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 THE 
 
 CENTENNIAL FROG, 
 
 AND 
 
 OTHER STORIES.
 
 THE 
 
 CENTENNIAL FROG, 
 
 AND OTHER STORIES. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 
 
 624, 626 & 628 MARKET STREET. 
 1877.
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by 
 
 CLAXTON, REMSEN & HAFFELFINGER, 
 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 
 
 Selheimcr & Moore, Printers, 
 501 Chestnut Street.
 
 YOUNG "BIRD DEFENDERS.
 
 ^L 
 
 CONTENTS g 
 
 PAGE 
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG ..... 9 
 
 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER . . . .27 
 
 MARGIE'S FLOWERS -37 
 
 COUSINS -39 
 
 A SECRET 42 
 
 OUR " BADY GREY." . . . . . -43 
 GONE 44
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 <fe 
 
 
 ON the great " Centennial 
 Fourth," 
 By unanimous Frogmarsh 
 
 vote, 
 Young Lieutenant Crocio 
 
 Frog 
 
 Was selected to devote 
 His great talents in a cause 
 Dear to every Frogmarsh 
 
 breast. 
 
 'Twas in vain that the Lieu- 
 tenant 
 
 Did quite modestly pro- 
 test. , 
 
 Best buff jerkin then he 
 
 donned, 
 
 Tuned his croak to pleas- 
 ant pitch ; 
 
 9
 
 10 
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 From what rostrum then debated 
 Should he best a throng bewitch. 
 
 Whilst on this he meditated, 
 Under the lee of a big stone, 
 
 His old mother, hoarse and shaky, 
 
 Begged not to be left alone. 
 "Dear old Granny," thus he soothed her, 
 
 " In a trice I will return ; 
 But this day I must deliver 
 
 Thoughts which in my bosom burn."
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. II 
 
 Gravely then Lieutenant Frog 
 
 Leaped across their shining brook, 
 Through lush meadows to a garden, 
 
 Where he stopped to take a look. 
 Many children here were gathered 
 
 Frances, Mary, Elsie, Grey, 
 Agnes, Anna, Arthur, Marie, 
 
 Herbert, orator of the day. 
 Remnants of a feast were scattered, 
 
 Largess to the garden-plot; 
 Our Lieutenant thought the sunshine 
 
 Never brightened sweeter spot. 
 
 Smile and dimple circled freely, 
 
 When the orator arose ; 
 One small fleck of golden sunlight 
 
 Danced upon his classic (?) nose. 
 "Friends! Companions! I this hem day! 
 
 This hem great hem Centennial day ! 
 Hem a frog is in my throat, 
 
 And impedes what I would say." 
 
 Lieutenant Frog, warmed and excited, 
 Hard of hearing in one ear,
 
 12 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 Here leaped up on Herbert's shoulder, 
 That the better he might hear. 
 
 Peal on peal of wildest laughter, 
 
 Sudden somersaults and cries ; 
 Clapping, stamping, loud huzzas, 
 
 Followed by exhausted sighs, 
 Greeted this sure confirmation 
 
 Of the presence of a Frog ; 
 Whilst Lieutenant stared around him, 
 
 Solemn as a pedagogue, 
 Grateful for his warm reception, 
 
 Pleased with such loud, long applause, 
 Waited with polite attention 
 
 For the orator's next clause. 
 
 When the clamor had subsided, 
 
 Grey then civilly suggested 
 That the far-famed eloquence 
 
 Of Lieutenant Frog be tested. 
 Motion warmly seconded 
 
 By the whole assembled throng, 
 With amendment that the speech 
 
 Be forerunner of a song.
 
 ' Grey then civilly suggested 
 That the far-famed eloquence 
 Of Lieutenant Frog be tested."
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 13 
 
 Lieutenant Frog, quite charmed and flattered 
 
 By such ready recognition 
 Of the rare and varied talent 
 
 Found in Frog of his position, 
 Graciously did signify, 
 
 By a most melodious croak, 
 He was willing to accede, 
 
 And the following words he spoke : 
 
 " My Frog heart leaps high within me ! 
 
 Warmed with hopes of pleasing shape! 
 Not mere fancies made of moonshine, 
 
 But material form they take. 
 Yesternight, sweet trembling rumors 
 
 Floated in among the rushes, 
 Reeds, and lilies of our brook. 
 
