Citation
Gerty's triumph

Material Information

Title:
Gerty's triumph : a Cornish story
Series Title:
"Little Dot" series
Creator:
Manwell, M. B ( Author, Primary )
Knight ( Printer )
Religious Tract Society (Great Britain) ( Publisher )
Place of Publication:
London
Publisher:
Religious Tract Society
Manufacturer:
Knight
Publication Date:
Language:
English
Physical Description:
64 p., [1] leaf of plates : col. ill. ; 16 cm.

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Girls -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )
Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )
Christian life -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )
Accidents -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )
Amputation -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )
Children with disabilities -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )
Temperance -- Juvenile fiction ( lcsh )
Juvenile fiction -- Cornwall (England : County) ( lcsh )
Publishers' advertisements -- 1894 ( rbgenr )
Baldwin -- 1894
Genre:
Publishers' advertisements ( rbgenr )
novel ( marcgt )
Spatial Coverage:
England -- London
Target Audience:
juvenile ( marctarget )

Notes

General Note:
Frontispiece printed in sepia.
General Note:
Date of publication from inscription.
General Note:
Publisher's advertisements on endpapers.
Statement of Responsibility:
by M.B. Manwell.

Record Information

Source Institution:
University of Florida
Holding Location:
University of Florida
Rights Management:
This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions may require permission of the copyright holder. The Smathers Libraries would like to learn more about this item and invite individuals or organizations to contact The Department of Special and Area Studies Collections (special@uflib.ufl.edu) with any additional information they can provide.
Resource Identifier:
026862488 ( ALEPH )
ALH4145 ( NOTIS )
222013567 ( OCLC )

Downloads

This item has the following downloads:


Full Text




The Baldwin Library

Kin B wea










THEY RAN DOWN THE SLOPE,



Wittle Dot Series.

GERTY’S GRIUMPH.

2 Cornish Story.

BY

M. B. MANWELL.

THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY:

56 Paternoster Row, anv 65 St. Paut’s CHURCHYARD,
LONDON.





CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

I. THE CONWAY FAMILY . . . »- 3
II. PENDENNIS POINT. 2 . 7 . II
I. GERTY’S ACCIDENT . . . . . 19
Iv. IN THE SICK ROOM . 7 . . 27
v. OLD JAcoB . . . . * » 35
vi. CHRISTMAS GIFTS. ° ° . . 43
Vil. PUNCH AND JUDY . oo ‘ > 50

vin. GOOD NEws. . .« © o « 58



GERTY’S TRIUMPH.

——-Hif----

CHAPTER I,

fhe Conway Family.

of St. Enneus, a far away
Cornish village. Round the
table were clustered several
boys and one little girl; the
latter faced the window, now
and then dodging her yellow
head to avoid the last glints of
the October sunset.

As usual a great deal of nonsense and laughter
had been the running accompaniment to the slices
of bread and butter, but Mrs. Conway, from her
seat behind the urn, had called for silence.

_ “Oyez, Oyez!” sang out Harry, making a
trumpet of his hands, “Gentles all, listen to
the Queen’s speech!” —

| was tea time at the Vicarage
t





iia)













4 Gerty’s Triwmph.

“What I want to say, children,” went on
their mother, “is, that you must have the last
of your tea-picnics to-morrow, for it is now
nearly the end of October, and time to stop all
out-door pleasurings until the Spring comes
again. Betsy is busy now baking cakes and
tarts for you, and to-morrow is the clotted cream
day ; so you must all be ready by three o’clock,
and we'll go to the round table on Pendennis
Point.”

“Hip! Hip! Hooray!’ cheered the boys,
while Mrs, Conway and Gerty put their fingers
in their ears until the noise ceased. The brisk
little mother of three boys was accustomed to
these demonstrations, and in the study where
their dreamy father read his life away, the
sounds were mellowed by distance.

Mr. Conway was the Vicar of St. Enneus,
and not being overburdened with worldly means,
he gladly helped out his income by taking
a pupil, the fourth of the boys seated at
the tea-table. Toddy Bounce was a. singular
boy ; a Londoner born and bred, his baptismal
names were neither Toddy nor Bounce, but
Augustus Fanshawe. How or why he was
known by such nicknames no one could explain.
It was a mysterious fact, but so much an ac-
cepted one that he was known by no other



The Conway Family. 5

name. And it was the case that when little
Miss Tregelles at the Park sent Christmas cards
to the Vicarage, she very innocently addressed
ono to “ Master Bounce” as well.

In appearance Toddy was stout, with a round,
white face; his one talent had been a sweet
voice greatly admired in the village choir. In-
deed, Peggy Long had remarked to Betsy, the
sole establishment of the Vicarage, that “ his
voice in the solo of ‘Hark the herald angels
sing’ at Chrisselmas, made her feel in heaven,
and it.that comforted Jacob, her husband—”

To which Betsy replied coldly : ‘‘ That it was
small comfort Jacob Long deserved until him
mended his ways, and ceased his visits to tho
King William public-house.”

Over Toddy’s voice, however, a dreadful
change had come, and it resembled that of a
crow suffering from a sore throat. This affliction
was the source of great amusement to the other
boys; but Toddy Bounce stood the fire of their
jokes smilingly, for had not Mrs. Conway as-
sured him privately that the hoarseness was
merely transitory, and perhaps, who knew, his
voice might develop into a real tenor !

Arthur, slightly younger than ‘T'oddy Bounce,
was the eldest of the Conways. A dreamy lad,
with mind and temper so refined and so tho-



6 | Gerty’s Triumph.

roughly good, that it was a satisfaction to both
parents to know he had already resolved to
‘qualify for the Church; therefore next year he
was to leave home and enter a public school.

On Arthur’s heel trod Harry, a wild, light-
hearted boy, “the life of the house,” said Betsy ;
“the clown of the family,” said his mother, but
tenderly, for she loved dearly the child in whose
gaiety she saw, as in a mirror, her own youthful
self. Pranks and tricks were the breath of
Harry’s life, and not a boy in the village but
grinned with delight at the mention of “ Master
’Arry’s” name. The very babies perked up
their round faces as he approached, for Harry
was gentleness itself to children; he would pick
up and comfort every tumbledown child he met
—never leaving them until their tears melted
into smiles. /

Next came Ted, a sober, little lad with a pas-
sion for natural history. ‘Ted will be a great
professor one day,” Gerty would say to pacify
Betsy’s wrath when the boy stole into the kitchen,
black and muddy from head to foot, having
perhaps fallen into a pond in his pursuit of
science, otherwise “nasty insects,” to quote
Betsy.

Ted was a real trial to that good soul; not
even a cup of tea in comfort could she take of



The Conway Family. 7

an evening without mortal fear of some strange
and horrible thing making its appearance on
the kitchen floor. Sometimes a bold frog, her
especial horror, would hop out with a cheerful
croak from some dark corner where it had been
carefully tucked away for the night by Ted.
Then a duet would follow of shrieks and croaks,
it being difficult to say which of the two was the
most alarmed, Betsy or the frog.

The uproar would end in Master Froggy being
hustled upstairs to the little bedroom shared by
Ted and Harry, there to be concealed in the
soap dish for the night. But the worst would
be to come, on the following morning, the break-
fast table would be startled by loud screams
from the upper part of the house.

“That’s Betsy and the frog again,” Harry
would exclaim, while Ted stole off with a flushed
face.

In spite of these constantly occurring scenes,
Betsy would have given her right hand to serve
Ted as well as the other children, each of whom
she had held in her arms as babies. They on
their part loved the faithful Betsy as much as
they teased her, which is saying a good deal.

Betsy was a Hampshire woman, with a private
scorn for all things Cornish as being out and out
barbarous, Country and people were equally



8 Gerty’s Triwmph.

uncivilised in her eyes, always excepting her
master’s family. Each of them was dear to
her; but the apple of her eye was Gerty, a
bonny fair child of eleven, “sweet and fresh as
a daisy’’—the adoring Betsy declared as she
combed out the long golden hair of her favourite,
adding: “ They’re a fine family, taking the lot,
but her’s my chice among ’em.”

“And Gerty was a child worthy to be loved,
though she was not faultless, who is? She was
fiery and impatient; but again so ready to re-
pent of her flashes of temper, with sweet plead-
ing words, that she was always forgiven.

Gerty had begun to think; now and then, a
dark fear shadowed her mind with regard to
this temper. It seemed as if it were gaining
ground, and becoming harder every day to
battle with.

Sometimes at the Wednesday evening service,
when the nearly empty little church was dim
and dark, Gerty would say a tiny prayer for
help to fight against her temper. She seemed
to feel that God would have more time then to
attend to a child like herself, than on Sunday,
when all the villagers were there with so many
things to ask for.

Then, a sweet and solemn feeling would steal
over her, and she walked home sedately by her



The Conway Farily. 9

mother’s side, not waiting for the boys, who all
sang in the choir. It was as if the “peace of
God which passeth understanding” had come to
her; but a new morning would dawn with its
little every-day vexations, and Gerty would
fume and be petulant with the boys; then, at
night, repentance had to begin afresh.

“Mother!” the child would ery, “I should
easily be good, if I were let alone, oh, so easily.”

“But, my Gerty, of what value would such
goodness be if it could not stand temptation ; that
is the test, don’t you know? All these teasing
ways of the boys which fret you, are simply to
try your good resolutions.”

“Well, mother,” burst out Gerty, “TI shall
conquer myself, I’ll make a vow to—”

“Stay, Gerty, a moment,” interrupted Mrs.
Conway. “Have you not already made hun-
dreds of such violent resolves? Come close to
me, dear, and I’ll tell you a better way to con-
quer than by making these wild vows. Every
time you are on the brink of losing your temper,
try to say quickly, ‘Jesus, help me not to speak ;’
and He will. I know He will, for I have
proved it.”

“You, mother!” said Gerty; “why, you
haven’t got a temper, you are always smiling
and laughing !”



10 Gerty’s Triwmph.

There was a little silence ; then Mrs. Conway
said slowly:

“T had a much worse temper than yours,
child, when I was your age; but that burden
has been lifted off me, and I have told you how
it can be done. And now, Gerty, off to bed
with you, for to-morrow will be your last picnic
for this year, so you must be early astir.”

Mrs. Conway rose from the tea-table, at which
she and Gerty had lingered after the boys sct
out for the choir practice, amid a fire of musk-
etry in the shape of jokes against Toddy Bounce,
who was now debarred from singing, but who
had the last word as he called out after the
others :—

“,.. Three little singing-boys—dear little souls !
In nice clean faces and nice white stoles.”





11

CHAPTER II.

Pendennis Point.



~]f Essons were over in the study

My with Mr. Conway, and in the
little morning-room where Gerty
was taught by her mother.

Bovks were hustled away, and
the boys busily prepared their
traps for the day’s amusement. Larry got his
catapult ready for slaughter, and Ted his butter-
fly net; while Arthur sharpened his pencils
and brought out his sketching-block. Toddy
Bounce, on his part, polished up his flute, an
instrument on constant duty while his voice was
invalided.

As for Gerty, she opened a drawer, in her
own little room, to look fondly and longingly at
her doll. Could she but take that dear amiable
person, in pink muslin, what a happy day it
would be. But Gerty was eleven, time indecd
to be done with dolls, and she had not the



12 Gerty’s Triwmph.

courage to brave the laughter and chaff of the
boys, so the drawer was closed again after a
swift little kiss on the chilly wax face.

Turning away, Gerty ran down to the kitchen
to help Betsy, who was in the midst of geat
preparations, for, besides the cakes and pasties
to be packed in baskets for the picnic, there was
the dinner to be got ready, although, as she
remarked to Gerty,

“T dessay there won’t be a bite swallered,
you're all that crazed about yer picnic; still
there’s the master, it’s my dooty to see he’s not
left to starve hisself. Now, Miss Gerty,” went
on Betsy, with her head half inside the oven,
“don’t ’ee be mixin’ of the apple pies and plum
cakes. I allays like they to go in separate
baskets; and here, honey, will ’ee take they two
blackberry pasties, they’re hot, and you don’t
like’em hot, but they’ll cool afore you get to the
top of Pendennis Point? And now run away
to wash your ‘hands, for I’m a-goin’ to fetch-in
dinner.”’

Very little justice was done to the dinner, for
the young people were wild to be off, and Mrs.
Conway, in compassion, had them excused. Then
came the loading of the packed baskets on Jero-
boam, the donkey’s back.

Jeroboam attended all the children’s picnics



Pendennis Point. 18

in the capacity of luggage van, it being quite —
enough toil to get oneself up the Cornish hills
without carrying burdens. Indeed, very often
on the way home Jeroboam had to carry Gerty
among the empty baskets. He was a strong
animal, well cared for, and in fact looked upon
as one of the family almost.

At length, all being ready, the party set off, a
compact little company, headed by Jeroboam,
with Toddy Bounce and Harry on cither side.
Next came quiet Arthur with Ted, and lastly
Mrs. Conway, Gerty, and Betsy, for what would
the picnic be without the latter? On they
trudged merrily along the road, greeting every
one they met, Betsy never behind with her
remarks.

“ Hilloa! Jacob Long!” called out Harry,
“take a holiday, and come up to Pendennis
Point with us, do!”

Jacob Long was a quict, decent man, both
sexton and gardener, but oppressed with the
burden of one failing which seemed to weigh
him to the earth. Try as he did, Jacob seemed
incapable of conquering his weakness for strong
drink; and as they met him Betsy, in an under-
tone, proclaimed that he had even in the early
afternoon been indulging.

“ Jacob Long!” she said, “I know’d it was



14 Gerty’s Triumph.

hisself, never far off when one gets near to the
King William. Man, but you’re cruel bad to
yourself ; why don’t ’ee give up that bad habit
of yours and ‘ beat down Satan under your feet.’
Come along o’ we, and make yourself useful
carrying the baskets, to let Miss Gerty get on
Jeroboam’s back, and J’ll promise you a sup of
good tay instead of your nasty muddy beer.”

But Jacob, touching his hat to Mrs. Conway,
merely grinned silently ; such junketings would
be no pleasure to him indeed.

“You are hard on Jacob,” remarked Mrs.
Conway as the party moved off; but Betsy,
who was a staunch teetotaler as well as a privi-
leged old servant, insisted that it was her duty
to show an implacable spirit to the erring
Jacob.

“T have no fear about Jacob,” went on her
mistress, thoughtfully; “the time will come
when God will speak to his heart, and he will
give up his bad ways; but we must be patient
with him.”

“Tf I were Peggy Long,” called out Harry
from the front, “I should thrash Jacob every -
time he comes from the King Wiiliam tipsy!”

“Tf I were the Queen,” joined in Gerty, “I'd
shut up all the King Williams in England.”

“JT shouldn’t,” rasped out Toddy Bounce.



Pendennis Point. 15

‘Now, I like wine; Uncle John always gives
me a glass when I go to see him. Wine is good
stuff, and it ‘maketh glad the heart of man.’ ”

“Well, I niver!” said Betsy, angrily. “ But,
Master Toddy, you’re wrong, for the man that
don’t drink is as spry as two of the man that
does, I tell ’ee that.”

“Hilloa!” interrupted Harry, “look at that
boat out there!”

Below the steep winding road by which they
were gaining Pendennis Point, stretched out the ©
great wide Atlantic, thundering in on the slip-
pery jagged rocks, The noisy sea-gulls skimmed
over their heads, and the strong sea air almost
made them giddy.

“T’m sure I can see land to-day, it’s so clear,”
announced Gerty, her blue eyes intently piercing
the far-off horizon. It had always been a
childish delusion of Gerty’s that some day she
would see land.

Her speech was the signal for Toddy Bounce
to throw himself into an attitude, and exclaim :

*,... There’s land I see,
There’s Jerusalem and Madagascar,

And North and South Amerikee !”

‘Oh, come along,” said quiet Ted, “ we're
losing all the day on the road, and I must have



16 Gerty’s Triwmph.

an Jimpervr butterfly, if there’s one left; I
shan’t have another chance this year.”

Everybody started off again to the tune of
“Vd be a butterfly,” promptly struck up by
Toddy; and after a long pull up the steep, they
reached the top with scarcely enough breath for
the cheer called for by Harry, who could do
nothing without a cheer to nee and another
to finish up.

Jeroboam was unloaded, and led to a green
patch, “just made o’ purpose for he,”’ said Betsy,
as she unpacked the baskets. The boys were
then sent off for sticks, which they soon brought
in armfulls, and the fire was kindled after a
great deal of coaxing.

