THE BABES IN THE WOOD.

NCE upon atime a rich gentleman and his wife lived

happily with their two little children, a boy anda

girl, until a sad time came, when both the father and the
mother died.

The father had a brother, to whom he gave the care of
his beloved children.

After they became orphans, the two little children went
to live with this uncle, who was a bad man at heart,
although he was thought to be kind and good.

Their father had left to these children a large sum of
money, which was to be divided between them; but, in
case of their death, their uncle was to have it.

One day this wicked uncle sent for two robbers, and bar-
gained with them to take the children away, and kill them,
so that he might secure their fortune.

So the two robbers carried them off to the woods; but
on the way the children prattled: so innocently that one of
the robbers took pity on them, and tried to persuade the
other to allow the children to live. The other robber re-
fused, and the two fought over the matter until one of
them was killed.

The other robber then took the babes by the hand, and
told them to wait for him, and he would go away, and
come back, bringing them food; but the poor little brother
and sister wandered up and down, and the robber never
came back.

Finally, with their arms about one another, they fell
asleep, never to wake again ; and the birds came and sang
over them, and covered them with leaves.

After years had passed away, the wicked uncle met with
many misfortunes, and finally was sent to prison, and died
there.

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