanging down to the knees. Sometimes, but not
always, she has a long scarf draped across her breast and over one
shoulder.
There are no shoes on her little feet, nor is there a hat on her head
except in the hottest sunshine. There are many ornaments shining on her
dark skin, even though she is not rich; and baby Chin did not have his
toilet made till a silver bracelet had been fastened on his arms, and
rings placed on his fingers.
After a year or two the boy's ears were bored so that gilt, pear-shaped
earrings could be worn there. Soon after that a kind relative made him
a present of silver anklets, and then he felt very much dressed indeed.
Few boys as poor as he could boast of as much jewelry.
Chin was born on the river Meinam in a house-boat. There was nothing
strange about that, for the neighbours and friends of the family had
homes like his. It was cool and pleasant to live on the water. It was
convenient when one wished to take a bath, and it was easy for the
children to learn to swim so near home.
Yes, there were many reasons why Chin's parents preferred to make their
home on the water. Perhaps the strongest one of all was that they did
not have to pay any rent for the space taken up by the boat. A piece of
land would have cost money. Then, again, if they should not like their
neighbours, they could very easily move to a new place on the river.
Chin's father built the house, or the boat, just before he was married.
He had some help from his friends, but it was not such hard work that
he could not have done it all alone.
A big raft of bamboo was first made. This served as the floating
platform on which the house should stand. The framework of the little
home was also made of bamboo, which could be got from the woods not far
away, and was very light and easy to handle.
How should the roof be protected from the heavy rains that fell
during a portion of the year? That could be easily managed by getting
quantities of the leaves of the atap palm-tree for thatching. These
would make a thick, close covering, and would keep out the storms for a
long time if they were carefully cemented with mud.
The broad, overhanging eaves would give shade to baby Chin when he was
old enough to play in the outdoor air, and yet not strong enough to
bear the burning sunshine.
Of course, there were many windows in the little house, you would
think. There were openings in the walls in the shape of windows,
certainly, but they were openings only, for they were not filled with
glass, nor any other transparent substance. Chin's father would say:
"We must have all the air we can get. At night-time, when the rain
falls heavily, we can have shutters on the windows. They are easily
taken down whenever we wish."
Why, the whole front of the house was made so it could be opened up to
the air and sunshine, as well as the view of passers-by. The family
have few secrets, and do not mind letting others see how they keep
house.
At this very moment, perhaps, Chin's mother is sitting on the edge of
the bamboo platform, washing her feet in the river; his grandmother
may be there preparing the vegetables for dinner; or, possibly, Chin
himself is cleaning his teeth with a stick of some soft wood.
The boy's mother has taught him to be very careful of his teeth. It is
a mark of beauty with her people to have them well _blacked_. They will
tell you, "Any dog can have white teeth." But there is nothing they
admire more than bright red gums showing plainly with two rows of even,
dark-coloured teeth.
How do they make their gums such a fiery red? It is caused by chewing
a substance called betel, obtained from a beautiful kind of palm-tree
very common in Siam.
Many of Chin's brown cousins chew betel, as well as the people of
his own land. It is even put in the mouths of babies. Betel-chewing
grows to be such a habit with them that they become unhappy and
uncomfortable if long without it. Even now, although Chin is only ten
years old, he would say:
"I can go without food for a long time, if need be, but I must have my
betel."
Let us go back to the boy's home.
If we should count the windows, we should find their number to be
uneven. The Siamese believe something terrible would be sure to happen
if this were not so. They seem to think "There is luck in odd numbers,"
for not only the steps leading to the houses, but the stairs leading
from one floor to another must be carefully counted and made uneven.
There are three rooms in Chin's home. First, there is the sitting-room,
where friends are received, although there is much less visiting done
in Siam than in many other countries. It took little time and money to
furnish the room. There are no pictures or ornaments here. There are
two or three mats on which one may sit, and there is a tray filled
with betel from which every one is invited to help himself.
If callers should arrive and the betel were not offered to them, they
would feel insulted and would go away with the intention of never
coming to that house again.
The second room is that set apart for sleeping. Very little furniture
is found here, as well, for all that Chin's father had to prepare was
a number of long, narrow mattresses, stuffed with tree-cotton. Some
pillows were made in the shape of huge bricks. They were also packed
full of tree-cotton, and were stiff, uncomfortable-looking things; but
Chin and his parents like them, so we should certainly not find fault.
You remember there are great numbers of mosquitoes in the country. How
do they manage to sleep when the air around them is filled with the
buzzing, troublesome creatures? Coarse cotton curtains hang from the
roof down over the beds. While these keep the mosquitoes away from the
sleepers, they also keep out the air, so it is really a wonder that one
can rest in any comfort.
When Chin is in the house during the day, he spends most of his time in
the kitchen, which is also the eating-room. But, dear me! it is a smoky
place, for the boy's father never thought of building a chimney.
The cooking is done over a little charcoal stove and, as the flames
rise, the smoke rises, too, and settles on the ceiling and walls. Chin
has had many good meals cooked over the little fire, and eaten as the
family squatted around the tiny table.
Just think! It stands only four inches above the floor, and is not
large enough to hold many dishes. That does not matter, for each one
has his own rice-bowl on the floor in front of him. Chin has been
brought up so that he is satisfied with one or two things at a time.
The little table is quite large enough to hold the dish of curried fish
or meat from which each one helps himself.
Chin is a very nice boy, yet I shall have to confess that he usually
eats with his fingers! Yes, not only he, but his father and mother and
sister, and even grandmother, do the same thing. One after another
helps himself from the same dish and thinks nothing of it.
People who are a little richer use pretty spoons of mother-of-pearl;
Chin's mother owns one of these useful articles herself, but of course,
that won't serve for five persons, so it is seldom seen on the table.
As for knives and forks, she never even saw any.
One of her friends once watched a stranger from across the great ocean
eating with these strange things. She laughed quietly when she told of
it, and said:
"It must take a long, long time before one can get used to them. They
are very clumsy."
As Chin squats at his dinner he can look down through the split bamboos
and see the water of the river beneath the house. It does not matter
if he drops some crumbs or grains of rice. They can be easily pushed
through the cracks, when down they will fall into the water to be
seized by some waiting fish.
The good woman doesn't even own a broom. Her house-cleaning is done in
the easiest way possible. Anything that is no longer useful is thrown
into the river, while the dirt is simply pushed between the wide cracks
of the floor.
The dish-washing is a simple matter, too. Each one has his own
rice-bowl, and after the meal is over it is his duty to clean it and
then turn it upside down in some corner of the kitchen. It is left
there to drain until it is needed again.
Chin's mother cooks such delicious rice that he wonders any one can
live without it. He needs no bread when he can have that, for it is a
feast in itself. When poured out, it looks like a mountain of snow;
each grain is whole and separate from the others.
It is cooked in an earthen pot with the greatest care, and, when it is
done, never fails to look beautiful and delicate. Chin's mother would
think herself a very poor housekeeper if she should make a mistake in
preparing the rice.
When a dish of rat or bat stew is added to the meal, Chin feels that
there is nothing more in the world that he could wish. He knows that
the rich people in the city often have feasts where twenty or thirty
different dainties are served. But he does not envy them. A person can
taste only one thing at a time, and nothing can be better than a stew
with plenty of curry and vegetables to flavour it. We don't need to
think of the rats and bats if it is an unpleasant idea.
As for Chin, if he had seen you shudder when they were spoken of, he
could not have imagined what was the matter.
CHAPTER II.
LITTLE CHIE LO
"CHIE LO! Chie Lo! come out quickly, or you won't see it before it
passes," called Chin to his sister.
She was playing with her dolls in the sitting-room, but when she heard
Chin calling she put them down and came out on the platform where her
brother sat dangling his feet in the water and holding his pet parrot.
"Chie Lo! Chie Lo!" screamed the parrot, when she appeared. He was a
bright-looking bird with a shining coat of green feathers and a red
tuft on his head. He must have loved Chie Lo, for he reached up for her
to pat him as she squatted beside her brother.
"Look, look," said Chin, "isn't that grand?"
The boy pointed to a beautiful boat moving rapidly down the river.
"It is the king's, you know," he whispered. "Do you see him there under
the canopy, with his children around him?"
"Yes, yes, Chin, but don't talk; I just want to look."
It was no wonder that Chie Lo wished to keep still, for it was a
wonderful sight. The boat was shaped like a huge dragon, whose carved
head, with its fierce eyes, could be seen reaching out from the high
bow. The stern was made in the shape of the monster's tail. The sides
of the royal barge were covered with gilded scales, inlaid with pearls,
and these scales shone and sparkled in the sunlight.
A hundred men dressed in red were rowing the splendid boat, and they
must have had great training, for they kept together in perfect time.
"Isn't the canopy over the king the loveliest thing you ever saw?" said
Chin, who could not keep still. "It is made of cloth-of-gold, and so
are the curtains. Look at the gold embroidery on the king's coat. Oh,
Chie Lo, it doesn't seem as though he could be like us at all. I feel
as though he must be a god.
"The young prince who took the long journey across the ocean last year
is there with him," Chin went on. "Father told me that he visited
strange lands where all the people have skins as white as pearls, and
that he has seen many wonderful sights. But, Chie Lo, there is nothing
in the world grander than our king and his royal boat, I'm sure."
As the barge drew nearer, the children threw themselves face downward
on the platform until it had passed down the river. It was their way
of showing honour to the ruler of the land.
[Illustration: CHIN'S HOME.]
In the olden times all who came into the presence of the king, did so
in one way only. They _crawled_. Even his own little children were
obliged to do this. No one dared to stand in his presence.
But such things have been changed now. The king loves his people and
has grown wiser since he has learned the ways of other countries. When
he was a little boy, an English lady was his teacher for a long time,
and she taught him much that other Kings of Siam had never known.
It is partly because of this that he is the best ruler Chin's people
have ever had.
The royal barge was decorated with beautiful white and yellow
umbrellas, many stories high. There was also a huge jewelled fan, such
as no boat was allowed to carry except the king's.
