Martha's Home, and How the Sunshine Came Into It [And 3 Other Tales] by F.M.S. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1863. Excerpt: ... oW T was the close of a warm day in ' the latter part of August, and ttle Franz Hoffniuster was playing in the cottage door with his His older baby sister Karine. sister, Therese, was busy clearing away the evening meal; and his brother, Robert, was industriously carving curious wooden spoons, and knives and forks, to sell to travellers whom his father might guide over the mountains: for you must know that these four children lived in a little Swiss chalet, or cottage, at the foot of some famous mountains, and when little Franz lifted his eyes, he did not see a row of houses, three storeys high, but instead of these, high mountains stretched their grand old heads up into the very sky. The mother of these little Swiss children had died more than a year ago, and as they were very poor, Therese--who was only twelve years old--had been the little housekeeper ever since. Now, when I tell you that the father had gone to guide some travellers over the mountains, and would not be back till the next day, I think you will feel quite well acquainted with this pleasant family, and will like to hear a little more about them. It was sunset, and Franz, quite tired of play, leaned his head against Therese's knee, and fixed his gentle blue eyes upon the glittering mountain tops. Do you remember, Franz," said Therese, "what the little English boy's father said the night he was here?" "No; what did he say?" "Why, we were looking at the sunset, and it was just as beautiful as it is tonight, for it seemed as if all the mountain tops were on fire, and you could imagine the strangest things. At last I thought it must be like some of the grand, far-away cities, of which the travellers so often talk. So I went up to the good gentleman, and said, 'Does it look like London, sir?' I...