“Now,” said their mother, “you boys may
have ten minutes to see if there are any black-
berries left on those bushes, and then tea will be
ready.”

“Blackberries!” said Arthur, rousing him-
self from a long look sea-wards. “Oh, yes, of
course we must find some, if only to keep Betsy
down. Cornish blackberries don’t grow in
Hampshire, we have you there!”

But Betsy turned a deaf ear, and spread out
her tablecloth, assisted by Gerty; while Mrs.
Conway took up Arthur’s block to make a
hasty little sketch.



Pendennis Point. 17

When the boys came back to report that the
blackberries were gone the way of all summer
things, tea was ready, and a gay circle gathered
round the table-cloth.

Toddy, who loved good things, thought there
never were such fruit-pasties as Betsy’s, nor
such clotted cream; and, like snow in sunshine,
melted away the cakes and pies. When the
repast was over, and Gerty had spread out the
crumbs for the sea-gulls, Toddy Bounce insisted
on singing “The Death of Nelson,” in spite of
Betsy’s warning that it was cruel bad for his
voice in its broken state.

But before long Mrs. Conway urged the young
people to think of going home, reminding them
that it was not July, but October ; fine as the
sunshine was, evening would rapidly creep upon
them. Jeroboam was caught, and a light burden
of baskets piled upon him; then faces were set
homewards, Toddy playing a distracting march
on his flute to inspirit them.

Gerty and Harry soon got far ahead, and,
tiring of the sameness of the road, turned off to
a tempting, grassy slope, stretching right down
to the rocks below. Joining hands, they thought-
lessly set off to run down. There had been a
long spell of dry, sunny weather, and the short
Bea grass had become slippery as glass.

co



18 Gerty’s Triumph.

Half way down Gerty’s courage failed her,
and, to the horror of Harry, she tried to stop
herself, tripped, then, losing hold of her brother’s
hand, she went spinning and rolling to the
bottom! There was a wild shvrick, and a
smothered cry. Harry’s heart gave a great
bound ; but his presence of mind did not desert
him as he sped down in his rapid career.

When he reached the rocks he found Gerty
lying motionless and silent; with shaking hands
he tried to lift her, but found to his dismay
that a huge piece of rock, which she must have
disturbed in her fall, had rolled upon her foot,
pinning her to the earth with a grasp of iron.





19

CHAPTER ITI.

Gerty’s Accident.

iS uN ye fy, conscious, fastened to the earth
A eh in by the cruel rock, and Harry,



E left poor Gerty still and un-




\

boy as he was, unable to stifle
Y his sobs as he twisted his hands,
not knowing what to do.

g At first he tried to support
Gerty’s head, but remembering in a hazy way
that he had heard at the ambulance lectures
given in the village the winter before, that persons
in a faint should lie flat, he lowered the little
head, praying in his heart that his mother and
the others would soon come.

Far up on the height the accident had been
distinctly witnessed with, at first, stupor and
horror. Then, Mrs. Conway, rushing to the
slope, would have followed her two children
had not Arthur seized her arm, exclaiming :

“Mother, you will do the same as Gerty; you



20 Gerty’s Triumph.

will slip down to the bottom, and then who is to
help her? For her sake, come by the road.”
Recognising the sense of Arthur’s words, the
mother flew along the-high road, followed by
Betsy and Toddy Bounce, neither of whom
could keep up with her, the former from stiff-
ness, the latter from stoutness, Arthur and
Teddy both took to the slope, and very soon
reached the rocks to find Gerty quite unconscious.
“See, Ted,” said Arthur, as calmly as he
could, “there’s a pool of water yonder, feteh
your hat full;” and running to another pool,
he dipped in his -straw hat, carefully bearing
back the water to bathe the little white face.
After a minute or so the blue eyes opened,
looking up into Arthur’s face bent over her.
Gerty seemed about to speak, when suddenly
the terrible pain of the crushed foot, which
Arthur now comprehended for the first time,
caused a shriek of pain, and another swoon.
The lads now sct to work to lift the rock, and
by all three heaving it from the same side they
were able to get their hands completely under
it, and then throw it back from them. At the
sight of the little smashed foot they would all
have broken down, only, by this time, Mrs.
Conway was seen approaching, and Arthur,
pulling himself together, determined his mother



Uerty’s Accident. 21

should be spared the shock, if possible. Quickly
taking off his jacket, he gently slipped it under
the foot and covered. it over, keeping the edgés
tightly in his hand.

As Mrs. Conway flung herself down beside
her little daughter‘in grief and terror, Gerty’s
eyes opened once more, and her groans became
distressing.

“ Harry and Ted,” said Arthur, “run up and
get Jeroboam, quick; we must lift her on him,
and get her home atonce. And, Toddy Bounce,
you run home, tell Dr. Pengarth first, then go
to father, he will send something to meet us.”

Without a word Toddy turned tu obey;
while Betsy, beside herself, knelt down close to
the half-conscious child. For the three who
‘waited silently there, the moments seemed
hours, and they did not break the stillness by
vain words. The only sounds being the cry of
a sea-mew, and the heavy rolling of the waves
as they broke upon the rocks.

When, at length, the boys came back with
Jeroboam, it was found to be simply impossible
to place the little sufferer upon the donkey’s
back in any way without running the risk of
doing more harm to the crushed foot.

“There’s nothing for it, then,” said Arthur,
in a shaky voice, “but for me to run on to meet



22 Gerty’s Triwmph.

whatever is coming, and hurry them down
here.”

Another long wait followed, while their hearts
were full of the question which they dare not
ask of each other—was Gerty fatally injured P

At last, in the distance, they saw Mr. Conway
and Toddy Bounce approaching; they were
carrying a small cot mattress, an idea suggested
by Toddy, who rarely lost his wits; upon the
high road stood Jacob Long, beside a low cart,
waiting.

As Gerty’s father came up, there were two or
three words spoken; then, stifling a groan, he
stooped and slowly lifted the little figure on to
the mattress. He and the boys then carried it
over the rocks, and placed it in the cart.

It was an hour of anguish to all before they
reached the vicarage, and Gerty was lifted in
and placed on her own little bed. The doctor
was waiting for them, and the door was shut,
for a long time, it seemed to the boys, who
huddled in the study, waiting. That terrible
waiting for the verdict of the doctor! who is
there having gone through it, does not shrink
and cower at the recollection !

Suddenly the door opened, and their father
entered. The boys had never seen his face so
ashen pale and drawn. In a few choking words



Gerty’s Accident. 23

he told them that Gerty was not hurt internally,
which had been his great dread, and her head
had been saved by her arm doubling under it.

“But her foot, father?” asked Arthur,
anxiously.

“Her foot,” repeated Mr. Conway, in a
stupefied tone, “I—I can’t tell you, boys; go
away; I must be alone with myself—and with
God.”

As the boys, affrighted, stole out, one by
one, they saw the doctor at the gate speaking to
Betsy, whose apron was at her eyes.

Presently, he turned away with a rapid step,
and Betsy coming in, the boys surrounded her,
soon getting the truth from her. Gerty’s foot
was hopelessly crushed, and so smashed that
there was but one thing to be done—there must
be an amputation.

The news was like a thunderbolt. Harry
threw himself on the ground with a wild sob,
and Ted broke into a loud fit of crying. Toddy
Bounce’s face became, if possible, whiter; but,
always thoughtful, he seized Teddy’s arm and
dragged him off through the garden, saying:
“ She must not hear that noise, Ted.”

As for Arthur, his eyes were tearless, but his
lips were dry and cracked as if he could never
speak again. He seemed to feel he had ceased



24 Gerty’s Triwmph.

to be a boy. Jife had become real in an after-
noon; he must. help his parents to bear this
blow; as for Gerty, he would not think of her
for a moment,—he could not.

While he stood rooted to the ground he heard
the gate click, and looking up he saw Dr.
Pengarth returning.

“T’ve just been home,” said the doctor, “to
write off a note to Dr. Paulet of Plymouth ;
when he receives it he will telegraph to Truro,
where I must drive over in the morning, and
wait until his train comes in, so that I may
bring him back. When a thing has to be done,
my lad, the sooner it is done the better.”

A shiver ran through Arthur as he listened
to the Doctor’s brisk words. Not that Dr.
Pengarth lacked sympathy, but it was already
a “case” in his eyes.

“Must there be another doctor to—to—”
and Arthur faltered.

“Decidedly, my boy. Shouldn’t dream of
attempting such a thing alone. Besides, it is
rather complicated, and—” the worthy doctor
finished his sentence silently as he and Arthur,
without noticing that Harry had been a listener,
turned their steps into the house.

Smothering a groan Harry rushed off to the
plantation behind the vicarage. It was growing



Gerty’s Accident. 25

dark, and the stars were coming out; ‘but the
boy felt he could not go indoors, possessed as he
was with the horror that had fallen upon him.

“Oh!” he thought wildly, “if he had only
prevented Gerty from joining him in that crazy
descent; it was all his fault! What would
everybody say to him, and what would become
of him when——” but he cowered before the
vision of Gerty as a cripple! The bright,
active little sister always flashing about like a
sunbeam.

As he rocked to and fro in a frenzy of grief,
a thought stole into his brain. It might have
been worse, it might have been death, the fall
was so violent.

“T’ll tell mother that,” thought Harry,
“perhaps. it will be a help;” and he stole
quietly into the house through the back way.

The cheerful kitchen was empty, and the boy
crouched down in front of the fire, which
seemed to comfort him by its brightness, some-
how. He heard the low murmur of voices in
the study, the doctor was still in the house; in
fact, he felt he could hardly bear to leave the
stricken family to themselves, and there were
many arrangements to be made.

Betsy proved a tower of strength, but Mrs,
Conway, seemingly deaf and stunned, knelt by





26 Gerty’s Triwmpn.

her child’s bedside, unconscious of what was
said to her.

“She must be got away to-morrow, if we
can persuade her,” said the doctor.

“That you never will, sir,” exclaimed Betsy ;
“her won’t leave Miss Gerty, ’taim’t likely !”

) ££ We'll see about that,’ answered Dr. Pen-
garth ; “and, with regard to the boys, Pl take
Harry home,—he can stay with us for a few
days. Mrs. Tregelies has sent down to say she
will take two, so Ted and young Bounce, or
whatever you call him, must go to the Park in
the morning.”

“As for you,” turning to Arthur, “ your
place is here, my lad,” and the doctor glanced
meaningly at the bowed father’s head. Then
adding, “Now, good-night to you all, try and
keep calm,” he left them.





27

CHAPTER IV.

tn the Sick Room,

a silence about the vicarage. In
p, Gerty’s room, a flickering fire’
lighted up the little white bed,
now and then touching the only

picture in the room, “the child
Jesus on His mother’s knee. Gerty herself was
lying very still, her eyes fixed on the -ceiling,
and beside her sat Betsy, in the tired-out
mother’s place. The brown, hard fingers stroked
the fair hair lying on the pillow; but Betsy
seldom spoke,—in fact, she had been almost
dumb since the day of the picnic.

All through the dreadful time she had been
the right hand of the doctors. The trial had
been too great for the stricken parents, so Betsy
stepped into the breach; but somehow, although
she had done everything and done it well, her

ig C was a week after. There was






28 Gerty’s Triumph.

lips seemed locked. In her heart raged a storm
of rebellious grief. Why, why should her idol
be cut down and made a cripple? Why were
the little flying feet that had followed her up
and down in her “household ways” to be
stayed P The little fect! ‘

A great sob strangled Betsy, for.now there
was but one, and in future, there would be but
a halting gait. The human flower she so loved
was a cripple, and the word seemed branded on
the faithful heart.

“Hark! Betsy, that’s Jeroboam! - Is he
there still?” said Gerty, suddenly, in a weak
shaky voice.

It was only a week ago, but to Gerty it had
been a gulf of time, a gulf dividing her child-
hood from the strange present. 1t was a wonder
to her that outer things had not disappeared
along with these childish days.

“Yes, honey, it’s Jeroboam,” replied Betsy ;
adding, with an effort to be cheerful, “They do
say in Hampshire when a donkey hoots, that
rain be a-comin’, and to-morrow’s Sunday.

“Sunday!” repeated Gerty, “and they will
all be in church but me! Shall I never go any
more? Do you think God doesn’t care to see
me there? Oh, Betsy, why has He done this
to me?” and a violent shudder ran through the



In the Sick Room. 29

child’s form. ‘Did He think I was too quick ?
mother says my temper is so quick. Now I'll
have to sit still all the days, and be slow, always
slow.”

This was too much for Betsy, who rose and
left the room hastily, going into her kitchen,
where with her apron over her head she indulged
in a good cry:

Gerty lay in silence for a long time, watching
the leaping flames, until the door soy opencd,
and Harry entered.

The boys since their return fad been very
shy of coming near Gerty, they seemed to feel
as if she were separated from them in some
way. They had been very wretched; the idle-
ness, which once would have been hailed with
joy, was now like apples of Sodom, and they
wandered listlessly in and out, for lessons had
not been resumed.

Teddy was so changed as to stare indifferently.
at a little shrew which ran across his path, come
out to starve and die, for the early November
days were chilly and frosty.. Once the shrew
would have been eagerly caught, a prize indeed
for the little naturalist.

Arthur had not fingered his beloved drawing
materials “since,” which word was the only
allusion they felt able to make to the calamity ;



30 - Gerty’s Triumph.

and even Toddy Bounce had moped about,
reciting silently if he recited at all.

All this Harry poured into Gerty’s ears as he
sat beside her bed in the dusky room, and he
was thankful for the gloom which hid his red
eyelids.

“Is everybody so sorry, then, Harry ?” asked
Gerty, absently pulling at the worked flowers on
her little quilt.

“Yes, they are, Gerty, everybody. As for
old Jacob, why Peggy says that he hasn’t been
once to the ing William since—”’ and Harry
stopped abruptly.

“Since they took off my foot?” finished
Gerty, softly. But Harry could not answer.

After a silence Gerty spoke again: “That's
the first good thing about it all, Harry, if Jacob
will only keep to it. It must be dreadful for
poor old Peggy, when he drinks so badly.”

“Yes,” said Harry, gravely, “drink is a
horrible thing, Gerty! when I grow up I shall
have the Blue Ribbon.”

“So shall I!” answered Gerty ; “but I shan’t
wait until I grow up, I shall have it in the
winter when the meetings begin. Father says
we are to have them in St. Enneus after Christ-
mas, and children often join—oh, but I forgot,
perhaps, Harry, they won’t think I’m worth



In the Sick Room. 81

giving it to, now,” and Gerty gave a great sob,
in which Harry would have joined, only Arthur
stole in quietly, and sat down on the edge of the
bed.

“What are you two talking about?” asked
he, and Gerty steadying her voice repeated
their remarks.

Arthur and she had had their painful first
interview, a very painful one, the day previous,
and he was now thankful to hear his sister
allude to anything beyond the topic of her
affliction.

“Oh yes!’ he said, almost cheerfully, “ father
has arranged the meetings for every Friday in’
January; at the last Canon Baring will speak,
and then I mean to join; so Gerty make
haste and get well, and we'll go up together
I wish, though, Toddy Bounce could be per-
suaded; father wishes it, too, for he says Toddy
will be a rich man when he is of age, and
‘hrough his money will have great influence
on others. And there’s another I should like
to see wearing the blue, and that’s Jacob Long;
he is ruining himself, body and soul.”

Arthur was a thoughtful boy, and spoke with
a gravity beyond his years; but turning his
eyes on Gerty’s sad little face, he assumed a
livelier air.



82 Gerty’s Triwmph.

“Gerty,” said he, “what will you give for a
bit of news? Just think, Harry and I are
going to school after the Christmas holidays
instead of waiting until next year. Granny has
written to say she wishes it, and her will is law,
seeing she is Paymaster-General.”

“Oh!” gasped Gerty, “going away! You
and Harry! Is that because of me?”

“Well, I suppose it is to have the house
quieter for you. But Toddy Bounce is not
going, so you will have him, as well as Teddy
and his crawling, creeping pets.”

Gerty’s lips quivered, ‘secing which Harry
hastily broke in:

“But, Gerty, we shall be no time away before
Easter will come; and, then, we shall have
splendid fun in the holidays.”