Other dragon-shaped boats followed the royal barge, but they were
smaller and less beautiful. They were the king's guard-boats, and moved
along in pairs.
Many other interesting sights could be seen on the river this morning.
Vessels were just arriving from distant lands, while here and there
Chinese junks were scattered along the shores. Chin and his sister can
always tell such boats from any others. An eye is always painted on the
bow.
A Chinaman who was once asked why he had the eye there, answered, "If
no have eye, how can see?"
It is so much pleasanter outside, it is no wonder that Chin and his
sister do not spend much time indoors.
After the royal procession had passed out of sight, Chie Lo went into
the house and brought out her family of dolls. Of course they did not
look like American dolls; you wouldn't expect it.
Some of them were of baked mud and wore no clothes. Others were of
stuffed cotton and made one think of the rag dolls of Chie Lo's white
cousins. The father and mother dolls were dressed in strips of cloth
wound around their bodies, just like the real grown-up people of Siam,
but the baby dolls had no more clothes than the children of the country.
Chie Lo talked to her dolls and sang queer little songs to them. She
"made believe" they were eating, just as other little girls play, far
away across the great ocean. Then she kissed them and put them to bed
on tiny mattresses under the shady eaves of the house.
Perhaps you wouldn't have known that Chie Lo was kissing them, however,
for the fashions of Siam are quite different from those of our country.
She simply touched the dolls' noses with her own little flat one and
drew in a long breath each time she did so. That was her way of
showing her love,--gentle little Chie Lo.
Chin didn't laugh, of course. He was used to seeing his sister playing
with her dolls, and as for the kissing, that was the only way of doing
it that he knew himself.
"Chie Lo, I saw some beautiful dolls in a store yesterday," he said, as
he stopped working for a minute. He was making a new shuttlecock for a
game with his boy friends the next day.
"What kind were they, Chin?" asked his sister.
"They were lovely wooden ones. Only rich children could buy them, for
they cost a great deal. I wish I could get one for you, Chie Lo, but
you know I haven't any money."
"What else did you see, Chin?"
"There were doll-temples in the store, and boats filled with sailors,
and lovely ivory furniture for the doll-houses. You must see the
things yourself."
Chie Lo went on with her play. She finished putting her own toy house
in order. It was one Chin had made for her. It looked like her own
home,--it stood on a bamboo platform, it had a high, slanting roof,
covered with palm leaves, and there were three rooms inside. Chin was a
good boy to make it. All brothers were not as kind as he.
"Yes, I should like to see all those things," Chie Lo answered, after
awhile. "But I am happy here with my own toys. I must row up the river
to-morrow and sell some fruit for father. I won't have any time for
play then."
"Come to dinner, children," called their mother. "Chin, take this jug
and get some fresh water before you come in."
She handed a copper jug to Chin. He quickly filled it by reaching over
the platform, and followed his sister into the kitchen a moment later.
Every one was thirsty, and the jug was passed from one to another for
each to help himself. There were no tumblers nor cups. Chin had made
small dishes for his mother by cutting cocoanuts in halves and scooping
out the delicious cream from the inside; but they did not use them for
drinking the water.
Nor did they put their lips to the jug. Each one cleverly twisted a
palm leaf into the shape of a funnel and received the water through
this. It was done more quickly than I can tell you about it.
Chin and his sister thought it was a fine dinner. The evening dews were
falling, and a gentle breeze came floating down the river. The terrible
heat of the day was over and it was the very time to enjoy eating.
In the first place, there was the dish of steaming rice. There was also
a sort of stew made of meat chopped very fine and seasoned with red
pepper. If you had tasted it, you would probably have cried:
"Oh dear, my mouth is burnt; give me a drink of water at once."
But Chin and Chie Lo thought it very nice indeed, and not a bit too hot.
"Isn't this pickled turnip fine?" said Chin's mother. "I bought it this
morning from a passing store."
What could she mean by these words? It was a very common thing for
these little brown cousins to see not only houses but stores moving
past them down the river. The storekeepers were always ready to stop
and sell their goods to any one who wished them.
Chin's mother never made bread, nor pies, nor cake, nor puddings. She
bought most of the vegetables already cooked from the floating stores,
so you can see she had quite an easy time in preparing her meals.
But to-day, after the rice and stew had been cooked, she laid bananas
to roast in the hot coals, and these were now taken out and handed to
her family as they squatted on the mats around the table.
If the children had no bread with their dinner, they ought to have had
milk, you think. But they never drink it. The cows of Siam are not
milked at all, and so the rich children of the country are brought up
in the same way as Chin and his sister.
When the meal was finished, Chie Lo did not forget that her dear pussy
must still be fed. It was an odd-looking little creature. Although it
was a grown-up cat, yet its eyes were as blue as those of a week-old
American kitten. It had a funny little tail twisted up into a knot. It
was better off than many other cats of Siam, however, who go about with
none at all.
CHAPTER III.
NIGHT ON THE RIVER
AFTER Chie Lo had watched her pussy eat all the fish she could possibly
wish, the children went outdoors again to sit in the cool evening air.
The night was already pitch-dark, for there was no moon, and there is
no long twilight in the tropics at any season of the year.
But what a beautiful sight now met the children's eyes! It seemed
almost like fairy-land, there were so many lights to be seen in every
direction.
Their home stood just below the great city of Bangkok, and along the
shores of the river the houses and palaces and temples could be seen
almost as plainly as in the daytime. Floating theatres were passing
by, each one lighted with numbers of coloured paper lanterns.
"Look! look!" cried Chin. "There are some actors giving a show outside.
They want to tempt people to stop and come in to the play. See the
beautiful pointed finger-nails on that one. What fine care he must take
of them!"
It is no wonder Chin noticed the man's finger-nails, for they were at
least five inches long.
"See the wings on the other actor, Chin," said his sister. "I suppose
he represents some strange being who does wonderful deeds. I should
like to go to the play. Look! there is a party of people who are going
on board of the theatre."
The children now turned their eyes toward the small boat of a Chinaman
who was calling aloud to the passers-by:
"Come here and buy chouchou; it is a fine dish, indeed."
A moment afterward he was kept so busy that he had no time to call. His
canoe was fairly surrounded by other boats, for many people were eager
to taste the delicious soup he served from an odd little stove in front
of him.
It is hard to tell how chouchou is made. Many kinds of meat and all
sorts of vegetables are boiled down to jelly and seasoned with salt and
pepper. He must have had a good recipe, for every one that tasted his
chouchou seemed to like it and want more.
"Listen to the music, Chie Lo," said her brother, as he turned
longingly away from the chouchou seller.
It seemed more like _noise_ than music. Two men stood on a bamboo raft
causing loud, wailing sounds to come from some queer reed instruments.
A third player was making the loudest noise of all. He sat in the
middle of a musical wheel, as it is called. This wheel is made of metal
cups of different sizes placed next each other in a circle.
It seems strange that Chin and his sister should enjoy such "music,"
and stranger still that the grown-up people should also like it; but
they seemed to do so. Were they doing it for their own pleasure? Oh no,
they had dainties to sell as well as the chouchou maker, and this was
their way of attracting attention.
New sights could be seen constantly. Here were the beautifully-trimmed
boats of the rich people taking a ride for pleasure after the heat of
the day. There were the canoes of the poor, who were also out to enjoy
the sights, for Bangkok is a city built upon the water.
The river Meinam flows through its very centre. The name of the river
means "Mother of Waters," just as the name of our own Mississippi means
"The Father of Waters." It is well named, for many canals reach out
from it in different directions.
[Illustration: THE GREAT TEMPLE AT BANGKOK.]
If a person is going to a temple to worship, if he has shopping to do,
or a visit to make, he does not take a car or carriage, nor does he
often walk. He steps into a boat, and after a pleasant sail or row, he
finds himself at his journey's end.
"Let's go down the river before we go to bed," said Chin, who had grown
tired of sitting still.
He stepped from the platform into his own little canoe and Chie Lo
followed him.
The children looked very much alike. Their faces were of the same
shape, their eyes were of the same colour, and the two little round
heads were shaved in exactly the same way. A tuft of hair had been left
on the top of each and was coiled into a knot.
When Chin grew a little older there would be a great celebration
over the shaving of his tuft. It would mark his "coming of age," but
that would not be for two or three years yet. He was only eleven years
old now and was left to do much as he pleased.
The little canoe made its way in and out among the big boats and soon
left the city behind. Tall palm-trees lined the banks of the river and
waved gently in the evening breeze.
Suddenly there was a loud sound, like a big drum, in the water directly
under the boat. "Tom, tom! Tom, tom!" It startled Chie Lo, and she
exclaimed:
"What is it, Chin? What is it?"
"It must be a drum-fish, Chie Lo. Nothing else could make a sound like
that."
"Of course, Chin. It was all so quiet, and then the sound was so
sudden, I didn't think for a moment what it could be."
They had often seen this ugly-looking fish, which is never eaten by
the people of their country. It is able to make a loud noise by means
of a sort of bladder under its throat, and it is well called the
"drum-fish."
The children still went onward, keeping time with their sculls.
Suddenly the air around them blazed with countless lights, and a moment
afterward the darkness seemed blacker than ever. Then, again the lights
appeared, only to be lost as suddenly, while Chin and his sister held
their oars and watched.
"Aren't they lovely?" said Chie Lo. "I never get tired of looking at
the fireflies."
It is no wonder she thought so. The fireflies of Siam are not only
very large and brilliant, but they are found in great numbers. And,
strange to say, they seem fond of gathering together on certain kinds
of trees only. There they send forth their light and again withdraw it
at exactly the same moment. It seems as though they must be under the
orders of some leader. How else do they keep together?
"I can hear the trumpeter beetle calling along the shore," said Chin,
as the boat floated about. "He makes a big noise for his size, and
takes his part in the song of the night. There must be hundreds of
lizards singing up there among the bushes, too, and I don't know what
else."
