  All Granada was in a flutter! It was the brightest of October days, and the sun seemed to be trying to be as bright as the people, or the people to be as gay as the sunshine. Fernando and Juanita hopped out of bed and ran to the window the first minute they were awake, and squealed with delight when they saw that the day was fair. "Oh, mamma!" cried Fernando. "Is it not glorious? The fÊte will be a success!" and Juanita echoed her brother, "Is it not wonderfully fair!" "Come and have your chocolate quickly, like good children," returned their mother, "for you must be ready early." As soon as the children were breakfasted, they were dressed in their best clothes, Juanita all in white, with a gay sash, and Fernando in a sailor suit of blue, and they waited impatiently for their parents to be ready to start for the fÊte. It was a great day for Granada, for the king was coming to visit the city, and it had been many years since royalty had honoured the Andalusian town. Spaniards are nearly always devoted to their king, and in Andalusia there are very few who are not fond and proud of the young King Alphonso. In Northern Spain there are many who are called Carlists, and who believe that the descendants of Don Carlos are the lawful kings of Spain, and these have often gotten up revolutions and tried to set their own favourites up as kings. In Barcelona and some of the eastern provinces there are many who like neither Every balcony in the city was covered with flowers; flags and banners floated everywhere. The Alameda was ablaze with decorations, and every face wore a smile of welcome. The programme for the day was a simple one. The king was to be met at the station by a delegation, a band, and a mounted escort, witness a military review on the Alameda, and depart by an afternoon train. All Granada must see him, and Fernando and Juanita with it. It had been decided that the best time for the children to have a good look at the king was when he drove to the Alhambra, and Manuel and Dolores started early to take them to meet Antonio, who had promised to provide places within the Alhambra grounds, where the general multitude would be less "See there, little sister," he said. "Is not that an easy way to get milk for the day?" The goatherd was passing at the head of his procession of goats, looking neither to the right nor to the left, expecting his herd to follow him as gravely as he walked; but a peasant woman stole out of her door, and quietly milked one of the little beasts, who seemed not to object in the least, and took it so calmly that Pablo added, "That is not the first time there has been stolen milk for breakfast, I'm sure." "See the poor beggar; do give him something, Pablo," said Juanita, touched by a wretched specimen of humanity who sat with "You must not be too sad for all the beggars, niÑa; there is an old rhyme: "'The armless man has written a letter, The blind man finds the writing clear; The mute is reading it aloud, And the deaf man runs to hear.' They are not all so sad as they look, but one must give for fear one may slight the really needy." "Oh, Pablo, may we have some horchata?" cried Fernando, and his brother stopped to purchase some of the snowy, chilly, puckery stuff, and they enjoyed it greatly. Fernando ate too hastily, and his brother said: "Quita, quita! You must not act so! You are as bad as the king when he was a baby and put his knife in his mouth. His governess said to him, 'Kings do not eat "Indeed," said Fernando, pertly, "the king is my cousin, so it says in my history book that all Spaniards may say." "He is your cousin, that is, you must love him as your own blood; but say, rather, 'All equal below the king,' and put him ever first. Remember that your fathers have died for the Kings of Spain, and we may have a chance to show our loyalty yet," and Pablo's bright face clouded a moment. "Listen to the music; there goes the military salute! The king has come, and by the time we reach the Alhambra he will be on his way hither. Get up, Babieca," and he hurried the little donkey along until they reached the top of the hill and found Antonio waiting for them, his face flushed and eager. "He will pass here," he cried, "beneath the Gate of Justice, and my father says we may "How nice that will be!" cried Juanita. "And where is Pepita?" "There, awaiting you," Antonio answered. "I will take care of Babieca and return," and he led the donkey away, coming back in a few moments, and they all waited impatiently. Spaniards all love a spectacle, and the young folk could hardly restrain themselves as they heard the strains of music coming nearer and nearer. At last the cavalcade came in sight,—first a troop of soldiers, then a band playing the Marcha Real, then a mounted guard keeping close to His Majesty's carriage. There he sat, the young king, a tall, slight youth, with a pale, proud face and great black eyes, sad, yet merry and tender; a patrician face in every feature, yet a lovable one, and one to arouse all of love and loyalty in his subjects, as the As the carriage paused at the entrance gate, the king looked up at the eager little group upon the wall and smiled. Juanita and Pepita flung into his carriage their huge bouquets of flowers and to the girls he threw a kiss; but Fernando and Antonio stood up very straight and saluted gravely, and with a smile in his eyes, but with grave lips, the young king raised his hand to his hat and gave them in return the military salute. Then his carriage passed on, and bore him out of sight, but a shout went up from every voice, "Viva el rey!" "When I grow up I shall be a nun and pray all the time for the king!" said Pepita. "I shall be a soldier and fight for him," said Fernando, proudly. "And I," said Juanita, "shall marry and have many children to fight and pray for him and for Spain!" "Indeed, little sister, perhaps thou hast chosen the better part," said Pablo, laughing heartily. "See!" cried Antonio, "there goes the carriage again, and hear how the people shout!" and as the bravas rent the air, the children shouted, too: "Viva Espagna! Viva el rey! Dios guarda usted!"