 In the soft, warm evening hushes 
 We forgot our even-croak, 
 
 Listening to the murmured story 
 Of a youthful, humane band 
 
 Covering themselves with glory! 
 Swelling list of ' Bird Defenders ! ' 
 
 Honored champions ! to-day,
 
 14 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 The sweetest tribute to your praise 
 Is from sweet Birds in roundelay ! " 
 
 Lieutenant Frog's rich frogly voice 
 
 Husky grew with his great theme ; 
 North-west corner of his eye 
 
 With a tear did brightly beam. 
 Then he grew quite bland, and smiled 
 
 Down upon the little throng; 
 And resumed from Herbert's shoulder, 
 
 In a voice now weak, now strong 
 (For Lieutenant, quite unused 
 
 To this style of declamation, 
 Did experience, through his frame, 
 
 Quite a new and queer sensation,) 
 " As the changing seasons roll 
 
 O'er this brave and prosperous Land, 
 Will there rise another army 
 
 Who for Frogs will take a stand ? " ! ! 
 
 (Here Lieutenant rolled his orbs 
 In a fierce and martial style; 
 
 And I fear his primrose jerkin 
 Was strained sorely for awhile.)
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 Quite unanimous the cheering, 
 
 When Lieutenant's speech did close ; 
 And he felt so very weary 
 
 That he was inclined to dose. 
 But the civil Arthur hinted, 
 
 By a sudden clever jerk, 
 That, " as Crocio a song had promised, 
 
 'Twas no time for him to shirk." 
 
 Lieutenant Frog, with weary smile, 
 
 Half felt what Arthur did, 
 And quite the half of what he heard 
 
 From his fine memory slid. 
 The warmth of that sweet afternoon 
 
 Lulled him to calm repose ; 
 He slept the sleep of all the just, 
 
 One inch from Herbert's nose. 
 
 " Now this will never do," Grey cried ; 
 
 " The ' Fourth ' begins to wane, 
 And in those clouds there surely are 
 
 Huge bucketfuls of rain." 
 Thus urged by unforeseen events 
 Their song then to demand,
 
 l6 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 They tickled the Lieutenant's legs 
 Until he scarce could stand. 
 
 I fear Lieutenant's nap was sham 
 
 Was merely a disguise 
 To fathom really how far boys 
 
 A Frog did idolize ! 
 Quite satisfied with this attempt, 
 
 Lieutenant rubbed his knee, 
 Pretending, to these tormentors, 
 
 He thought it was a flea. 
 With courteous smile and merry wink, 
 
 He then said he was ready ; 
 And Herbert braced himself the while 
 
 To hold Lieutenant steady. 
 
 CROCIO FROG'S SONG. 
 
 \ N I ~ 
 
 ,-| I N H 1 -I- ^1
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 <*-*?r^lB*?-t-~ 
 
 Calmly by the brookside, 
 
 Glad to be alone, 
 Professor Frog was sitting, 
 
 Trying his bass tone. 
 
 Boy, with red lips parted 
 By mischievous smile, 
 
 Flings a clod at Professor, 
 Stops his notes awhile.
 
 l8 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 Smothered little snicker, 
 I much grieve to say, 
 
 Came from every child 
 On that July day. 
 
 Professor reappearing 
 In among the reeds, 
 
 Wishes boys were up to 
 Fewer of such deeds. 
 
 Boy again now spies him, 
 And another aim 
 
 Causes poor Professor 
 To feel rather lame. 
 
 Grey and Herbert groan 
 In loud concert dread ; 
 
 Wildly call for ashes 
 To put upon their heads. 
 
 Arthur, too, succumbs, 
 Slips down in a mass; 
 
 Stops up both his ears 
 
 With green wads of grass.
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 19 
 
 1 Losing time for. practice, 
 
 Sore along my thigh, 
 On some other Leader 
 
 Frogs must to-night rely." 
 
 Nearly broken-hearted 
 
 At this state of things, 
 Professor warmly wishes 
 
 He could borrow wings. 
 
 Herbert straightway fashions, 
 
 From a pumpkin leaf, 
 A startling brace of wings 
 
 To give such grief relief. 
 
 Birds are not molested, 
 
 Professor here bethinks ; 
 Happy Jays and Robins ! 
 
 Happy Bobolinks ! 
 
 Drowsy grows Professor, 
 
 Drops off in a nap ; 
 A good Fairy fits him 
 
 To a dreaming-cap.
 
 2O THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 Dreams he 's under rushes, 
 Croaking strange content 
 
 Leaping by the brookside 
 Without chastisement. 
 
 Basking in sweet sunshine, 
 Trying thorough bass, 
 
 Leading of an evening 
 In his proper place. 
 
 Feels no painful shyness 
 Of that species boy ! 
 
 Hails him as a comrade, 
 With a smile of joy !
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 21 
 
 Professor slowly wakes up, 
 
 Sees the situation! 
 But his brief dream gives him 
 
 Feelings of elation. 
 