The two boys were chatting cheerfully of
their school prospects, winning over Gerty by
degrees to show an interest in them, when the
door opened again, admitting Mrs. Conway. A
pleased look came into her worn face as she
heard the cheerful voices; but fearing Gerty
might be tired out, she sent the boys off to tea
saying, “Gerty must invite me to tea this
evening; shall we have a little tray on your
bed, darling, you and I?”

“Oh do, mother !” said Gerty, brightly ; and



In the Sick Room. 83

presently, Betsy brought it in with a little sweet
cake, expressly made for Gerty, who sat up and
did the honours of the tray. The two had quite
acosy time, Gerty forgetting her trouble so far
as to break into a merry laugh when her mother
made sugar-tongs of her little daughter’s finger
and thumb to pick out a lump of sugar. After
tea was over, a silence came over them fur a
time; then Gerty lay back on her pillow, and
closing her eyes she spoke:

“Mother,” she asked, “did you see me erying
this morning when you came in?”

“T did, dear,” replicd Mrs. Conway, smooth-
ing the fair hair back from Gerty’s brow.

“Then, I should like to tell you why, mother.
I awoke early with a start; I seemed to have a
great pain in my foot, and I reached down my
hand to touch it, and—oh mother, mother, there
was no foot there!” finished Gerty, with a
deep sob.

For a few moments Mrs. Conway was unable
to speak, then she said tenderly :

“My Gerty, Ihave heard, or read somewhere,
that that is a very natural feeling you ex-
perienced. I cannot explain it, but it has been
known to others who have lost a limb. It will
be a further trial to you, and I only wish I
could bear it for you. But I can only pray,

D



34 Gerty’s Triwmph.

and that I am doing every hour, to God for
strength to be given you to bear it all.”

Gerty looked wonderingly at her mother’s
face so full of anguish; she, poor child, could
not yet realise as Mrs. Conway did the full
extent of the calamity. Stretching out her hand
she took her mother’s, and pressed it, saying:

‘Mother, don’t fret so about me; it will ail
come right some day. Perhaps, I’ll be a better
girl, and not fly into such tempers when the
boys tease me, though they won’t like to tease
me much now. And I’m sleepy, mother, please
sing me my own hymn, ‘Oh, happy band ot
pilgrims.’ Isn’t it strange that I always liked it
best when you think of the verse—

“Oh, happy band of pilgrims,
Look upward to the skies,
Where such a light affliction
Shall win so great a prize.





85

CHAPTER V.
Pd Facoh,

T was a winter day, but the
sun was so bright that it
actually felt warm in the
vicarage garden. Gerty sat
contented, but very white in
a little, ancicnt-looking bath-
chair sent for her use from

: the Park, where it had lain
since the death of old Mr. Tregelles.

It had proved a welcome gift, and up and
down the garden paths the little girl was pushed
day by day, sometimes by the boys, and some-
times by old Jacob.

“But I like you best, Jacob,” Gerty would
say when no one was in hearing; “the boys are
very good-natured, but they are not so careful
as you are; you watch for the stones, and don’t
bump me as they do.”

Jacob always felt obliged to stop and draw





36 Gerty’s Triumph.

out his red pocket-handkerchicf to wipe his
spectacles every time Gerty said’ this. He
shared Betsy’s affection for little Miss Gerty ;
in his eyes such a child never breathed. Hoe
had never had one of his own, but all his dream
children were fair-haired little girls like Gerty.

The boys he could not abide, as just imps of
mischief. They trod down his pet flower-beds ;
and if he did get them to help him weed a bit,
they never failed to pull up every plant as well;
while as for Miss Gerty, she would potter about
for a whole afternoon at his heels never doing
a bit of harm,

It may be imagined how deeply the old man
had felt the terrible accident which had befallen
Gerty. In wonder and amaze he noted with what
meek gentleness the bright child seemed to be
accepting her cross. He had thought his own life
a hard one, nothing but work, work and poverty ;
excuse enough he would say for his too frequent
visits to the- King William, where he found
what he called comfort.

But Jacob had never known a deep afiliction,
never suffered any great illness; and now the
thought was ever in his mind how differently
after all God had dealt with him compared to
the bar which He had put across the active life
of this little creature



Old Jacob. 87

Jacob’s heart was melted ; and he was always
on the watch to be ready to wheel the child
away, and every word of her simple chatter
sank into his mind.

The two had their little jokes and make-
believes in common ; and with all gravity Jacob
would discuss the doings of the various fowls
under the names by which Gerty had christened
them, such as a thing as a nameless hen being
unknown in the vicarage poultry yard.

“Miss Gerty,” Jacob would say, “ Queen
Elizabeth laid her first egg yesterday, and Mrs.
Hannah More be scettin’ on the nest agen, she
be, foolish old thing !”

“Oh, dear!” said Gerty, “you must wheel
me into the yard, Jacob, I want to see all the
dear old chicks ;”” and off the bath-chair would
be trundled in that direction.

“Now, Jacob, you must bring me the six
Percivals,” the six Percivals having come from
eggs given by a lady of that name. “ Why,”
went on Gerty, “how you have grown, and no
wonder, for you’re always eat, eat, eating!”

“Yes,” broke in Jacob, “they do eat, them
there Percivals, I never know’d such a family
for food and fightin’. That there youngest he
have his reg’lar battles with Christopher Co-
lombus.”



38 Gerty’s Triwmph.

Christopher Colombus, a haughty Spanish
cock, was edging close to Gerty’s levée of the
Percival family while Jacob spoke.

“Now,” said Gerty, meditatively, “what do
you suppose they fight about, Jacob?”

“Oh, about eatin’; the greed of Christopher
Colombus do beat anything, Miss Gerty ; he’s
hover-eatin’ of himself, constant.”

“But, Jacob, I’ve read that animals never
eat or drink too much ; only human beings do
that.””

Gerty spoke innocently, but Jacob hung his
head as he replied:

“ Ah, missy, I know what you mean; but I
can tell ’ee, sure as sure, I’ve not tasted a drop
since the day you fell down Pendennis Point.
It was all I could do; ses I, if so be she weathers
it, she’ll like to know it, and I’ve saved up the
news until now, and it’s true.”

“Oh, Jacob!” cried Gerty, with tears in her
blue eyes, ‘ dear old Jacob, have you done this
for me? How good everybody is to me, now.
I always liked you, Jacob; but now I love
you !”

“Love me, Miss Gerty ! a real little lady like
you love poor old me!” and Jacob took out his
spectacles to wipe them.

“Yes, I do,” went on Gerty, “and why not?



Old Jacob. 89

Does not Jesus love you; and if I am glad to
hear your news, think what He must feel; just
think, Jacob !”? and an eager little face looked
up into the old man’s.

“T never thought He would care about my
givin’ way to the drink,”? muttered Jacob.

“That’s just it!” said Gerty, quickly. “And
Tuever thought He would care when they cut
my foot off. Then, it seemed to come into my
mind when I lay awake, those nights after, that
there was a kind face shining down upon me all
the time, while every now and then these words
came into my head :—

‘Well I know thy trouble,
O my servant true ;’

“Now, I feel it, sure and certain, that He is
sorry, and that He will make it up to me, some-
how, for—for being lame. And Jacob,” con-
cluded Gerty,“ won’t you, like a good old Jacob,
join the Blue Ribbon Army when the meetings
begin P”

“Well,” said Jacob, slowly, “I don’t know
as I shall.. What’s the good, missy ?”

“Why, Jacob, you know it’s a help; if—if
you were tempted there would always be the bit of
blue to remind you; and, besides, it would always
be speaking to other people, if you wore it.”



40 Gerty’s Triumph.

“So it ’ould, so it ould; there’s Tim Reilly
the Irish sweep, I wonder what he’d be a-sayin’ !”

“Does he drink, Jacob?”

“That he do, badly, as his missis and the six
children could tell.”

“Then, Jacob,” said Gerty, with shining eyes,
“af you and I (for I’m going to join) are wear-
ing the blue, and happen to meet Tim, it will set
lan thinking, and who knows ”

“Ay, ” said Jacob, “who knows? Well,
missy, I'll think it over!”

“Yes, Jacob; and you and I shall join at the
same meeting, faa think how pleased Pessy
will be!”

“ Hilloa!”’ shouted a merry voice, and He 'y
bounded into the yard, “how are all their fea-
thered majesties getting on? Hi! look at Don
Carlos of Spain, he wants to have a pitched
battle with old Buonaparte! 'Toddy Bounce,
come here and sce the fun.”

In came Toddy Bounce, and, to the boys’ de-
light and Gerty’s distress, the two fowls began an
infuriated duel. Feathers were soon flying in
all directions, but a summary stop was put to
the battle by the appearance of Betsy.

“Well, I’m glad I’ve comed,”’ said she, “ to
stop this; you boys are cruel bad to encourage
dumb brutes to tear their eyes out. J dessay —





Old Jacob. 41

you think it’s fun ; as for Miss Gerty, her looks
fit to faint.”

The respective kings retired to different corners
of the yard, while Betsy continued: “That Don
Carlos is the most cantankerous fowl, and no
doubt him’s as tough as he looks; but—” ad-
dressing the crestfallen Don, ‘‘you’m soon to
be know’d at your proper valley, for chicken-
broth I must make this very week.” .

“Oh,” said Gerty, still paler, “I can’t have
my kings and queens killed.”

“There now, Miss Gerty, don’t ’ee look like .
that, I’m but jokin’; only broth I must have,

‘for there’s Tim Reilly’s wife been up begging
for some for one of their children as is doven
with low fever, and not sixpence in the house.

“’cos him’s out o’ work. That’s all along o’ the
drink,” she ended, with a flash at Jacob.

“Tim is a bad lot,” remarked Toddy Bounce,
huskily ; “I heard the doctor say that he beats
his wife, too (‘the man who lifts his hand to a
woman, save in the way of kindness, ’twere gross
flattery to call a brute’).”

“Them’s beautiful words!” said Betsy, ad-
miringly, “ do’ee say em again, Master Toddy !”
a request with which Toddy Bounce would
willingly have complied; quoting at random,
indeed, he would have liked nothing better than



42 Gerty’s Triwmph.

to fall into an attitude, and recite to the as-
sembled company, including the royal fowls and
the six Percivals, but Gerty broke in eagerly :

‘Oh, Betsy, there’s a good time coming for
everybody, even the Reillys; for I’m sure when
Tim sees us all wearing the blue ribbon,” and
she smiled meaningly to Jacob, who was meekly
twirling his thumbs during Betsy’s sharp-shoot-
ing, “he is quite sure to mend his ways, and
who knows, may join himself.”





438

CHAPTER VI.
Shristmas Gifts,

— (erry lay wide awake in her little
A! white bed, she was straining
her ears for the first sound of the
Church bells, telling out that it
was Christmas morn. When the
Ss great burst came she gave a sob ;
ba as ae listened, the bells seemed to have
tongues, and their words were:

“O peace and joy! O peace and joy !
Still that old lay
The joy-bells say,
Earth’s only gold without alloy.”




Gerty was only a child, but strange, deep
thoughts were dawning in her heart. Since the
accident which had made a cripple of her, a
great change had taken place. At one moment
the very sight of her new crutches would sting
her into frenzy. The next, hot tears of repent-
ance would rain down her face as she prayed
silently for help to bear her cross.



44 Gerty’s Triwmph.

On Christmas morn, however, the bells brought
Gerty a message, and in her heart there was
peace and joy at last. She fell into a quiet
sleep, and awoke to spend a truly happy Christ-
mas Day. With an effort, she limped on the
detested crutches to church, not heeding the
pitying glances cast upon her. Sitting in her
corner of the pew, she listened to the “Sweet
Story of Old,” and the Christ-child seemed to
be born in her own heart that day. :

By-and-by, in the afternoon, the boys crowded
round her little chair to count over all their
presents ; but Gerty’s own share was the largest.
One which pleased her greatly was a set of tools
for wood-carving from Toddy Bounce, who was
rather an expert in that art, and it had occurred
to him what a famous occupation it would be
for Gerty. He himself would instruct her, and
Gerty delightedly thought of the many toys and
little articles she would be enabled to carve and
give to the village children.

Arthur’s presents were a capital box of water-
colours, and a birthday book with floral outlines
on each page, which Gerty was to colour.

Teddy, true to his instincts, must give some-
thing alive, so placed on his sister’s lap a morsel
of a puppy, so young that it seemed to be all
head and nothing else. Round its neck was a



Christmas Gifts. 45

blue ribbon tying on a card with its name,
“Spark,” and date of its birth.

Besides these, there was a silver locket, which
Harry’s savings had bought, and many other
presents. Even Jacob Long stepped in with a
bunch of Christmas roses for Missy, and of course
he had to sce the gifts. With a twinkle in his
eyes, the old man glanced at the puppy, saying :
“Ah, Miss Gerty, you'll be havin’ us all a-wearin’
the blue very soon, man and beast.”

A peal of childish laughter broke from Gerty’s
lips, gladdening the heart of her mother as she
entered the room, and Jacob, bridling over his
own wit, departed to the kitchen to be regaled
with a slice of plum-pudding.

“Mother!” called out the young people in
chorus, “ come and sit with us, we want to have
a talk.” :

Round the glowing fire they gathered, and as
the daylight departed the Vicar came quietly in
to join the circle. Though a quiet, deeply
thoughtful man, Mr. Conway had nothing
austere in his nature. That fact could easily
be seen by the perfect freedom of his children in
his presence. As he sat by Gerty’s chair, one
of her curls was twisted round his finger, and in
front of him, sitting on a low stool, Harry leant
his head back on his father’s knees.



46 Gerty’s Triwmph.

There was a great deal to be said about the
gifts received and given, Toddy Bounce show-
ing off with a manly air his uncle’s “ tip,” as
he called a cheque for five pounds, and spending
it over and over again as he sat on the hearth-
rug. The talk then turned upon the Christmas
tree for the Sunday-school children, which was
to be the great feature of the entertainment to
take place next evening in the schoolroom.

Mrs. Conway’s clever fingers had made
numerous articles, besides dressing, with Gerty’s
help, a quantity of dolls. Then, Harry, who
knitted famously, had manufactured twenty fine
pairs of cuffs for the village wrists. Arthur
had painted all the flags, and Teddy, ah,
Teddy’s presents were presents indeed, being
several small wooden boxes made by Toddy
Bounce, each containing a couple of live white
mice with red eyes. Happy the village bov
who would get one of these!

Toddy Bounce, who had always plenty of
pocket-money, had bought a sovereign’s worth
of sweets in Truro, and these were put up in
coloured cardboard horns for the wee ones.

So the Vicarage children had “done their
dooty by the tree,” to quote Betsy. She,
good soul, had baked heaps of what she called
Jersey wonders, certain brown, twisted cakes



Christmas Gifts. 47

besides some substantial plum-cakes, the
materials for which had been sent to Mrs.
Conway from a rich farmer in the neighbour-
hood; so there was no doubt as to there being
plenty of feasting going on.

In addition to the Tree there was to be an
entertainment, about which a great amount of
mystery had been kept up, the chief conspirators
being Harry and Toddy Bounce. Mr. Conway
was in the secret, and Jacob looked as if he
were also, and had excited the village curiosity
to its utmost by his hints. Nota Jittle lad or
lass was there, whose dreams had not been
haunted by the coming marvel, and everybody
was on tiptoe of excitement.

Whatever the mystery might turn out to be,
the mere mention of it caused Toddy Bounce
and Harry to chuckle and grin in a way that
sorely aggravated those not in the secret.

Teddy, in particular, was much aggrieved,
and his curiosity refused to be pacified by the
assurance that he would enjoy the secret when
it burst upon him in its perfection so much
more than if he had to help in creating St.

The carrier had brought strange packages,
more than once, to Toddy Bounce, which were
hustled up to his little den, from whence sounds
of hammering had been incessantly to be heard.



48 Gerty’s Lriwmph.

It was a bitter night, and the piercing wind
blew the snow off the shrubs round the school-
house; but, indoors, it was warm cnough, and
the rooms were filled with bright, merry faces.
Countless mugs of steaming sweet tea had been
filled and re-filled, for, in the little people’s eyes,
this tea was immeasurably nicer than mother’s
tea at’home; and the piles of plum cake slices,
where were they? Melted away like frost in
sunshine.

One or two carols had been sung, then Toddy
Bounce mounted the platform and gave a recita-
tion. -This performance was a great source of
gratification to all the village boys, who scarcely
breathed lest they should lose a word of the
theme, which dealt with the lawless doings of
pirates and their cutlasses.

