DUNG DONALD AND DOROTHY. HANS BRINKER, OR THE SILVER SKATES. THEOPHILUS AND OTHERS. ALONG THE WAY. RHYMES AND JINGLES FOR LITTLE FOLK. THE LAND OF PLUCK. WHEN LIFE IS YOUNG WHEN LIFE IS YOUNG A COLLECTION OF YERSE FOR BOYS AND GIRLS BY MARY MAPES DODGE AUTHOR OF " HANS BRINKER " "DONALD AND DOROTHY" " RHYMES AND JINGLES " ETC., ETC. NEW YORK THE CENTURY CO. 1894 Copyright, 1894, by THE CENTURY Co. THE DEVINNE PRESS. AUTHORS NOTE- Many of the verses brought together in this book originally appeared in "St. Nicholas," some of them unsigned, some under various pen-names, and others under the initials M. M. D. The rest are now printed, for the first time. Acknowledgment is due to Mr. Frank French, and to his publisher, Mr. C. Klackner, for the frontispiece, which, so fitly illustrates the happy days when life is young. M705678 CONTENTS PAGE THE MINUET 1 A DEAR LITTLE GOOSE 7 THE BEE-CHARMER .' 8 CHRISTMAS 11 THE CALL OF THE SEA 12 A PLUMP LITTLE GIRL AND A THIN LITTLE BIRD 14 THE POET WHO COULD N'T WRITE POETRY 15 THE WELL-READ HUNTER 16 POOR MARIONETTE 20 CONSIDER, NOW, A PAINTER-MAN 22 NORTHERLY 25 A BALL 's A BALL 26 THE NAUGHTY LITTLE EGYPTIAN 27 SEEING is BELIEVING 33 TELL ME, DAISY 34 AN OCEAN NOTION 35 ARAMANTHA MEHITABEL BROWN 38 COMING HOME 41 SCHOOL-BOY TROUBLES 43 FANS 44 EASY EXPECTATIONS 46 A NEW YEAR 47 THE ELF AND THE SPIDER 48 DANCING 51 A DEAR LITTLE SCHEMER 52 THE ROAD TO LEARNING 55 THERE 's A SHIP ON THE SEA 56 MAKING IT SKIP 57 THE FANCY-DRESS BALL 58 xi xii CONTENTS PAGE BILLY BUTTERCUP 60 THE SWEET, RED ROSE 61 AN APRIL GIRL 62 THE ZEALLESS XYLOGRAPHER 65 THE LITTLE GIRL WHO TRIED TO MIND 66 THE FAIR-MINDED MEN WHO WALKED TO DONAHAN ... 70 A BROWN STUDY 73 *' A Miss is AS GOOD AS A MILE " 75 OUT OF THE SKY 76 MY DOG 78 I KNOW A LITTLE MAIDEN 80 A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE 82 IN A BREEZE 83 INTERNATIONAL 84 SURPRISE 85 MOTHER 86 " PHILOPENA !" 89 CONFUSION 90 PUZZLED FAIRY-FOLK 92 MILD FARMER JONES AND THE NAUGHTY BOY 94 ALARMED 99 WHAT HAPPENED TO NELLY 100 THE SECRET 106 THISTLES ! 106 JEANNETTE AND Jo 109 MIDSUMMER FROLICS Ill LITTLE SQUIRRELS, CRACK YOUR NUTS 112 DOWN BY THE SEA 113 THE TALE OF A TUB 114 THE SAD STORY OF LITTLE JANE 117 MOTHER'S ARM 119 A SUGGESTION FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR 119 UNSETTLED 120 INFORMED 121 THE LETTERS AT SCHOOL 122 FOUR LITTLE BIRDS 125 DRESSING MARY ANN 126 THE FROG, THE CRAB AND THE LIMPSY EEL 131 CONTENTS xiii PAGE NEW-YEAR'S DAY 132 To A YOUNG GIRL 133 CAT'S-CRADLE 134 SIGNS OF MAY 136 JOHNNY AND MEG 138 ON THE LAGOON . 138 THE PENSIVE CRICKET 140 POOR JACK-IN-THE-BOX 143 WHY 144 SUNNY DAYS 146 ALICE IN WONDERLAND 148 To W. F. C 150 THE LITTLE BIG WOMAN AND THE BIG LITTLE GIRL . . 151 NANNY ANN 152 THE FOUR LITTLE IMPS 154 THE SMILING DOLLY 156 How DO BIRDS FIRST LEARN TO SING ? 159 CHRISTMAS EVE 160 THE CIRCUS CLOWN'S DREAM 163 AN APPEAL 167 ROBBY'S SPAN 169 His REPORT 172 EIGHT-DAY CLOCKS 173 TINSEL WITHOUT, BUT METAL WITHIN 175 BERRY-TIME 176 THE THREE TIGERS 178 A TERRIBLE TIGER 179 FAR AWAY 180 HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN 182 TROUBLED 185 THE FARMER WHO BECAME DRUM-MAJOR 186 COURTESY 191 MAY-BLOSSOMS 192 EIGHT GOOD THINGS ABOUT DOBBIN 193 SIDE BY SIDE 194 A SMART BOY 195 SEVEN LITTLE PUSSY-CATS 196 ELEVEN LITTLE PUSSY-CATS . . 199 xiv CONTENTS PAGE JACK AND JLLL 200 IN HASTE 202 SOAP-BUBBLES 203 THE PAMPERED POODLE 204 MASTER THEODORE 206 FORBIDDEN 209 TEN LITTLE DOLLS 210 JACK'S WISH 211 A DUTCH FAMILY 212 LITTLE Miss KITTY 213 " THE WORTHY POOR" 214 JINGLE 216 AFTER TEA 217 THE SPRINT-RUNNER 219 FUN AT GRANDMAMA'S 221 THE KNOWING LITTLE FISH 222 THE BEES THAT WENT TO THE SKY 224 LITTLE CHARLEY 225 THE WINDMILL 226 HAPPY JOHNNY ; OR, TAKING LIFE CHEERFULLY 228 A SANTA CLAUS MESSENGER-BOY 230 SNOWFLAKES 231 CALLING THE FLOWERS 232 A PHILOPENA 234 THE MAN WHO DID N'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP 236 THE OREGON EXPRESS 238 How WILLY'S SHIP CAME BACK 239 A STIR AMONG THE DAISIES 243 THE LITTLE KINDERGARTEN GIRL 244 How SHOCKING ! 246 " LITTLE POT SOON HOT " 247 THE BICYCLE BOYS 248 LITTLE ROSY RED-CHEEK 250 Now THE NOISY WINDS ARE STILL 252 NOT ONLY IN THE CHRISTMAS- TlDE 254 IN TRUST . . 255 WHEN LIFE IS YOUNG THE MINUET GRANDMA told me all about it, Told me, so I could n't doubt it, How she danced my grandma danced! Long ago. How she held her pretty head, How her dainty skirt she spread. Turning out her little toes; How she slowly leaned and rose Long ago. THE MINUET Grandma's hair was bright and sunny ; Dimpled cheeks, too ah, how funny ! Really quite a pretty girl, Long ago. Bless her! why, she wears a cap, Grandma does, and takes a nap Every single day; and yet Grandma danced the minuet Long ago. Now she sits there, rocking, rocking, Always knitting Grandpa's stocking; Every girl was taught to knit, Long ago Yet her figure is so neat, And her way so staid and sweet, I can almost see her now Bending to her partner's bow, Long ago. Modern ways are quite alarming, Grandma says; but boys were charming Girls and boys, I mean, of course Long ago. Bravely modest, grandly shy. What if all of us should try Just to feel like those who met In the graceful minuet Long ago? THE MINUET IN THE GRACEFUL MINUET. Grandma says our modern jumping, Hopping, rushing, whirling, bumping, "Would have shocked the gentle folk Long ago; THE MINUET No ; they moved with stately grace, Everything in proper place, Gliding slowly forward, then Slowly courtesying back again, Long ago. With the minuet in fashion, Who could fly into a passion? THE MINUET All would wear the calm they wore Long ago. In time to come, if I, perchance, Should tell my grandchild of our dance, I should really like to say, "We did it, dear, in stately way, Long ago." GEORGE WASHINGTON DANCING THE MINUET WITH SALLY FAIRFAX. Ik < 'I'LL WEAR THE SWEETEST DRESSES, AND, MAYBE, HAVE A BEAU ! " A DEAR LITTLE GOOSE WHILE I 'm in the ones, I can frolic all the day; I can laugh, I can jump, I can run about and play. But when I 'm in the tens, I must get up with the lark, And sew, and read, and practise, from early morn till dark. When I 'm in the twenties, I '11 be like Sister Jo; 1 11 wear the sweetest dresses (and, maybe, have a beau !), I 7 11 go to balls and parties, and wear my hair up high ? And not a girl in all the town shall be as gay as I. When I 'm in the thirties, I '11 be just like Mama; And, maybe, I '11 be married to a splendid big papa. I '11 order things, and go to teas, and grow a little fat, (But, Mother is so sweet and nice, 1 11 not object to that). Oh, what comes after thirty ? The forties ! Mercy, my ! When I grow as old as forty, I think I '11 have to die. But like enough the world won't last until we see that day; It 's so very, very, very, very, VERY far away ! THE BEE-CHARMER A FRISKY little faun of old Once came to charm the bees A frisky little faun and bold, With very funny knees: You '11 read in old mythology Of just such folk as these, Who haunted dusky woodlands And sported 'neath the trees. Well, there he sat and waited And played upon his pipe, Till all the air grew fated And the hour was warm and ripe,- THE BEE-CHARMER When, through the woodland glooming Out to the meadow clear, A few great bees came booming, And hovered grandly near. Then others, all a-listening, Came, one by one, intent, Their gauzy wings a-glistening, Their velvet bodies bent. Filled was the meadow sunny With music-laden bees, Forgetful of their honey Stored in the gnarled old trees; Heedless of sweets that waited In myriad blossoms bright, They crowded, dumb and sated And heavy with delight; When, presto ! with quick laughter Gone was the piping faun! And never came he after, By noon or night or dawn. Never the bees recovered; The spell was on them still, Where'er they flew or hovered They knew not their own will; The wondrous music filled them, As dazed they sought the bloom; The cadences that thrilled them Had dealt them mystic doom. 10 THE BEE-CHARMER And people called them lazy Knowing their wondrous skill While others thought them crazy, And strove to do them ill; Their velvet coats a-fuzzing They darted, bounded, flew, And filled the air with buzzing And riotous ado. Now, when in summer season We hear their noise and stir, Full well we know the reason Of buzz and boom and whir As, browsing on the clover Or darting at the flower, They hum it o'er and over, That charm of elfin power. Dire, with a purpose musical Jarring the sultry noon, They make their sounds confusical, And try to catch the tune. It baffl.es them, it rouses them, It wearies them and drowses them, It puzzles them and saddens them. It worries them and maddens them ; Ah, wicked faun, with funny knees, To bring such trouble on the bees! CHRISTMAS THEY put me in the great spare bed and there they bade me sleep ; I must not stir; I must not wake; I must not even peep ! Eight opposite that lonely bed my Christmas stocking hung ; And in the big bay window a funny shadow swung. I counted softly, to myself, to ten, and ten times ten, And went through all the alphabet, and then began again ; I repeated that Fifth Reader piece a poem called " Repose," And tried a dozen other ways to fall into a doze; 11 12 CHRISTMAS When suddenly the room grew light. I heard a soft, strong bound 7 T was Santa Glaus, I felt quite sure, but dared not look around. ? T was nice to know that he was there, and things were going rightly, And so I took a little nap, and tried to smile politely. ^Ho! Merry Christmas!" cried a voice; I felt the bed a-rocking; 'T was daylight Brother Rob was up! and oh, that splendid stocking! THE CALL OF THE SEA IT is all very well to be good, I agree, To be gentle, and patient, and that sort of thing; But there ? s something that suits my taste to a T In the thought of a reg'lar Pirate King. THE CALL OF THE SKA. A PLUMP LITTLE GIRL AND A THIN LITTLE BIRD A PLUMP little girl and a thin little bird Were out in the meadow together. "How cold that poor little bird must be Without any clothes like mine/' said she, "Although it is sunshiny weather ! " "A nice little girl is that," piped he, "But oh, how cold she must be! For, see, She has ? nt a single feather ! " So each shivered to think of the other poor thing, Although it was sunshiny weather. THE POET WHO COULD N'T WRITE POETRY MR. TENNYSON TINKLETON T UPPER VON BURNS Was no poet, as every one knew; But the fact that he had his poetical turns Was well understood by a few. " I long, I aspire, and I suffer and sigh When the fever is on/ 7 he confessed; " Yet never a line have I writ, and for why ? My fancies can not be expressed ! "Ah, what avail language, ink, paper, and quill, When the soul of a gifted one yearns? Could I write what I feel, all creation would thrill," Said Tennyson Tupper von Burns. 