"I suppose the parrots are asleep in the tree-tops by this time, as
well as the monkeys. Don't you love to go about in the woods, Chin?"
"It is almost the best fun in the world, I think. Oh, Chie Lo, I saw
something the other day I didn't tell you about. You made me think of
it when you spoke of the monkeys. Father and I had gone a long way up
the river in the canoe to get wild bananas. We had just turned to come
home when I saw a crocodile ahead of us, lying close to the shore. His
wicked mouth was wide open and his eyes were glittering.
"All at once I saw what was the matter. A chain of monkeys was hanging
from a tree-top above him. They were having sport with the monster.
The lowest monkey would suddenly strike out with his paw and touch the
crocodile's head when he was off his guard. Then the whole chain of
monkeys would swing away as quick as a flash, and the crocodile would
snap too late.
"Oh, he did get so angry after awhile, it made me laugh, Chie Lo. The
monkeys grew bolder after awhile, and chattered more and more loudly.
"Then the crocodile began to play a game himself. He shut his eyes and
pretended to be asleep. Down swung the monkeys, straight over his head.
His jaws opened suddenly in time to seize the little fellow who had
been teasing him. That was the last of the silly little monkey, whose
brothers and sisters fled up into the tree-tops as fast as they could
go. I didn't see them again, but we could hear them crying and wailing
as long as we stayed near the place."
"I wish I had been there," sighed Chie Lo. "It must have made you laugh
to watch the monkeys before they were caught. But they are easily
scared. I shouldn't be afraid of monkeys anywhere."
Chin smiled when his sister said these words.
"If there were enough monkeys together, Chie Lo, and if they were all
angry and chasing you, I don't think you would exactly enjoy it.
"Father told me of a time when he was off with a party of men in a
deep forest. They caught a baby monkey, and one of the men was going
to bring it home. It made the mother wild to have her child taken from
her. She raised a loud cry and started after the men. Her friends and
relatives joined her, crying and screaming.
"But this was not all, for every other monkey in the forest seemed to
get the idea of battle. On they came by the hundreds and the thousands.
Do you think those men weren't scared? They hurried along as fast as
they could, stumbling over bushes and floundering in the mud. They were
only too glad to reach the bank of the river, where they jumped into
the canoes and paddled quickly away. The monkeys crowded on the shore
and screamed at them. I wish I could have seen them."
Chin lay back and laughed as he finished the story.
"We mustn't stop to talk any more, for it is getting late," said Chie
Lo. "But I love to hear you tell these stories, Chin. I hope you will
remember some more to-morrow night. Now we must paddle home as fast as
we can go."
CHAPTER IV.
WORK AND PLAY
THE next morning the children were awakened early by the cawing
of large flocks of crows. These noisy birds were leaving their
resting-places in the trees near by, and starting out to search for
breakfast in the fields and gardens of the country.
Chie Lo and her brother jumped out of bed, and a moment afterward were
taking a refreshing swim in the waters of the river. The water felt
cool and pleasant before the hot sunshine had warmed it.
"Come to breakfast," called their mother, as they were in the midst of
a game of chase around the platform. "Come and eat the fine hoppers I
have just bought from the baker."
The children did not need to be called twice, for they loved the
delicious cakes made of rice flour and cocoanut milk. The breakfast was
soon eaten, and then Chin and his sister made haste to load Chie Lo's
boat with the fruit she must sell on the river.
The mangosteens were placed in the first pile. They would surely be
sold, because they were not only beautiful to look at, but fragrant to
smell and delicious to taste. You may look for them in many parts of
the world, but you will fail to find them unless you visit Chin and
Chie Lo in their own country, or go to the islands near by.
The rind is of a brownish purple that changes its tints in the
sunlight. Cut the fruit carefully in halves and you will find a creamy,
white pulp, with a dark-red rim.
"They look too good to eat," you say. But if you have once tasted
them, you will long for more.
Chin and his sister are very fond of mangosteens, and so is nearly
every person who has the pleasure of eating them.
But Chie Lo likes the durions better still. When she sorted the
boat-load this morning, she was very careful to place this fruit so it
should not touch any other kind. What an odour came from it! Ugh! It
makes one think of bad eggs and everything else unpleasant.
But people who stop to-day to buy from the little girl will not
consider that. If they have lived in the country for only a short time,
they have grown to think of it as the finest of all fruits.
Picture the nicest things you have ever eaten,--walnuts, and cream and
strawberries, and a dozen other delicious things,--they are all mingled
together in the flavour of the durion.
Besides the durions and the mangosteens, there were great luscious
oranges, noble pineapples, mangoes and bananas, breadfruit and
sour-sops. Chie Lo would certainly have no trouble in selling her goods.
When she had rowed away from the house, Chin went inside and got his
shuttlecock. He must find his boy friends and have a game before the
day grew too hot. You mustn't blame him for letting his sister work
while he played. It is the way of his people, and the idea never
entered his head that girls should have, at least, as easy a life as
boys. Yet this cousin of ours is gentle and good-natured and loving.
An hour after Chie Lo had gone away, Chin and his friends were having
a lively game in the shade of some tall palm-trees, near the bank of
the river. It was great sport. The shuttlecock was made of bamboo and
was very light and easy to toss. But it took great skill to keep it
moving through the air for ten minutes at a time. The boys did not once
touch it with their hands. As it came bounding toward Chin, he held the
sole of his foot to receive it, and kicked it off in another direction.
Perhaps the next boy struck at it with his heel, and the next with the
side of his ankle or his knee. Forward and back it flew from one to
another.
These naked boys of Siam were wonderfully graceful in their play. They
must have spent many days of their short lives in gaining such skill as
this.
There was little noise about it. There are places in the world where
children think they are not having much fun unless there is a good deal
of shouting and yelling. Siam is not such a country, and Chin is not
that kind of a boy. He has many good times and many pleasures, although
he enjoys them in a quiet manner.
How was Chie Lo getting along with her load of fruit this morning? She
paddled down the river among the vessels which had come to anchor there.
"Fine oranges! Ripe durions!" her sweet voice called. And the people on
the decks of the English steamers and the queer Chinese boats looked
down at the little girl in her canoe.
Many of them smiled at the tiny fruit-seller, and beckoned to her to
bring some of her fruit on board.
By noontime her wares were all sold and Chie Lo started homeward with
a bag of odd-looking coins to give her father. It was very hot and the
sunlight was so bright as it sparkled on the river that the little girl
kept shutting her eyes.
All at once she felt a tremendous thump and the next moment she found
herself far down under the surface of the water. The boat had been
overturned and was bobbing around over her head.
Do you suppose she tried to scream, or that she lost her senses from
fright? Certainly not. As soon as she got her breath, she began to swim
with one arm; with the other she reached out for the boat and quickly
righted it.
After half a dozen strokes, she was able to spring into the canoe, and
was soon paddling homeward as if nothing had happened.
What had caused her boat to upset? A passing fisherman had carelessly
run into her. The accident did not seem to worry him, however. He did
not even stop to see if Chie Lo needed help, but kept straight on his
way. He did not mean to be unkind. He simply did not think there was
any danger to the little girl. And there was none, for swimming is as
natural as walking to the children of Siam, who have no fear of the
water.
All that Chie Lo thought of was her precious coins, and those were safe
in the little bag hanging around her neck. The next day would be a
holiday and she knew her father would wish the money to spend.
CHAPTER V.
NEW YEAR'S
IT was the 27th of March, but to Chin and his sister it was the first
day of a new year.
They woke up happy and smiling, for they would have much fun for three
whole days. It is all very well for some people to be satisfied with
a festival which lasts only twelve hours, but it is not so with the
Siamese. They think they cannot do justice to such a joyful time unless
they frolic and feast three times as long as that, at least.
On the first day the children must go to the temple and carry
offerings. This duty should certainly not be forgotten. But before they
left home that morning they helped their mother give dishes of rice to
the yellow-robed priests who rowed slowly down the river as the sun
was rising.
[Illustration: "THEY CARRIED SOME OF THEIR FLOWERS TO THE STATUE OF
BUDDHA."]
These priests in their long yellow gowns looked alike. Each one held
before him a begging-bowl. He did not ask for food or money. It was the
duty of the people to feed him and give what was needed to keep him
from want.
This was what Chin and those of his country believed. And so, when each
night was over, the priests left their cells and entered their boats.
They passed along the river and through the canals. Some people gave to
one, and some to another; some gave money, and some, food. But each one
thought as he gave, "I am gaining merit by this deed of kindness." And
he felt better for doing so.
When the priests had passed along, Chin and his sister began to think
of their friends. They had presents of sweetmeats for them. They
had saved all their spare coins for many days to buy them. These
sweetmeats looked very tempting as they divided them up and placed them
in tiny baskets they had woven out of grasses.
Some of them were made of sugar and cocoanut. Others were rich with
glutinous rice and peanuts. Their friends would be delighted with their
gifts.
Before the day was over, Chin and Chie Lo had received many presents
themselves, for the poorest people in the country manage to remember
the New Year's festival.
The day was noisier than usual. The children laughed and shouted more
than Siamese children commonly do. They danced and they sang. They went
into the country and gathered flowers. They made wreaths and garlands.
They carried some of their flowers to the statue of Buddha and placed
them in the open palms of their saint.
They played tricks on each other. Chin and Chie Lo were both caught
by their playmates before the day was over and their faces blackened,
and then they were shoved into the river. But they took the joke with
perfect good nature, and laughed over it as merrily as their friends.
The best sport of the day was with their dear old grandmother. As she
sat on the platform by the water's edge, Chin came up suddenly and
dashed water all over her. After that, he sprinkled her with perfume
and a sweet-smelling powder.
But this was not all, for he ran into the house and brought her out a
new waist-cloth and a scarf to throw over her old shoulders. At the
same time Chie Lo pressed two silver coins into her hand, and shouted
with delight at the smile on the dear grandmother's face.
