able woman that ever lived. When she was a baby (which was so long ago, that the recollection of it was only handed down traditionally) she always cried and whined over food and fun, and never enjoyed anything. The brightest sunshine and the prettiest toys never raised a smile on her peevish little visage. As she grew older, the habit increased upon her, until she really had not a pleasant word to say to anyone. What her name originally was, seemed lost in the mists of antiquity; for "Crosspatch" every one called her, and she answered readily to the name. She lived in a very lonely cottage, that was B When able woman that ever lived. ago, that the recollection of it was only handed down traditionally) she always cried and whined over food and fun, and never enjoyed anything. The brightest sunshine and the prettiest toys never raised a smile on her peevish little visage. As she grew older, the habit increased upon her, until she really had not a pleasant word to say name originally was for " situated in a deep ravine, between two densely wooded hills. The only neighbours she had hereabouts, were a few wood-cutters who pitched their camps near; but they were rather a strange set of people themselves, so that they did not interfere much with the disagreeable old woman. Her principal support arose from the money she earned by her spinning. Once a year she opened with due ceremony the great carved oaken chest, and took out from amongst its layers of lavender and spice, her scarlet cloak, and steeple hat. Arrayed in these, she set out on her way to the great fair, in a town twelve miles off, where she bartered her year's spinning for the few necessaries she required, and wool sufficient for her work for the next twelvemonth. One night after she had finished her work sooner than usual, and while she was thinking, in no very amiable mood, how she should occupy her time until the fair drew near, she sat down to her usual evening meal. Presently a little tap came at the door, "rat, tat, tat!" "It's only Dort's lazy urchin," growled Cross |