15 THE WELL-READ HUNTER A LION MET A LITTLE BOY WELL VERSED IN HUNTERS* LORE. THEN SPAKE HE TO THAT WELL-READ BOY "WOULDST LIKE TO HEAR ME ROAR?" it; THE WELL-READ HUNTEK 17 "YES, THANK YOU, SAID THE LITTLE BOY, WHO SCORNED ALL PALTRY FRIGHT. THE LION ROARED J THEN ASKED THE BOY I " WOULDST LIKE TO SEE ME BITE?" 18 THE WELL-READ HUNTEE "OH YES," REPLIED THAT PLUCKY BOY, WHO COOLLY EYED HIS GUN ; "BUT FIRST I'D LIKE TO TRY THIS TOY;- WOULDST LIKE TO SEE SOME FUN?" THE WELL-READ HUNTER 19 THEN FLED THAT LION FROM THE BOY, AS BEAST NE'ER RAN BEFORE ; AND TO THIS DAY THAT LITTLE BOY ENJOYS HIS HUNTERS' LORE. POOR MARIONETTE POOR Marionette! She worked so hard, And did her part with such precision! But one cold day, when off her guard, She tumbled on the cruel floor And broke herself for evermore. Then worthless quite Poor wooden mite! She met with scorn and cold derision. " Throw her away! 77 the showman cried; " Throw her away. "We '11 have a new one.' 7 And so, despised and cast aside, She lay all winter in the snow, Unmourned, forgotten long ago By human folk; And never woke, So can a cruel fate undo one ! Poor Marionette! In course of time Sweet May came, bringing balmy weather. Then followed summer in her prime; And softly, on fair moonlight nights, Came mourning elves and gentle sprites, Who, weeping much, With tender touch Soon hid her in the warm, sweet heather 20 CONSIDER, NOW, A PAINTER-MAN ONSIDER, now, a painter- man who thought him- self divine, Correggio Delmonico del Michael Angeline ; " Fine portrait-painting done within," was printed on his sign, And all around his studio his works hung on the line. When he painted little boys, he said : " How plainly I can see, I am such a mighty lion that they 7 re afraid of me ! " And when he painted little girls, " Dear little things ! " said he, "They ? re shy because I awe them with my grace and dignity." CONSIDER, NOW, A PAIN TEE-MAN 23 " 'T is wonderful/' he oft remarked, " the colors that I know 5 The sky is blue, the grass is green, and red the roses blow; And yet the people look amazed whene'er I paint them so, And seem to think that higher yet an artist ought to go ! " Well, strange to say, it came to pass that he took down the sign; For never came a customer to buy his pictures fine. And that is all I know of one who thought himself divine, Correggio Delmonico del Michael Angeline. NORTHERLY WHEN the wind is east, they say, We may have a rainy day j When it travels from the west Waving fields have little rest. Warm and soft it is, we know, When the southern breezes blow; But this north wind puzzles me, Who knows what the weather 11 be! 25 A BALL 'S A BALL A BALL 7 s a ball, and nothing more, When it lies upon the floor. See how grave and still its air! Not a bit of frolic there. What is this? Can Pussy's touch Change the quiet thing so much? See it start, and turn, and hop ! Pussy cannot make it stop! See them scurry! See them leap! See the two fall in a heap! Now they roll ! and now they run I Bless me ! balls are full of fun ! THE NAUGHTY LITTLE EGYPTIAN LONG, long ago, in Egypt land, Where the lazy lotus grew, And the pyramids, though vast and grand, Were rather fresh and new, There dwelt an honored family, Called Scarabeus Phlat, Whose duty >t was all faithfully To tend The Sacred Cat. They brought the water of the Nile To bathe its honored feet; They gave it oil and camomile Whene'er it deigned to eat. With gold and precious emeralds Its temple sparkled o'er. And golden mats lay thick upon The consecrated floor. And Scarabeus Phlat himself A man of cheerful mood Held not his trust from love of pelf, For he was very good. 27 EVER ON HIS BROXZED FACE HE WORE A LOOK OF GLEE. THE NAUGHTY LITTLE EGYPTIAN 29 He thought the Cat a catamount In strength and majesty; And ever on his bronzed face He wore a look of glee. And Mrs. Scarabeus Phlat Was smiling, bright, and good ; For she, too, loved The Sacred Cat, As it was meet she should. Never a grumpy syllable Came from this joyous pair ; And all the neighbors envied them Their very jolly air. When Scarabeus went to find The Sacred Cat its store, The pretty wife he left behind Stood smiling at the door. He knew that quite as smilingly She 7 d welcome his return, And brightly on the altar stone The tended flame would burn. The Sacred Cat was different quite; No jollity he knew; But, spoiled and petted day and night, Only the crosser grew. Yet still they served him faithfully, And thought his snarling sweet ; And still they fed him lusciously, And bathed his .sacred feet. 30 THE NAUGHTY LITTLE EGYPTIAN So far, so good. But hear the rest: This couple had a child, A little boy, not of the best, Rameses, he was styled. This little boy was beautiful, But soon he grew to be So like The Cat in manners, oh! ? T was wonderful to see! He might have copied Papa Phlat, Or Mama Phlat, as well 5 And why he did n't think of that No mortal soul could tell. It was n't want of discipline, Nor lack of good advice, But just because he did n't care To be the least bit nice. Besides, he noticed day by day How ill The Cat behaved, And how (whatever they might say) His parents were enslaved ; And how they worshiped silently The naughty Sacred Cat. Said he, "They '11 do the same by me, If I but act like that. 77 At first the parents said: "How blest Are we, to find The Cat THE NAUGHTY LITTLE EGYPTIAN 31 Glow, humanized, within the breast Of a Scarabeus Phlat!" But soon the neighbors, pitying, Whispered : " 'T is very sad ! There 's no mistake, that little one Of Phlat's is very bad ! " He snarled, he squalled from night till morn, And scratched his mother's eyes, The Sacred Cat, himself, looked on In envious surprise. And here the record suddenly Breaks off. No more we know, Excepting this: That happy pair Soon wore a look of woe. Yes, then, and ever afterward, A look of pain they wore. No more the wife stood smilingly A-waitiiig at the door. No more did Scarabeus Phlat Display a jolly face ; But on his brow such sadness sat It gloomied all the place. So, children, take the lesson in, And due attention give: No matter when, or where, or how, Mothers and fathers live, 32 THE NAUGHTY LITTLE EGYPTIAN No matter be they Brown or Jones, Or Scarabeus Phlat, It grieves their hearts to see their child Act like a naughty cat. And Sacred Cats are well enough To those who hold them so ; But oh, take warning of the boy In Egypt long ago! SEEING IS BELIEVING 'ILLING Kitty McHost was deaf as a post, And Wellington Stowe could n't speak ; " So, you see, ? t were as well/' said Miss Kitty McHost, " For a man to come courtin' in Greek ! If it 's me you are after, dear Wellington Stowe, Just bring in a bit of a trumpet and blow." So he blew and he blew, his dear lady to win ; But she cried in despair : " Will he never begin ? " And then in the trumpet he silently sighed, Whilst fondly and sweetly his lady he eyed; "Would you deafen a body!" she cried, "Mr. Stowe; If you blow loud as that, all the neighbors '11 know ! " And so it was settled. And long may they thrive, The quietest, happiest couple alive! 3 33 TELL ME, DAISY TELL me, Daisy, ere I go, Whether my love is true or no One leaf off: He loves me. What? One more leaf, and he loves me not. Three leaves: Will he? Four leaves: So, He never will love me ? oh no, no ! I don't care what a daisy says; I 'm sure to get married one of these days! 34 AN OCEAN NOTION WERE I old Neptune's son, you ? d see How soon the waves would bow to me; And how the fish would gather round, . And wag their tails with joy profound. 1 7 d bid the sea-gull tidings bring Of sunny lands where linnets sing; I 'd roam the icebergs wild, and find A summer suited to my mind; Or in the gulf-stream warm I 'd play And on my Nautilus sail away; I 'd turn the billows inside out ; Play leap-frog with the waterspout; Swing on the cable, out of sight, Or leap with dolphins to the light. All this I 'd do and more beside, Were I old Neptune's joy and pride. His wreathed horn I ? d lightly blow, And swing his trident to and fro; . 35 36 AN OCEAN NOTION And when I tired of ocean's roar, 1 7 d take a little turn on shore. If Neptune feared to trust on land "AND ON MY NAUTILUS SAIL AWAY." His fine aquatic four-in-hand ? Why, what of that? I ? d laugh and go Upon a charger sure and slow AN OCEAN NOTION My turtle-steed so fine and grand Ready for trip on sea or land. Ah, but 1 7 d have right lordly fun, If I were only Neptune's son ! 37 ARAMANTHA MEHITABEL BROWN OH, Miss Aramantha Mehitabel Brown Was known as the prettiest girl in the town, In the days of King George, number Three. Her hat was a wonder Of feathers and bows; The pretty face under Was sweet as a rose j And her sleeves were so full they could tickle her nose! Her dimity gown was a marvel to see; So short in the waist! And not a bit laced " Oh, mercy ! I never would do it ! " said she. No cumbering train hid her dear little feet, Yet the skirt that revealed them was ample and neat, Indeed all the modistes declared it was " sweet " ; And the bag that she swung from her plump little arm Held a kerchief, a purse, and a luck-penny charm. ABAMANTHA MEHITABEL BROWN 39 Ah, the maiden was fair, And dainty and rare ! And the neighbors would sigh, As she tripped lightly by: " Sure, the pride of our town And its fittest renown Is sweet Aramantha Mehitabel Brown ! " "I CANNOT THINK WHAT KEEPS HIM SO.' COMING HOME " COME, Kitty, come ! " I said : But still she waited waited, Nodding oft her pretty head With, " I 'm coming soon. Father 7 s rowing home, I know, I cannot think what keeps him so, Unless he 7 s just belated; I ? m coming soon." " Come, Kate ! n her mother called, " The supper 's almost ready." But Kitty, in her place installed, Said, "I 'm coming soon. Do let me wait. He 's sure to come ; By this time Father ? s always home He rows so fast and steady ; I 7 in coming soon." 41 42 COMING HOME " Come, Kit ! " her brothers cried ; But Kitty by the water Still eagerly the distance eyed, With "I 'm coining soon. Why, what would evening be," said she, "Without dear father home to tea? Without his ' Ho, my daughter J ? I 'm coming soon." " Come, dear ! " plead one and all, But Kitty ? s softly humming,- She hears a cheery distant call, "And he ? s coming soon" Is in her heart ; for, far from shore, Gliding the happy waters o'er, She sees the boat, and cries, " He 7 s coming ! We 're coming soon ! " SCHOOL-BOY TROUBLES HE witches hide in my books, I know, Or else it 7 s fairy elves j For when I study, they plague me so I feel like one of themselves. Often they whisper : " Come and The sun is shining bright ! " And when I fling the book away They flutter with delight. They dance among the stupid words, And twist the "rules 77 awry; And fly across the page like birds, Though I can't see them fly. They twitch my feet, they blur my eyes, They make me drowsy, too ; In fact, the more a fellow tries To study, the worse they do. They can't be heard, they can't be seen I know not how they look And yet they always lurk between The leaves of a lesson-book. Whatever they are I cannot tell, But this is plain as day : I '11 never be able to study well, Till the book-elves go away. 43 FANS MY sister Kitty has lovely fans, Oh, ten times finer than sister Nan's! Kitty's are beautiful satin and pearl (Kitty was always a dressy girl ! ) Ebony, tortoise-shell, lace, and gold; Shimmering, shining in every fold; Bedecked and trimmed with fur and feather, And she needs them even in winter weather ! Nan's (ah, how many she has ! ) are plain, Clean, and cool as the summer rain; Paper and palm-leaf fans are they, Three for a dime, I have heard her say; FANS 45 Strong and firm, yet light to bear, And laden with cool, refreshing air, As bound on errands of help and pity, She carries them through the scorching city. To-day she is sitting by tiny beds Cooling poor little, suffering heads; Fanning lightly softly slow Till the little ones far into dreamland go. I often think of these different fans, Kitty's, so lovely and sister Nan's. y PI ** PI ^ _ x i> x > x' "> x "> x *> x "> "WWWWWWWWWWWW X > X ^ W W 4G A NEW YEAR INGr, dong! ding, dong! This old year will soon be gone, But a new one 's coming on, Ding, dong! ding, dong! Tell us, Year, before you go, Ding, dong! ding, dong! Why at last you hurry so, Though at first so very slow? Ding, dong! Can't you wait until we see What the new year means to be ? Ding, dong! ding, dong! I wish years would never change; No one wants a year that 's strange. Ding, dong ! ding, dong ! Big folk say 't would never do, None would live the past anew; But I 'd like it, would n't you f Ding, dong! ding, dong! Just the same 1 ? No, I must be Better with each year, you see. Old Year, don't you pity me? Ding, dong! ding, dong! Ding ! 