Without doubt the New Year's festival was very merry. Best of all, the
children were allowed to do just as they pleased for the three long,
happy days. It is no wonder they were sorry when it was over.
"It is even better than the Swing Days," Chie Lo said to her brother,
as they settled themselves for a good night's rest.
"Yes, I think so, too, yet we have a great deal of fun then," answered
her brother, sleepily.
Girls never take part in the exercises of the Swing Days, but Chin had
been training for two or three years to try his skill when he should be
a little older.
A part of the city is set aside for the entertainment, and it is there
that the swings are set up on high poles. A short distance away stands
another pole marked with a waving banner. Just below this banner hangs
a purse filled with gold.
Each person who enters the swing is allowed to work it back and forth
till he brings himself near the precious purse. He has one chance
given him to reach out and seize it in his mouth. If he succeeds, it
is his to keep, and he goes down to the ground on a rope ladder by the
side of the pole, while the bystanders greet him with shouts and cheers.
If he fails, however, he is obliged to jump from the swing and slide
down to the ground on the pole, while every one joins in a laugh at his
awkwardness.
On Swing Days there are many processions through the streets. Banners
and flags are waving everywhere, no work is done, and every one is
gaily dressed and full of joy.
CHAPTER VI.
WHITE ELEPHANTS
"I NEVER rode on an elephant in my life," said Chie Lo with a sigh.
Chin had just been telling her of a trip he had made with his father.
He had gone into the teak forest, and had travelled every bit of the
way on an elephant.
"Perhaps you wouldn't like it if you had a chance to try," answered her
brother. "You would feel safe enough, and the howdah is big enough for
you to lie down in and take a nap. But the elephant swings from side to
side as he walks, and the motion might make you feel sick until you get
used to it."
"It looks comfortable, anyway," said Chie Lo. "A howdah looks like a
tiny house, and the bamboo top keeps off the hot sun nicely. Doesn't
it ever slip on the elephant's back, Chin?"
[Illustration: "'THEY WOULD PICK UP THE LOGS WITH THEIR TRUNKS.'"]
"Of course not. It is fastened behind by a crupper that goes under the
tail, while it is held in front by a band of rattan passed around the
neck. So it is perfectly safe."
"Elephants are very wise animals, and I love them. Mother told me that
a long time ago there was an elephant in the city that used to ladle
out rice to the priests as they came out of the temple. He did it every
morning, and was as careful about it as any person could be. He made
no mistakes, for he never gave the rice to any people unless they were
priests. Wasn't that wonderful, Chin?"
"It was very wise, at any rate, Chie Lo. But, of course, he could
tell the priests because of their long yellow robes. I've heard more
wonderful stories than that, though.
"I've watched elephants at work in a lumber yard, myself. They would
pick up the logs with their trunks, and carry them to the place where
they were to be piled up. Then they would lay them down, one on top
of another, and each time they would place them in such good order
that the ends of the pile would be kept perfectly even. They are very
careful workers; men couldn't do any better."
"Weren't you afraid when you crossed the river on the elephant's back,
Chin? I heard you speaking about it to father when you got home."
"Not the least bit. The water grew deeper until at last only my howdah
and the animal's head were above the surface. But he went on slowly and
surely, and as he felt safe, I did, too. In a few minutes we were on
dry land again, and climbed up the steep bank without stopping to rest.
"It was great fun whenever we went down hill. The big clumsy fellow
knelt on his fore legs, and actually slid down, with his hind legs
dragging behind him."
"What good times you have, Chin. I wish I were a boy!" and Chie Lo
sighed again.
"They say that the white elephants are going to march through the
streets to-day. Let's go up in the city to see them," said Chin.
He was always glad to have his sister go about with him.
The home of our Siamese cousins is a strange country. It is often
spoken of as the "Land of the White Elephant." You shall hear the
reason.
Whenever a white elephant is seen in the forests, word is at once sent
to the king, and parties of hunters go forth to secure him. He is
looked upon as a sacred animal, for many of the people believe that the
soul of some great and wise person has come back to dwell for a while
in his body.
In the olden times there was a great celebration after a white elephant
had been caught and was brought into the city. The king and his nobles,
as well as hundreds of priests, went out to meet him with bands of
music. He was led to the royal stables, and large pictures of the
forests were hung around him, so he should not grow lonesome and long
for his home in the jungle.
It is even said that he was fed from golden dishes, and that only the
sweetest sugar-cane, the ripest bananas, and the tenderest grasses were
given him as food. He was loaded with gifts.
The ways of the people are changing now, however, and both the king
and his people are wiser than they used to be. Yet the white elephants
are still treated with honour, and kept in the royal stables, while on
great days they march in state through the streets of the city.
It is hardly right, however, to speak of them as white. Some of them
are of a pale, pinkish gray colour. Others are ashy gray. Their
eyes look washed-out and dull. They are not nearly as grand and
noble-looking as their brothers, for it seems as though Mother Nature
were tired and had not finished her work, when one looks at them.
CHAPTER VII.
IN THE TEMPLE
AFTER the children had watched the procession of white elephants, Chin
said:
"Let us go to the temple, Chie Lo. It will be a pleasant walk. And,
besides, father said we ought to go to-day. He gave me these coins to
carry there." Chin held up two pieces of silver. "One of them is for
you, Chie Lo, and the other is for me."
The place where the temple stood had been set apart from the rest of
the city. It was divided up into large fields surrounded by walls. In
each of these fields there was at least one large temple, and several
small ones, besides the buildings where the priests lived with their
pupils. Such a place is called a wat.
As Chin and his sister drew near one of these wats, they found many
little stands from which men were busily selling gold-leaf to those who
were on their way to the temples.
What would the people do with this gold-leaf, you wonder.
They would use it to cover any bare spots on their favourite images.
It would "make merit" for them, as they would say; or, in other words,
they would at some time be rewarded for the act of goodness.
It is in this way that the images are kept richly gilded, and many of
them are fairly loaded with the precious stuff.
"We can't buy any to-day," said Chin, "we haven't money enough. But I
wish I could get one of those rings that man is selling. They are made
of hairs out of the manes and tails of the sacred horses. It would
bring good fortune, I'm sure."
Poor ignorant Chin! As though anything but his own honest little heart
and good deeds would bring him happiness and success.
And now the children passed through the gateway and into the beautiful
grounds. Stately trees grew on every side, and flowering plants were to
be seen in every direction. Here and there stood large stone statues.
They were ugly-looking figures, but were supposed to be the guardians
of this holy place.
"After we come out, let's have a game of hide-and-seek with those
children," said Chin.
He pointed to some boys and girls playing among the trees and statues,
and having a merry time.
As the children turned toward the buildings, they passed under some
trees from whose branches hung pieces of wood, stone, and porcelain.
"People hung those offerings there because they are going to build a
home," said Chin. "Or perhaps they are just married, and are beginning
housekeeping."
"I know that, of course," answered Chie Lo.
As the boy and girl entered the temple, they stopped at the cistern of
water near the door. Wooden dippers were handed to them, which they
were to fill. They must wash their hands and rinse their mouths before
they dared to draw near the statue of the holy Buddha or knelt in
prayer. They must do it as a symbol that their tongues were pure.
After this was done, they threw their coins into a large money-box, and
passed into the main part of the temple. There were no seats, but the
worshippers sat together on the floor in little circles.
The altar was beautifully carved, and built up in the shape of a
pyramid. Many offerings could be seen lying upon it. There were lovely
flowers, luscious fruits, and piles of snow-white rice. These had all
been brought here to-day by those who had come to worship and to pray.
Behind the altar were high panels on which the life of Buddha was
pictured.
Chin and his sister loved to study these pictures and dream of the Holy
One in whom they believed.
Their mother had taught them that long ago a great being lived in this
world. He was born in a palace, and was the son of a king. He knew only
joy and comfort until one day, when he met a poor old man. His heart
went out in pity to him, and he said to himself:
"I will not live in comfort any longer if others in the world suffer
and are poor."
He went out from the palace and spent the rest of his life teaching and
giving help.
Chin and his sister did not stop to look at the pictures now. They
joined one of the groups sitting cross-legged upon the floor. A moment
afterward their heads were bent, and their small hands were pressed
together in prayer.
From time to time, one of the worshippers rose and stepped over to a
big bronze bell, and rung it violently. This was because he felt that
his prayers were not heard, and he wished to call attention.
Listen! A priest is reading from a palm-leaf book; and now he chants a
prayer with his face hidden behind a big fan. He keeps time by striking
a bell, or beating on a block of wood. The people rise upon their knees
and bow to the ground as he chants. There is no music in the strange
service.
As Chin got up to go away, he turned to Chie Lo and whispered:
"I love to look at the bronze elephants carved on the walls. They look
very wise and strong. They are the symbols of the Buddha, who taught
men to be patient and faithful."
"I always love to look at the flag of our country, too," answered Chie
Lo. "The great white elephant pictured on the red cloth makes me think
of the same thing."
"I believe I shall like it when I am old enough to come here to study
with the priests," her brother went on. "I shall like to serve them,
and they will teach me many good things. But I don't believe I shall
ever be a priest myself."
It is the custom of Chin's country for all the boys to live awhile in
the wats, as soon as they are old enough to have their heads shaved.
They help the priests in the temples, and serve them in different ways.
They are also taught to write and cipher. After they have stayed a
certain time, they may choose for themselves what they will do. They
may study to become priests themselves, or they may go back to their
homes and choose some kind of work.
As for Chie Lo, what would she do when Chin went away from home? Her
parents were too poor to send her to a school for girls. She would sell
fruits and vegetables in her little boat until she was old enough to
get married.
Poor little child! She turned to her brother as they left the temple,
and said:
"I wish, Chin, that I could go to school and be able to recite poems
and stories."
For in that strange country of Siam, few girls learn either to read or
write, even if they are able to go to school.
Their teacher recites some lines and the pupils repeat them after him
until the whole piece is learned. Then another is taken up in the same
way, and still another. But every child must be sure of one thing: she
must know an _odd number_ of pieces when she has finished.