 Immediately he limps off 
 
 To " Frogs' Music Hall ; " 
 Breathlessly arrives there 
 
 Stands before them all. 
 
 Hurriedly proposes 
 
 A speech in place of song, 
 For he has some wondrous 
 
 News to give that throng! 
 
 With consent unanimous 
 
 He at once begins ; 
 Tells them " soon the boys 
 
 Will repent them of their sins 
 
 Not one single clod 
 
 At a Frog be thrown, 
 And a boy be scarcely 
 
 From an angel known ! "
 
 22 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 Drawing rather heavily 
 
 On imagination, 
 Old Professor threw those Frogs 
 
 In mighty agitation ! 
 
 Caucuses were called, 
 
 And Delegates appointed 
 
 To wait upon the boys 
 Confirm this news disjointed ! 
 
 Those Delegates ! O never 
 Did one of them come back ! 
 
 Perhaps a few wet clods 
 Did drop upon their track ! 
 
 Lieutenant Frog, in venturing 
 
 This gentle supposition, 
 Looked firmly at the sky 
 
 In awful superstition. 
 
 Possessing so much suavity, 
 How could he comprehend 
 
 That aught save clouds discourteous 
 Those fateful clods could send ?
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 Eighteen young eyes did gravely 
 
 Investigate the sky ; 
 But not a voice was raised 
 
 This charge to falsify. 
 
 Lieutenant Frog then hasted 
 To finish up his song, 
 
 And tender quite a good gift 
 Which he had brought along.
 
 THE CENTENNIAL FROG. 
 
 Lieutenant winked and blushed 
 " Meant not to intrude ; 
 
 But would the present company 
 Summon fortitude 
 
 To appropriate a gift, 
 
 A wondrous Thinking Cap, 
 
 Sprung one hundred years ago 
 From old Professor's nap ? " 
 
 Having ended speech and song, 
 Lieutenant Frog withdrew, 
 
 And the most tremendous cheers 
 His hind legs did pursue.
 
 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER.
 
 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER. 
 
 MR. WOODPECKER 
 was early abroad, 
 Tapping old trees with his 
 
 strong little bill ; 
 Mrs. Woodpecker, with anx- 
 ious concern, 
 
 Watched with bright eyes for 
 Woodpecker's return. 
 
 Never before had he tarried 
 
 so long; 
 Simple their marketing 
 
 that she well knew. 
 Ruffled, disturbed, by this 
 
 queer state of things, 
 Mrs. Woodpecker arose on 
 
 her wings. 
 
 27
 
 28 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER. 
 
 Their favorite pear-tree was white with sweet 
 
 blooms; 
 
 Mrs. W. detected the fragrance afar. 
 Right in the teeth of a scent-ladened breeze 
 She flew to this tree, feeling quite ill at ease. 
 
 Mr. Woodpecker, on a blossoming twig, 
 Was revolving a subject disturbing his mind; 
 A smart little peck on the back of his neck 
 Sufficed to give his meditations a check. 
 
 Aroused, Mr. Woodpecker flirted his wings, 
 And briefly explained to his brisk little wife 
 " That, but for the presence of a party unknown, 
 He should with the breakfast have back again 
 flown. 
 
 "The speed which he daily was accustomed to use 
 In tapping this tree, he was forced to suspend; 
 The party so narrowly watching them now 
 Had been swinging an hour upon that low bough." 
 
 Mrs. Woodpecker offered her fair self as sentinel, 
 If Mr. Woodpecker would then tap the tree ;
 
 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER. 2Q 
 
 But it was not in wise Mr. Woodpecker's creed 
 With the day's marketing then to proceed. 
 
 " How long is the party unknown going to stay? " 
 Mrs. Woodpecker asked, with a swift sidelong 
 
 glance. 
 
 " Uncertain. I fear he has no business habits. 
 He may be the party who snared the young 
 
 rabbits." 
 
 " Oh, indeed ! " with an uncomplimentary toss ; 
 " The eggs will be chilled, if I do not return." 
 Back to the hollow, wherein was their nest, 
 Mrs. Woodpecker flew, with fear swelling her 
 breast. 
 
 On Woodpecker's return, his dear wife was in 
 
 tears ; 
 
 Refusing to eat, quite dejectedly low. 
 Woodpecker then solemnly stood on one foot, 
 Her case he reviewed and in many ways put. 
 
 He felt for that day life to him was a riddle 
 Conundrum which he had no power to solve.
 