47 THE ELF AND THE SPIDER PERCHED on a stool of the fairy style, An elf-boy worked with a mischievous smile. " That careless spider ! " said he, " to leave His web unfinished ! But I can sew : I '11 spin, or sew, or darn, or weave Whatever they call it so none will know That his spidership didn't complete it himself, Or I ? m a very mistaken young elf. 7; Well, the wee sprite sewed, or wove, or spun, Plying his brier and gossamer thread j And, quick as a ripple, the web, all done, Was softly swaying against his head As he laughed and nodded in joyful pride. Ho ! ho ! it 's done ! Ha! ha! what fun! And then he felt himself slowly slide Slide and tumble stool and all In the prettiest sort of a fairy fall ! Up he jumped, as light as air ; But oh, what a sight, What a sorry plight 48 PLYING HIS BRIER AND GOSSAMER THREAD. 50 THE ELF AND THE SPIDER The web was caught in his sunny hair! When, presto ! on sudden invisible track, That horrible spider came lumbering back : " WHO 'S BEEN AT MY WEB ? WHAT HO ! COME ON ! And he knotted for fight, The horrid fright! But the elf was gone Poor, frightened fay ! Nothing was seen but a tattered sheen, Trailing and shining upon the green. But all that night, with dainty care, An elf sat tugging away at his hair. And ? t is whispered in Elf-land to this day That any spider under the sun May go and leave his web undone, With its filmy thread-end swinging free Or tied to the tip of a distant tree, With never a fear that elfin-men Will meddle with spider-work again. DANCING MASTER FITZ-EUSTACE DE PERCIVAL JONES "Went dancing with Polly McLever; And he asked her that night, in the sweetest of tones, To dance with him only, forever. " Indeed I will, Eustace de Percival Jones," Said dear little Polly McLever. So he whispered her softly: "Delay is for drones Let ? s take the step now, Love, if ever." To-day they are gray, and their weary old bones Feel keenly each turn of the weather; But dancing at heart still are Polly and Jones, As they tread to-day's measure together. 51 A DEAR LITTLE SCHEMER THERE was a little daughter once, whose stockings were so small That when thfe Christmas Eve came round they would n't do at all. At least she said they would n't do, and so she tried another's, And folding her wee stocking up, she slyly took her mother's. " 1 11 pin this big one here/' she said, then sat before the fire, Watching the supple, dancing flames, and shadows darting by her, Till silently she drifted off to that queer land, you know, Of " Nowhere in particular," where sleepy children go. She never knew the tumult rare that came upon the roof! She never heard the patter of a single reindeer hoof j She never knew how Some One came and looked his shrewd surprise At the wee foot and the stocking so different in size ! 52 'THE WEE FOOT AND THE STOCKING so DIFFERENT IN SIZE, 54 A DEAR LITTLE SCHEMER She only knew, when morning dawned, that she was safe in bed. " It 's Christmas ! Ho ! " and merrily she raised her pretty head; Then, wild with glee, she saw what "dear Old Santa Glaus" had done, And ran to tell the joyftd news to each and every one: " Mama ! Papa ! Please come and look ! a lovely doll, and all ! " And " See how full the stocking is ! Mine would have been too small. I borrowed this for Santa Glaus. It is n't fair, you know, To make him wait forever for a little girl to grow." THE ROAD TO LEARNING WISH I knew my letters well, So I might learn to read and spell 1 7 d find them on my pretty card, If they were not so very hard. Now S is crooked don't you see? And Gr is making mouths at me, And O is something like a ball, It has n't any end at all. And all the rest are my! so queer! They look like crooked sticks oh dear! Nurse counted six, and twenty more ; What do they have so many for? 53 THERE >S A SHIP ON THE SEA THERE ? s a ship on the sea. It is sailing to-night, Sailing to-night! And father 7 s aboard, and the moon is all bright, Shindig and bright! Dear moon ; he ? 11 be sailing for many a night Sailing from mother and me. Oh, follow the ship with your silvery light, As father sails over the sea! 56 MAKING IT SKIP "I ? LL make it skip ! " Cried Harry, seizing a bit of stone. And, in a trice, from our Harry's hand, With scarce a dip, Over the water it danced alone, While we were watching it from the land Skip ! skip ! skip ! " I '11 make it skip ! " Now, somehow, that is onr Harry's way : He takes little troubles that vex one so, Not worth a flip, And makes them seem to frolic and play Just by his way of making them go Skip ! skip ! skip ! THE FANCY-DRESS BALL THEY dressed me, one day, for a juvenile ball, In a long-tailed coat and a chapeau tall, And ruffles and bows and an eye-glass, too, And a wig finished off with an odd little queue But what I was meant for I hardly knew. " You belong to Directory days, my dear," They said, which struck me at least as queer, THE FANCY-DRESS BALL 59 For I knew that the mass of the people in town, From De Lancy and Astor to Jenkins and Brown, Were in the Directory all set down. My sisters tried hard my attention to fix, I heard, " No, in France," and " In ninety-six," And " Turbulent days," and " Yes, there were five " ; And each to out-rattle the other would strive They buzzed in my ear till I felt like a hive. " Oh, is n't he perfect ? " they cried in delight (And, really, I was n't a very bad sight ), But every youngster, I '11 venture to say, At the ball, whether peasant or clown or fay, Had been praised at home in the selfsame way. Well, all but me were as plain as your hat j At once you could say, they are this or they 're that j I even knew good little George with his hatchet, (Without, I must own, any sapling to match it) ; And you felt, at a glance, he expected to " catch it." I recognized Tell by his high Swiss hat, His boy with the apple a-top, and all that ; But all of the characters stared at me, As if to say, "What on earth can he be?" And what was the use of my saying, you see, " Why, I ? I am from the Directory ! " MORAL. When you 're booked for a fancy-dress party, take care To learn all about the queer costume you wear ! BILLY BUTTERCUP BONNY Billy Buttercup ! Pretty little fay . Riding on the blossoms in the breeze; Deep in the clover-bloom hiding him away, Startled at the murmur of the trees. Children! have you seen him! shy is he and gay, Sunny as the butterflies and bees, Bonny Billy Buttercup! Pretty little fay! Riding on the blossoms in the breeze. THE SWEET, RED ROSE " GOOD MORROW, little rose-bush ! Now prithee tell me true : To be as sweet as a sweet, red rose What must a body do?" " To be as sweet as a sweet, red rose A little girl like you Just grows and grows and grows and grows And that 's what she must do." AN APRIL GIRL THE girl that is born on an April day Has a right to be merry, lightsome, gay ; And that is the reason I dance and play And frisk like a mote in a sunny ray, Would n't you Do it, too, If you had been born on an April day? The girl that is born on an April day Has also a right to cry, they say 5 And so I sometimes do give way When things get crooked or all astray, Would n't you Do it, too, If you had been born on an April day? The girls of March love noise and fray; And sweet as blossoms are girls of May; But I belong to the time midway, And so I rejoice in a sunny spray Of smiles and tears and hap-a-day, Would n't you Do it, too, If you had been born on an April day? 64 AN APRIL GIKL Heigh-ho ! and hurrah ! for an April day, Its cloud, its sparkle, its skip and stay ! I mean to be happy whenever I may, And cry when I must,- for that ? s my way. Would n't you Do it, too, If you had been born on an April day! THE ZEALLESS XYLOGRAPHER (Dedicated to the End of the Dictionary.} YLOGEAPHEB started to cross the sea By means of a Xanthic Xebec; But, alas! he sighed for the Zuyder Zee, And feared he was in for a wreck. He tried to smile, but all in vain. Because of a Zygomatic pain; And as for singing, his cheeriest tone Reminded him of a Xylophone Or else, when the pain would sharper grow, His notes were as keen as a Zuffolo. And so, it is likely, he did not find On board, Xenodochy to his mind. The fare was poor, and he was sure Xerophagy he could not endure; Zoophagous surely he was, I aver, This dainty and starving Xylograph er. Xylophagous truly he could not be No sickly vegetarian he ! He ? d have blubbered like any old Zeuglodon Had Xerophthalmia not come on. And the end of it was he never again In a Xanthic Xebec went sailing the main. THE LITTLE GIRL WHO TRIED TO MIND PRUDENCE good sister Prudence ! was a gentle girl of eight, And Totty was but four years old, when what I now relate Came to the happy little pair, one bright November day A Sunday, too while good Papa was many miles away. " Good-by, my darlings ! don't forget." The little ones went forth, Their hearts all in a sunny glow, their faces to the north Their faces to the chilling north, but not a whit cared they, Though the .pretty church before them stood full half a mile away. For Mother, with her smiling face and cheery voice, had said : " I cannot go to church to-day, but you may go instead. Baby will need me here at home the precious little pet! But babies grow in time, you know. She '11 go to meeting yet." THE LITTLE GIRL WHO TRIED TO MIND 67 " Take care of sister, Prue ! " she said, while tying Totty's hood, " And, Tottykins, I 'in sure you '11 be, oh, very still and good! Good-by, my darlings ! Don't forget. Prudence, you know the pew; And, Tot, be Mama's little mouse, and sit up close to Prue." 68 THE LITTLE GIRL WHO TRIED TO MIND In truth it was a pretty sight, to see the rosy pair Walk down the aisle and take their seats, with sweetly solemn air. And Prudence soon was listening, her manner all intent, While little Tot sat prim and stiff, and wondered what it meant. The quaint, old-fashioned meeting-house had pew- seats low and bare, With backs that reached above the heads when they were bowed in prayer. And thus it was when suddenly a squeaking sound was heard, Faint at the first, then almost loud even the deacon stirred ! All heads were bowed; again it came that tiny puzzling sound, The staidest members rolled their eyes and tried to look around; Till Prudence, anxious little maid! felt, with a pang of fear, That, whatsoe'er its cause might be, the noise was strangely near. Out went her slyly warning hand, to reach for Totty there ; When, oh, the squeaking rose above the closing words of prayer! THE LITTLE GIRL WHO TRIED TO MIND 69 Aii empty mitten on the seat was all that Prudence felt, "While on the floor, in wondrous style, the earnest Totty knelt ! Poor Prudence leaned and signaled, and beckoned, all in vain 5 Totty was very much engaged and would not heed, 't was plain. When suddenly a childish voice rang through the crowded house : " DON'T, Prudy ! 