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themselves； and found their new school very pleasant。 They read
aloud a good deal； rapidly acquiring one of the rarest and most
beautiful accomplishments； for they could stop and ask questions
as they went along； so that they understood what they read； which
is half the secret。 A thousand things came up as they sewed
together in the afternoon； and the eager minds received much
general information in an easy and well…ordered way。 Physiology
was one of the favorite studies； and Mrs。 Hammond often came in
to give them a little lecture； teaching them to understand the
wonders of their own systems； and how to keep them in order a
lesson of far more importance just then than Greek or Latin； for
girls are the future mothers； nurses； teachers； of the race； and
should feel how much depends on them。 Merry could not resist the
attractions of the friendly circle； and soon persuaded her mother to
let her do as they did； so she got more exercise and less study；
which was just what the delicate girl needed。
The first of the new ideas seemed to prosper； and the second；
though suggested in joke； was carried out in earnest； for the other
young people were seized with a strong desire to send something
to the Fair。 In fact； all sorts of queer articles were proposed； and
much fun prevailed； especially among the boys； who ransacked
their gardens for mammoth vegetables； sighed for five…legged
calves； blue roses； or any other natural curiosity by means of which
they might distinguish themselves。 Ralph was the only one who
had anything really worth sending； for though Franks model
seemed quite perfect； it obstinately refused to go； and at the last
moment blew up with a report like a pop…gun。 So it was laid away
for repairs； and its disappointed maker devoted his energies to
helping Jack keep Bun in order； for that indomitable animal got
out of every prison they put him in； and led Jack a dreadful life
during that last week。 At all hours of the day and night that
distracted boy would start up； crying； 〃There he is again！〃 and dart
out to give chase and capture the villain now grown too fat to run
as he once did。
The very night before the Fair； Frank was wakened by a chilly
draught； and； getting up to see where it came from； found Jack's
door open and bed empty； while the vision of a white ghost flitting
about the garden suggested a midnight rush after old Bun。 Frank
watched laughingly； till poor Jack came toward the house with the
gentleman in gray kicking lustily in his arms； and then whispered
in a sepulchral tone；
〃Put him in the old refrigerator； he can't get out of that；〃
Blessing him for the suggestion； the exhausted hunter shut up his
victim in the new cell； and found it a safe one； for Bun could not
burrow through a sheet of zinc； or climb up the smooth walls。 Jill's
quilt was a very elaborate piece of work； being bright blue with
little white stars all over it； this she finished nicely； and felt sure
no patient old lady could outdo it。 Merry decided to send butter；
for she had been helping her mother in the dairy that summer； and
rather liked the light part of the labor。 She knew it would please
her very much if she chose that instead of wild Bowers； so she
practised moulding the yellow pats into pretty shapes； that it might
please both eye and taste。
Molly declared she would have a little pen； and put Boo in it； as
the prize fat boya threat which so alarmed the innocent that he
ran away； ani was ~ouncl two or three miles prom borne； asleep
under the wall； with two seed…cakes and a pair of socks done up in
a bundle。 Being with difficulty convinced that it was a joke； he
consented to return to his family； but was evidently suspicious； till
Molly decided to send her cats； and set about preparing them for
exhibition。 The Minots' deserted Bunny…house was rather large； but
as cats cannot be packed as closely as much…enduring sheep； Molly
borrowed this desirable family mansion； and put her darlings into
it； where they soon settled down； and appeared to enjoy their new
residence。 It had been scrubbed up and painted red； cushions and
plates put in； and two American flags adorned the roof。 Being
barred all round； a fine view of the Happy Family could be had；
now twelve in number； as Molasses had lately added three white
kits to the varied collection。
The girls thought this would be the most interesting spectacle of
all； and Grif proposed to give some of the cats extra tails； to
increase their charms； especially poor Mortification； who would
appreciate the honor of two； after having none for so long。 But
Molly declined； and Grif looked about him for some attractive
animal to exhibit； so that he too might go in free and come to
honor； perhaps。
A young lady in the town owned a donkey； a small； gray beast；
who insisted on tripping along the sidewalks and bumping her
rider against the walls as she paused to browse at her own sweet
will； regardless of blows or cries； till ready to move on。 Expressing
great admiration for this rare animal； Grif obtained leave to display
the charms of Graciosa at the Fair。 Little did she guess the dark
designs entertained against her dignity； and happily she was not as
sensitive to ridicule as a less humble…minded animal； so she went
willingly with her new friend； and enjoyed the combing and
trimming up which she received at his hands； while he prepared
for the great occasion。
When the morning of September 28th arrived； the town was all
astir； and the Fair ground a lively scene。 The air was full of the
lowing of cattle； the tramp of horses； squealing of indignant pigs；
and clatter of tongues； as people and animals streamed in at the
great gate and found their proper places。 Our young folks were in a
high state of excitement； as they rumbled away with their treasures
in a hay…cart。 The Bunny…house might have been a cage of tigers；
so rampant were the cats at this new move。 Old Bun； in a small
box； brooded over the insult of the refrigerator； and looked as
fierce as a rabbit could。 Gus had a coop of rare fowls； who clucked
wildly all the way； while Ralph； with the bust in his arms； stood up
in front； and Jill and Molly bore the precious bedquilt； as they sat
behind。
These objects of interest were soon arranged； and the girls went to
admire Merry's golden butter cups among the green leaves； under
which lay the ice that kept the pretty flowers fresh。 The boys were
down below； where the cackling was very loud； but not loud
enough to drown the sonorous bray which suddenly startled them
as much as it did the horses outside。 A shout of laughter followed；
and away went the lads； to see what the fun was； while the girls
ran out on the balcony； as someone said； 〃It's that rogue of a Grif
with some new joke。〃
It certainly was； and； to judge from the peals of merriment； the
joke was a good one。 In at the gate came a two…headed donkey；
ridden by Grif； in great spirits at his s