Toddy, at the conclusion, was cheered to the
echo, and would probably have gladly given the
audience another treat, but he had disappeared
suddenly, so had Harry. When their absence
was discovered, the thrilling whisper ran through
the room, “It be a-comin’.”

To divert the children’s attention another
carol was sung, but it fell rather flat; then
Gerty, who had been sitting all the evening in
her own little invalid chair, bethought her of
the horns of sweets provided by Toddy, and



Christmas Gifts. 49

proposed dealing them out. Each child was
marshalled up to her to receive a packet; some
of the chubby little ones lingered beside her
chair, almost devouring her with their round
eyes. They all knew the story of her dreadful
accident; and the poor little things, who loved
her dearly, were filled with horror that pretty
Miss Gerty should be sitting there with only one
foot, helpless and unable to jump about among
them as she had done last Christmas.

Gerty felt what their thoughts were; but she
bravely kept down the lump in her throat, and
gave merry words to each, with the sweets.

At last she came to an end of the distribution,
and the children were again showing signs of
impatience for the coming of the event of the
evening. Everyone was then requested to be
seated Arthur wheeled Gerty’s chair to the
front, and with a great deal of fuss and chatter ©
the rest of the company took their places.

It was then seen that a large old screen from
the vicarage stood on the platform, and behind
this screen was the mystery, whatever it might
be. Nota child moved, or whispered; the ex-
pectation was almost painful when, upon the
straining ears fell a sound which sent the blood
flying through their veins, and cauSed a perfect
shriek of delight to ring through the room.

EB



50

CHAPTER VII.
Punch and #dudy,

0OT - TO- TO - TO -'T0- T00 -0- 0-17!
livery one recognized the peculiar
squeak. Dozens of the children
who had never seen Punch and
Judy, knew it by heart from de-
scription. As for Ted, he fairly
jumped off his seat and shouted,

while Gerty exclaimed :

“Oh, now, I know why they begged for my
old long-clothes’ doll, it was for Judy’s baby !”

All through the room the uproar became so
great that Mr. Conway himself had to say a few
words to quiet the excitement, then the screen
was slowly dragged to the side, disclosing the
well-known show of Punch and Judy.

With another shrill “ Root-to-too-it !”’ Punch
made his appearance, accompanied by lively
music from drum and pipes, in his red garments
and gay pointed cap. He was shortly followed
by Judy, when the dancing and quarrelling





Punch and Judy. ; 51

began. Presently Punch fetched up the Baby,
singing to it:
‘*Hush-a-bye, baby,
Sleep while you can,

If you live till you’re older
You'll grow up a man!”

And so on went the familiar farce. Though
it seemed as if the joy of the children could not
be increased, still, when the dog Toby (a big
squeaking toy dog) made his appearance, their
ecstasy was complete.

And not only did the young people revel in
the spectacle, it was nearly as great a delight to
the elders. As for Betsy, she felt constrained
to throw her apron over her head, as usual, and
ery with laughter behind it.

“Tt?s Toddy Bounce, he is Punch!” whis-
pered Ted to Gerty, “and Harry is playing the
drum, Isn’t it splendid! There, look, that’s
the doctor, and there comes the clown, and oh!
oh! look at Toby, doesn’t Punch whack him !”

At this crisis little Billy Blake, taking the
show for grim reality, broke into a storm of
shrieks just as Toby tried to snap off Punch’s
long nose, and had to be taken out to the next
room, where his tears were dried hastily to
enable him to eat an orange.

Without a hitch the show was played out



52 Gerty’s Triwmph.

until the end, and Punch, wishing them all a
squeaky good-night, the screen was once more
drawn across. The children, until then under
a spell, were able again to give vent to their
rapture, and their little Cornish throats made
the roof ring with cheers for Toddy Bounce and
Harry.

Arthur and Ted were profoundly puzzled to
know how Toddy Bounce could have practised
his inimitable performance of Punch’s squeak.
They did not know that he had spent hours
down on the shore, rehearsing under cover of
the noise of the breakers thundering in on the
rocks,

With regard to the manufacture of the show,
it has been said that Toddy was no mean hand
at carving, so he had made all the heads of the
puppets out of soft wood. The apparatus itself
had come down from a great London toy-shop,
so had Punch’s dress and cap; the rest of the
puppets being dressed by Harry out of “ pieces ”
begged from Betsy. That was the whole secret,
and very proud the boy performers were of their
success,

After the excitement had somewhat subsided,
the business of distributing the Christmas tree
presents began. The tree having been lighted
up during the show, the dolls and toys dangled



Punch and Judy. 53

bravely on the branches. There proved to be
plenty of gifts, even some over for the babies at
home, to Mrs. Conway’s satisfaction.

After some hymns were sung, oranges, sweets,
and good-nights concluded the programme of a
successful event long to be remembered in St.
Enneus. When Gerty said her prayers that
night she felt that all happiness in this world
was not-over because she had lost a foot, and
she thanked God for the happy day He had
given her.

With the New Year came the long looked-fur
meetings. The first proved a success, and the
good preacher's words had such an effect upon
his hearers that many of them appeared next
day wearing the sign of the promise they had
undertaken, Arthur and Harry among the
number. Toddy Bounce, however, stood firm
in his refusal, and Mr. Conway did not consider
fit to over-persuade him.

“T should so very much prefer to see the boy
come willingly forward,” said the Vicar, in reply
to Harry’s entreaties that his father should use
his influence to break down Toddy’s resolve.

On the morning of the second meeting, Gerty
ventured out on her crutches. She wanted to
see Jacob, but he was nowhere about the garden
nor was he in Jeroboam’s stable, so Gerty



54 Gerty’s Triwmph.

limped off to the poultry yard, where she founda
the old man surrounded by the fowls.

“Hey, Miss Gerty,” he called out, “here’s a
to-do. Mrs. Hannah More’s goin’ off in a divine.
She’s been sittin’ constant lately; but this week
she’s took to pine cruel bad, and she will drop
off one of these days like the Queen. of
Madagascar did, and a beautiful Dorking she
was !”

‘Oh, poor dear Hannah More!” exclaimed
Gerty, hopping after the retreating hen. “I
wish she would let me stroke her; could you
not give her something warm, or some medicine,
Jacob?”

‘No good, Missy, I’m afeared ; I did think of
giving her a sup of spirits: I’ve known that do
good for the time. But,” Jacob added shyly, “I
don’t care to go nigh the King William, seeing
I haven’t been there since you know when,
missy.”

“Oh, Jacob!” said Gerty, eagerly, “that is
the very thing I’ve come to talk about; I mean
about the meeting this evening. Do you know
that I am going to join to-night, and you half
promised to go with me!” and the fair little
face, full of pleading, gazed up into the wrinkled
old countenance, as Gerty leant on her crutches,
and waited while the struggle went on.



Punch and Judy. Ba

It was an anxious time. At last, Jacob looked
up from the ground, and taking out his spectacles
began to polish them, while Gerty’s heart beat
quickly. ‘Miss Gerty,” he said, huskily, “ I’ve
allays said there ain’t nothin’ I wouldn’t do
that you axed me, and, now, I'll not go for to
say you nay in this matter.”

Gerty’s colour came and went swiftly, but she
was very quiet. She stretched out a soft little
hand, saying, “ Thank you, Jacob, shake hands
with me for the bargain.”

Jacob looked down at the small pink palm,
and then at his own, brown and rough.

“Miss Gerty, you make me proud; but I
dursn’t touch your hand.”

“Yes, you shall,” returned Gerty, quickly,
taking his hand in hers; “ and this evening you
and I shall go up to the platform together, to
receive our ribbons.”

“Bless you, missy!” said Jacob, “ you be an
angel, you be, and when I promise I'll stick to
it; there'll be no wavering here or wavering
there with Jacob Long.”

“That's a good old man!” said Gerty, with
satisfaction ; “now, see you are ready by seven
o'clock. Make yourself smart to walk up the
room with me;” and Gerty limped back into
the house, where she met Toddy Bounce.



56 Gerty’s Triwmph.

“T say, Gerty,” he grected her, “do come
along up to my den, and I'll give you a eee
in carving.’

“Oh, Toddy, you know I can’t get snails
with these,” said Gerty, looking piteously at
her crutches.

Toddy, vexed with himself, hastily answered,
“T'll fetch the wood down to the study. Mr.
Conway has gone over to Truro, so we can go
in there;” and they were soon at work, Gerty
proving an intelligent pupil, and Toddy Bounce
a patient instructor.

In the midst of the lesson Harry joined them,
bringing in his tools and a piece of alder wood
to begin a model cutter.

They were all three deep in their occupations,
when the door burst open, and Ted entered.

“ Hilloa!” cried Harry, “I see you’ve got
the soap-dish; what have you inside, black-
beetles P”

“No,” said Ted. “It’s a prize this time; it
dropped right down from the kitchen ceiling.
I heard Tetsy screaming, so I rushed in, and
was lucky enough to catch it: what a beauty it
is!” and he carefully lifted the lid of the soap-
dish, exposing a monstrous dark spider, really
a giant, tempted out of its winter hermitage by
a very mild morning and the hot kitchen fire.



Punch and Judy. 57

“Qh—h!” shuddered Gerty, “take it away!”

“Come now, Gerty,” said Ted, with youth-
ful sternness, “don’t let yourself grow up into
a second Betsy ; spiders have as much right to
live as girls.”

“ Hear, hear! young philosopher!” applauded
Harry; “he is quite right, Gerty. Don’t bring on
nerves, whatever you do; and the spider can’t
hurt.you. What a big one it is, to be sure!
What shall you do with it, Ted P”

“T thought of keeping it in my room to study
its ways, if I could get it to take to a corner,”
answered Ted, innocently.

“Ho, ho!” laughed Toddy Bounce, “ Gilbert
White of Selborne, the second !”

“Who was he?” asked Ted.

“One of the best men who ever lived,” said
Mr. Conway, entering the study, “and one of
whom we can say:

‘He prayeth best who loveth best
All things, both great and small.’

You shall read his book, my boy, and then, you
will have a key to open the secrets of nature.
But, now, take away your prize, and do not let
it annoy either mother or Gerty, or poor Betsy.
Be courteously careful in dealing with other
people’s antipathies.”



58

CHAPTER VIII.
Goad Hews,

HE old plum-trees in the vicarage
’ garden were white with blossoms,
and Betsy declared that the April
sun was putting the fires out. On

a sunny path Gerty’s chair was

daa up, and she sat watching her mother

moving in and out among the trees, followed by
the puppy, Spark.

Spark was behaving after the manner of all
young things in the spring, giddy with the joy
of merely being alive. Gerty’s eyes followed
his antics with amusement; but behind the
laughter there was a touch of pathos, and the
corners of her mouth had a patient little droop.

She was not quite the same Gerty whom we
saw dodging the sun’s rays at the tea-table
when our story began. Little young thing as
she was she had been purified through suffering.
The great trial sent to her had softened down
all her faults and sharp flashes of temper,





Good News. 59

leaving a tender brightness about her which
endeared her to everyone.

Her disposition was naturally too sweet to
retain bitterness, or envy of others because they
could run and skip about, while she must ever
sit still, With the trial, the good God had
given the strength to bear, and the patierce to
“wait for the bright day in the midst of the
dull one.”

Other things, besides jumping and running
about were beginning to occupy her mind. She
had got on wonderfully with her wood-carving,
and meant to surprise the boys when they re-
turned from school at Easter with presents
carved by her own fingers. Toddy Bounce,
who was still under Mr. Conway’s charge, was
surprised at her skill, which threatened to excel
his own very shortly.

Then, she had managed to colour very
respectably the floral outlines round her father’s
and mother’s dates in the birthday book. In
this effort, her father saw promise of a wonder-
fully correct eye for colour, and proposed giving
his little daughter drawing-lessons, at once.
Thus, Gerty’s time and fingers were fully oc-
cupied, and, consequently, she was far from
being unhappy.

Besides, there was a little bit of hope to



60 Gerty’s Triwmph.

brighten the future. Science has done many
things for the maimed, or injured human frame
and every year sees these inventions brought to
greater perfection. When the doctor would
say the proper time had come, Gerty was to be
taken to London, there to have a cork foot
fitted on; and, in time, away she might fling
the hated crutches.

When the little girl heard of this a great load
was lifted from her heart, and she blithely told
Ted that she would soon be able to go insect-
hunting with him to the ponds, though she
might not manage to get down to the shore.

Ted, now the happy possessor of a History of
Selborne of his own, was more than ever, as was
to be expected, an enthusiastic lover of nature.
Who is there, having read that peer amongst
books, but could help falling in love with the
outer world P

Even Betsy might have been made a convert,
only that busy woman did not “hold with book-
reading,” beyond the pages of her Bible, which
she read every Sunday afternoon with her best
gown on, so she was still at feud with Ted
about his colony of pets. Birds and beasts she
tried to tolerate, but “they nasty insects,” and
the frogs, she loathed.

With the exception of little skirmishes be-



Good News. 61

tween Ted and herself, the vicarage was very
quiet during the absence of Arthur and Harry
at school. The break in the family caused by
the absence of those two had been much felt by
those left behind.

It was a considerable time before Gerty, Ted,
and Toddy Bounce became accustomed to being
together, they felt disconnected,—Harry was
certainly the “missing link” between them.
However, the hope of Easter began to dawn
upon them, and they looked forward to it
eagerly.

Meanwhile, the people and things of St.
Enneus were all prospering, unless we except
the landlady of the King William, who, it was
rumoured, found times so bad that she threatened
to retire and sell her business if she could get a
buyer. What was her loss, though, was the
greatest gain of others.

In many a little home faces had brightened,
for there were long-missing comforts to be seen
once more. The wives sang a lilt as they
“tidied up” of an afternoon, and the men
came home regularly to spend their evenings,
that is, when they did not spend them in the
reading-room which Mrs. Conway had, at last,
managed to establish, partly by means of a
handsome gift from Mrs. Tregelles of the Park.



62 Gerty’s Triwmph.

“And all this is along o’ the Blue Ribbon,”
as Peggy Long would say, Jacob had always
been a good husband, and now that his only

fault was mended, Peggy thought herself the

happiest old woman in the village. As for
Jacob himself, there was a marked change
indeed in him. His eyes were now lifted to
meet his master’s, with a clear conscience
speaking out of them.

“JT always thought it would come,” Mrs.
Conway murmured to herself; ‘at evening time
it ts light.”

‘‘ Mother,” said Gerty, who caught the words,
“ sometimes, I do think that if I had not lost
my foot Jacob would never have been cured.
You see, he was so dreadfully sorry for me,
that he wanted to do something to show how
very much he felt for me, and that was why he
gave the promise.”

“T know, Gerty, I know,” replied her mother,
with a half sob; ‘but what a price to pay, my
darling; still, God forgive me for saying so _
when I know that whatever He does is: well—
and best for you and me.”

“J can say that now, mother; and don’t
fret. Just think when I get the new foot, and
walk out with you again, shan’t you be pleased !
And, Spark, you wild tease, you will stare when



Good News. 68

you see me stepping out. He doesn’t know I
could ever walk, does he, mother?” And
Spark, as if he understood his mistress’ words,
proceeded to tumble about, and spin round after
his own tail, as if really the prospect of these
walks was too much for his giddy brain.

Before the ridiculous puppy had come back
to his senses, Betsy made her appearance with
a tumbler of new milk, and one of her Jersey
wonders,

There was nothing like eating, Betsy declared,
to make one strong, and her great desire was to
see Gerty’s lily face become rosy again. So the
worthy soul was always in pursuit of her, with
something which “she know’d would make
Miss Gerty look as spry as two if she’d take
it,” and of course Gerty never could refuse her
dear old Betsy.

“Mrs. Reilly has just come’d up, ma’am,”
remarked Betsy; “she sends her dooty to ’ee,
and little Ben is picking up nicely, and she’s
beholden to ’ee for the beef tea you sent he.”

“ Ah!” said Mrs. Conway, turning back to
the house, “I must go in and see the poor soul,
to tell her how glad I am to know her husband
is behaving so much better of late.”

It was tea-time, and Toddy Bounce was
’ eagerly entertaining the now small circle at the



64 Gerty’s Triwmph.

tea-table with a discovery he had made on the
study-bookshelves of a volume of ancient
ballads, just the very thing for recitation, when
Mr. Conway entered, waving over his head a
letter—

“From the boys?” called out each of the
party.