You remember the Siamese seem to be afraid of even numbers in anything
whatsoever.
As for geography, or history, or any other pleasant study, such as you
have, very few of the children of that country have even heard of them.
I doubt if Chin and his sister know anything about the great, beautiful
country on the other side of the world, where their American cousins
are living.
But Siam is slowly changing, and, as I have already said, the king who
now rules is wiser than those before him. He will help his people to
become wiser, too.
As the children went on their way home, they fell to talking about
their ruler. They spoke of him as "The Lord of the Celestial Elephant,"
and other queer titles.
"He worships in the temple of the Emerald Buddha," Chin told his
sister. He had heard others describe the beautiful place.
"It seems as though I could almost see it," the boy declared. "It must
be wonderful. Just think, Chie Lo, the floor is paved with bricks of
brass, and the walls are covered with paintings. The altar is several
times as high as our house. It is loaded with images from the bottom
to the very top. They are covered with gold, except the Emerald Buddha
itself, which is above all the rest.
"Its hair is made of solid gold, in which are diamonds and rubies and
many other kinds of precious gems. I wish I could look at it just once,
although it is so high up, a person can hardly see it as he stands on
the floor."
"Mother said nobody made that statue," said Chie Lo when her brother
had finished. "It was a miracle, and suddenly appeared in the world
after a visit of Buddha."
"Mother and father know a great deal," replied Chin. "When we get home
to-night, let's ask them to tell us the story of how gold and silver
came to be in the world."
CHAPTER VIII
THE LEGEND OF THE PEACE-OFFERING
IT was a beautiful moonlight night. The stars shone faintly in the
clear sky.
"They do not look as though they felt as happy as usual," said Chin to
Chie Lo, who sat beside him on the platform of the house. "They are
jealous because the moon is hiding them by her brightness. Here comes
father; now we can ask him."
"Father, will you tell us the story of Rosy Dawn?" said his son, as the
boat drew up beside the platform and the man jumped out.
"As soon as I fill my betel-box, Chin," was the answer.
Five minutes afterward, the family gathered around the story-teller by
the side of the quiet river.
"Once upon a time," he began, "Father Sun was much nearer the earth
than he is now. He was ever ready to advise his younger brother, the
king of our country, and would even order his officers, the stars, to
do anything which might help this blessed land.
"It was long, long ago that all this happened. Everything was so
different then from what it is now, that there was no sickness nor
sorrow in the land. People lived to be hundreds of years old. Why, my
children, the King of Siam himself was looked upon as a very young man,
although he was at least one hundred and sixty years old.
"His father, the old king, was still alive, but had grown tired of
ruling after two hundred years of such work. He had given it into his
son's hands, and now took his ease.
"His only daughter, a beautiful maiden named Rosy Dawn, spent most of
her time in cheering him and making his life happy. No one had ever
looked upon her sweet face except her own family. She was as good and
simple as she was beautiful. Her days must have passed very quietly,
for her only amusements were singing her old father to sleep and
wandering alone through the fields and woods.
"A sad thing happened about this time. The naughty stars grew jealous
of their lord, the Sun. They did not like it because he chose to keep
awake all the time, and was having such pleasure with the earth and its
people that he never thought of sleeping.
"Day and night, summer and winter, he gave his bright light to the
world; he seemed afraid that something ill might happen to his young
brother the king, if he left him for a moment. Of course, the stars had
no chance of showing their own beauty, and this was what put them out
of temper. They said to each other:
"'Our lord has some reason for not sleeping which we do not understand.
We will watch him, and set a snare for him.'
"So, when they themselves should have been sound asleep, for it was now
bright noonday, they set to watch the jolly, laughing Sun.
"It happened at this very time that Rosy Dawn left her sleeping
father's side and went out for a frolic in the woods. She picked the
wild flowers and made them into wreaths; she softly sang sweet songs to
herself, and she watched the squirrels and lizards as they played about
among the trees.
"All at once she spied a beautiful butterfly move past her. It was
larger and more brilliant than any she had ever seen before. She said
to herself:
"'I must have the lovely creature,' and ran after it.
"On flitted the butterfly, faster and faster; on sped Rosy Dawn after
it. But it was in vain. For after a long chase, and just as she thought
she was about to succeed, the butterfly rose up into the air, higher
and higher above her head.
"Now the fair maiden turned back toward home, and for the first time
she thought of how tired she was. Her dainty feet fairly ached from the
long chase, and she stopped at a refreshing brook to bathe.
"Just at this moment, the Sun's glorious chariot appeared over the
hilltop. The warm light fell upon Rosy Dawn and made her feel quiet
and restful. At the same time the Sun himself looked down upon the
beautiful maiden and he fell in love with her then and there.
"When she had finished her bath, Rosy Dawn left the stream and entered
a shady cavern near by, where she might rest.
"The Sun's great chariot flew through the heavens as his noble steeds
were spurred onward. It seemed as though he could not wait a moment
longer before he should come to the charming girl he had just seen.
"You ask me if he won Rosy Dawn's love in return. Ah, yes! And, sad to
say, trouble followed after.
"You remember that the jealous stars were watching their lord's
movements. After a while they discovered that he was making love to
Rosy Dawn. They followed him one day when the two were fondly talking
together in their favourite resting-place, the cavern.
"Alas! the chariot was outside. The wicked stars seized it and carried
it off, and the frightened steeds ran away. They did not turn their
heads until they had reached home.
"The angry stars did not stop here. They raised a great shout against
their ruler, and declared they would be his subjects no longer. The
poor old Sun began to tremble, and shed tears of gold.
"The mountains were truly sorry for him. They opened up a passageway
through which he might return home. They promised him that he might
drive through this cavern every day and be perfectly safe. Again he
wept, and more plentifully still.
"At last he started on his way homeward, and, as he journeyed along,
his tears fell and formed pools of gold. Those pools are now the gold
mines of Siam.
"It took twelve hours for Old Sol to reach home, after which he went
out every day; but he came back regularly at night-time by way of the
cavern that the mountains had given him.
"After this poor Rosy Dawn wandered sadly about through the caves and
mountains. She, too, wept, and her tears were very plentiful. Wherever
they fell you will now find the silver mines of our country.
"But you must not think her joy was at an end. The wicked stars at last
made an agreement with their lord, the Sun. They said he might live
with Rosy Dawn for one-half the month, if they were allowed to look at
her beautiful face for the other half.
"Ever since that time the Sun meets Rosy Dawn at the mouth of the cave
where he first saw her, and carries her home to stay with him for two
weeks out of each month."
"You didn't mention one important thing," said Chin, as his father
ended the story. "You forgot to say that the stars insisted on the
Sun's never kissing Rosy Dawn when any one can see him. We know hers is
another name for the Moon; and the Sun breaks his agreement with the
stars once in a great while, whenever there is an eclipse."
"Yes, that is why the people beat drums and fire off guns at such
times," said the children's mother. "It is to shame the Sun, and to
make him stop such conduct at once. Of course it takes some time for
the sounds to reach him, but as soon as he hears, he seems to be
ashamed, for the eclipse soon passes by."
"When I was a boy, I went on a pilgrimage to the very cavern where the
Sun first met Rosy Dawn," said the father. "I was careful to carry both
a silver coin and a gold one. When we reached the place, I threw the
money into the cavern. Every one else did likewise. We offered these
coins in hopes of making merit for ourselves."
CHAPTER IX.
QUEER SIGHTS
"I AM going to the city to-day to buy a new waist-cloth," said Chin's
father one morning. "Chin, you may go with me, if you like."
A few moments afterward the two were paddling down the river past the
temples and palaces which lined the shore.
Besides the homes of the rich, surrounded by stately palm-trees and
beautiful gardens, there were other houses belonging to poorer people.
These last were built close to the river's edge, but were raised high
up above the water, on posts.
This was a wise thing to do for several reasons. In the first place,
the river would rise after the fall rains began, and the houses might
float away,--or, at least, the people inside would be flooded, unless
they had been careful to build high enough to prepare for such times.
The fine houses were of brick or wood, but the poorer ones were much
like Chin's house-boat, woven of bamboo and thatched with leaves.
The boy and his father soon left the main part of the river and turned
into one of the canals. They were now in a part of the city where a
good deal of business was going on. They left the boat, after fastening
it to the bank, and walked along through the narrow street.
The fronts of the houses here were all open and everything within could
be plainly seen. In this one was a big counter, almost filling the
room, and the merchant himself sat cross-legged upon it with his goods
around him.
There was a bakery where the cakes and bread were made and baked
in sight of everyone who passed. Chin liked to stop and look at the
various workmen. There was much to see and learn. The metal-workers
were pounding and hammering away, and, as the boy watched them, he
could see bracelets and anklets shaped, and sheets of copper formed
into various dishes.
In many places the families of the storekeepers lived in the one room
that was both store and dwelling, but they did not seem to be troubled
when they noticed Chin's black eyes following them.
In one store a hammock hung from the ceiling and a baby was swinging
there. What did he care if he was brought up on the street, as one
might say? Care! He seemed to think the coming and going of so many
people was meant all for him, and he laughed and crowed at each new
face.
"Do look, father," said Chin, as they passed a barber's shop. "There
is a Chinaman having his head and eyebrows shaved. He won't be
satisfied until his eyelashes have been pulled out. Other people have
strange fashions, don't they?"
His father smiled. "Yes, Chin, we are all different from each other in
this world. But I know one thing in which we are like the Chinese. We
love kites, don't we?"
Chin's eyes sparkled. "Yes, indeed, father. There is a kite store, now.
Let us go in and look around. The kites there are beautiful."
It is no wonder Chin longed to stop. All sorts of kites were there to
tempt the passer-by. They were in the shapes of flowers and boats,
dragons and elephants, and I can't tell how many other odd or lovely
patterns. Chin's father was as much interested as his son, and a
half-hour was spent before they finally decided on buying a kite in the
form of a butterfly.
