-'^y^^^^^/yx/'yxy^'r' PS 1(0. A % Ml «i<- ^ ./V ■> ' * ■ ■!'&::-:-ii:!iSjbi:ii>i2fc3^i-2i'c: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, ^e^^ Sh.elfi!l.2.R 7 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. N '^^A^j.jlThft-^fj'^^t.^^::i: .. u> W' -^^' // BY t t' T. A" MITCHELL New York HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 1886 CorVRIGHT. iSSfi, in HENRY HOLT & CO. IP THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. Pi if '. Xi !>: V#v 4 ^^^ ' ■■ One summer's night, about a million years ago. it happened that the Moon was pensive. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. II. It also happened that the Earth was floating leisurely about in space as if he thought himself a thing of beauty. Rut she affected not to see him. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. III. Old Saturn did, however, and understood it all. For aeons lie had loved this Moon, but she had chilled him to the marrow whenever he approached. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. IV. When he saw the Earth go nearer and nearer, and finally sit beside hen and even then get nearer still and tell her something in an earnest manner, and she enjoy it all. his spirit boiled within him. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON, V. He swore to spoil the fun, then burst upon them in a fury. Hiyh words ensued. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. M, VI. And trouble followed. They had an ugly fight, tearing about the Heavens for hours, bump- ing into other Planets, and deranging the whole solar system. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. V V VII. But the Earth was a lusty boy, and finally got in a scorching blow, between the old beau's eyes that sent him whirling into space. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON, vrii. And never since has he annoyed the Moon. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. IX. While this was going on, the Sun, also a lover of the Moon, had risen with the dawn, as usual, and prepared for his morning drive. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. X. As he approached the scene of all this trouble he took in the situa- tion at a glance, and at once made a formal offer of marriage. But she declined respectfully, saying she was already promised to the Earth. THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. But Sol was hot-headed, and not accustomed to defeat. He carried her off by main force, and said, " If ever I see you and the Earth together, I will burn you both to a cinder !" THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON. , \ i'J 'r XII. So it is only while the Sun is sleeping that she can sec her lover. 'Tis then she steals away. THE ROMANCE OU THE MOON. //7^ li»^ .ffi^ m XIII. She hovers over him at night, and her tears that fall upon the Eariii are what we call the dew. J\n THE END