It is the duty of all good, useful stories to give a message to their readers. The two dainty stories contained in this little volume each carries its message of truth. Pure, simple and wholesome in quality, they cannot fail to refresh as well as instruct those who receive them.
instead of shade. The other trees, having finished their work, were preparing for their long winter nap. The little tree way down in the corner of the orchard seldom saw any one, but she was stout of heart, and kept on saying:
"I know I shall find some way to be of use."
She did not pay much attention to her apples, for she had long ago given up hopes of their becoming red and ripe.
Every night now white frost tripped daintily over the hardening ground, and at sunup disappeared; the days were cool and bright; the frosts grew heavier and the weather colder.
One day there were voices in the orchard,--men and boys carrying baskets and ladders were coming; and to the astonishment of the little tree, they stopped under her boughs, placed the ladders in the branches and climbed up.
"Good old apples!" cried one of the boys, dropping them into his basket with a plump.
"A fine yield!" said one of the men. "Did you ever see anything more beautiful than this rich golden brown?"<