“Yes,” replied Mr. Conway, “it is from
the boys ; and they say that Toddy Bounce is to
practice on his flute, ‘See, the Conquering
Heroes come;’ that Ted is to have two strong
cages in readiness for visitors; that Jacob is-
to see that Jeroboam is in training for gallops ;
and, finally, that—they are coming home on
the 13th!”

« Hurrah !” said everybody.



LONDON : KNIGHT, PRINTER, MIDDLE STREET, E.Ce



























































































































































Two Busy Bees,

The Blying Poshinan,
Jin. ;

Lh rf eee:

Bees r’s Arms.
ye eve Unele ep. ts.
Lint st An ‘s Legacy.

Hotitihe Gold Medal was Won,
: aes the ei! Drovers.

q a Bentley's Treat.
Jessicts Viste to the Suuny
Bank,
linyts Secret,
the Childyven in the Valley,


















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Full Text

The Baldwin Library

Kin B wea




THEY RAN DOWN THE SLOPE,
Wittle Dot Series.

GERTY’S GRIUMPH.

2 Cornish Story.

BY

M. B. MANWELL.

THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY:

56 Paternoster Row, anv 65 St. Paut’s CHURCHYARD,
LONDON.


CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE

I. THE CONWAY FAMILY . . . »- 3
II. PENDENNIS POINT. 2 . 7 . II
I. GERTY’S ACCIDENT . . . . . 19
Iv. IN THE SICK ROOM . 7 . . 27
v. OLD JAcoB . . . . * » 35
vi. CHRISTMAS GIFTS. ° ° . . 43
Vil. PUNCH AND JUDY . oo ‘ > 50

vin. GOOD NEws. . .« © o « 58
GERTY’S TRIUMPH.

——-Hif----

CHAPTER I,

fhe Conway Family.

of St. Enneus, a far away
Cornish village. Round the
table were clustered several
boys and one little girl; the
latter faced the window, now
and then dodging her yellow
head to avoid the last glints of
the October sunset.

As usual a great deal of nonsense and laughter
had been the running accompaniment to the slices
of bread and butter, but Mrs. Conway, from her
seat behind the urn, had called for silence.

_ “Oyez, Oyez!” sang out Harry, making a
trumpet of his hands, “Gentles all, listen to
the Queen’s speech!” —

| was tea time at the Vicarage
t





iia)










4 Gerty’s Triwmph.

“What I want to say, children,” went on
their mother, “is, that you must have the last
of your tea-picnics to-morrow, for it is now
nearly the end of October, and time to stop all
out-door pleasurings until the Spring comes
again. Betsy is busy now baking cakes and
tarts for you, and to-morrow is the clotted cream
day ; so you must all be ready by three o’clock,
and we'll go to the round table on Pendennis
Point.”

“Hip! Hip! Hooray!’ cheered the boys,
while Mrs, Conway and Gerty put their fingers
in their ears until the noise ceased. The brisk
little mother of three boys was accustomed to
these demonstrations, and in the study where
their dreamy father read his life away, the
sounds were mellowed by distance.

Mr. Conway was the Vicar of St. Enneus,
and not being overburdened with worldly means,
he gladly helped out his income by taking
a pupil, the fourth of the boys seated at
the tea-table. Toddy Bounce was a. singular
boy ; a Londoner born and bred, his baptismal
names were neither Toddy nor Bounce, but
Augustus Fanshawe. How or why he was
known by such nicknames no one could explain.
It was a mysterious fact, but so much an ac-
cepted one that he was known by no other
The Conway Family. 5

name. And it was the case that when little
Miss Tregelles at the Park sent Christmas cards
to the Vicarage, she very innocently addressed
ono to “ Master Bounce” as well.

In appearance Toddy was stout, with a round,
white face; his one talent had been a sweet
voice greatly admired in the village choir. In-
deed, Peggy Long had remarked to Betsy, the
sole establishment of the Vicarage, that “ his
voice in the solo of ‘Hark the herald angels
sing’ at Chrisselmas, made her feel in heaven,
and it.that comforted Jacob, her husband—”

To which Betsy replied coldly : ‘‘ That it was
small comfort Jacob Long deserved until him
mended his ways, and ceased his visits to tho
King William public-house.”

Over Toddy’s voice, however, a dreadful
change had come, and it resembled that of a
crow suffering from a sore throat. This affliction
was the source of great amusement to the other
boys; but Toddy Bounce stood the fire of their
jokes smilingly, for had not Mrs. Conway as-
sured him privately that the hoarseness was
merely transitory, and perhaps, who knew, his
voice might develop into a real tenor !

Arthur, slightly younger than ‘T'oddy Bounce,
was the eldest of the Conways. A dreamy lad,
with mind and temper so refined and so tho-
6 | Gerty’s Triumph.

roughly good, that it was a satisfaction to both
parents to know he had already resolved to
‘qualify for the Church; therefore next year he
was to leave home and enter a public school.

On Arthur’s heel trod Harry, a wild, light-
hearted boy, “the life of the house,” said Betsy ;
“the clown of the family,” said his mother, but
tenderly, for she loved dearly the child in whose
gaiety she saw, as in a mirror, her own youthful
self. Pranks and tricks were the breath of
Harry’s life, and not a boy in the village but
grinned with delight at the mention of “ Master
’Arry’s” name. The very babies perked up
their round faces as he approached, for Harry
was gentleness itself to children; he would pick
up and comfort every tumbledown child he met
—never leaving them until their tears melted
into smiles. /

Next came Ted, a sober, little lad with a pas-
sion for natural history. ‘Ted will be a great
professor one day,” Gerty would say to pacify
Betsy’s wrath when the boy stole into the kitchen,
black and muddy from head to foot, having
perhaps fallen into a pond in his pursuit of
science, otherwise “nasty insects,” to quote
Betsy.

Ted was a real trial to that good soul; not
even a cup of tea in comfort could she take of
The Conway Family. 7

an evening without mortal fear of some strange
and horrible thing making its appearance on
the kitchen floor. Sometimes a bold frog, her
especial horror, would hop out with a cheerful
croak from some dark corner where it had been
carefully tucked away for the night by Ted.
Then a duet would follow of shrieks and croaks,
it being difficult to say which of the two was the
most alarmed, Betsy or the frog.

The uproar would end in Master Froggy being
hustled upstairs to the little bedroom shared by
Ted and Harry, there to be concealed in the
soap dish for the night. But the worst would
be to come, on the following morning, the break-
fast table would be startled by loud screams
from the upper part of the house.

“That’s Betsy and the frog again,” Harry
would exclaim, while Ted stole off with a flushed
face.

In spite of these constantly occurring scenes,
Betsy would have given her right hand to serve
Ted as well as the other children, each of whom
she had held in her arms as babies. They on
their part loved the faithful Betsy as much as
they teased her, which is saying a good deal.

Betsy was a Hampshire woman, with a private
scorn for all things Cornish as being out and out
barbarous, Country and people were equally
8 Gerty’s Triwmph.

uncivilised in her eyes, always excepting her
master’s family. Each of them was dear to
her; but the apple of her eye was Gerty, a
bonny fair child of eleven, “sweet and fresh as
a daisy’’—the adoring Betsy declared as she
combed out the long golden hair of her favourite,
adding: “ They’re a fine family, taking the lot,
but her’s my chice among ’em.”

“And Gerty was a child worthy to be loved,
though she was not faultless, who is? She was
fiery and impatient; but again so ready to re-
pent of her flashes of temper, with sweet plead-
ing words, that she was always forgiven.

Gerty had begun to think; now and then, a
dark fear shadowed her mind with regard to
this temper. It seemed as if it were gaining
ground, and becoming harder every day to
battle with.

Sometimes at the Wednesday evening service,
when the nearly empty little church was dim
and dark, Gerty would say a tiny prayer for
help to fight against her temper. She seemed
to feel that God would have more time then to
attend to a child like herself, than on Sunday,
when all the villagers were there with so many
things to ask for.

Then, a sweet and solemn feeling would steal
over her, and she walked home sedately by her
The Conway Farily. 9

mother’s side, not waiting for the boys, who all
sang in the choir. It was as if the “peace of
God which passeth understanding” had come to
her; but a new morning would dawn with its
little every-day vexations, and Gerty would
fume and be petulant with the boys; then, at
night, repentance had to begin afresh.

“Mother!” the child would ery, “I should
easily be good, if I were let alone, oh, so easily.”

“But, my Gerty, of what value would such
goodness be if it could not stand temptation ; that
is the test, don’t you know? All these teasing
ways of the boys which fret you, are simply to
try your good resolutions.”

“Well, mother,” burst out Gerty, “TI shall
conquer myself, I’ll make a vow to—”

“Stay, Gerty, a moment,” interrupted Mrs.
Conway. “Have you not already made hun-
dreds of such violent resolves? Come close to
me, dear, and I’ll tell you a better way to con-
quer than by making these wild vows. Every
time you are on the brink of losing your temper,
try to say quickly, ‘Jesus, help me not to speak ;’
and He will. I know He will, for I have
proved it.”

“You, mother!” said Gerty; “why, you
haven’t got a temper, you are always smiling
and laughing !”
10 Gerty’s Triwmph.

There was a little silence ; then Mrs. Conway
said slowly:

“T had a much worse temper than yours,
child, when I was your age; but that burden
has been lifted off me, and I have told you how
it can be done. And now, Gerty, off to bed
with you, for to-morrow will be your last picnic
for this year, so you must be early astir.”

Mrs. Conway rose from the tea-table, at which
she and Gerty had lingered after the boys sct
out for the choir practice, amid a fire of musk-
etry in the shape of jokes against Toddy Bounce,
who was now debarred from singing, but who
had the last word as he called out after the
others :—

“,.. Three little singing-boys—dear little souls !
In nice clean faces and nice white stoles.”


11

CHAPTER II.

Pendennis Point.



~]f Essons were over in the study

My with Mr. Conway, and in the
little morning-room where Gerty
was taught by her mother.

Bovks were hustled away, and
the boys busily prepared their
traps for the day’s amusement. Larry got his
catapult ready for slaughter, and Ted his butter-
fly net; while Arthur sharpened his pencils
and brought out his sketching-block. Toddy
Bounce, on his part, polished up his flute, an
instrument on constant duty while his voice was
invalided.

As for Gerty, she opened a drawer, in her
own little room, to look fondly and longingly at
her doll. Could she but take that dear amiable
person, in pink muslin, what a happy day it
would be. But Gerty was eleven, time indecd
to be done with dolls, and she had not the
12 Gerty’s Triwmph.

courage to brave the laughter and chaff of the
boys, so the drawer was closed again after a
swift little kiss on the chilly wax face.

Turning away, Gerty ran down to the kitchen
to help Betsy, who was in the midst of geat
preparations, for, besides the cakes and pasties
to be packed in baskets for the picnic, there was
the dinner to be got ready, although, as she
remarked to Gerty,

“T dessay there won’t be a bite swallered,
you're all that crazed about yer picnic; still
there’s the master, it’s my dooty to see he’s not
left to starve hisself. Now, Miss Gerty,” went
on Betsy, with her head half inside the oven,
“don’t ’ee be mixin’ of the apple pies and plum
cakes. I allays like they to go in separate
baskets; and here, honey, will ’ee take they two
blackberry pasties, they’re hot, and you don’t
like’em hot, but they’ll cool afore you get to the
top of Pendennis Point? And now run away
to wash your ‘hands, for I’m a-goin’ to fetch-in
dinner.”’

Very little justice was done to the dinner, for
the young people were wild to be off, and Mrs.
Conway, in compassion, had them excused. Then
came the loading of the packed baskets on Jero-
boam, the donkey’s back.

Jeroboam attended all the children’s picnics
Pendennis Point. 18

in the capacity of luggage van, it being quite —
enough toil to get oneself up the Cornish hills
without carrying burdens. Indeed, very often
on the way home Jeroboam had to carry Gerty
among the empty baskets. He was a strong
animal, well cared for, and in fact looked upon
as one of the family almost.

At length, all being ready, the party set off, a
compact little company, headed by Jeroboam,
with Toddy Bounce and Harry on cither side.
Next came quiet Arthur with Ted, and lastly
Mrs. Conway, Gerty, and Betsy, for what would
the picnic be without the latter? On they
trudged merrily along the road, greeting every
one they met, Betsy never behind with her
remarks.

“ Hilloa! Jacob Long!” called out Harry,
“take a holiday, and come up to Pendennis
Point with us, do!”

Jacob Long was a quict, decent man, both
sexton and gardener, but oppressed with the
burden of one failing which seemed to weigh
him to the earth. Try as he did, Jacob seemed
incapable of conquering his weakness for strong
drink; and as they met him Betsy, in an under-
tone, proclaimed that he had even in the early
afternoon been indulging.

“ Jacob Long!” she said, “I know’d it was
14 Gerty’s Triumph.

hisself, never far off when one gets near to the
King William. Man, but you’re cruel bad to
yourself ; why don’t ’ee give up that bad habit
of yours and ‘ beat down Satan under your feet.’
Come along o’ we, and make yourself useful
carrying the baskets, to let Miss Gerty get on
Jeroboam’s back, and J’ll promise you a sup of
good tay instead of your nasty muddy beer.”

But Jacob, touching his hat to Mrs. Conway,
merely grinned silently ; such junketings would
be no pleasure to him indeed.

“You are hard on Jacob,” remarked Mrs.
Conway as the party moved off; but Betsy,
who was a staunch teetotaler as well as a privi-
leged old servant, insisted that it was her duty
to show an implacable spirit to the erring
Jacob.

“T have no fear about Jacob,” went on her
mistress, thoughtfully; “the time will come
when God will speak to his heart, and he will
give up his bad ways; but we must be patient
with him.”

“Tf I were Peggy Long,” called out Harry
from the front, “I should thrash Jacob every -
time he comes from the King Wiiliam tipsy!”

“Tf I were the Queen,” joined in Gerty, “I'd
shut up all the King Williams in England.”

“JT shouldn’t,” rasped out Toddy Bounce.
Pendennis Point. 15

‘Now, I like wine; Uncle John always gives
me a glass when I go to see him. Wine is good
stuff, and it ‘maketh glad the heart of man.’ ”

“Well, I niver!” said Betsy, angrily. “ But,
Master Toddy, you’re wrong, for the man that
don’t drink is as spry as two of the man that
does, I tell ’ee that.”

“Hilloa!” interrupted Harry, “look at that
boat out there!”

Below the steep winding road by which they
were gaining Pendennis Point, stretched out the ©
great wide Atlantic, thundering in on the slip-
pery jagged rocks, The noisy sea-gulls skimmed
over their heads, and the strong sea air almost
made them giddy.

“T’m sure I can see land to-day, it’s so clear,”
announced Gerty, her blue eyes intently piercing
the far-off horizon. It had always been a
childish delusion of Gerty’s that some day she
would see land.

Her speech was the signal for Toddy Bounce
to throw himself into an attitude, and exclaim :

*,... There’s land I see,
There’s Jerusalem and Madagascar,

And North and South Amerikee !”

‘Oh, come along,” said quiet Ted, “ we're
losing all the day on the road, and I must have
16 Gerty’s Triwmph.

an Jimpervr butterfly, if there’s one left; I
shan’t have another chance this year.”

Everybody started off again to the tune of
“Vd be a butterfly,” promptly struck up by
Toddy; and after a long pull up the steep, they
reached the top with scarcely enough breath for
the cheer called for by Harry, who could do
nothing without a cheer to nee and another
to finish up.

Jeroboam was unloaded, and led to a green
patch, “just made o’ purpose for he,”’ said Betsy,
as she unpacked the baskets. The boys were
then sent off for sticks, which they soon brought
in armfulls, and the fire was kindled after a
great deal of coaxing.

“Now,” said their mother, “you boys may
have ten minutes to see if there are any black-
berries left on those bushes, and then tea will be
ready.”

“Blackberries!” said Arthur, rousing him-
self from a long look sea-wards. “Oh, yes, of
course we must find some, if only to keep Betsy
down. Cornish blackberries don’t grow in
Hampshire, we have you there!”

But Betsy turned a deaf ear, and spread out
her tablecloth, assisted by Gerty; while Mrs.
Conway took up Arthur’s block to make a
hasty little sketch.
Pendennis Point. 17

When the boys came back to report that the
blackberries were gone the way of all summer
things, tea was ready, and a gay circle gathered
round the table-cloth.

