esent then beheld him.

The whole performance was applauded until the old stable rang, and gifts
were showered in with a liberality which testified yet more strongly to
the general delight. Among the laughter none was more loud and frequent
than the old man's. Nell's was unheard, for she, poor child, with her
head drooping on his shoulder, had fallen asleep, and slept too soundly
to be roused by any of his efforts to awaken her to a part in his glee.

The supper was very good, but she was too tired to eat, and yet would
not leave the old man until she had kissed him in his bed. He, happily
insensible to every care and anxiety, sat listening with a vacant smile
and admiring face to all that his new friends said; and it was not until
they retired yawning to their room that he followed the child up-stairs.

She had a little money, but it was very little; and when that was gone
they must begin to beg. There was one piece of gold among it, and a need
might come when its worth to them would be increased a hundred times. It
would be best to hide this coin, and never show it unless their case was
entirely desperate, and nothing else was left them.

Her resolution taken, she sewed the piece of gold into her dress, and
going to bed with a lighter heart sunk into a deep slumber.

"And where are you going to-day?" said the little man the following
morning, addressing himself to Nell.

"Indeed I hardly know--we have not made up our minds yet," replied the
child.

"We're going on to the races," said the little man. "If that's your way
and you like to have us for company, let us travel together. If you
prefer going alone, only say the word and you'll find that we sha'n't
trouble you."

"We'll go with you," said the old man. "Nell--with them, with them."

The child thought for a moment, and knowing that she must shortly beg,
and could scarcely hope to do so at a better place than where crowds of
rich ladies and gentlemen were met together for enjoyment, determined to
go with these men so far. She therefore thanked the little man for his
offer, and said, glancing timidly toward his friend, that they would if
there was no objection to their staying with them as far as the
race-town.

And with these men they traveled forward on the following day.

They made two long days' journey with their new companions, passing
through villages and towns, and meeting upon one occasion with two young
people walking upon stilts, who were also