"We will have great sport in flying it this afternoon," said Chin.
"Chie Lo must enjoy it with us."
He had finished speaking when he caught sight of a procession coming in
that direction. A moment before there had been so many children, dogs,
and cats in the street they seemed to block the way of everything else;
but now the children quickly turned aside and ran into the doorways.
As the procession drew near, a great shouting and beating of drums
could be heard.
"Father, look quickly," said Chin. "The men are carrying a statue of
Buddha on a litter. Isn't it beautiful? It is all covered with gilt.
I wonder where they will carry it. Oh, now I see; they have stopped
at that open place and are going to have a play. There are the actors
themselves."
"Some rich man is doing this," said Chin's father. "He has probably
hired the actors, and the show will be free to all. He is making merit
for himself, without doubt. We will join the crowd."
[Illustration: SIAMESE ACTORS.]
By this time the gilded statue had been set up on a sort of throne, and
sticks of incense were lighted and placed on the rough altar in front
of it.
The strangest part came now, for the actors began to put on their queer
costumes right before the people who had gathered around the show. Then
came the play.
There was neither stage nor curtain; nor was there any scenery, except
that of the place itself. But Chin and his father enjoyed it as well as
the other onlookers. They laughed and looked sad, in turn, and seemed
to forget that it was only a play, and not real life, that was pictured
before them.
When the play was over, Chin's father said:
"We must go back to the stores, for I have not bought my waist-cloth
yet."
The place they soon entered was different from any dry-goods store you
ever saw. The room was fitted with pigeonholes, in each of which was
folded a strip of cloth one yard wide, and three yards long. Some of
these pa-nungs, or waist-cloths, were of silk, and others of cotton.
Some were striped, and others figured. They form, as you know, the
principal part of the dress of both men and women in Siam.
After Chin's father had looked at a number of the cotton waist-cloths,
he finally decided on one that was gaily striped. It was of no use for
him to examine anything made of silk. It would cost more than the poor
man could afford.
"Now, for the tailor's," he said. "I must buy thread and needles."
A few steps brought them to the tiny shop where the tailor sat, working
busily, but on the watch for customers at the same time. He held
the cloth on which he was sewing between his toes! That did not seem
strange to Chin. He had often watched carpenters use their toes to hold
boards in place. As to himself, his own toes were put to every possible
use, so that you would almost call him four-handed.
As his feet were always bare, why shouldn't he make them useful in
other ways than walking and running, swimming and playing games? There
was no reason at all.
"I'm getting hungry, and we are a good ways from home, father. I wish
we could buy some cakes."
Chin looked longingly at a stand under a stone archway where two men
stood in front of a movable furnace. Square griddles were on the
furnace, and the men were busily baking cakes. Each one was made in the
shape of the figure 8. Curlicue cakes, they were called.
A crowd of boys was standing as near to the furnace as possible,
watching the men. Some were buying the cakes as they came from the hot
griddle; others had no money and could only look on.
Each of the bakers held in his hand a terra-cotta bottle with a small
hole in the end. He kept the bottle horizontal while he filled it with
the batter. When the griddle was hot enough, he held the bottle upright
for a moment with his finger over the hole, then, taking his finger
away, he passed it quickly over the griddle with the motion you would
use in making the figure 8. A minute afterward, a delicious curlicue
cake was ready for a customer.
"You may treat yourself here, Chin," said his father, "while I go to
the betel stand yonder, to get my box filled."
It was now noon-time, and the sun was very hot. The street, which had
been crowded all the morning, was nearly empty. Almost every one in
the city, except the poorer people, was now taking a midday nap in the
shadow of some tree or veranda.
"We must go home, Chin, for I am warm and tired," said his father, but
he smiled pleasantly, for he had enjoyed the morning as much as his son.
On their way to the boat they passed some jugglers treading fire and
climbing a ladder of sharp knives with their bare feet. At most times,
a large crowd would have been gathered around them, but there were few
people now. It was too hot, and even Chin was glad to leave the city
street and get into his little boat once more.
Perhaps you wonder if there are no carriages in this strange city of
the East. There are not many, since, as you remember, most of the
travelling is done on the water. But once in a while one sees a queer
sort of vehicle called a jinrikisha.
It is much like an open buggy on two wheels and is drawn by men. It is
more common in the land of Chin's Japanese cousins, however, than in
his country.
Then, again, if any of Chin's people are in a great hurry (but that
very seldom happens), they may hire gharries, which are very light and
have canvas tops. These are drawn by small horses brought from China.
"The gharries are strange things," thinks Chin's father; "the idea of
using them must have been given by those queer white people, who do not
seem to enjoy life as we Siamese do. They move so much faster, and are
not satisfied to do things in the quiet, happy way of my countrymen."
CHAPTER X.
THE QUEEN'S CITY
"I HAVE had a lovely time to-day, too," said Chie Lo, when Chin had
told her of his walk through the city.
"I sold my fruit in an hour or two, and then Pome Yik and I went off in
my canoe to have a good time by ourselves."
Chin laughed when his sister mentioned Pome Yik. She was a curly-headed
playmate of Chie Lo's. The Siamese think that straight, wiry hair is
the only beautiful kind in the world, and make fun of any one whose
hair is even wavy. So the little girl spoken of came to have the
nickname Pome Yik, which means curly-head.
Her real name was almost forgotten, but, poor child, she didn't
enjoy hearing herself called Pome Yik any more than if it had been
"double-toe" or "hunchback," or the name given to any kind of deformed
person by the people of her country.
"We went several miles before we stopped," Chie Lo went on. "We passed
that big rice plantation, Chin, where you often go on errands for
father. Then we came to a field flooded with water and covered with
lotus blossoms. They had been raised for market and the people were
busy gathering them.
"See, Chin, they gave me these to bring home. Aren't they beautiful?"
Chie Lo held up a bunch of the great, delicate lilies for her brother
to admire. Their hearts were golden; the petals, which were of a faint
pink near the centre, were of a deep, bright red toward the tips.
The flower had a great meaning to these children of Siam. It told the
story of life, and was sacred to the Buddha, who was often pictured
sitting on the lotus. Why should it mean so much? Let us see.
The root of the plant lies embedded in the mud. That represents our
weak human nature. As the long stems grow, they reach up through the
deep water toward the sunlight. That is what we all do, is it not? for
we long to do right and seek the light of love and wisdom.
At length a wondrous blossom appears on the surface of the water. It is
perfect in shape, and beautiful in colour, while its heart is golden,
we remember. That is the blossoming of a whole life. The lotus is a
fine symbol, we have to admit.
But Chie Lo spoke of the people gathering the lotus for market. Of
course the flowers could be readily sold, but that was not all. The
Chinese in the city would be glad to buy the seeds, which they
grind and make into cakes. The stems could be cooked and served as
a delicious vegetable; the fibres of the leaf-stalks would furnish
lamp-wicks. The plant has many uses in the country where it is raised.
"Father says the king has beautiful lotus ponds in the grounds near the
palace," said Chin, as he smelled the flowers. "He has seen them, as
well as the fountains and statues and lovely gardens."
"It must be a grand thing to be a king," replied Chie Lo, thoughtfully.
"They say that the palace is even more wonderful than the grounds
around it.
"Just think of it! the floors are paved with marble and the tables are
also of marble. There are all sorts of couches to lie and sit on. These
are covered with silks and satins of beautiful colours, and there are
pictures on the walls that have been painted to look just like people
the king has known. Ah! what a sight it must be!"
Chie Lo shut her eyes, as though she might then be able to see what she
had been describing.
"The city of the royal women is inside all the rest of the king's
grounds," said Chin. "You know that one must pass through three walls
before one can enter it. No man can go there except the king and the
priests."
"Yes, mother has told me about it," answered Chie Lo. "It is a real
city, too, for it contains stores and temples, theatres and markets.
There are all sorts of lovely trees and plants, ponds and summer
houses. The children must have a fine time in such a lovely place. It
must be a grand thing to be born in a king's family." Chie Lo sighed.
"Tell me what else you saw beside the lily-fields this morning," said
Chin, who was quite satisfied to be a free, careless, happy boy, and
envied nobody.
"When we were still quite a distance from home, we saw some men fishing
in the river. They were filling their boats very fast, for they had a
wheel set up near the bank. As one of them turned the wheel, their nets
were spread out and sunk in the water. The other men darted right and
left in their boats, shouting and beating drums, and making a great
noise. The frightened fishes must have been driven into the nets in
great numbers, for the men were obliged to pull hard to lift them into
the boats."
"That is an easy way," said Chin. "There is a good deal of sport in it,
too, for father and I fished with a wheel once, and I liked it for a
change. But see, there's father now. Let's go to meet him."
CHAPTER XI.
THE MONSOON
"IT'S coming! it's coming!" cried Chin, as he sat on the floating
platform of his home. As soon as he said these words, he jumped up and
followed Chie Lo and the rest of the family into the house.
They all moved faster than usual, for it was a time to hurry, if there
ever was such a time in Siam. The sky had been black and overcast with
clouds for two or three days, giving warning to the people that the
monsoon was drawing near, but now the wind began to blow, which told
its arrival.
Did they fear? Surely not. They were only too glad there was a rest
from the burning sunshine and the clouds of dust.
Unless rain should come soon, the sugar-cane would dry up and immense
crops would be lost. The fruits would shrivel and many people would
become poor.
But now all could take refreshing sleep after they had prepared for the
yearly storm.
Chin had helped his father mend the roof of the little home. The
clusters of loose leaves were pulled out, and fresh ones fastened
securely in their places. Heavy stones were laid here and there on the
roof to make it safe when the gusts of wind should strike it. The doors
and window-casings must also be fastened tightly.
As for Chie Lo and her mother, they had been very busy carrying all the
jars and baskets inside the house. The mats, on which spices had been
drying, must also be put in a safe place. In fact, everything that was
loose must be made tight.
The canoes were lifted from the water, and placed on that side of the
platform which would be protected from the rising wind.