Toddy, who loved good things, thought there
never were such fruit-pasties as Betsy’s, nor
such clotted cream; and, like snow in sunshine,
melted away the cakes and pies. When the
repast was over, and Gerty had spread out the
crumbs for the sea-gulls, Toddy Bounce insisted
on singing “The Death of Nelson,” in spite of
Betsy’s warning that it was cruel bad for his
voice in its broken state.

But before long Mrs. Conway urged the young
people to think of going home, reminding them
that it was not July, but October ; fine as the
sunshine was, evening would rapidly creep upon
them. Jeroboam was caught, and a light burden
of baskets piled upon him; then faces were set
homewards, Toddy playing a distracting march
on his flute to inspirit them.

Gerty and Harry soon got far ahead, and,
tiring of the sameness of the road, turned off to
a tempting, grassy slope, stretching right down
to the rocks below. Joining hands, they thought-
lessly set off to run down. There had been a
long spell of dry, sunny weather, and the short
Bea grass had become slippery as glass.

co
18 Gerty’s Triumph.

Half way down Gerty’s courage failed her,
and, to the horror of Harry, she tried to stop
herself, tripped, then, losing hold of her brother’s
hand, she went spinning and rolling to the
bottom! There was a wild shvrick, and a
smothered cry. Harry’s heart gave a great
bound ; but his presence of mind did not desert
him as he sped down in his rapid career.

When he reached the rocks he found Gerty
lying motionless and silent; with shaking hands
he tried to lift her, but found to his dismay
that a huge piece of rock, which she must have
disturbed in her fall, had rolled upon her foot,
pinning her to the earth with a grasp of iron.


19

CHAPTER ITI.

Gerty’s Accident.

iS uN ye fy, conscious, fastened to the earth
A eh in by the cruel rock, and Harry,



E left poor Gerty still and un-




\

boy as he was, unable to stifle
Y his sobs as he twisted his hands,
not knowing what to do.

g At first he tried to support
Gerty’s head, but remembering in a hazy way
that he had heard at the ambulance lectures
given in the village the winter before, that persons
in a faint should lie flat, he lowered the little
head, praying in his heart that his mother and
the others would soon come.

Far up on the height the accident had been
distinctly witnessed with, at first, stupor and
horror. Then, Mrs. Conway, rushing to the
slope, would have followed her two children
had not Arthur seized her arm, exclaiming :

“Mother, you will do the same as Gerty; you
20 Gerty’s Triumph.

will slip down to the bottom, and then who is to
help her? For her sake, come by the road.”
Recognising the sense of Arthur’s words, the
mother flew along the-high road, followed by
Betsy and Toddy Bounce, neither of whom
could keep up with her, the former from stiff-
ness, the latter from stoutness, Arthur and
Teddy both took to the slope, and very soon
reached the rocks to find Gerty quite unconscious.
“See, Ted,” said Arthur, as calmly as he
could, “there’s a pool of water yonder, feteh
your hat full;” and running to another pool,
he dipped in his -straw hat, carefully bearing
back the water to bathe the little white face.
After a minute or so the blue eyes opened,
looking up into Arthur’s face bent over her.
Gerty seemed about to speak, when suddenly
the terrible pain of the crushed foot, which
Arthur now comprehended for the first time,
caused a shriek of pain, and another swoon.
The lads now sct to work to lift the rock, and
by all three heaving it from the same side they
were able to get their hands completely under
it, and then throw it back from them. At the
sight of the little smashed foot they would all
have broken down, only, by this time, Mrs.
Conway was seen approaching, and Arthur,
pulling himself together, determined his mother
Uerty’s Accident. 21

should be spared the shock, if possible. Quickly
taking off his jacket, he gently slipped it under
the foot and covered. it over, keeping the edgés
tightly in his hand.

As Mrs. Conway flung herself down beside
her little daughter‘in grief and terror, Gerty’s
eyes opened once more, and her groans became
distressing.

“ Harry and Ted,” said Arthur, “run up and
get Jeroboam, quick; we must lift her on him,
and get her home atonce. And, Toddy Bounce,
you run home, tell Dr. Pengarth first, then go
to father, he will send something to meet us.”

Without a word Toddy turned tu obey;
while Betsy, beside herself, knelt down close to
the half-conscious child. For the three who
‘waited silently there, the moments seemed
hours, and they did not break the stillness by
vain words. The only sounds being the cry of
a sea-mew, and the heavy rolling of the waves
as they broke upon the rocks.

When, at length, the boys came back with
Jeroboam, it was found to be simply impossible
to place the little sufferer upon the donkey’s
back in any way without running the risk of
doing more harm to the crushed foot.

“There’s nothing for it, then,” said Arthur,
in a shaky voice, “but for me to run on to meet
22 Gerty’s Triwmph.

whatever is coming, and hurry them down
here.”

Another long wait followed, while their hearts
were full of the question which they dare not
ask of each other—was Gerty fatally injured P

At last, in the distance, they saw Mr. Conway
and Toddy Bounce approaching; they were
carrying a small cot mattress, an idea suggested
by Toddy, who rarely lost his wits; upon the
high road stood Jacob Long, beside a low cart,
waiting.

As Gerty’s father came up, there were two or
three words spoken; then, stifling a groan, he
stooped and slowly lifted the little figure on to
the mattress. He and the boys then carried it
over the rocks, and placed it in the cart.

It was an hour of anguish to all before they
reached the vicarage, and Gerty was lifted in
and placed on her own little bed. The doctor
was waiting for them, and the door was shut,
for a long time, it seemed to the boys, who
huddled in the study, waiting. That terrible
waiting for the verdict of the doctor! who is
there having gone through it, does not shrink
and cower at the recollection !

Suddenly the door opened, and their father
entered. The boys had never seen his face so
ashen pale and drawn. In a few choking words
Gerty’s Accident. 23

he told them that Gerty was not hurt internally,
which had been his great dread, and her head
had been saved by her arm doubling under it.

“But her foot, father?” asked Arthur,
anxiously.

“Her foot,” repeated Mr. Conway, in a
stupefied tone, “I—I can’t tell you, boys; go
away; I must be alone with myself—and with
God.”

As the boys, affrighted, stole out, one by
one, they saw the doctor at the gate speaking to
Betsy, whose apron was at her eyes.

Presently, he turned away with a rapid step,
and Betsy coming in, the boys surrounded her,
soon getting the truth from her. Gerty’s foot
was hopelessly crushed, and so smashed that
there was but one thing to be done—there must
be an amputation.

The news was like a thunderbolt. Harry
threw himself on the ground with a wild sob,
and Ted broke into a loud fit of crying. Toddy
Bounce’s face became, if possible, whiter; but,
always thoughtful, he seized Teddy’s arm and
dragged him off through the garden, saying:
“ She must not hear that noise, Ted.”

As for Arthur, his eyes were tearless, but his
lips were dry and cracked as if he could never
speak again. He seemed to feel he had ceased
24 Gerty’s Triwmph.

to be a boy. Jife had become real in an after-
noon; he must. help his parents to bear this
blow; as for Gerty, he would not think of her
for a moment,—he could not.

While he stood rooted to the ground he heard
the gate click, and looking up he saw Dr.
Pengarth returning.

“T’ve just been home,” said the doctor, “to
write off a note to Dr. Paulet of Plymouth ;
when he receives it he will telegraph to Truro,
where I must drive over in the morning, and
wait until his train comes in, so that I may
bring him back. When a thing has to be done,
my lad, the sooner it is done the better.”

A shiver ran through Arthur as he listened
to the Doctor’s brisk words. Not that Dr.
Pengarth lacked sympathy, but it was already
a “case” in his eyes.

“Must there be another doctor to—to—”
and Arthur faltered.

“Decidedly, my boy. Shouldn’t dream of
attempting such a thing alone. Besides, it is
rather complicated, and—” the worthy doctor
finished his sentence silently as he and Arthur,
without noticing that Harry had been a listener,
turned their steps into the house.

Smothering a groan Harry rushed off to the
plantation behind the vicarage. It was growing
Gerty’s Accident. 25

dark, and the stars were coming out; ‘but the
boy felt he could not go indoors, possessed as he
was with the horror that had fallen upon him.

“Oh!” he thought wildly, “if he had only
prevented Gerty from joining him in that crazy
descent; it was all his fault! What would
everybody say to him, and what would become
of him when——” but he cowered before the
vision of Gerty as a cripple! The bright,
active little sister always flashing about like a
sunbeam.

As he rocked to and fro in a frenzy of grief,
a thought stole into his brain. It might have
been worse, it might have been death, the fall
was so violent.

“T’ll tell mother that,” thought Harry,
“perhaps. it will be a help;” and he stole
quietly into the house through the back way.

The cheerful kitchen was empty, and the boy
crouched down in front of the fire, which
seemed to comfort him by its brightness, some-
how. He heard the low murmur of voices in
the study, the doctor was still in the house; in
fact, he felt he could hardly bear to leave the
stricken family to themselves, and there were
many arrangements to be made.

Betsy proved a tower of strength, but Mrs,
Conway, seemingly deaf and stunned, knelt by


26 Gerty’s Triwmpn.

her child’s bedside, unconscious of what was
said to her.

“She must be got away to-morrow, if we
can persuade her,” said the doctor.

“That you never will, sir,” exclaimed Betsy ;
“her won’t leave Miss Gerty, ’taim’t likely !”

) ££ We'll see about that,’ answered Dr. Pen-
garth ; “and, with regard to the boys, Pl take
Harry home,—he can stay with us for a few
days. Mrs. Tregelies has sent down to say she
will take two, so Ted and young Bounce, or
whatever you call him, must go to the Park in
the morning.”

“As for you,” turning to Arthur, “ your
place is here, my lad,” and the doctor glanced
meaningly at the bowed father’s head. Then
adding, “Now, good-night to you all, try and
keep calm,” he left them.


27

CHAPTER IV.

tn the Sick Room,

a silence about the vicarage. In
p, Gerty’s room, a flickering fire’
lighted up the little white bed,
now and then touching the only

picture in the room, “the child
Jesus on His mother’s knee. Gerty herself was
lying very still, her eyes fixed on the -ceiling,
and beside her sat Betsy, in the tired-out
mother’s place. The brown, hard fingers stroked
the fair hair lying on the pillow; but Betsy
seldom spoke,—in fact, she had been almost
dumb since the day of the picnic.

All through the dreadful time she had been
the right hand of the doctors. The trial had
been too great for the stricken parents, so Betsy
stepped into the breach; but somehow, although
she had done everything and done it well, her

ig C was a week after. There was



28 Gerty’s Triumph.

lips seemed locked. In her heart raged a storm
of rebellious grief. Why, why should her idol
be cut down and made a cripple? Why were
the little flying feet that had followed her up
and down in her “household ways” to be
stayed P The little fect! ‘

A great sob strangled Betsy, for.now there
was but one, and in future, there would be but
a halting gait. The human flower she so loved
was a cripple, and the word seemed branded on
the faithful heart.

“Hark! Betsy, that’s Jeroboam! - Is he
there still?” said Gerty, suddenly, in a weak
shaky voice.

It was only a week ago, but to Gerty it had
been a gulf of time, a gulf dividing her child-
hood from the strange present. 1t was a wonder
to her that outer things had not disappeared
along with these childish days.

“Yes, honey, it’s Jeroboam,” replied Betsy ;
adding, with an effort to be cheerful, “They do
say in Hampshire when a donkey hoots, that
rain be a-comin’, and to-morrow’s Sunday.

“Sunday!” repeated Gerty, “and they will
all be in church but me! Shall I never go any
more? Do you think God doesn’t care to see
me there? Oh, Betsy, why has He done this
to me?” and a violent shudder ran through the
In the Sick Room. 29

child’s form. ‘Did He think I was too quick ?
mother says my temper is so quick. Now I'll
have to sit still all the days, and be slow, always
slow.”

This was too much for Betsy, who rose and
left the room hastily, going into her kitchen,
where with her apron over her head she indulged
in a good cry:

Gerty lay in silence for a long time, watching
the leaping flames, until the door soy opencd,
and Harry entered.

The boys since their return fad been very
shy of coming near Gerty, they seemed to feel
as if she were separated from them in some
way. They had been very wretched; the idle-
ness, which once would have been hailed with
joy, was now like apples of Sodom, and they
wandered listlessly in and out, for lessons had
not been resumed.

Teddy was so changed as to stare indifferently.
at a little shrew which ran across his path, come
out to starve and die, for the early November
days were chilly and frosty.. Once the shrew
would have been eagerly caught, a prize indeed
for the little naturalist.

Arthur had not fingered his beloved drawing
materials “since,” which word was the only
allusion they felt able to make to the calamity ;
30 - Gerty’s Triumph.

and even Toddy Bounce had moped about,
reciting silently if he recited at all.

All this Harry poured into Gerty’s ears as he
sat beside her bed in the dusky room, and he
was thankful for the gloom which hid his red
eyelids.

“Is everybody so sorry, then, Harry ?” asked
Gerty, absently pulling at the worked flowers on
her little quilt.

“Yes, they are, Gerty, everybody. As for
old Jacob, why Peggy says that he hasn’t been
once to the ing William since—”’ and Harry
stopped abruptly.

“Since they took off my foot?” finished
Gerty, softly. But Harry could not answer.

After a silence Gerty spoke again: “That's
the first good thing about it all, Harry, if Jacob
will only keep to it. It must be dreadful for
poor old Peggy, when he drinks so badly.”

“Yes,” said Harry, gravely, “drink is a
horrible thing, Gerty! when I grow up I shall
have the Blue Ribbon.”

“So shall I!” answered Gerty ; “but I shan’t
wait until I grow up, I shall have it in the
winter when the meetings begin. Father says
we are to have them in St. Enneus after Christ-
mas, and children often join—oh, but I forgot,
perhaps, Harry, they won’t think I’m worth
In the Sick Room. 81

giving it to, now,” and Gerty gave a great sob,
in which Harry would have joined, only Arthur
stole in quietly, and sat down on the edge of the
bed.

“What are you two talking about?” asked
he, and Gerty steadying her voice repeated
their remarks.

Arthur and she had had their painful first
interview, a very painful one, the day previous,
and he was now thankful to hear his sister
allude to anything beyond the topic of her
affliction.

“Oh yes!’ he said, almost cheerfully, “ father
has arranged the meetings for every Friday in’
January; at the last Canon Baring will speak,
and then I mean to join; so Gerty make
haste and get well, and we'll go up together
I wish, though, Toddy Bounce could be per-
suaded; father wishes it, too, for he says Toddy
will be a rich man when he is of age, and
‘hrough his money will have great influence
on others. And there’s another I should like
to see wearing the blue, and that’s Jacob Long;
he is ruining himself, body and soul.”

Arthur was a thoughtful boy, and spoke with
a gravity beyond his years; but turning his
eyes on Gerty’s sad little face, he assumed a
livelier air.
82 Gerty’s Triwmph.

“Gerty,” said he, “what will you give for a
bit of news? Just think, Harry and I are
going to school after the Christmas holidays
instead of waiting until next year. Granny has
written to say she wishes it, and her will is law,
seeing she is Paymaster-General.”

“Oh!” gasped Gerty, “going away! You
and Harry! Is that because of me?”

“Well, I suppose it is to have the house
quieter for you. But Toddy Bounce is not
going, so you will have him, as well as Teddy
and his crawling, creeping pets.”

Gerty’s lips quivered, ‘secing which Harry
hastily broke in:

“But, Gerty, we shall be no time away before
Easter will come; and, then, we shall have
splendid fun in the holidays.”

The two boys were chatting cheerfully of
their school prospects, winning over Gerty by
degrees to show an interest in them, when the
door opened again, admitting Mrs. Conway. A
pleased look came into her worn face as she
heard the cheerful voices; but fearing Gerty
might be tired out, she sent the boys off to tea
saying, “Gerty must invite me to tea this
evening; shall we have a little tray on your
bed, darling, you and I?”

“Oh do, mother !” said Gerty, brightly ; and
In the Sick Room. 83

presently, Betsy brought it in with a little sweet
cake, expressly made for Gerty, who sat up and
did the honours of the tray. The two had quite
acosy time, Gerty forgetting her trouble so far
as to break into a merry laugh when her mother
made sugar-tongs of her little daughter’s finger
and thumb to pick out a lump of sugar. After
tea was over, a silence came over them fur a
time; then Gerty lay back on her pillow, and
closing her eyes she spoke:

“Mother,” she asked, “did you see me erying
this morning when you came in?”