 3<D MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER. 
 
 b 
 
 "Heigh-ho!" Mr. Woodpecker at length said aloud; 
 " My spirits will rise, although troubles crowd. 
 
 " This sweet morning air is so good for one's 
 
 throat, 
 And such a fine, friendly warmth in the sun's 
 
 manner; 
 
 To Madame my wife, who is in a sad dream, 
 I fear quite a heartless young fellow I seem." 
 
 Woodpecker's soliloquy came to an end ; 
 Harsh and discordant sounds smote on their ears : 
 Mrs. Woodpecker, in a flutter and tremble, 
 Could now no longer her dark fears dissemble. 
 
 " Mr. Woodpecker, won't you just give a look ? 
 Something quite dreadful is going to happen! 
 In a much better neighborhood lived we last 
 
 year; 
 How can we in this one our sweet birdies rear ? " 
 
 "The party unknown again, dear little wife, 
 With the two who have lingered about here for 
 days."
 
 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER. 3! 
 
 " Well ! what are they up to ? " Mrs. Woodpecker 
 
 said, 
 While her poor mother heart grew as heavy as 
 
 lead. 
 
 " Brewing a quarrel by the edge of the brook." 
 
 " What about, Mr. Woodpecker ? can't you deter- 
 mine? " 
 
 "They push so and crowd that I hardly know 
 yet- 
 
 The hat of the party unknown is quite wet." 
 
 Mrs. Woodpecker took a slight peep now herself, 
 And uttered a low cry of great consternation. 
 " Mischief is meant ! I see sticks and strings ! 
 Whenever together I see those two things, 
 
 " I am morally certain some mischief is up ! " 
 " Dear, we will keep out of it," Woodpecker said ; 
 But Mrs. Woodpecker hopped back to her eggs, 
 Tasting a cup of woe down to its dregs. 
 
 Full well she remembered one direful hour, 
 When Mr. Grey Rabbit a promenade took,
 
 32 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER. 
 
 And on his return he found sticks and strings, 
 But, alas! not his wife or her babies, poor things! 
 
 " Pray, don't borrow trouble," Woodpecker advised, 
 Regretfully noting her disconsolate air; 
 But Mrs. Woodpecker replied in a tone 
 Which sounded like nothing else but a deep 
 groan. 
 
 Mighty the turbulence grew down below. 
 " A bit, if you please," Mrs. Woodpecker moaned, 
 "Of very soft down to stop up my poor ears " 
 But just here Woodpecker gave two hearty cheers. 
 
 " The party unknown is the best of the lot," 
 He said, as he plucked from his breast some soft 
 
 down. 
 
 Mrs. Woodpecker's eyes opened quick as a snap, 
 Refusing the down, "I am glad to hear that." 
 
 She flew up quite briskly, gave a sharp little 
 
 glance : ^ 
 
 " Ho ! ho ! he has smashed all the sticks and 
 
 the strings !
 
 THREE TIMES AND A TIGER
 
 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER. 
 
 33 
 
 He is not a bad boy, one can plainly perceive; 
 How came he with bad boys I can hardly 
 conceive." 
 
 " That sometimes does happen," Woodpecker ob- 
 
 served 
 
 With a grave air; "but the party unknown 
 Is making off now quite away from this set, 
 And really may be in time for his school yet." 
 
 " I think he deserves some sort of salute ; 
 Let us cheer him, Woodpecker three times and 
 a tiger."
 
 34 MR. AND MRS. WOODPECKER. 
 
 The Woodpeckers cheered with might and with 
 
 main, 
 
 Until Mrs. W. exhausted became, 
 And once more resettled herself on her nest, 
 With peace in her household and calm in her 
 
 breast.
 
 OTHER STORIES IN VERSE. 
 
 35
 
 MARGIE AND HER FLOWERS.
 
 MARGIE'S FLOWERS. 
 
 TTTINSOME maiden Margie; 
 V V Bluebells sway beside her, 
 Chiming to the Fairies, 
 " Change her to a flower 
 Through your magic power." 
 
 Fairies smile and listen ; 
 
 Red Rose whispers shyly, 
 With enchanting blushes, 
 And most graceful pose, 
 " Change her to a Rose." 
 
 Slender Sweet-pea climbing 
 
 Up a trellis gayly, 
 Twines a tender tendril 
 4 37
 
 38 MARGIE'S FLOWERS. 
 
 With bewitching ease 
 
 " May we have her, please ? " 
 
 Mignonnette low spreading 
 
 Sweet her wandering breath - 
 Asks with mock demureness 
 Coaxing, dear coquette 
 " Make her Mignonnette." 
 
