When the article was completed, lots were drawn for it, and
happy was the fortunate one who drew the magnificent prize in life's
lottery!
Occasionally too, Peter brought a book with him, and read it aloud to
them. He was rather surprised to find that they did not take to
Sunday-school stories or fairy tales. Wild adventures in foreign lands
were the most effective; and together they explored the heart of Africa,
climbed the Swiss mountains, fought the Western Indians, and attempted
to discover the North Pole. They had a curious liking for torture,
blood-letting, and death. Nor were they without discrimination.
"I guess that fellow is only working his jaw," was one little chap's
criticism at a certain point of the narrative of a well-known African
explorer, rather famous for his success in advertising himself. Again,
"that's bully," was the comment uttered by another, when Peter, rather
than refuse their request to read aloud, had been compelled to choose
something in Macaulay's Essays, and had read the description of the
Black Hole of Calcutta, "Say, mister," said another, "I don't believe
that fellow wasn't there, for he never could a told it like that, if he
wasn't.
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