“T did, dear,” replicd Mrs. Conway, smooth-
ing the fair hair back from Gerty’s brow.

“Then, I should like to tell you why, mother.
I awoke early with a start; I seemed to have a
great pain in my foot, and I reached down my
hand to touch it, and—oh mother, mother, there
was no foot there!” finished Gerty, with a
deep sob.

For a few moments Mrs. Conway was unable
to speak, then she said tenderly :

“My Gerty, Ihave heard, or read somewhere,
that that is a very natural feeling you ex-
perienced. I cannot explain it, but it has been
known to others who have lost a limb. It will
be a further trial to you, and I only wish I
could bear it for you. But I can only pray,

D
34 Gerty’s Triwmph.

and that I am doing every hour, to God for
strength to be given you to bear it all.”

Gerty looked wonderingly at her mother’s
face so full of anguish; she, poor child, could
not yet realise as Mrs. Conway did the full
extent of the calamity. Stretching out her hand
she took her mother’s, and pressed it, saying:

‘Mother, don’t fret so about me; it will ail
come right some day. Perhaps, I’ll be a better
girl, and not fly into such tempers when the
boys tease me, though they won’t like to tease
me much now. And I’m sleepy, mother, please
sing me my own hymn, ‘Oh, happy band ot
pilgrims.’ Isn’t it strange that I always liked it
best when you think of the verse—

“Oh, happy band of pilgrims,
Look upward to the skies,
Where such a light affliction
Shall win so great a prize.


85

CHAPTER V.
Pd Facoh,

T was a winter day, but the
sun was so bright that it
actually felt warm in the
vicarage garden. Gerty sat
contented, but very white in
a little, ancicnt-looking bath-
chair sent for her use from

: the Park, where it had lain
since the death of old Mr. Tregelles.

It had proved a welcome gift, and up and
down the garden paths the little girl was pushed
day by day, sometimes by the boys, and some-
times by old Jacob.

“But I like you best, Jacob,” Gerty would
say when no one was in hearing; “the boys are
very good-natured, but they are not so careful
as you are; you watch for the stones, and don’t
bump me as they do.”

Jacob always felt obliged to stop and draw


36 Gerty’s Triumph.

out his red pocket-handkerchicf to wipe his
spectacles every time Gerty said’ this. He
shared Betsy’s affection for little Miss Gerty ;
in his eyes such a child never breathed. Hoe
had never had one of his own, but all his dream
children were fair-haired little girls like Gerty.

The boys he could not abide, as just imps of
mischief. They trod down his pet flower-beds ;
and if he did get them to help him weed a bit,
they never failed to pull up every plant as well;
while as for Miss Gerty, she would potter about
for a whole afternoon at his heels never doing
a bit of harm,

It may be imagined how deeply the old man
had felt the terrible accident which had befallen
Gerty. In wonder and amaze he noted with what
meek gentleness the bright child seemed to be
accepting her cross. He had thought his own life
a hard one, nothing but work, work and poverty ;
excuse enough he would say for his too frequent
visits to the- King William, where he found
what he called comfort.

But Jacob had never known a deep afiliction,
never suffered any great illness; and now the
thought was ever in his mind how differently
after all God had dealt with him compared to
the bar which He had put across the active life
of this little creature
Old Jacob. 87

Jacob’s heart was melted ; and he was always
on the watch to be ready to wheel the child
away, and every word of her simple chatter
sank into his mind.

The two had their little jokes and make-
believes in common ; and with all gravity Jacob
would discuss the doings of the various fowls
under the names by which Gerty had christened
them, such as a thing as a nameless hen being
unknown in the vicarage poultry yard.

“Miss Gerty,” Jacob would say, “ Queen
Elizabeth laid her first egg yesterday, and Mrs.
Hannah More be scettin’ on the nest agen, she
be, foolish old thing !”

“Oh, dear!” said Gerty, “you must wheel
me into the yard, Jacob, I want to see all the
dear old chicks ;”” and off the bath-chair would
be trundled in that direction.

“Now, Jacob, you must bring me the six
Percivals,” the six Percivals having come from
eggs given by a lady of that name. “ Why,”
went on Gerty, “how you have grown, and no
wonder, for you’re always eat, eat, eating!”

“Yes,” broke in Jacob, “they do eat, them
there Percivals, I never know’d such a family
for food and fightin’. That there youngest he
have his reg’lar battles with Christopher Co-
lombus.”
38 Gerty’s Triwmph.

Christopher Colombus, a haughty Spanish
cock, was edging close to Gerty’s levée of the
Percival family while Jacob spoke.

“Now,” said Gerty, meditatively, “what do
you suppose they fight about, Jacob?”

“Oh, about eatin’; the greed of Christopher
Colombus do beat anything, Miss Gerty ; he’s
hover-eatin’ of himself, constant.”

“But, Jacob, I’ve read that animals never
eat or drink too much ; only human beings do
that.””

Gerty spoke innocently, but Jacob hung his
head as he replied:

“ Ah, missy, I know what you mean; but I
can tell ’ee, sure as sure, I’ve not tasted a drop
since the day you fell down Pendennis Point.
It was all I could do; ses I, if so be she weathers
it, she’ll like to know it, and I’ve saved up the
news until now, and it’s true.”

“Oh, Jacob!” cried Gerty, with tears in her
blue eyes, ‘ dear old Jacob, have you done this
for me? How good everybody is to me, now.
I always liked you, Jacob; but now I love
you !”

“Love me, Miss Gerty ! a real little lady like
you love poor old me!” and Jacob took out his
spectacles to wipe them.

“Yes, I do,” went on Gerty, “and why not?
Old Jacob. 89

Does not Jesus love you; and if I am glad to
hear your news, think what He must feel; just
think, Jacob !”? and an eager little face looked
up into the old man’s.

“T never thought He would care about my
givin’ way to the drink,”? muttered Jacob.

“That’s just it!” said Gerty, quickly. “And
Tuever thought He would care when they cut
my foot off. Then, it seemed to come into my
mind when I lay awake, those nights after, that
there was a kind face shining down upon me all
the time, while every now and then these words
came into my head :—

‘Well I know thy trouble,
O my servant true ;’

“Now, I feel it, sure and certain, that He is
sorry, and that He will make it up to me, some-
how, for—for being lame. And Jacob,” con-
cluded Gerty,“ won’t you, like a good old Jacob,
join the Blue Ribbon Army when the meetings
begin P”

“Well,” said Jacob, slowly, “I don’t know
as I shall.. What’s the good, missy ?”

“Why, Jacob, you know it’s a help; if—if
you were tempted there would always be the bit of
blue to remind you; and, besides, it would always
be speaking to other people, if you wore it.”
40 Gerty’s Triumph.

“So it ’ould, so it ould; there’s Tim Reilly
the Irish sweep, I wonder what he’d be a-sayin’ !”

“Does he drink, Jacob?”

“That he do, badly, as his missis and the six
children could tell.”

“Then, Jacob,” said Gerty, with shining eyes,
“af you and I (for I’m going to join) are wear-
ing the blue, and happen to meet Tim, it will set
lan thinking, and who knows ”

“Ay, ” said Jacob, “who knows? Well,
missy, I'll think it over!”

“Yes, Jacob; and you and I shall join at the
same meeting, faa think how pleased Pessy
will be!”

“ Hilloa!”’ shouted a merry voice, and He 'y
bounded into the yard, “how are all their fea-
thered majesties getting on? Hi! look at Don
Carlos of Spain, he wants to have a pitched
battle with old Buonaparte! 'Toddy Bounce,
come here and sce the fun.”

In came Toddy Bounce, and, to the boys’ de-
light and Gerty’s distress, the two fowls began an
infuriated duel. Feathers were soon flying in
all directions, but a summary stop was put to
the battle by the appearance of Betsy.

“Well, I’m glad I’ve comed,”’ said she, “ to
stop this; you boys are cruel bad to encourage
dumb brutes to tear their eyes out. J dessay —


Old Jacob. 41

you think it’s fun ; as for Miss Gerty, her looks
fit to faint.”

The respective kings retired to different corners
of the yard, while Betsy continued: “That Don
Carlos is the most cantankerous fowl, and no
doubt him’s as tough as he looks; but—” ad-
dressing the crestfallen Don, ‘‘you’m soon to
be know’d at your proper valley, for chicken-
broth I must make this very week.” .

“Oh,” said Gerty, still paler, “I can’t have
my kings and queens killed.”

“There now, Miss Gerty, don’t ’ee look like .
that, I’m but jokin’; only broth I must have,

‘for there’s Tim Reilly’s wife been up begging
for some for one of their children as is doven
with low fever, and not sixpence in the house.

“’cos him’s out o’ work. That’s all along o’ the
drink,” she ended, with a flash at Jacob.

“Tim is a bad lot,” remarked Toddy Bounce,
huskily ; “I heard the doctor say that he beats
his wife, too (‘the man who lifts his hand to a
woman, save in the way of kindness, ’twere gross
flattery to call a brute’).”

“Them’s beautiful words!” said Betsy, ad-
miringly, “ do’ee say em again, Master Toddy !”
a request with which Toddy Bounce would
willingly have complied; quoting at random,
indeed, he would have liked nothing better than
42 Gerty’s Triwmph.

to fall into an attitude, and recite to the as-
sembled company, including the royal fowls and
the six Percivals, but Gerty broke in eagerly :

‘Oh, Betsy, there’s a good time coming for
everybody, even the Reillys; for I’m sure when
Tim sees us all wearing the blue ribbon,” and
she smiled meaningly to Jacob, who was meekly
twirling his thumbs during Betsy’s sharp-shoot-
ing, “he is quite sure to mend his ways, and
who knows, may join himself.”


438

CHAPTER VI.
Shristmas Gifts,

— (erry lay wide awake in her little
A! white bed, she was straining
her ears for the first sound of the
Church bells, telling out that it
was Christmas morn. When the
Ss great burst came she gave a sob ;
ba as ae listened, the bells seemed to have
tongues, and their words were:

“O peace and joy! O peace and joy !
Still that old lay
The joy-bells say,
Earth’s only gold without alloy.”




Gerty was only a child, but strange, deep
thoughts were dawning in her heart. Since the
accident which had made a cripple of her, a
great change had taken place. At one moment
the very sight of her new crutches would sting
her into frenzy. The next, hot tears of repent-
ance would rain down her face as she prayed
silently for help to bear her cross.
44 Gerty’s Triwmph.

On Christmas morn, however, the bells brought
Gerty a message, and in her heart there was
peace and joy at last. She fell into a quiet
sleep, and awoke to spend a truly happy Christ-
mas Day. With an effort, she limped on the
detested crutches to church, not heeding the
pitying glances cast upon her. Sitting in her
corner of the pew, she listened to the “Sweet
Story of Old,” and the Christ-child seemed to
be born in her own heart that day. :

By-and-by, in the afternoon, the boys crowded
round her little chair to count over all their
presents ; but Gerty’s own share was the largest.
One which pleased her greatly was a set of tools
for wood-carving from Toddy Bounce, who was
rather an expert in that art, and it had occurred
to him what a famous occupation it would be
for Gerty. He himself would instruct her, and
Gerty delightedly thought of the many toys and
little articles she would be enabled to carve and
give to the village children.

Arthur’s presents were a capital box of water-
colours, and a birthday book with floral outlines
on each page, which Gerty was to colour.

Teddy, true to his instincts, must give some-
thing alive, so placed on his sister’s lap a morsel
of a puppy, so young that it seemed to be all
head and nothing else. Round its neck was a
Christmas Gifts. 45

blue ribbon tying on a card with its name,
“Spark,” and date of its birth.

Besides these, there was a silver locket, which
Harry’s savings had bought, and many other
presents. Even Jacob Long stepped in with a
bunch of Christmas roses for Missy, and of course
he had to sce the gifts. With a twinkle in his
eyes, the old man glanced at the puppy, saying :
“Ah, Miss Gerty, you'll be havin’ us all a-wearin’
the blue very soon, man and beast.”

A peal of childish laughter broke from Gerty’s
lips, gladdening the heart of her mother as she
entered the room, and Jacob, bridling over his
own wit, departed to the kitchen to be regaled
with a slice of plum-pudding.

“Mother!” called out the young people in
chorus, “ come and sit with us, we want to have
a talk.” :

Round the glowing fire they gathered, and as
the daylight departed the Vicar came quietly in
to join the circle. Though a quiet, deeply
thoughtful man, Mr. Conway had nothing
austere in his nature. That fact could easily
be seen by the perfect freedom of his children in
his presence. As he sat by Gerty’s chair, one
of her curls was twisted round his finger, and in
front of him, sitting on a low stool, Harry leant
his head back on his father’s knees.
46 Gerty’s Triwmph.

There was a great deal to be said about the
gifts received and given, Toddy Bounce show-
ing off with a manly air his uncle’s “ tip,” as
he called a cheque for five pounds, and spending
it over and over again as he sat on the hearth-
rug. The talk then turned upon the Christmas
tree for the Sunday-school children, which was
to be the great feature of the entertainment to
take place next evening in the schoolroom.

Mrs. Conway’s clever fingers had made
numerous articles, besides dressing, with Gerty’s
help, a quantity of dolls. Then, Harry, who
knitted famously, had manufactured twenty fine
pairs of cuffs for the village wrists. Arthur
had painted all the flags, and Teddy, ah,
Teddy’s presents were presents indeed, being
several small wooden boxes made by Toddy
Bounce, each containing a couple of live white
mice with red eyes. Happy the village bov
who would get one of these!

Toddy Bounce, who had always plenty of
pocket-money, had bought a sovereign’s worth
of sweets in Truro, and these were put up in
coloured cardboard horns for the wee ones.

So the Vicarage children had “done their
dooty by the tree,” to quote Betsy. She,
good soul, had baked heaps of what she called
Jersey wonders, certain brown, twisted cakes
Christmas Gifts. 47

besides some substantial plum-cakes, the
materials for which had been sent to Mrs.
Conway from a rich farmer in the neighbour-
hood; so there was no doubt as to there being
plenty of feasting going on.

In addition to the Tree there was to be an
entertainment, about which a great amount of
mystery had been kept up, the chief conspirators
being Harry and Toddy Bounce. Mr. Conway
was in the secret, and Jacob looked as if he
were also, and had excited the village curiosity
to its utmost by his hints. Nota Jittle lad or
lass was there, whose dreams had not been
haunted by the coming marvel, and everybody
was on tiptoe of excitement.

Whatever the mystery might turn out to be,
the mere mention of it caused Toddy Bounce
and Harry to chuckle and grin in a way that
sorely aggravated those not in the secret.

Teddy, in particular, was much aggrieved,
and his curiosity refused to be pacified by the
assurance that he would enjoy the secret when
it burst upon him in its perfection so much
more than if he had to help in creating St.

The carrier had brought strange packages,
more than once, to Toddy Bounce, which were
hustled up to his little den, from whence sounds
of hammering had been incessantly to be heard.
48 Gerty’s Lriwmph.

It was a bitter night, and the piercing wind
blew the snow off the shrubs round the school-
house; but, indoors, it was warm cnough, and
the rooms were filled with bright, merry faces.
Countless mugs of steaming sweet tea had been
filled and re-filled, for, in the little people’s eyes,
this tea was immeasurably nicer than mother’s
tea at’home; and the piles of plum cake slices,
where were they? Melted away like frost in
sunshine.

One or two carols had been sung, then Toddy
Bounce mounted the platform and gave a recita-
tion. -This performance was a great source of
gratification to all the village boys, who scarcely
breathed lest they should lose a word of the
theme, which dealt with the lawless doings of
pirates and their cutlasses.

Toddy, at the conclusion, was cheered to the
echo, and would probably have gladly given the
audience another treat, but he had disappeared
suddenly, so had Harry. When their absence
was discovered, the thrilling whisper ran through
the room, “It be a-comin’.”

To divert the children’s attention another
carol was sung, but it fell rather flat; then
Gerty, who had been sitting all the evening in
her own little invalid chair, bethought her of
the horns of sweets provided by Toddy, and
Christmas Gifts. 49

proposed dealing them out. Each child was
marshalled up to her to receive a packet; some
of the chubby little ones lingered beside her
chair, almost devouring her with their round
eyes. They all knew the story of her dreadful
accident; and the poor little things, who loved
her dearly, were filled with horror that pretty
Miss Gerty should be sitting there with only one
foot, helpless and unable to jump about among
them as she had done last Christmas.