'cause I Ve dot to be my Mama's 'ittle mouse ! " Many a worshiper looked shocked, and many smiled outright, While others mourned in sympathy with " Prudy's " sorry plight; And Totty, wild with wrath because she could be mouse no more, Was carried soon, a sobbing child, out through the wide church-door. Now parents ponder while ye may upon this sad mishap j The mother, not the mouse, you see, was caught within the trap. And when your little listening ones you send beyond your reach, Be chary of your metaphors and figurative speech. THE FAIR-MINDED MEN WHO WALKED TO DONAHAN Two wise men walked to Donahan Upon a rainy day, Heigh-ho ! With one umbrelP between them. They hit npon an honest plan For both to have fair play, Heigh-ho ! I wish you could have seen them. Said one : " I '11 hold it half the way, And you the other half, Heigh-ho ! And safely we '11 go skipping." But soon his neighbor said: "Nay, nay, You 're dry, and have your laugh, Heigh-ho ! While I catch all the dripping. " Now tliis we '11 try : Your head poke through, And I will do the same, Heigh-ho ! There ! nothing could be better ; 70 THE FAIR-MINDED MEN WHO WALKED TO DONAHAN 71 Now one umbrelP will serve for two, And neither '11 be to blame, Heigh-ho ! If t' other gets the wetter." And so they walked to Donahan, Nor found the journey long, Heigh-ho ! Until they fell a- wheezing; " The bargain 's honest, man to man," They said j " but something 's wrong," Heigh-ho ! As on they went a-sneezing. A BROWN STUDY MOTHER said : " That 's all, dear. Now run outdoors and play. 7 ' Father said the same; And so I came. But, somehow, they forget that I 'm growing every day. A girl can't always frolic. Why, lambs are sometimes still, Though whenever they feel like it, they caper with a will. And birds may stop their singing while their hearts are full of song. I Ve seen them look so solemn ! And when the day is long They often hide among the boughs and think, I 'm sure they do; I 've peered between the twitching leaves, and seen them at it, too ! But if a girl stands still and thinks, the people always say: " As you Ve nothing else to do, dear, why don't you go and play?" 73 74 A BROWN STUDY Well, all I know is this: It 's nice To jump the rope, and skip and swing, or skate on winter ice ; It 7 s nice to romp with other girls and laugh as well as they, But not to-day. Dear me! How sweet and bright it is, this lovely, lovely Earth! And not a thing upon it dreams how much it 's really worth. Except the folks. They calculate and set themselves quite high; Oh, my ! You dear, good sky, to bend so soft and kind above us all! It 's queer to think this great wide world is nothing but a ball Rolling, they say, through space ; (How does it keep its place? None of my business, I suppose.) I wonder if the brook Is full to-day. It 's early yet ; I guess I ? 11 go and look. "A MISS IS AS GOOD AS A MILE" jrnk, S~\ /* ^>x^ : '/ a/ goocf a/ a mile I erx prctfy Kitty If 9 g upon fKc well; ; ft T; fo f&lk w7fk me mofKer wond^rj ct Kom in time for fca . OUT OF THE SKY "O BIRD of the sky, How far*; you can fly, And all in a minute! You Ve been to the sky, Away up so high, And know all that 's in it; You 7 ve pierced with your flight Its wonderful light What makes it so blue? Now tell me, oh do, Little singer!' 7 '. The bird stopped a while To rest on a stile, With mosses upon it; 76 OUT OP THE SKY 77 And ere very long, He poured forth a song As sweet as a sonnet. But never a word My waiting ear heard, Why the sky was so blue, Though he told all he knew Stupid singer! I went in to look For the facts in a book, All told to a letter; Yet somehow it seemed (Though maybe I dreamed) The bird told it better. Oh, never a word My willing ear heard, Why the sky was so blue, Yet he told me quite true Knowing singer ! MY DOG I LOVE my dog a beautiful dog, Brave and alert for a race; Ready to frolic with baby or man; Dignified, too, in his place. I like his bark, a resonant bark, Musical, honest and deep; And his swirling tail and his shaggy coat And his sudden, powerful leap. Never a smug little pug for me, Nor a Spitz with treacherous snap ! Never a trembling, pattering hound, Nor a poodle to live on my lap ! No soft-lined basket for bed has Jack, Nor bib, nor luxurious plate; But our open door, that he guards so well, And the lawn are his royal state. No dainty leading-ribbon of silk My grand, good dog shall fret; No golden collar needs he to show He 's a very expensive pet ; 78 MY DOG 7 But just my loving voice for a chain, His bound at my slightest sign, And the faith when we look in each other's eyes Proclaim that my dog is mine. He never was carried in arms like a babe, Nor dragged like a toy, all a-curlj For he proudly knows he ? s a dog, does Jack, And I 'm not that sort of a girl. I KNOW A LITTLE MAIDEN I KNOW a little maiden who can knit and who can sew; Who can tuck her little petticoat, and tie a pretty bow ; She can give the thirsty window-plants a cool- ing drink each day, And dust the pretty sit- ting-room, and drive the flies away. She can bring Papa his dressing-gown, and warm his slippers well, And lay the plates and knives and forks, and ring the supper-bell j She can learn her lessons carefully, and say them with a smile, Then put away her books and slate and atlas, in a pile; I KNOW A LITTLE MAIDEN 81 She can feed the bright canary, and put water in his cage; And soothe her little brother when he flies into a rage. She can dress and tend her dollies like a mother, day or night, Indeed, one half the good she does I cannot now recite. And yet there are some things, I 'm told, this maiden cannot do. She cannot say an ugly word, or one that is not true ; Who can this little maiden be f I wonder if it 's you. gl LSI!) Is la Lsifl ia_ia IS ISLBis&tsisisIgLa A NEW SONG- TO AN OLD TUNE ''You are old, my dear dea- con/' the schoolma'am re- marked, k 'And studies with youth pass away; Yet you 're quite in ad- vance of the books, I am sure, Now tell me the reason, I pray." "In the days of my youth/' the good deacon replied, "I was fleetest of foot in my setj And I ran on ahead of my studies so fast That they Ve never caught up with me yet." THERE once was a man with a sneeze, Who always would sit in a breeze. When begged to take shelter He 'd cry : " I should swelter ! " And straightway go on with his sneeze. INTERNATIONAL SHE came from a round black dot on the map,- This dear little girl, and she 's called a Jap. Maybe my sister will show it to you : The very place where this little girl grew. 84 INTERNATIONAL 85 I wish she knew some American words, Such as " How do you do ? " and " trees/' and " birds." I 'd like to talk with her ever so much But she can't tell a thing that I say from Dutch. Well, our dollies will get us acquainted to-day If she '11 only come out in the Park to play ! If it were not for nodding, and taking their hands, We could never know people from foreign lands. SURPRISE WHAT was the moon a-spying Out of her half-shut eye? One of her stars went flying Across the broad blue sky. <>* MOTHER EARLY one summer morning, I saw two children pass ; Their footsteps, as they loitered, Wakened the dewy grass. One, lately out of babyhood, Looked up with eager eyes; The other watched her wistfully, Oppressed with smothered sighs. " See, Mother ! " cried the little one, "I gathered them for you Clover and pretty buttercups! And Mabel has some too." "Hush, Nelly!" whispered Mabel, "We have not reached it, yet. Wait till we get there, darling, It is n't far, my pet." "Get where!" asked Nelly. "Tell me." "To the churchyard," Mabel said. "No! no!" cried little Nelly, And shook her sunny head. Still Mabel whispered sadly, "We must take them to the grave. 88 MOTHER Come, darling ! " and the childish voice Tried to be clear and brave. But Nelly still kept calling Far up into the blue j " See, Mother, see, how pretty ! We gathered them for you." And when her sister pleaded, She cried and would not go : " Angels don't live in graveyards ; My mother don't, I know ! " Then Mabel bent and kissed her. ' So be it, dear," she said; " We >11 take them to the arbor And lay them there instead. "For mother loved it dearly, It was the sweetest place!" And the joy that came to Nelly Shone up in Mabel's face. I saw them turn and follow A path with blossoms bright, Until the nodding branches Concealed them from my sight; But still like sweetest music The words came ringing through : " See, Mother, see, how pretty ! We gathered them for you." "PHILOPENA!" THE pretty Princess Wilhelmina Thought she 'd eat a Philopena. She asked the Prince. He answered "Yea"; And " caught " was he that very day. The present came in course of time; No jewel it, nor gold nor delf. The Prince just waited for his prime, Then gave the Princess fair himself! CONFUSION HEIGH-HO! I 've left my "B O, bo," And "A B, ab" oh, long ago! And gone to letters three. (Dear me! What does that last word spell The last I learned! I knew it well It 's W and E and B.) You see, I ? ve so much work to do Scrubbing and sweeping, dusting too I can't remember half I know. And oh! the spiders drive me wild, Till Mother says : " What ails the child ! What makes her fidget so?" (Now, sakes alive! What can it be That W and E and B?) As soon as school is out, I run To do my work. It ? s never done, But when my lesson once is said It goes and pops out of my head All on account of dust and dirt. No matter how my hands may hurt, I sweep and toil the livelong day, And try to brush the things away. CONFUSION (It 's all the spiders don't you see I ) And yet I 'm glad I Ve learned to spell. (What is that word ? I knew it well That W and E and B ! ) 91 PUZZLED FAIRY-FOLK ON one sole eve of the bright, long year There is trouble in Fairy-land 5 There is dread, and wonder, and elfin fear At something they never can understand. For "Why! "says the Queen, And "Why!" say the elves, And "What does it mean?" They ask of themselves. " We 'd like to know why, On the Fourth of July, These mortals make such a commotion? Rattle and flash! Fountains of fire Play low, play round, play higher and higher Now, what it >s about, This terrible rout, We have n't the ghost of a notion." Poor little fairy-folk, dear little sprites ! What can you know of wrongs and of rights, Battles and victories ; birth of a nation ? Heed not these jubilant echoes of fights; Dance and rejoice in your lightsome creation. 92 MILD FARMER JONES AND THE NAUGHTY BOY 'COME DOWN FROM OUT MY HICKORY-TREE." " YOU WON'T, YOU NAUGHTY BOY? OH FIE ! CRIED Farmer Jones, "What '& this I see? Come down from out my hickory-tree! Come down, my boy; I think you might; To steal is neither wise nor right." "You won't, you naughty boy? Oh, fie! You dare to tell me mind my eye? MILD FARMER JONES AND THE NAUGHTY BOY 95 HIS FAITHFUL DOG HAS MOUNTED GUARD. " MY STROKES SHALL BRING DOWN TREE AND ALL." Come down this instant! What