FOOTNOTES:"Please God, my little godchild, That your life as pure may be As the laughing brook which through the valley, Runneth ever limpidly. Your Godfather Francesco Wishes fervently." He who has not visited Sevilla Has not seen a marvel. Who has not seen Granada Has seen nothing. "Santa Rita, Santa Rita, send us now, We pray thee fervently, A millionaire for a husband, E'en a blockhead though he be, E'en so, e'en so, e'en so, A millionaire for a husband, A blockhead though he be." "Sister Saltero, without vanity, I am lovely, I am salada," salada meaning charming, witty, gracious. THE LITTLE COUSIN SERIES The most delightful and interesting accounts possible of child-life in other lands, filled with quaint sayings, doings, and adventures. Each 1 vol., 12mo, decorative cover, cloth, with six or more full-page illustrations in color. Price per volume $0.60
THE GOLDENROD LIBRARY The Goldenrod Library contains only the highest and purest literature,—stories which appeal alike both to children and to their parents and guardians. Each volume is well illustrated from drawings by competent artists, which, together with their handsomely decorated uniform binding, showing the goldenrod, usually considered the emblem of America, is a feature of their manufacture. Each one volume, small 12mo, illustrated, decorated cover, paper wrapper $0.35
COSY CORNER SERIES It is the intention of the publishers that this series shall contain only the very highest and purest literature,—stories that shall not only appeal to the children themselves, but be appreciated by all those who feel with them in their joys and sorrows. The numerous illustrations in each book are by well-known artists, and each volume has a separate attractive cover design. Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth $0.50 By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON The Little Colonel. (Trade Mark.) The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its heroine is a small girl, who is known as the Little Colonel, on account of her fancied resemblance to an old-school Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and old family are famous in the region. The Giant Scissors. This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in France. Joyce is a great friend of the Little Colonel, and in later volumes shares with her the delightful experiences of the "House Party" and the "Holidays." Two Little Knights of Kentucky. Who Were the Little Colonel's Neighbors. In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an old friend, but with added grace and charm. She is not, however, the central figure of the story, that place being taken by the "two little knights." Mildred's Inheritance. A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who comes to America and is befriended by a sympathetic American family who are attracted by her beautiful speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is enabled to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the use of her eyes, and thus finally her life becomes a busy, happy one. Cicely and Other Stories for Girls. The readers of Mrs. Johnston's charming juveniles will be glad to learn of the issue of this volume for young people. Aunt 'Liza's Hero and Other Stories. A collection of six bright little stories, which will appeal to all boys and most girls. Big Brother. A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Steven, himself a small boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of the simple tale. Ole Mammy's Torment. "Ole Mammy's Torment" has been fitly called "a classic of Southern life." It relates the haps and mishaps of a small negro lad, and tells how he was led by love and kindness to a knowledge of the right. The Story of Dago. In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, a pet monkey, owned jointly by two brothers. Dago tells his own story, and the account of his haps and mishaps is both interesting and amusing. The Quilt That Jack Built. A pleasant little story of a boy's labor of love, and how it changed the course of his life many years after it was accomplished. Flip's Islands of Providence. A story of a boy's life battle, his early defeat, and his final triumph, well worth the reading.
A Little Puritan's First Christmas. A story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christmas was invented by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the Puritans, aided by her brother Sam. A Little Daughter of Liberty. The author's motive for this story is well indicated by a quotation from her introduction, as follows: "One ride is memorable in the early history of the American Revolution, the well-known ride of Paul Revere. Equally deserving of commendation is another ride,—the ride of Anthony Severn,—which was no less historic in its action or memorable in its consequences." A Loyal Little Maid. A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary days, in which the child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders important services to George Washington. A Little Puritan Rebel. This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time when the gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massachusetts. A Little Puritan Pioneer. The scene of this story is laid in the Puritan settlement at Charlestown. The little girl heroine adds another to the list of favorites so well known to the young people. A Little Puritan Bound Girl. A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great interest to youthful readers. A Little Puritan Cavalier. The story of a "Little Puritan Cavalier" who tried with all his boyish enthusiasm to emulate the spirit and ideals of the dead Crusaders.
A Dog of Flanders: A Christmas Story. Too well and favorably known to require description. The Nurnberg Stove. This beautiful story has never before been published at a popular price.
The Little Giant's Neighbours. A charming nature story of a "little giant" whose neighbours were the creatures of the field and garden. Farmer Brown and the Birds. A little story which teaches children that the birds are man's best friends. Betty of Old Mackinaw. A charming story of child-life, appealing especially to the little readers who like stories of "real people." Brother Billy. The story of Betty's brother, and some further adventures of Betty herself. Mother Nature's Little Ones. Curious little sketches describing the early lifetime, or "childhood," of the little creatures out-of-doors. How Christmas Came to the Mulvaneys. A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children, with an unlimited capacity for fun and mischief. The wonderful never-to-be forgotten Christmas that came to them is the climax of a series of exciting incidents. Transcriber's Notes: Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Page xi, "bodiess wayed" changed to "bodies swayed" (bodies swayed to and fro) Page 86, "mada" changed to "nada" (ha vista nada) |
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