Now it was coming, as Chin said. The cocoanut and mango-trees on the
shore began to rustle; leaves were flying in the air; the crows were
hastening to safe resting-places.
Then, all of a sudden, the rain fell in sheets, the thunder rolled
through the heavens, lightning flashed right and left, and the wind
roared as though in fierce anger.
But Chin and Chie Lo sat in a snug corner of the kitchen and felt
little fear.
"They say that a giant lives far up in the air, and when he gets
angry with his wife and chases her, we hear the thunder in the sky,"
whispered Chie Lo.
"He isn't angry with us, anyway," said Chin. "Listen, Chie Lo. How our
house rocks! but it is fastened tightly, so we are all right, and the
wind won't keep up this way very long."
After an hour or two the storm passed by, and the blackness departed
from the sky. This was only the beginning of the fall rains, however.
Before the night was over, Chin waked up to hear the downpour on the
roof. He went to sleep in a few moments, saying to himself, "Rain,
rain, rain, for a week at least. I will make up now for the nights I
couldn't rest."
If Chin had been kept from sleeping, you may well believe it had been
very hot and uncomfortable.
The next day there was little to do. Chin's father did not care to
venture out in the heavy rain, and spent a good deal of the time in
taking refreshing naps. But when he was awake the children got him to
tell stories of the wonderful country in which they lived.
He had never been in the jungle himself, but several of his friends
were hunters who had met the wild elephant and the tiger in the deep
forests. They had chased the wildcat, and had had narrow escapes from
the rhinoceros and the deadly cobra.
"Did you ever see a cobra yourself, father?" asked Chin, as he listened
to the stories with wide-open eyes.
"Yes, indeed. It was only the other day that I watched a snake-charmer,
who wound a cobra around his arm."
"Please tell us about it," cried his son. "I wish I could have seen
him. Wasn't he the least bit afraid?"
"If he had been, he would probably have lost his life," was the answer.
"He charmed the creature with music, while he swayed his body back and
forth as he played. The serpent followed his motions as it listened to
the strange sounds. Of course the man played with only one hand. He
seized the cobra's neck with the other, after which he took out its
teeth and venom-bag. When this was done the cobra was no more harmful
than your kitten."
"How did he do it, father?"
"It was not very hard work, for he used a pair of pincers. Coolness is
the most important thing. We should remember to be calm in all things,
my son."
"Yes, I must remember that, for I will soon be old enough to have my
hair cut, and you will call me a man."
"I hope I can afford to have a fine celebration. Chin, you will go to
the temple, of course. The seven steps of the altar will be covered
with fresh banana leaves, and figures of angels and animals will be
placed there."
"Do I have to walk around the altar three times, holding a wax candle
in my hand?"
"Yes, Chin, and then your friends will take the other candles and blow
the lights out directly over your head.
"After that you will be given a fresh cocoanut and a cup containing
pieces of money. Music will come next."
"It will be the great time of my life, father. I must think about it
and get ready for it."
"There are many kinds of people in our city, Chin. There are the
Chinese, who live here in great numbers; there are Hindus with pride
in themselves; there are the white people who come here on business,
or to teach their religion to those who will listen. But Chin, we are
Siamese, and we like the ways of our own country. We hear of different
fashions, but ours are still the best to us."
THE END.
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=A TEXAS BLUE BONNET=
By EMILIA ELLIOTT.
12mo, illustrated $1.50
"The book's heroine Blue Bonnet has the very finest kind of wholesome,
honest lively girlishness and cannot but make friends with every one
who meets her through the book as medium."--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._
=BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY=
A Sequel to "A Texas Blue Bonnet." By EMILIA ELLIOTT.
12mo, illustrated $1.50
The new story begins where the first volume leaves off and takes
Blue Bonnet and the "We Are Seven Club" to the ranch in Texas. The
tables are completely turned: Blue Bonnet is here in her natural
element, while her friends from Woodford have to learn the customs and
traditions of another world.
=THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE=
OR, PEGGY RAYMOND'S SUCCESS. By HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH.
12mo, illustrated $1.50
This is a book that will gladden the hearts of many girl readers
because of its charming air of comradeship and reality. It is a very
interesting group of girls who live on Friendly Terrace and their good
times and other times are graphically related by the author, who shows
a sympathetic knowledge of girl character.
FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES
_By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON_
_Each, large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated_ $1.50
=FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS=
Biographical sketches, with anecdotes and reminiscences, of the heroes
of history who were leaders of cavalry.
"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young
readers with historical personages in a pleasant informal way."--_N. Y.
Sun._
=FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS=
In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of the Indian
braves who have figured with prominence in the history of our own land,
including Powhatan, the Indian Cæsar; Massasoit, the friend of the
Puritans; Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous war chief
of the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous war chief of the Sioux;
Geronimo, the renowned Apache Chief, etc.
=FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVENTURERS OF THE SEA=
In this volume Mr. Johnston tells interesting stories about the famous
sailors of fortune. There are tales of Captain Otway Burns, patriot,
privateer and legislator; Woodes Rogers, scourge of the South Sea
trade; Captain William Death, wolf of the ocean; and of many others.
=FAMOUS SCOUTS=
"It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascination for
boys and young men and while it entertains them it will also present
valuable information in regard to those who have left their impress
upon the history of the country."--_The New London Day._
=FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES OF THE BORDER=
This book is devoted to a description of the adventurous lives and
stirring experiences of many pioneer heroes who were prominently
identified with the opening of the great west. The stories of these
border heroes are graphically presented, and their desperate battles
with Indians, border desperadoes, and wild beasts are splendidly told.
=BEAUTIFUL JOE'S PARADISE;= OR, THE ISLAND OF BROTHERLY LOVE. A Sequel
to "Beautiful Joe." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful Joe."
One vol., library 12mo, cloth illustrated $1.50
"This book revives the spirit of 'Beautiful Joe' capitally. It is
fairly riotous with fun, and is about as unusual as anything in the
animal book line that has seen the light."--_Philadelphia Item._
='TILDA JANE.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS.
One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50
"I cannot think of any better book for children than this. I commend it
unreservedly."--_Cyrus T. Brady._
='TILDA JANE'S ORPHANS.= A sequel to "'Tilda Jane." By MARSHALL
SAUNDERS.
One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50
'Tilda Jane is the same original, delightful girl, and as fond of her
animal pets as ever.
='TILDA JANE IN CALIFORNIA.= A Sequel to "'Tilda Jane," and "'Tilda
Jane's Orphans." By MARSHALL SAUNDERS.
One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50
The scene of the story is sunny California, where the heroine, 'Tilda
Jane, an Eastern girl of high resolves and warm impulses, goes on a
long visit to distant relatives. Many of the other beloved characters
in the previous "'Tilda Jane" books are introduced in this story.
=THE STORY OF THE GRAVELYS.= By MARSHALL SAUNDERS, author of "Beautiful
Joe's Paradise," "'Tilda Jane," etc.
Library 12mo, cloth decorative. Illustrated by E. B. Barry $1.50
Here we have the haps and mishaps, the trials and triumphs, of a
delightful New England family.
=BORN TO THE BLUE.= By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.25
The atmosphere of army life on the plains breathes on every page of
this delightful tale. The boy is the son of a captain of U. S. cavalry
stationed at a frontier post in the days when our regulars earned the
gratitude of a nation.
=IN WEST POINT GRAY=
By FLORENCE KIMBALL RUSSEL.
12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
"Singularly enough one of the best books of the year for boys is
written by a woman and deals with life at West Point. The presentment
of life in the famous military academy whence so many heroes have
graduated is realistic and enjoyable."--_New York Sun._
=THE SANDMAN: HIS FARM STORIES=
By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS. With fifty illustrations by Ada Clendenin
Williamson.
Large 12mo, decorative cover $1.50
"An amusing, original book, written for the benefit of very small
children. It should be one of the most popular of the year's books for
reading to small children."--_Buffalo Express._
=THE SANDMAN: MORE FARM STORIES=
By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS.
Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50
Mr. Hopkins's first essay at bedtime stories met with such approval
that this second book of "Sandman" tales was issued for scores of eager
children. Life on the farm, and out-of-doors, is portrayed in his
inimitable manner.
=THE SANDMAN: HIS SHIP STORIES=
By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS, author of "The Sandman: His Farm Stories," etc.
Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50
"Children call for these stories over and over again."--_Chicago
Evening Post._
=THE SANDMAN: HIS SEA STORIES=
By WILLIAM J. HOPKINS.
Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50
Each year adds to the popularity of this unique series of stories to be
read to the little ones at bed time and at other times.
=THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL=
By MARION AMES TAGGART.
One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50
A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a little girl and her comrade father,
written in a delightful vein of sympathetic comprehension of the
child's point of view.
"The characters are strongly drawn with a life-like realism, the
incidents are well and progressively sequenced, and the action is so
well timed that the interest never slackens."--_Boston Ideas._
=SWEET NANCY=
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL. By MARION AMES
TAGGART.
One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50
In the new book, the author tells how Nancy becomes in fact "the
doctor's assistant," and continues to shed happiness around her.
=NANCY, THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE PARTNER=
By MARION AMES TAGGART.
One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50
In Nancy Porter, Miss Taggart has created one of the most lovable child
characters in recent years. In the new story she is the same bright and
cheerful little maid.
=NANCY PORTER'S OPPORTUNITY=
By MARION AMES TAGGART.
One vol., library 12mo, illustrated $1.50
Already as the "doctor's partner" Nancy Porter has won the affection of
her readers, and in the same lovable manner she continues in the new
book to press the key-notes of optimism and good-will.
=ALMA AT HADLEY HALL=
By LOUISE BREITENBACH.
One vol., 12mo, illustrated $1.50
"This delightful tale of boarding-school life is one that cannot fail
to appeal to the lover of good things in girls' books. It will take
rank for its naturalness and truth."--_Portland Press._
=GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK=
By EVALEEN STEIN.
Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and
decorated in colors by Adelaide Everhart $1.00
Gabriel was a loving, patient, little French lad, who assisted the
monks in the long ago days, when all the books were written and
illuminated by hand, in the monasteries.
"No works in juvenile fiction contain so many of the elements that
stir the hearts of children and grown-ups as well as do the stories so
admirably told by this author."--_Louisville Daily Courier._
=A LITTLE SHEPHERD OF PROVENCE=
By EVALEEN STEIN.
Cloth, 12mo, illustrated by Diantha H. Marlowe $1.25
"The story should be one of the influences in the life of every child
to whom good stories can be made to appeal."--_Public Ledger._
=THE LITTLE COUNT OF NORMANDY=
By EVALEEN STEIN.
Cloth, 12mo, illustrated by John Goss $1.25
"This touching and pleasing story is told with a wealth of interest
coupled with enlivening descriptions of the country where its scenes
are laid and of the people thereof."--_Wilmington Every Evening._
=ALYS-ALL-ALONE=
By UNA MACDONALD.
Cloth, 12mo, illustrated $1.50
"This is a most delightful, well-written, heart-stirring, happy ending
story, which will gladden the heart of many a reader."--_Scranton
Times._
=ALYS IN HAPPYLAND.= A Sequel to "Alys-All Alone." By UNA MACDONALD.
Cloth, 12mo, illustrated $1.50
"The book is written with that taste and charm that prepare younger
readers for the appreciation of good literature when they are
older."--_Chicago Tribune._
=THE RED FEATHERS.= By G. E. T. ROBERTS.
Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
"The Red Feathers" tells of the remarkable adventures of an Indian boy
who lived in the Stone Age, many years ago, when the world was young.
=FLYING PLOVER.= By G. E. THEODORE ROBERTS.
Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull $1.00
Squat-By-The-Fire is a very old and wise Indian who lives alone with
her grandson, "Flying Plover," to whom she tells the stories each
evening.
=COMRADES OF THE TRAILS.= By G. E. THEODORE ROBERTS.
Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull $1.50
The story of a fearless young English lad, Dick Ramsey, who, after the
death of his father, crosses the seas and takes up the life of a hunter
in the Canadian forests.
=MARCHING WITH MORGAN.= HOW DONALD LOVELL BECAME A SOLDIER OF THE
REVOLUTION. By JOHN V. LANE.
Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
This is a splendid boy's story of the expedition of Montgomery and
Arnold against Quebec.
=RODNEY, THE RANGER= OR, WITH DANIEL MORGAN ON TRAIL AND BATTLEFIELD.
By JOHN V. LANE.
Cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
Young Rodney Allison, although but fifteen years of age, played a man's
part in the troublous times preceding the American Revolution and in
the War itself.
=CHINESE PLAYMATES= By NORMAN H. PITMAN.
Small cloth 12mo, illustrated $1.00
A worth-while, happy little story about two little Chinese boys, Lo-Lo
and Ta-Ta, and the strange fortunes that befell them when they wandered
from home.
=THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND;= OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLAN WEST. By BURTON
E. STEVENSON.
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
Mr. Stevenson's hero is a manly lad of sixteen, who is given a chance
as a section-hand on a big Western railroad, and whose experiences are
as real as they are thrilling.
=THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON.
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
"A better book for boys has never left an American
press."--_Springfield Union._
=THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER.= By BURTON E. STEVENSON.
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
"Nothing better in the way of a book of adventure for boys in which the
actualities of life are set forth in a practical way could be devised
or written."--_Boston Herald_.
=CAPTAIN JACK LORIMER.= By WINN STANDISH.
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high-school boy.
=JACK LORIMER'S CHAMPIONS;= OR, SPORTS ON LAND AND LAKE. By WINN
STANDISH.
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated $1.50
"It is exactly the sort of book to give a boy interested in athletics,
for it shows him what it means to always 'play fair.'"--_Chicago
Tribune._
=JACK LORIMER'S HOLIDAYS;= OR, MILLVALE HIGH IN CAMP. By WINN STANDISH.
Illustrated $1.50
Full of just the kind of fun, sports and adventure to excite the
healthy minded youngster to emulation.
=JACK LORIMER'S SUBSTITUTE=; OR, THE ACTING CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM. By
WINN STANDISH.
Illustrated $1.50
On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wrestling,
tobogganing, but it is more of a school story perhaps than any of its
predecessors.
THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES
(Trade Mark)
Each one vol., 12mo, decorative cover, cloth, with
full-page illustrations in color. Price per volume $0.60
_By MARY HAZELTON WADE unless otherwise indicated_
=Our Little African Cousin=
=Our Little Alaskan Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Arabian Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Argentine Cousin=
By Eva Cannon Brooks
=Our Little Armenian Cousin=
=Our Little Australian Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Belgian Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Bohemian Cousin=
By Clara V. Winlow
=Our Little Brazilian Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Canadian Cousin=
By Elizabeth R. Macdonald
=Our Little Chinese Cousin=
By Isaac Taylor Headland
=Our Little Cuban Cousin=
=Our Little Danish Cousin=
By Luna May Innes
=Our Little Dutch Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Egyptian Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little English Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Eskimo Cousin=
=Our Little French Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little German Cousin=
=Our Little Grecian Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
=Our Little Hindu Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Hungarian Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Indian Cousin=
=Our Little Irish Cousin=
=Our Little Italian Cousin=
=Our Little Japanese Cousin=
=Our Little Jewish Cousin=
=Our Little Korean Cousin=
By H. Lee M. Pike
=Our Little Malayan (Brown) Cousin=
=Our Little Mexican Cousin=
By Edward C. Butler
=Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
=Our Little Panama Cousin=
By H. Lee M. Pike
=Our Little Persian Cousin=
By E. C. Shedd
=Our Little Philippine Cousin=
=Our Little Polish Cousin=
By Florence E. Mendel
=Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
=Our Little Portuguese Cousin=
By Edith A. Sawyer
=Our Little Russian Cousin=
=Our Little Scotch Cousin=
By Blanche McManus
=Our Little Siamese Cousin=
=Our Little Spanish Cousin=
By Mary F. Nixon-Roulet
=Our Little Swedish Cousin=
By Claire M. Coburn
=Our Little Swiss Cousin=
=Our Little Turkish Cousin=
COSY CORNER SERIES
It is the intention of the publishers that this
series shall contain only the very highest and purest
literature,--stories that shall not only appeal to the
children themselves, but be appreciated by all those
who feel with them in their joys and sorrows.
The numerous illustrations in each book are by
well-known artists, and each volume has a separate
attractive cover design.
Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth $0.50
_By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON_
=THE LITTLE COLONEL= (Trade Mark.)
The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small
girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied
resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and
old family are famous in the region.
=THE GIANT SCISSORS=
This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is a
great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with
her the delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays."
=TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY=
WHO WERE THE LITTLE COLONEL'S NEIGHBORS.
In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, but
with added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure of
the story, that place being taken by the "two little knights."
=MILDRED'S INHERITANCE=
A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to America
and is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted by
her beautiful speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled
to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the use of her eyes, and
thus finally her life becomes a busy, happy one.
=CICELY AND OTHER STORIES FOR GIRLS=
The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learn
of the issue of this volume for young people.
=AUNT 'LIZA'S HERO AND OTHER STORIES=
A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all
boys and most girls.
=BIG BROTHER=
A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Stephen, himself a small
boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale.
=OLE MAMMY'S TORMENT=
"Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southern
life." It relates the haps and mishaps of a small negro lad, and tells
how he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right.
=THE STORY OF DAGO=
In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey,
owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the
account of his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing.
=THE QUILT THAT JACK BUILT=
A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed
the course of his life many years after it was accomplished.
=FLIP'S ISLANDS OF PROVIDENCE=
A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final
triumph, well worth the reading.
_By EDITH ROBINSON_
=A LITTLE PURITAN'S FIRST CHRISTMAS=
A story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christmas was invented
by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the Puritans, aided by her brother
Sam.
=A LITTLE DAUGHTER OF LIBERTY=
The author introduces this story as follows:
"One ride is memorable in the early history of the American Revolution,
the well-known ride of Paul Revere. Equally deserving of commendation
is another ride,--the ride of Anthony Severn,--which was no less
historic in its action or memorable in its consequences."
=A LOYAL LITTLE MAID=
A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary days, in which the
child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders important services to George
Washington.
=A LITTLE PURITAN REBEL=
This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time when the
gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massachusetts.
=A LITTLE PURITAN PIONEER=
The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement at
Charlestown.
=A LITTLE PURITAN BOUND GIRL=
A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great interest to
youthful readers.
=A LITTLE PURITAN CAVALIER=
The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried with all his boyish
enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and ideals of the dead Crusaders.
=A PURITAN KNIGHT ERRANT=
The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who endeavored to
carry out the high ideals of the knights of olden days.
_By OUIDA (Louise de la Ramee)_
=A DOG OF FLANDERS=
A CHRISTMAS STORY
Too well and favorably known to require description.
=THE NURNBERG STOVE=
This beautiful story has never before been published at a popular price.
_By FRANCES MARGARET FOX_
=THE LITTLE GIANT'S NEIGHBOURS=
A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose neighbors were the
creatures of the field and garden.
=FARMER BROWN AND THE BIRDS=
A little story which teaches children that the birds are man's best
friends.
=BETTY OF OLD MACKINAW=
A charming story of child life.
=BROTHER BILLY=
The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures of Betty
herself.
=MOTHER NATURE'S LITTLE ONES=
Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime, or "childhood,"
of the little creatures out-of-doors.
=HOW CHRISTMAS CAME TO THE MULVANEYS=
A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children with an
unlimited capacity for fun and mischief.
=THE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS=
Miss Fox has vividly described the happy surprises that made the
occasion so memorable to the Mulvaneys, and the funny things the
children did in their new environment.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Note: Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
End of Project Gutenberg's Our Little Siamese Cousin, by Mary Hazelton Wade
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