T is done. The faithful dog is tied, The shining ax is turned aside. THE TREE MAY YIELD, THE BOY WILL NOT "l SAY, TIE FAST THAT YELPING PUP." MILD FARMER JONES AND THE NAUGHTY BOY 97 ' NO HOAXING, NOW ? " THE YOUTH DOTH CRY. SAID JONES, " YOU *RE SORRY NOW, I SEE. "No hoaxing, now!" the youth doth cry And Farmer Jones replies, "Not I." Now, mingling with the song of bird, A sound of tearing clothes is heard, And scraping boots ; and, with a bound, That naughty boy stands on the ground. Said Jones, "You >re sorry now, I see, For knocking nuts from off my tree ! n " Well, yes ; if you '11 just hold the pup, And let a fellow pick ? em up." 98 MILD FARMER JONES AND THE NAUGHTY BOY " All right ! my boy," cried Farmer Jones, Who felt delighted in his bones j For never since the world began Was seen so very mild a man. ALARMED A VERY nervous elephant One day became afraid That he was growing rather fat. " Dear me ! said he, " if I thought that, I should at once be weighed!" WHAT HAPPENED TO NELLY I KNEW a little girl, You? Oh, no, Who came to live on earth, Just to grow; Just to grow up big Like Mama, "Big as any lady/ 7 Said Papa 5 Not to stay a baby As she came; Yet each morning found her Quite the same. Quite the same, they said, Not a change Since she went to bed Ah, how strange ! Baby Nell at night, Baby Nell at dawn, 100 WHAT HAPPENED TO NELLY 101 Everything the same, Not a dimple gone. They saw her every hour, So you '11 own, BABY NELL. If a change had come, They 7 d have known. Yet the clothes grew small Sleeves and frocks; She could n't wear her bibs, Nor her socks. 102 WHAT HAPPENED TO NELLY Soon she stood alone Yes, indeed ! and walked ! Then she toddled round; Then she talked ! Then she tried to help, All she could; Busy little inite, Kind and good ! Well, as years went on, Seven, maybe, Not a soul could call Nell a baby. "THEN SHE TODDLED ROUND." WHAT HAPPENED TO NELLY 103 Still Mama declared, Every minute She had been the same What was in it ? She saw her all the time. So you 11 own, If a change had happened She 'd have known. Baby Nell herself, Though uncommon wise, Ne'er had seen an inch Added to her size. Even Pomp, the dog, Never seemed to say: " Nell is not the same Now as yesterday." Yet, as I have said, Clothes kept growing small, Tight at first, and then Would n't do at all. Even Nelly's toys, Skipping-rope and hoop, Once quite big enough, Now would make her stoop. Why, her very crib Seemed to shrink away, Till it cramped the child Any way she lay. 104 WHAT HAPPENED TO NELLY So, from hour to hour, Not a person knew, Looking straight at Nell, That she ever grew. Little baby Nell, On the nurse's knee, Little Nell at school Learning ABC. Then ah, it was quick! Came the reading class j Then arithmetic, Clever little lass ! WHAT HAPPENED TO NELLY 105 How did it happen? When did she change "? No one had noticed Was n't it strange ! Show me when a bud Changes to a rose, Then I '11 tell you truly When a baby grows. THE SECRET I WATCHED a butterfly on the wing; , I saw him alight on a sunny spray. His pinions quivered; The blossoms shivered; I know he whispered some startling thing. But why so bold, Or what he told, While poising there on the sunny spray, I Ve never learned to this blessed day. THISTLES ! THREE velvety, busy, buzzing bees Once plunged in a thistle-plant up to their knees. Alas! Though plucky and stout of heart, They bounded away with an angry start. For the thistle 's the touchiest thing that grows ; It ? s the Grossest old plant ! as every one knows. And now they '11 give you a bit of advice : "Don't ever run into a thistle-plant twice!" 106 THISTLES I tm^ JEANNETTE AND JO. JEANNETTE AND JO Two girls I know Jeannette and Jo, And one is always moping; The other lassie, come what may, Is ever bravely hoping. Beauty of face and girlish grace Are theirs for joy or sorrow; Jeannette takes brightly every day, And Jo dreads each to-morrow. One early morn they watched the dawn I saw them stand together; Their whole day's sport, 't was very plain, Depended on the weather. ? T will storm ! " cried Jo. Jeannette spoke low ; " Yes, but ? t will soon be over." And, as she spoke, the sudden shower Came, beating down the clover. " I told you so ! n cried angry Jo ; "It always is a-raining! " 109 110 JEANNETTE AND JO Then hid her face in dire despair, Lamenting and complaining. But sweet Jeannette, quite hopeful yet, I tell it to her honor, Looked up and waited till the sun Came streaming in upon her; The broken clouds sailed off in crowds, Across a sea of glory. Jeannette and Jo ran, laughing, in Which ends my simple story. Joy is divine. Come storm, come shine, The hopeful are the gladdest; And doubt and dread, dear girls, believe, Of all things are the saddest. In morning's light, let youth be bright : Take in the sunshine tender; Then, at the close, shall life's decline Be full of sunset-splendor. And ye who fret, try, like Jeannette, To shun all weak complaining; And not, like Jo, cry out too soon "It always is a-raining!" MIDSUMMER FROLICS DOWN in the meadow, close by the hill, Some one is having a party j Never was heard on a summer night still, Buzz of enjoyment so hearty. Strange ! for the elves are no longer on earth. Strange ! for the fairies are over ! But, sure as you live, there are frolic and mirth For somebody, down in the clover. in LITTLE SQUIRRELS, CRACK YOUR NUTS LITTLE squirrels, crack your nuts; Chirp your busy tune; Sound your merry rut-a-tuts Boys are coming soon! Hide to-day, and pile to-day, Hoard a goodly store; When the boys are gone away, You may find no more. Hear you not their merry shout, Song, and happy laughter? Sure as leaping, boys are out ! Girls are coming after. Hide and pile, then, while you may ; Hoard a goodly store ; If the children come this way, You may find no more. 112 DOWN BY THE SEA "OLD KING COLE was a jolly old soul, And a jolly old soul was he; He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers three." Now who were the fiddlers I And what did they fiddle, And where were the fiddlers three? A fiddle for fiddles! King Cole is a riddle The fiddlers are down by the sea. 113 THE TALE OF A TUB Two dear friends sat down to tea; And both were sleek and fair to see. ii All went well until one spied Great danger near. " Oh, look ! " she cried, 014 THE TALE OF A TUB 115 III A furious, uninvited beast Was rushing madly to the feast. IV Quick as a flash they trapped the foe, Then tied him fast, and bade him "Go! 7 ' 116 THE TALE OF A TUB Then safely from a tall tree near They saw him madly disappear. VI Departed foe! Delighted friends! And so this thrilling story ends. THE SAD STORY OF LITTLE JANE A Calendar of Woe. JAN e, little saint, was sick and faint, FEE rif uge she had none ; MAR malade seemed to make her worse, APR icots were all gone. MAY be, she thought, in some fair field, JUNE berries sweet may grow ; JULY and June, they searched in vain, AUG meriting all her woe. SEPT imus failed to find a pill OCT oroon slave was he; Nov ice, poor thing! at feeling ill, DEC eased ere long was she. 117 MOTHER'S ARM FROM the low, wide, sheltering wall Baby drops his pretty ball; Baby wants it, that is all. Why should mother hinder so, Why not let the baby go? Baby's wish is law, you know. ? T will not always be the way; Baby 11 go alone some day. Mother cannot always stay, Well-a-day. A SUGGESTION FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR SUPPOSE we think little about number one; Suppose we all help some one else to have fun ; Suppose we ne'er speak of the faults of a friend; Suppose we are ready our own to amend; Suppose we laugh with, and not at, other folk, And never hurt any one " just for the joke " ; Suppose we hide trouble, and show only cheer 7 T is likely we '11 have quite a Happy New Year! 119 UNSETTLED I ? VE a sailor suit ; and a boat to row j And yet there 's something I 7 d like to know If I am a stupid (as some folks agree), Why then it is plain that a stupid I be. But if I 'm no stupid, then clever am I, And likely I '11 be quite a chap, by and by. 120 TWINKLE, twinkle, little star I don't wonder what you are! I Ve learned more of you, you see, Than you '11 ever know of me. 121 THE LETTERS AT SCHOOL ONE day the letters rushed to school, And hindered one another; They got so mixed 't was really hard To pick out one from t' other. A went in first, and Z came last; The rest were all between them, K, L and M, and N, O, P, I wish you could have seen them! B, C, D, E and J, K, L Soon jostled well their betters; Q, R, S, T I grieve to say Were very naughty letters. Of course, ere long they came to words What else could be expected? Till E made D, J, C and T Decidedly dejected. But, through it all, the Consonants Were rudest and uncouthest, While all the pretty Vowel girls Were certainly the smoothest. And simple U kept far from Q, With face demure and moral. 122 124 THE LETTERS AT SCHOOL "Because/ 7 she said, "we are, we two, So apt to start a quarrel ! " But spiteful P said, " Pooh for U ! " (Which made her feel quite bitter), And, calling O, L, E to help, He really tried to hit her. Cried A, "Now E and C, come here! If both will aid a minute, Good P will join in making peace, Or else the mischief 's in it." And smiling E, the ready sprite, Said, " Yes, and count me double." This done, sweet peace shone o'er the scene, And gone was all the trouble! Meanwhile, when U and P made up, The Cons'nants looked about them, And joined the Vowels 5 for, you see, They could n't do without them. FOUR LITTLE BIRDS FOUR little birds all flew from their nest, Flew north, flew south, flew east and west; They thought they would like a wider view, So they spread their wings and away they flew. 125 DRESSING MARY ANN SHE came to me one Christmas day, In paper, with a card to say: H "From Santa Glaus and Uncle John," And not a stitch the child had on! HI " I '11 dress you ; never mind ! " said I, "And brush your hairj now, don't you cry." 126 DRESSING MARY ANN 127 IV First, I made her little hose, And shaped them nicely at the toes. V Then I bought a pair of shoes, A lovely "dolly's number twos." VI Next I made a petticoat ; And put a chain around her throat. VII Then, when she shivered, I made haste, And cut her out an underwaist. 