The Romance of the Moon

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 65542 *** THE ROMANCE OF THE MOON [Illustration] BY J. A. MITCHELL [Illustration] NEW YORK HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY 1886 COPYRIGHT, 1886, BY HENRY HOLT & CO. [Illustration: _PREFACE._ _Science is very good in its own way, but we observe a wide-spread and lamentable ignorance concerning all that pertains to the romantic side of our earth’s history. It is to dispel this ignorance that the following facts are made public._] I. [Illustration] One summer’s night, about a million years ago, it happened that the Moon was pensive. II. [Illustration] It also happened that the Earth was floating leisurely about in space as if he thought himself a thing of beauty. But she affected not to see him. III. [Illustration] Old Saturn did, however, and understood it all. For æons he had loved this Moon, but she had chilled him to the marrow whenever he approached. IV. [Illustration] When he saw the Earth go nearer and nearer, and finally sit beside her, and even then get nearer still and tell her something in an earnest manner, and she enjoy it all, his spirit boiled within him. V. [Illustration] He swore to spoil the fun, then burst upon them in a fury. High words ensued. VI. [Illustration] And trouble followed. They had an ugly fight, tearing about the Heavens for hours, bumping into other Planets, and deranging the whole solar system. VII. [Illustration] 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. VIII. [Illustration] And never since has he annoyed the Moon. IX. [Illustration] 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. X. [Illustration] As he approached the scene of all this trouble he took in the situation at a glance, and at once made a formal offer of marriage. But she declined respectfully, saying she was already promised to the Earth. XI. [Illustration] 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!” XII. [Illustration] So it is only while the Sun is sleeping that she can see her lover. ’Tis then she steals away. XIII. [Illustration] She hovers over him at night, and her tears that fall upon the Earth are what we call the dew. THE END [Illustration] *** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 65542 ***