 Moss Rose faintly flushing 
 
 In her odorous nest, 
 Captivates a Fairy; 
 Entreats with charming mien, 
 "Let her be our Queen." 
 
 Violets close gathered 
 In shy, purple state, 
 Waft in sweet, rare incense 
 Supplicating prayer 
 " Give her to our care." 
 
 Lilies in rich chorus, 
 
 Standing tall and fair, 
 Shining in white splendor, 
 Sing, " This little girl 
 Is a priceless Pearl."
 
 CO USINS. 
 
 FRAGILE little fairy, 
 White as winter's snow, 
 Graceful and so "airy," 
 Born three years ago. 
 
 TOMMY. 
 Sturdy little Scotchman, 
 
 Hardy, stout, and square, 
 Thinks that he is really 
 
 Quite a big affair. 
 
 GRACE. 
 
 Petted, pretty flower, 
 Laughing out in glee, 
 
 Soon a pearly shower 
 From her eyes you see. 
 
 39
 
 4O COUSINS. 
 
 TOMMY. 
 
 Coolest little fellow, 
 
 Dares you with a wink ; 
 
 Cares so very slightly 
 
 For aught that you may think. 
 
 GRACE. 
 
 Trudging with unsteady feet 
 Down the narrow lane ; 
 
 Ready every one to greet, 
 And a smile obtain. 
 
 TOMMY. 
 
 Looking toward the horses, 
 Will not take your hand ; 
 
 Takes his time, and never minds 
 Any reprimand. 
 
 GRACE. 
 
 Nestles to your loving arms, 
 Smiles up in your face; 
 
 Wondrous rich in baby charms 
 Is this tender Grace.
 
 COUSINS. 41 
 
 TOMMY. 
 
 Looks with loftiest disdain 
 
 At one's gentle wiles ; 
 Quite a waste, as you will find, 
 
 Of the sweetest smiles. 
 
 Stretches up her dimpled hands 
 To caress your cheeks, 
 
 Pleading with blue, gentle eyes 
 For the love she seeks. 
 
 TOMMY. 
 
 Stretches out a little fist 
 
 In a mimic fight, 
 Leaving loving adversary 
 
 In a doubtful plight.
 
 A SECRET. 
 
 ONLY the golden sun, 
 Rich tropical roses ablow, 
 Flame-throated N birds and silvery waves, 
 A charming secret know. 
 
 They whispered it close in my ear; 
 
 I promised not to tell! 
 The secret is safe as a stone 
 
 Dropped deep down in a well. 
 
 You would love her sweet blue eyes, 
 The sheen of her soft brown hair ; 
 
 And an innocent way she has, 
 None but angels can compare. 
 
 The birds, the waves, and the roses, 
 
 The sun up in the sky, 
 Love dearly this lovely Eunice : 
 
 So why not you and I ?
 
 OUR "BABY GREYr 
 
 OUR Baby Grey is a wonderful child, 
 So brown and fat, so wise and wild; 
 Oh, how can I tell you half that he is* 
 Of the beauty and grace of his dear little phiz ? 
 Pie is grave as a judge, and a naughty sprite, 
 Not a doubtful blessing, but one outright. 
 He can twist us all with a look of his eye ; 
 Can make us do everything but sigh. 
 Propound a query, which to know 
 Straight to the angels one must go. 
 Ah, Baby Grey! in the future years, 
 In times of calm or times of tears, 
 Keep pure thy heart's unstained snow; 
 Hold fast thy childhood's trust, and know 
 That talents two, or five, or ten, 
 Must soon be rendered up again 
 Into the Lord's deep treasury, 
 Receiving His own with usury. 
 
 43
 
 GONE. 
 
 T ITTLE Mamie, fresh and fair, 
 LJ Laughing eyes and curly hair, 
 How I loved you, darling, sweet, 
 And the patter of your feet 
 Through the entry up the stairs, 
 Bringing smiles, beguiling cares.
 
 GONE. 45 
 
 Ever ready for some play, 
 From the dawn till close of day; 
 Lovely, beaming, childish face 
 Shining with a nameless grace. 
 
 Little Mamie, cold and pale, 
 Shadowed with the mystic veil; 
 On her brow and lip and hand 
 The signet of the Better Land. 
 Who would wake the pulse's beat 
 Call the life to those still feet? 
 Know ye not those curls at rest 
 Are pillowed on an angel's breast? 
 That the still and marble face 
 Is shining with a fadeless grace? 
 
 So we reason ; thus we speak ; 
 But we cannot dry our cheek. 
 We shall miss her till the day 
 God doth wipe all tears away.
 
 University of California Library 
 
 Los Angeles 
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