128 DRESSING MARY ANN VIII Next I made a pretty dress ; It took me 'most a week, I guess. DRESSING MARY ANN 129 IX And then I named her Mary Ann, And gave the dear a pretty fan. Next I made a velvet sacqne That fitted finely in the back. XI Soon I trimmed a lovely hat, How pleased and sweet she looked in that ! XII O, I forgot, that was n't all, I bought her next a parasol! 130 DRESSING MARY ANN She looked so grand when she was dressed, You really never would have guessed How very plain she seemed to be, The day when first she came to me. THE FROG, THE CRAB AND THE LIMPSY EEL A FROG, a crab and a limpsy eel Agreed to run a race. The frog leaped so far he lost his way. And tumbled on his face. The crab went well, but quite forgot To go ahead as he went, And so crawled backward every step On winning the race intent. And the limpsy eel, he curled and curled, And waved to left and right, Till the crab came backing the other way, And the frog jumped past them quite. But when last I looked, the limpsy eel "Was curling himself apace, The frog had tangled his two hind legs, And the crab had won the race ! 131 NEW-YEAR'S DAY " A HAPPY New Year to you, my lady ! To give you this greeting I came." " Oh, thank you, indeed/ 7 said the sweet little lady, " And, truly, I wish you the same." " I .wish you many returns, my lady, A long chain of years, I may say, 132 NEW-YEAR'S DAY 133 Linked into garlands of joy, my lady, And now I must bid you good day." " Yes, many returns,' 7 said the bright little lady, " In sooth, I would wish for them, too j A long, long chain," said the dear little lady, " Of beautiful visits from you ! " TO A YOUNG GIRL With a Spray of Autumn Leaves. THOUGH autumn winds be sighing in your future, Molly dear, Their music may be sweeter than the early spring- time cheer; As the fleeting moments ripen in the fullness of your prime, There '11 be tints and shadows richer far than those of summer-time ; And, so, these leaves prophetic made me dream, my girl, of you, As they trembled in their gladness, with the sunlight shining through. CAT'S-CRADLE " IT 's criss-cross high, and it ? s criss-cross flat ; Then four straight lines for the pussy cat; Then criss-cross under 5 ah, now there 7 U be A nice deep cradle, dear Grandpa ! See ! " Now change again, and it 7 s flat once more A lattice- window ! But where ? s the door? Why, change once more, and, holding it so, We can have a very good door, you know. " Now over, now under, now pull it tight ; See-saw, Grandpa ! exactly right ! " So prattled the little one, Grandfather's pet, As deftly she wrought. " See, now it 's a net ! " But where did you learn cat's-cradle so well ? " She suddenly asked,- and he could not tell. He could not tell, for his heart was sore, As he gravely said, "I have played it before." What could the sweet little maiden know Of beautiful summers long ago? Of the merry sports, and the games he played, When "Mama," herself, was a little maid? 134 CAT'S-CEADLE 135 What could she know of the thoughts that ran Through the weary brain of the world- worn man ? But she knew, when she kissed him, dear Grandpa smiled, And that was enough for the happy child. SIGNS OF MAY MAY day and June day, Spring and summer weather, Going to rain going to clear ; Trying both together. Flowers are coming ! No, they 're not, Whilst the air ? s so chilly; First it 's cold, then it 's hot Is n't weather silly? 136 SIGNS OP MAY 137 S'pose the little vi'lets think Spring is rather funny. So they hide themselves away, Even where it 's sunny. S'pose the trees must think it 's time To begin their growing. See the little swelling buds! See how plain they 7 re showing! S'pose they know they 're going to make Peaches, apples, cherries. Even vines and bushes know When to start their berries. Only little girls like me Don't know all about it: Maybe, though, the reason is We can do without it. Winter-time and summer-time We keep on a-growing; So, you see, we need n't be Like the flowers, and like the trees, And the birds and bumblebees Always wise and knowing. JOHNNY AND MEG " STRAWBERRIES ! Ripe strawberries ! " Cried lusty Johnny Strong; And he sold his baskets readily To folks who came along. But soon a tiny voice piped forth, Me, too! Meg could not shout As John did. Yet she too must sell The fruit she bore about. "Ho, STRAW-BERR-E-E-S ! " roared lusty John, "Me, too!" piped Meg, so sad. Now Johnny made good sales tha,t day, But Meg sold all she had. ON THE LAGOON (Jackson Park, Chicago, 1893.) " FULL ! " cried the gondolier. Swish ! and they started. Great was the crowd, but they would not be parted; So in they all scrambled from Clara to Kitty Little white citizens of the White City. 138 THE PENSIVE CRICKET ONE cold November morning, All kind companions scorning, A pensive cricket sought In melancholy thought His woes to stifle. " Alas ! alas ! w cried he, " Ah woe, ah woe is me ! I really do not see \\ Why I should be So melan melancholy. Ah me ! Let 7 s see." He thought, and thought, and thought,- That cricket did. " It is not love, nor care, That fills me with despair. My chirp is sharp and sweet, And nimble are my feet; My appetite is good, And bountiful my food; My coat is smooth and bright; My wings are free and light, 140 THE PENSIVE CKICKET 141 Then ah, and oh, ah me! What can the matter be?" Long time the cricket sighed, And muttered low : " Confound it ! n Then joyfully he cried: " Eureka ! Oh, Eureka ! By which he meant, "I ? ve found it" The learned little shrieker! " It is ah, well-a-day ! Because my girl 7 s away, My nimble, dimble Dolly, My cheery, deary Polly. Oh, Queen of little girls ! I like her sunny curls ; I like her eyes and hair, Her funny little stare, Her way of jumping quick Whene'er she hears me click. She 's loving and she 7 s neat, She 's spry and true and sweet; And though I caper free, She never steps on me. Kee-nick ! kee-nick ! Ker-tick ! a- tick ! And now the thought has come, To-morrow she '// ~be home! My Polly, Polly, Polly, My nimble, dimble Dolly ! 142 THE PENSIVE CEICKET I ? 11 dance to-night In the bright moonlight, To-morrow I '11 see Polly! Tra la! How very jolly!' 7 Next night the house with pleasure rang, For Polly-girl had come ; The cricket on the hearthstone sang, And home once more was home. POOR JACK-IN-THE-BOX FRIGHTEN the children, do I? Pop with too sudden a jump ! Well, how do you think I felt, all shut in there in a lump ? And did n't I get a shock when the lid came down on my head? And if you were squeezed up and locked in, would n't you get ugly and red"? If you think I 'm so dreadful, my friend, suppose you just try it yourself; Let some one shut you in a box, and put you away on the shelf And then, when the lid is unhooked, if you don't leap out with a whack, And look like a fright when you spring, I '11 give in, or my name is n't Jack. 143 WHY ONCE I was a little maid With eager heart and mind; And through the wondrous hours, I sought Something I could not find. 144 WHY 145 No single thing; 't was that, to-day, To-morrow, it was this $ And wistfully I heard folk say: "A funny little miss! " She queries so ! She wonders so ! " They said "the pretty thing!" But what I sought, or wished to know, They quite forgot to bring. And now that I am older grown, And do as I 7 ve a mind, When little lips ask, "Why!" I '11 own To answer I 'm inclined. Their " How ! " and " What ! " and " Why ? " you see, Mean that they, too, would reach And find a something that they need In some one's friendly speech. 10 SUNNY DAYS DID you ever go 011 sunny days The pretty flowers to pull, And, kneeling in the meadow, Fill your little apron full? Did you ever see the daisies shine, And hear the robins start, Till you sometimes found it hard to tell The flowers and song apart?- Did you ever see a butterfly Upon the blossoms sway, And leave it free to rest unharmed, Or go its fluttering way? And did you ever feel the breeze Steal lightly to your cheek, As if it loved you very much And had a word to speak ? Well, if you have known all these things So beautiful and wild, I 'm sure the birds and flowers and breeze Have known a happy child. 146 ALICE IN WONDERLAND SWEET Alice, while in Wonderland, Found a fine baby-brother ; She took him by his little hand, And said: ''We '11 look for Mother." And soon they met a dolphinet, Twice in a single day; Said she : " How queer ! You 're waiting yet ! Why don't you go away?" " Because," said he, " my ways are set, And who are you, I pray?" 148 ALICE IN WONDERLAND 149 "I think I 'm Alice, sir/' said she, " But Alice had no brother ; I can't quite make it out, you see, Until I find my mother." Then, low, the dolphinet replied, " 7 T is passing strange/' said he, " That mother, on my cousin's side, Is next of kin to me!" And so they journeyed far and wide, A family of three j And never on a single point Did one of them agree! 10* TO W. F. C. (With a Copy of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland") TAKE a nibble from the book At its Tightest side. Down and down the rabbit hole Let your fancy slide j In a whiff you 7 11 be so small, You '11 not know yourself at all $ Ah, 't will be delicious joy Just to be a little boy! Take another nibble then At the left side, not the wrong And beyond the ranks of men Up you 11 stretch, sir, tall and strong ! You will find your very own In the land where you belong; Yet be like a bubble blown Over realms of fun and song. Light as thistle-down you '11 float ; Firm as granite you will stand j Sailing in a paper boat Fast and far through Wonderland ! 