The merriment that followed was subdued-- As though the story-teller's attitude Were dual, in a sense, appealing quite As much to sorrow as to mere delight, According, haply, to the listener's bent Either of sad or merry temperament.-- "And of your two appeals I much prefer The pathos," said "The Noted Traveler,"-- "For should I live to twice my present years, I know I could not quite forget the tears That child-eyes bleed, the little palms nailed wide, And quivering soul and body crucified.... But, bless 'em! there are no such children here To-night, thank God!--Come here to me, my dear!" He said to little Alex, in a tone
So winning that the sound of it alone Had drawn a child more lothful to his knee:-- "And, now-sir, _I'll_ agree if _you'll_ agree,-- _You_ tell us all a story, and then _I_ Will tell one." "_But I can't._" "Well, can't you _try?_" "Yes, Mister: he _kin_ tell _one_. Alex, tell The one, you know, 'at you made up so well, About the _Bear_. He allus tells that one," Said Bud,--"He gits it mixed some 'bout the _gun_ An' _ax_ the Little Boy had, an' _apples_, too."-- Then Uncle Mart said--"There, now! that'll do!-- Let _Alex_ tell his story his own way!" And Alex, prompted thus, without delay Began.