Gerty felt what their thoughts were; but she
bravely kept down the lump in her throat, and
gave merry words to each, with the sweets.

At last she came to an end of the distribution,
and the children were again showing signs of
impatience for the coming of the event of the
evening. Everyone was then requested to be
seated Arthur wheeled Gerty’s chair to the
front, and with a great deal of fuss and chatter ©
the rest of the company took their places.

It was then seen that a large old screen from
the vicarage stood on the platform, and behind
this screen was the mystery, whatever it might
be. Nota child moved, or whispered; the ex-
pectation was almost painful when, upon the
straining ears fell a sound which sent the blood
flying through their veins, and cauSed a perfect
shriek of delight to ring through the room.

EB
50

CHAPTER VII.
Punch and #dudy,

0OT - TO- TO - TO -'T0- T00 -0- 0-17!
livery one recognized the peculiar
squeak. Dozens of the children
who had never seen Punch and
Judy, knew it by heart from de-
scription. As for Ted, he fairly
jumped off his seat and shouted,

while Gerty exclaimed :

“Oh, now, I know why they begged for my
old long-clothes’ doll, it was for Judy’s baby !”

All through the room the uproar became so
great that Mr. Conway himself had to say a few
words to quiet the excitement, then the screen
was slowly dragged to the side, disclosing the
well-known show of Punch and Judy.

With another shrill “ Root-to-too-it !”’ Punch
made his appearance, accompanied by lively
music from drum and pipes, in his red garments
and gay pointed cap. He was shortly followed
by Judy, when the dancing and quarrelling


Punch and Judy. ; 51

began. Presently Punch fetched up the Baby,
singing to it:
‘*Hush-a-bye, baby,
Sleep while you can,

If you live till you’re older
You'll grow up a man!”

And so on went the familiar farce. Though
it seemed as if the joy of the children could not
be increased, still, when the dog Toby (a big
squeaking toy dog) made his appearance, their
ecstasy was complete.

And not only did the young people revel in
the spectacle, it was nearly as great a delight to
the elders. As for Betsy, she felt constrained
to throw her apron over her head, as usual, and
ery with laughter behind it.

“Tt?s Toddy Bounce, he is Punch!” whis-
pered Ted to Gerty, “and Harry is playing the
drum, Isn’t it splendid! There, look, that’s
the doctor, and there comes the clown, and oh!
oh! look at Toby, doesn’t Punch whack him !”

At this crisis little Billy Blake, taking the
show for grim reality, broke into a storm of
shrieks just as Toby tried to snap off Punch’s
long nose, and had to be taken out to the next
room, where his tears were dried hastily to
enable him to eat an orange.

Without a hitch the show was played out
52 Gerty’s Triwmph.

until the end, and Punch, wishing them all a
squeaky good-night, the screen was once more
drawn across. The children, until then under
a spell, were able again to give vent to their
rapture, and their little Cornish throats made
the roof ring with cheers for Toddy Bounce and
Harry.

Arthur and Ted were profoundly puzzled to
know how Toddy Bounce could have practised
his inimitable performance of Punch’s squeak.
They did not know that he had spent hours
down on the shore, rehearsing under cover of
the noise of the breakers thundering in on the
rocks,

With regard to the manufacture of the show,
it has been said that Toddy was no mean hand
at carving, so he had made all the heads of the
puppets out of soft wood. The apparatus itself
had come down from a great London toy-shop,
so had Punch’s dress and cap; the rest of the
puppets being dressed by Harry out of “ pieces ”
begged from Betsy. That was the whole secret,
and very proud the boy performers were of their
success,

After the excitement had somewhat subsided,
the business of distributing the Christmas tree
presents began. The tree having been lighted
up during the show, the dolls and toys dangled
Punch and Judy. 53

bravely on the branches. There proved to be
plenty of gifts, even some over for the babies at
home, to Mrs. Conway’s satisfaction.

After some hymns were sung, oranges, sweets,
and good-nights concluded the programme of a
successful event long to be remembered in St.
Enneus. When Gerty said her prayers that
night she felt that all happiness in this world
was not-over because she had lost a foot, and
she thanked God for the happy day He had
given her.

With the New Year came the long looked-fur
meetings. The first proved a success, and the
good preacher's words had such an effect upon
his hearers that many of them appeared next
day wearing the sign of the promise they had
undertaken, Arthur and Harry among the
number. Toddy Bounce, however, stood firm
in his refusal, and Mr. Conway did not consider
fit to over-persuade him.

“T should so very much prefer to see the boy
come willingly forward,” said the Vicar, in reply
to Harry’s entreaties that his father should use
his influence to break down Toddy’s resolve.

On the morning of the second meeting, Gerty
ventured out on her crutches. She wanted to
see Jacob, but he was nowhere about the garden
nor was he in Jeroboam’s stable, so Gerty
54 Gerty’s Triwmph.

limped off to the poultry yard, where she founda
the old man surrounded by the fowls.

“Hey, Miss Gerty,” he called out, “here’s a
to-do. Mrs. Hannah More’s goin’ off in a divine.
She’s been sittin’ constant lately; but this week
she’s took to pine cruel bad, and she will drop
off one of these days like the Queen. of
Madagascar did, and a beautiful Dorking she
was !”

‘Oh, poor dear Hannah More!” exclaimed
Gerty, hopping after the retreating hen. “I
wish she would let me stroke her; could you
not give her something warm, or some medicine,
Jacob?”

‘No good, Missy, I’m afeared ; I did think of
giving her a sup of spirits: I’ve known that do
good for the time. But,” Jacob added shyly, “I
don’t care to go nigh the King William, seeing
I haven’t been there since you know when,
missy.”

“Oh, Jacob!” said Gerty, eagerly, “that is
the very thing I’ve come to talk about; I mean
about the meeting this evening. Do you know
that I am going to join to-night, and you half
promised to go with me!” and the fair little
face, full of pleading, gazed up into the wrinkled
old countenance, as Gerty leant on her crutches,
and waited while the struggle went on.
Punch and Judy. Ba

It was an anxious time. At last, Jacob looked
up from the ground, and taking out his spectacles
began to polish them, while Gerty’s heart beat
quickly. ‘Miss Gerty,” he said, huskily, “ I’ve
allays said there ain’t nothin’ I wouldn’t do
that you axed me, and, now, I'll not go for to
say you nay in this matter.”

Gerty’s colour came and went swiftly, but she
was very quiet. She stretched out a soft little
hand, saying, “ Thank you, Jacob, shake hands
with me for the bargain.”

Jacob looked down at the small pink palm,
and then at his own, brown and rough.

“Miss Gerty, you make me proud; but I
dursn’t touch your hand.”

“Yes, you shall,” returned Gerty, quickly,
taking his hand in hers; “ and this evening you
and I shall go up to the platform together, to
receive our ribbons.”

“Bless you, missy!” said Jacob, “ you be an
angel, you be, and when I promise I'll stick to
it; there'll be no wavering here or wavering
there with Jacob Long.”

“That's a good old man!” said Gerty, with
satisfaction ; “now, see you are ready by seven
o'clock. Make yourself smart to walk up the
room with me;” and Gerty limped back into
the house, where she met Toddy Bounce.
56 Gerty’s Triwmph.

“T say, Gerty,” he grected her, “do come
along up to my den, and I'll give you a eee
in carving.’

“Oh, Toddy, you know I can’t get snails
with these,” said Gerty, looking piteously at
her crutches.

Toddy, vexed with himself, hastily answered,
“T'll fetch the wood down to the study. Mr.
Conway has gone over to Truro, so we can go
in there;” and they were soon at work, Gerty
proving an intelligent pupil, and Toddy Bounce
a patient instructor.

In the midst of the lesson Harry joined them,
bringing in his tools and a piece of alder wood
to begin a model cutter.

They were all three deep in their occupations,
when the door burst open, and Ted entered.

“ Hilloa!” cried Harry, “I see you’ve got
the soap-dish; what have you inside, black-
beetles P”

“No,” said Ted. “It’s a prize this time; it
dropped right down from the kitchen ceiling.
I heard Tetsy screaming, so I rushed in, and
was lucky enough to catch it: what a beauty it
is!” and he carefully lifted the lid of the soap-
dish, exposing a monstrous dark spider, really
a giant, tempted out of its winter hermitage by
a very mild morning and the hot kitchen fire.
Punch and Judy. 57

“Qh—h!” shuddered Gerty, “take it away!”

“Come now, Gerty,” said Ted, with youth-
ful sternness, “don’t let yourself grow up into
a second Betsy ; spiders have as much right to
live as girls.”

“ Hear, hear! young philosopher!” applauded
Harry; “he is quite right, Gerty. Don’t bring on
nerves, whatever you do; and the spider can’t
hurt.you. What a big one it is, to be sure!
What shall you do with it, Ted P”

“T thought of keeping it in my room to study
its ways, if I could get it to take to a corner,”
answered Ted, innocently.

“Ho, ho!” laughed Toddy Bounce, “ Gilbert
White of Selborne, the second !”

“Who was he?” asked Ted.

“One of the best men who ever lived,” said
Mr. Conway, entering the study, “and one of
whom we can say:

‘He prayeth best who loveth best
All things, both great and small.’

You shall read his book, my boy, and then, you
will have a key to open the secrets of nature.
But, now, take away your prize, and do not let
it annoy either mother or Gerty, or poor Betsy.
Be courteously careful in dealing with other
people’s antipathies.”
58

CHAPTER VIII.
Goad Hews,

HE old plum-trees in the vicarage
’ garden were white with blossoms,
and Betsy declared that the April
sun was putting the fires out. On

a sunny path Gerty’s chair was

daa up, and she sat watching her mother

moving in and out among the trees, followed by
the puppy, Spark.

Spark was behaving after the manner of all
young things in the spring, giddy with the joy
of merely being alive. Gerty’s eyes followed
his antics with amusement; but behind the
laughter there was a touch of pathos, and the
corners of her mouth had a patient little droop.

She was not quite the same Gerty whom we
saw dodging the sun’s rays at the tea-table
when our story began. Little young thing as
she was she had been purified through suffering.
The great trial sent to her had softened down
all her faults and sharp flashes of temper,


Good News. 59

leaving a tender brightness about her which
endeared her to everyone.

Her disposition was naturally too sweet to
retain bitterness, or envy of others because they
could run and skip about, while she must ever
sit still, With the trial, the good God had
given the strength to bear, and the patierce to
“wait for the bright day in the midst of the
dull one.”

Other things, besides jumping and running
about were beginning to occupy her mind. She
had got on wonderfully with her wood-carving,
and meant to surprise the boys when they re-
turned from school at Easter with presents
carved by her own fingers. Toddy Bounce,
who was still under Mr. Conway’s charge, was
surprised at her skill, which threatened to excel
his own very shortly.

Then, she had managed to colour very
respectably the floral outlines round her father’s
and mother’s dates in the birthday book. In
this effort, her father saw promise of a wonder-
fully correct eye for colour, and proposed giving
his little daughter drawing-lessons, at once.
Thus, Gerty’s time and fingers were fully oc-
cupied, and, consequently, she was far from
being unhappy.

Besides, there was a little bit of hope to
60 Gerty’s Triwmph.

brighten the future. Science has done many
things for the maimed, or injured human frame
and every year sees these inventions brought to
greater perfection. When the doctor would
say the proper time had come, Gerty was to be
taken to London, there to have a cork foot
fitted on; and, in time, away she might fling
the hated crutches.

When the little girl heard of this a great load
was lifted from her heart, and she blithely told
Ted that she would soon be able to go insect-
hunting with him to the ponds, though she
might not manage to get down to the shore.

Ted, now the happy possessor of a History of
Selborne of his own, was more than ever, as was
to be expected, an enthusiastic lover of nature.
Who is there, having read that peer amongst
books, but could help falling in love with the
outer world P

Even Betsy might have been made a convert,
only that busy woman did not “hold with book-
reading,” beyond the pages of her Bible, which
she read every Sunday afternoon with her best
gown on, so she was still at feud with Ted
about his colony of pets. Birds and beasts she
tried to tolerate, but “they nasty insects,” and
the frogs, she loathed.

With the exception of little skirmishes be-
Good News. 61

tween Ted and herself, the vicarage was very
quiet during the absence of Arthur and Harry
at school. The break in the family caused by
the absence of those two had been much felt by
those left behind.

It was a considerable time before Gerty, Ted,
and Toddy Bounce became accustomed to being
together, they felt disconnected,—Harry was
certainly the “missing link” between them.
However, the hope of Easter began to dawn
upon them, and they looked forward to it
eagerly.

Meanwhile, the people and things of St.
Enneus were all prospering, unless we except
the landlady of the King William, who, it was
rumoured, found times so bad that she threatened
to retire and sell her business if she could get a
buyer. What was her loss, though, was the
greatest gain of others.

In many a little home faces had brightened,
for there were long-missing comforts to be seen
once more. The wives sang a lilt as they
“tidied up” of an afternoon, and the men
came home regularly to spend their evenings,
that is, when they did not spend them in the
reading-room which Mrs. Conway had, at last,
managed to establish, partly by means of a
handsome gift from Mrs. Tregelles of the Park.
62 Gerty’s Triwmph.

“And all this is along o’ the Blue Ribbon,”
as Peggy Long would say, Jacob had always
been a good husband, and now that his only

fault was mended, Peggy thought herself the

happiest old woman in the village. As for
Jacob himself, there was a marked change
indeed in him. His eyes were now lifted to
meet his master’s, with a clear conscience
speaking out of them.

“JT always thought it would come,” Mrs.
Conway murmured to herself; ‘at evening time
it ts light.”

‘‘ Mother,” said Gerty, who caught the words,
“ sometimes, I do think that if I had not lost
my foot Jacob would never have been cured.
You see, he was so dreadfully sorry for me,
that he wanted to do something to show how
very much he felt for me, and that was why he
gave the promise.”

“T know, Gerty, I know,” replied her mother,
with a half sob; ‘but what a price to pay, my
darling; still, God forgive me for saying so _
when I know that whatever He does is: well—
and best for you and me.”

“J can say that now, mother; and don’t
fret. Just think when I get the new foot, and
walk out with you again, shan’t you be pleased !
And, Spark, you wild tease, you will stare when
Good News. 68

you see me stepping out. He doesn’t know I
could ever walk, does he, mother?” And
Spark, as if he understood his mistress’ words,
proceeded to tumble about, and spin round after
his own tail, as if really the prospect of these
walks was too much for his giddy brain.

Before the ridiculous puppy had come back
to his senses, Betsy made her appearance with
a tumbler of new milk, and one of her Jersey
wonders,

There was nothing like eating, Betsy declared,
to make one strong, and her great desire was to
see Gerty’s lily face become rosy again. So the
worthy soul was always in pursuit of her, with
something which “she know’d would make
Miss Gerty look as spry as two if she’d take
it,” and of course Gerty never could refuse her
dear old Betsy.

“Mrs. Reilly has just come’d up, ma’am,”
remarked Betsy; “she sends her dooty to ’ee,
and little Ben is picking up nicely, and she’s
beholden to ’ee for the beef tea you sent he.”

“ Ah!” said Mrs. Conway, turning back to
the house, “I must go in and see the poor soul,
to tell her how glad I am to know her husband
is behaving so much better of late.”

It was tea-time, and Toddy Bounce was
’ eagerly entertaining the now small circle at the
64 Gerty’s Triwmph.

tea-table with a discovery he had made on the
study-bookshelves of a volume of ancient
ballads, just the very thing for recitation, when
Mr. Conway entered, waving over his head a
letter—

“From the boys?” called out each of the
party.

“Yes,” replied Mr. Conway, “it is from
the boys ; and they say that Toddy Bounce is to
practice on his flute, ‘See, the Conquering
Heroes come;’ that Ted is to have two strong
cages in readiness for visitors; that Jacob is-
to see that Jeroboam is in training for gallops ;
and, finally, that—they are coming home on
the 13th!”

« Hurrah !” said everybody.



LONDON : KNIGHT, PRINTER, MIDDLE STREET, E.Ce
























































































































































Two Busy Bees,

The Blying Poshinan,
Jin. ;

Lh rf eee:

Bees r’s Arms.
ye eve Unele ep. ts.
Lint st An ‘s Legacy.

Hotitihe Gold Medal was Won,
: aes the ei! Drovers.

q a Bentley's Treat.
Jessicts Viste to the Suuny
Bank,
linyts Secret,
the Childyven in the Valley,