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