There was no end to the new and pleasant things Ben had to do , from keeping paths and flower-beds neat , feeding the pets , and running errands , to waiting on Thorny and being right-hand man to Miss Celia . He had a little room in the old house , newly papered with hunting scenes , which he was never tired of admiring . In the closet hung several out-grown suits of Thorny 's , made over for his valet ; and , what Ben valued infinitely more , a pair of boots , well blacked and ready for grand occasions , when he rode abroad , with one old spur , found in the attic , brightened up and merely worn for show , since nothing would have induced him to prick beloved Lita with it . Many pictures , cut from illustrated papers , of races , animals , and birds , were stuck round the room , giving it rather the air of a circus and menagerie . This , however , made it only the more home-like to its present owner , who felt exceedingly rich and respectable as he surveyed his premises ; almost like a retired showman who still fondly remembers past successes , though now happy in the more private walks of life . In one drawer of the quaint little bureau which he used , were kept the relics of his father ; very few and poor , and of no interest to any one but himself , -- only the letter telling of his death , a worn-out watch-chain , and a photograph of Senor Jose Montebello , with his youthful son standing on his head , both airily attired , and both smiling with the calmly superior expression which gentlemen of their profession usually wear in public . Ben 's other treasures had been stolen with his bundle ; but these he cherished and often looked at when he went to bed , wondering what heaven was like , since it was lovelier than California , and usually fell asleep with a dreamy impression that it must be something like America when Columbus found it , -- `` a pleasant land , where were gay flowers and tall trees , with leaves and fruit such as they had never seen before . '' And through this happy hunting-ground `` father '' was for ever riding on a beautiful white horse with wings , like the one of which Miss Celia had a picture . Nice times Ben had in his little room poring over his books , for he soon had several of his own ; but his favorites were Hamerton 's `` Animals '' and `` Our Dumb Friends , '' both full of interesting pictures and anecdotes such as boys love . Still nicer times working about the house , helping get things in order ; and best of all were the daily drives with Miss Celia and Thorny , when weather permitted , or solitary rides to town through the heaviest rain , for certain letters must go and come , no matter how the elements raged . The neighbors soon got used to the `` antics of that boy , '' but Ben knew that he was an object of interest as he careered down the main street in a way that made old ladies cry out and brought people flying to the window , sure that some one was being run away with . Lita enjoyed the fun as much as he , and apparently did her best to send him heels over head , having rapidly earned to understand the signs he gave her by the touch of hand and foot , or the tones of his voice . These performances caused the boys to regard Ben Brown with intense admiration , the girls with timid awe , all but Bab , who burned to imitate him , and tried her best whenever she got a chance , much to the anguish and dismay of poor Jack , for that long-suffering animal was the only steed she was allowed to ride . Fortunately , neither she nor Betty had much time for play just now , as school was about to close for the long vacation , and all the little people were busy finishing up , that they might go to play with free minds . So the `` lilac-parties , '' as they called them , were deferred till later , and the lads amused themselves in their own way , with Miss Celia to suggest and advise . It took Thorny a long time to arrange his possessions , for he could only direct while Ben unpacked , wondering and admiring as he worked , because he had never seen so many boyish treasures before . The little printing-press was his especial delight , and leaving every thing else in confusion , Thorny taught him its and planned a newspaper on the spot , with Ben for printer , himself for editor , and `` Sister '' for chief contributor , while Bab should be carrier and Betty office-boy . Next came a postage-stamp book , and a rainy day was happily spent in pasting a new collection where each particular one belonged , with copious explanations from Thorny as they went along . Ben did not feel any great interest in this amusement after one trial of it , but when a book containing patterns of the flags of all nations turned up , he was seized with a desire to copy them all , so that the house could be fitly decorated on gala occasions . Finding that it amused her brother , Miss Celia generously opened her piece-drawer and rag-bag , and as the mania grew till her resources were exhausted , she bought bits of gay cambric and many-colored papers , and startled the store-keeper by purchasing several bottles of mucilage at once .
Bab and XXXXX were invited to sew the bright strips of stars , and pricked their little fingers assiduously , finding this sort of needle-work much more attractive than piecing bed-quilts .
Betty Jack Montebello Thorny errands lilac-parties office-boy printing-press relics watch-chain