24 The Catskill Fairies.

twelve, and before I had ceased the angels had brought you
here to live. What do you think of that?”

“Tt is very funny,” said Job. He had never thought of be-
ing much smaller than he was then.

“Yes,” said the clock. “ But when the angels brought you
they carried away your mother. You never saw her after-
wards. You were a sturdy little fellow, and the aunt did
everything for you. She had a goat brought up here, for you
to drink the rich milk. The goat behaved very well, although
it did not like the quarters much. When the aunt wished to
take you away home, Grandfather shook his head. If he was a
clumsy nurse, you thrived. Bless you! babies thrive anywhere ;’
and if you don’t expect them to live, they are sure to do so.

“You had a wee face—I don’t suppose your face will ever
be as large as mine —and bright eyes, and you used to sit
on the floor with your thumb in your mouth staring at my
ship. You never cried much, and soon learned to trot around,
climbing as nimbly as a squirrel. So you see the good God.
sent you as a gift to Grandfather, who lived all alone, and he
has toiled for you day and night. I have watched him many
a time sitting up long after you were sound asleep to sew your
coat or carve a toy. The very least you can do, in return, is
to be a good boy, for he is growing old.”

Job had never given the matter a moment’s reflection. He
could not decide whether he had been a good boy or not.
Now the old clock’s words made a deep impression on his
mind, and he formed a resolution.

“He shall never saw all the wood again!” he exclaimed.

“ Sometimes I forget, you know.” -
get, y