150 THE LITTLE BIG WOMAN AND THE BIG LITTLE GIRL A LITTLE big woman and a big little girl, They merrily danced all the day 5 The woman declared she was too small to work ; And the girl said : " I ? m too big to play." So they merrily danced While the sunlight stayed, 151 152 THE LITTLE BIG WOMAN And practised their steps In the evening shade. " We must eat," said the little big woman. " Why not!" " Why not f said the big little girl ; So when supper-time came, they sipped as they skipped, And swallowed their cake in a whirl. And they merrily danced While the twilight stayed, And practised their steps In the evening shade. NANNY ANN " OH, Nanny Ann ! the sun is bright, The sky is blue and clear j All ugly clouds are out of sight, No rain to-day, my dear. No need, as I can plainly tell, For you to take your fine umbrelP. Go to the spring, my pretty daughter; Fetch me a jug of sparkling water." NANNY ANN 153 Now Nanny Ann herself was bright; Says she : " Though skies are clear, And ugly clouds are not in sight, >T is April, mother dear. The ways above, no soul can tell; 1 7 d rather take my fine umbrell'." So saying, off she went for water ; Now was not she a wise young daughter? THE FOUR LITTLE IMPS FOUR little imps and four little birds Lived up in the selfsame tree; And the kindly ways of those four little imps Were a beautiful sight to see. They fed and tended those orphan birds All through the blossoming days; And never were tired of sitting around And watching their comical ways. Their pitiful squeak they took for a song As sweet as they ever had heard; And they sometimes laughed, and oftener sighed 7 In feeding each motherless bird. So, gently they tended them, day by day, Till their four little pets had grown And longing to go to the beautiful sky, Each bird from the nest had flown. And when all were gone, the four little .imps Did wipe their eight little eyes, And scamper away to assuage their grief Which seems to me rather wise. 154 THE SMILING DOLLY I WHISPERED to my Dolly, And told her not to tell (She ? s a really lovely Dolly Her name is Rosabel). " Rosy/' I said, " stop smiling, For I 7 ve been dreadful bad; You must n't look so pleasant, When I am feeling sad! 156 THE SMILING DOLLY 157 " I took Mama's new ear-ring, I did, now, Rosabel, And I never even asked her, Now, Kosy, don't you tell! "You see I '11 try to find it Before I let her know 5 She 'd feel so very sorry To think I 'd acted so." Still Rosabel kept smiling; And I just cried and cried And while I searched all over, Her eyes were opened wide. " Oh, Rosy, where I dropped it I can't imagine, dear " ; And still she kept on smiling, I thought it very queer. I had wheeled her round the garden In her gig till I was lame; Yet when I told my troubles, She smiled on, just the same ! Her hair hung down her shoulders Like silk, all made of gold, I kissed her, then I shook her, Oh, dear ! how I did scold ! " You 're really naughty, Rosy, To look so when I cry; 158 THE SMILING DOLLY When my mama >s in trouble I never laugh, not I." And still she kept on smiling, The queer, provoking child! I shook her well and told her Her conduct drove me wild. When only think ! that ear-ring Fell out of Bosy's hair! When I had dressed the darling, I must have dropped it there. She doubled when I saw it, And almost hit her head! Again I whispered softly, And this is what I said: " You precious, precious Rosy ! Now I '11 go tell Mama How bad I was and sorry And oh, how good you are ! "For, Rose, I had n't lost it You knew it all the while, You knew I ? d shake it out, dear, And that 's what made you smile." HOW DO BIRDS FIRST LEARN TO SING! How do birds first learn to sing? From the whistling wind so fleet, From the waving of the wheat, From the rustling of the leaves, From the raindrop on the eaves, From the children's laughter sweet, From the plash when brooklets meet. Little birds begin their trill As they gaily float at will In the gladness of the sky, When the clouds are white and high; In the beauty of the day Speeding on their sunny way, Light of heart, and fleet of wing That 's how birds first learn to sing. X59 LITTLE NORWAY SPRUCE. CHRISTMAS EVE ALL night long the pine-trees wait, Dark heads bowed in solemn state, Wondering what may be the fate Of Little Norway Spruce. Did they take him for his good? Gallant little tree that stood Only lately in the wood Little Norway Spruce! 160 CHRISTMAS EVE 161 Gone the pretty tree so trim, Lithe was he, and strong of limb ! All the pines were proud of him, Little Norway Spruce. That night the lonely little tree In the dark stood patiently, Far away from forest free, Little Norway Spruce. Chained and laden, but intent On the pines his thoughts were bent; They might tell him what it meant, Little Norway Spruce! Morning came. The children. " See ! Oh, our glorious Christmas-tree ! " Gifts for every one had he j Happy Norway Spruce ! THE CIRCUS CLOWN'S DREAM A CIRCUS CLOWN dreamed a dream, one night, That wakened him with laughing And when he told it in high delight, Of how he dreamed of a circus horse That flew through the air as a matter of course, His comrades thought he was chaffing. " Not so/' he declared. " I say it is true"- And they opened their eyes with wonder. ' ' I saw him as plain as I now see you ; That horse swung, too, on a high trapeze, And he lifted me up from my hands and knees Till gaily I swung under. " He slid down the pole like a half -ton cat, And swung by a rope, my cronies. Then he vaulted and climbed like an acrobat; 163 164 THE CIECUS CLOWN'S DREAM He lay on his back, spun a ball with his feet, And his spring-board leaping was quite complete : Why, he leaped over three fat ponies ! " What 's more, he did the aquarium act, Stayed under water among the fishes ! You need n't wink, it 7 s a solemn fact. Then as i the Great Professor Equine And his Wonderful Sons/ O friends of mine ! He exceeded my proudest wishes. " But that was n't all of my wondrous dream, So full of magic and clatter. You should have heard the spectators scream When three great lions, with grace and ease, Began to juggle like Japanese With stick and ball and platter. THE CIRCUS CLOWN'S DREAM 165 " Then my turn came," said the circus clown, " For I had to earn my money ; So I ambled up, and nimbled down, And gave my liveliest tricks and jokes, 11* 166 THE CIRCUS CLOWN'S DREAM I was doing my best to amuse the folks, As funniest of the funny, "When all the people burst out crying, And begged me hard to stop my trying. In vain I gave my comical blink And changed my costumes, quick as a wink; You never heard such wails and weeping. This put a sudden end to my sleeping; I 'woke to learn, though strange it may seem, They wept because 't was the end of my dream!" AN APPEAL BY UNCLE JOHN OH, children, if you love us, Heed well this pleading song! When we bid you learn your lessons, Dortt study them too long. And, children, since ingratitude The meanest is of crimes, When we give you drums and trumpets, Won't you play on them sometimes? When, now and then, we offer you Fresh caramels, oh, pray, We do beseech you, darlings, Don't throw them all away. And don't be greedy, either, With Dr. Allopath, But try to be content, when ill, With all the drugs he hath. Enough 's enough. Yet little ones This riddle pray unlock: Why do you go to bed so soon And give us such a shock, Instead of saying : " Well, this once We '11 wait till ten o'clock " ? 167 ROBBY'S SPAN IN the soft, green light of the leafy June, "Maud S." and "Nancy" were humming a tune; Humming and chatting, they soberly swayed In the hammock under the linden's shade. Said "Maud S." to "Nancy": "To make them quite strong, Mama said we scarcely could take too much pains " ; " Oh, yes ! " answered " Nancy," " and ever so long ! But, how funny for horses to make their own reins ! " A live pair of horses. They worked side by side, As each a crochet-needle daintily plied. Their true names were Polly and Alice Adair, And never was seen a more beautiful pair. Spirited, supple, strong, gentle, and fleet Were "Maud S." and "Nancy," as Robby allowed, Rob was their master, so chubby and sweet. And surely he had a good right to be proud. 169 170 BOBBY'S SPAN Such a grip as he had ! Such a " whoa ! " and a "go !" Such a power over horses (of their kind, you know) ; Such a genius for making them follow his will, For speeding them madly, or holding them still! Well, it seems that one day, when the spirited span "Were hitched to a rose-bush that stood by the door, At the sight of a spider, they broke loose and ran ; And Robby sat wailing as never before. His lines were all tangled, and broken, and torn. The rose-bush rained petals, and sprang back in scorn, For "Maud S." and "Nancy," as Robby declared, "Had turned into girls just because they were scared!'' In vain they begged pardon, flushed, laughing and warm 5 In vain coaxed and kissed in their prettiest style; But at last, by a promise, they conquered the storm, And won from their master a nod and a smile. They would make him "a new set of reins good and strong!" Make him "reins that were nearly a dozen yards long!" Ah, "Maud S." and "Nancy" you beautiful span! 'T is you who can manage the stout little man! BOBBY'S SPAN 171 And this was the reason they swung side by side, As each a crochet-needle daintily plied 5 Their true names were Polly and Alice Adair, And never was seen a more beautiful pair. HIS REPORT THERE was a worthy schoolmaster Who wrote to the trustees A full report, three times a year, in words quite like to these: "The scholars are so orderly, so studious and kind, 7 T is evident I have a gift to train the youth- ful mind." 172 EIGHT-DAY CLOCKS (A Rhyme for Young Calculators) How often I 've sustained a shock, Since I have owned my eight-day clock! At first, I wonnd it once a week, (Bless me ! how the key did creak !) And then I pondered, " Where 's the need ? The thing wonld go at even speed A whole day longer, if neglected 5 And I, for one, can't be expected To wind and wind on every Sunday A clock that 7 s bound to run till Monday." And yet each week to add a day, And recollect, is not my way; And this it is that bothers me My clock and I do not agree. Suppose you buy an eight-day clock, And add it to your household stock, And wind it every week, we '11 say, Heeding not that extra day; How many times (to be quite clear) Must it be wound within the year! And on the other hand suppose You let it run till toward its close, 173 174 EIGHT-DAY CLOCKS And so, on each eighth day, delight In winding it with gentle might, And never miss the task 't is clear, You '11 wind it fewer times a year; But just how many times, you see, May best be told by you, not me. TINSEL WITHOUT, BUT METAL WITHIN I 'M only my lady's page And just for the night of the ball To prance on a parlor stage, And run at her beck and call. I 'm only my lady's page, But mark me, my fellows, all You '11 be civiler men, I '11 engage, When I pommel you after the ball. 175 BERRY-TIME FLOWERS and fruits of the summer, Can you hear us children shout, When, over the fields and hillsides, We seek and find you out? Do you hide from us ever on purpose, And, deep in the green, keep still? Or is it quite social and pleasant When basket and pail we fill? And the bumblebees how can you bear them? Well, sometimes, I think it is true They have their sharp stings for us people, And only their velvet for you. 176 IN BLACKBERRY SEASON. 12 THE THREE TIGERS THREE tigers went to take a drink; And what do you think? What do you think? They drank as much as heart could wish, And never swallowed a single fish. 178 A TERRIBLE TIGER A TIGER who signs himself T Is a gourmand most dreadful to see; He eats and he eats All possible meats, And all kinds of sweets, Then fears that they will not agree. 179 FAR AWAY ONE night, in the bright, warm summer, Mother went oh, so far away! So very far! Yet quite near her, In my pretty bed I lay. She stood and looked from the window, In the moonlight cool and clear; I called her as she stood there, But mother did not hear. . . . She did not hear when I called her She was gone so very far! I lay and wished I was only The moonlight, or a star; Then she might soon have known it How lonely I was for her. But I waited, and waited, and waited, And mother did not stir. 180 FAR AWAY 181 At last she turned, and smiling Said, "You awake, little Jack?" But I only could sob and kiss her So glad that mother was back ! 12* HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (Copenhagen, August 4, 1875) THERE is silence in the Northland, for one hath passed away Honored of all, a poet-soul, weary for many a day Weary of earth, of suffering, of toil and cumbering care, Eager to lay the burden down, but willing still to bear. A silence in the Northland. For Denmark's heart is sad Sad for the gentle Andersen, the youngest soul she had ! 182 HANS CHRISTIAN ANDEESEN 183 Sad for the countless little ones who crowd about his bier, Glad for the voice that evermore the listening world shall hear! There is joy among the angels. To that bright company One cometh as a little child all gladly cometh he! Our Lord hath lifted off his load, hath led him to the light, And happy spirits, welcoming, lead up the pathway bright. Now shall the ransomed poet hear the choir of perfect song, The grand, eternal story he hath waited for so long ! O children ! ye for whom he wrought his lore of magic sway, In grateful thought still honor him the Lord hath called this day ! TROUBLED IF it were not for fairies, this world would be drear ; (I 'm sure they are true, heigh-ho!) The grass would not tangle, The bluebells would jangle, The days would be stupid and queer, you know, And everything dull if the fairies should go. (I 'm sure they are true, heigh-ho!) I love to believe in the godmothers mice, And Hop-o'-my-Thumb, heigh-ho ! And it 's cruel in Willy To call me a silly. If brothers would only be nice, you know, Not tease and make fun, all my troubles would go, I 'd believe in the fairies forever, heigh-ho ! THE FARMER WHO BECAME DRUM-MAJOR Peggy and Meggy tell the story in their own icay, OUR father worked upon a farm, He wore a linen smock ; Meggy: 'T was gathered to a yoke on top, And hung down like a frock. Peggy : Oh, he was very meek, And mother used to scold him, Meggy: And he would always do Exactly what we told him, Peggy : Ex-actly what we told him. THE FARMER WHO BECAME DRUM-MAJOR 187 Meggy : His shoulders had a little stoop Which mother tried to cure: Peggy: She used to say his shambling walk She scarcely could endure. Meggy: But he played the fiddle well, And sang on Sunday sweetly; Peggy : He beat the time for all. And knew the tune completely, - Meggy : Yes, knew the tune eom-pletely. Peggy : When mother called, " Come, John ! " he came, And smiling chopped the wood; Meggy: He drew the water, swept the path, And helped her all he could. Peggy: He used to romp with Meg and me, Meggy : Yes, and with Polly Wentels, Peggy : But oh, my sakes ! That was before He put on regimentals! Meggy : Yes, put on regimentals ! Peggy : For, oh, a big militia-man, One evening after tea, Meggy: Came in and coaxed our father dear To join his company. Peggy : For men were very scarce That summer in our village, 188 THE FARMER WHO BECAME DRUM-MAJOR Meggy: And so they all prepared They said for war and pillage. Peggy : Just think ! for war and pillage ! Meggy : Well, after that he dropt the smock, He stood up stiff and straight; Peggy: And when we called for wood and things, We always had to wait. Meggy : Still, he was rather meek, And mother still could scold him ; Peggy ; He nearly always did Exactly what we told him, Meggy: Ex-actly what we told him. Peggy: But soon he had a big mustache, He stalked about the farm; Meggy: He went to drill three times a week, And could n't see the harm. Peggy: At last he told our mother A thing that did enrage her. Meggy : "Rid-dic-w-lus ! " she said, " For you to be drum-major ! " For Mm to be drum-major ! Meggy : He wore a splendid soldier coat, He bore a mighty staff; Peggy : But oh, he lost his gentle ways, And would n't let us laugh. THE FARMER WHO BECAME DRUM-MAJOR 189 Meggy : He grew so very fierce He soon began to scold us, Peggy : And then we had to do Exactly what he told us ! Meggy: Ex-actly what he told us! Peggy: We used to run and hide away- Meggy : You did not I, dear Peg ! Peggy : Why, yes, you often did it, too, Now don't deny it, Meg ! Meggy: He scared us 'most to death, He walked just like a lion; Peggy : And when he coughed out loud He set us both a-cryin'! Meggy : Yes, set us both a-cryin' ! 190 THE FARMER WHO BECAME DRUM-MAJOR Peggy : He would n't play, he would n't work, The weeds grew rank and tall; Meggy : The pumpkins died ; we did n't have Thanksgiving Day at all. Peggy : The farm is spoiled. It is n't worth. Ma says, a tinker's wager. Meggy : Now, was n't it a dreadful thing For him to turn drum-major? Sot li : A savage, awful, stark, and stiff Ridiculous drum-major ! COURTESY A PRETTY little boy and a pretty little girl Found a pretty little blossom by the way; Said the pretty little boy to the pretty little girl: " Take it, O my pretty one, I pray ! " Said the pretty little girl to the pretty little boy: "I must hold my Sunday bonnet, sir, you see; So, I thank you very kindly, but I 'd very much prefer You should carry it, and walk along with me." 191 MAY BLOSSOMS " GOOD MORROW ! " Spring said to us all, When boisterous winds were blowing; But now it 's "Good day!" for it '& May And never a morrow can come this way More fair and blithe than a day in May, Or brighter than this that is going. Now is she not lovely and true? And is she not wise and knowing! If it were not for her, why, what would they do The things that are ready for growing! So good day to us all ! for it 7 s May, And never a morrow can come this way More tender and fair than a sweet May day, Whatever way she be going. 192 EIGHT GOOD THINGS ABOUT DOBBIN DOBBIN never would do us harm, Dobbin takes us over the farm ; Dobbin follows us when we call; Dobbin never will let us fall. Dobbin is white as the whitest snow, Dobbin shows even at night, you know. Dobbin is patient, steady, and kind; Dobbin can teach us children to mind. Whether it 's " Whoa ! Dobbin, Dear old Dobbin/' Or "Go! Dobbin, Dear old Dobbin," Dobbin will mind, as a matter of course; But everybody can't be a horse. Hey, Dobbin? 193 SIDE BY SIDE "What is the little one thinking about? Very wonderful things, no doubt." WHAT are the old folks thinking about? Very wonderful things, no doubt. A thought like this filled the baby's head (A wonderful baby, and very well bred). He gazed at grandpa, and grandma too ; And mirrored the pair in his eyes of blue, As side by side they sat there, rocking He with his pipe, and she with her stocking. And the baby wondered, as well he might, Why old folks always were happy and bright And he said in his heart With a blithe little start That showed how gladly he 'd act his part : " I '11 find some baby, as soon as I can, To stay with me till I 'm grown an old man, And, side by side, we 'tt sit there, rocking I with my pipe, and she with her stocking.' 7 194 A SMART BOY I 'M glad I have a good-sized slate, With lots of room to calculate. Bring on your sums ! I ? m ready now. My slate is clean; and I know how. But please don't ask me to subtract, I like to have my slate well packed; And only two long rows, you know, Make such a miserable show; And, please, don't bring me sums to add; Well, multiplying 's just as bad ; And, no, 1 7 d rather not divide Bring me something I have n't tried! 195 SEVEN LITTLE PUSSY-CATS SEVEN little pussy-cats, invited out to tea, Cried : " Mother, let us go. Oh, do ! for good we 7 11 surely be. We '11 wear our bibs and hold our things as you have shown us how Spoons in right paws, cups in left and make a pretty bow; We ? 11 always say, i Yes, if you please,' and ' Only half of that.'" Then go, my darling children," said the happy Mother Cat. The seven little pussy-cats went out that night to tea, Their heads were smooth and glossy, their tails were swinging free ; 196 SEVEN LITTLE PUSSY-CATS 197 They held their things as they had learned, and tried to be polite; With snowy bibs beneath their chins they were a pretty sight. But, alas for manners beautiful, and coats as soft as silk! The moment that the little kits were asked to take some milk They dropped their spoons, forgot to bow, and oh, what do you think ? They put their noses in the cups and all began to drink ! Yes, every naughty little kit set up a " me-ouw ! " for more, Then knocked the tea-cup over, and scampered through the door. 13* ELEVEN LITTLE PUSSY-CATS ELEVEN little pussy-cats invited out to dine. Eleven little bowls they found, all waiting in a line; Eleven little me-ows they gave, eleven little purrs, Eleven little sneezes, too, though bundled in their furs, Eleven, after soup was served, stood close around a dish, Eleven shyly picked the bones of 'leveii bits of fish. Eleven courses, I am told, composed this rare repast, Eleven bits of catnip, too, when cream came on at last ; Eleven times they licked their paws when all the cream was out, Eleven times they bobbed their heads and said J i was so, no doubt. Eleven times they thought they heard the squeaking of a mouse. Eleven times apologized to the lady of the house ; Eleven softly purred, " Good-by ; we Ve had a lovely time ! " Eleven scampered home again. So ends this simple rhyme. JACK AND JILL LONG, long ago, a Mother said Unto her children small: " Now Jack and Jill, go up the hill And see that you don't fall. Fetch me a pail of water back, And hurry with a will.' 7 " Oh, no, mama," said lazy Jack. " Oh, yes, mama," said Jill. The Mother frowned an angry frown; They went as she directed Alas, she saw them coming down Sooner than she expected! You know the story, children all? If Jack had scorned to grumble, Perhaps he 7 d not have had that fall, And made his sister tumble. 200 IN HASTE SAID a Turtle : " Pray pardon my haste ; I have n't a moment to waste j Do you see that big sign Where the gentlemen dine? Do you note that it mentions to-day f When my head is well out I know what I 'm about ; My motto is HASTE AND AWAY ! " 202 SOAP-BUBBLES FILL the pipe! Gently blow; Now you '11 see The bubbles grow! Strong at first, Then they burst, And then they go To nothing, O ! 203 THE PAMPERED POODLE THERE was once a little poodle, who so lost his self- respect, That his honest tail refused to do his wagging. "For in truth" the tail continued "I cannot but object To the petting he submits to, and the nagging. 204 THE PAMPERED POODLE 205 " I scorn to wag for any dog who cannot gnaw a bone Without whining for a nurse to come and chop it, And who sits all day, be-ribboned, like a puppet on a throne, And I '11 never wag again if he don't stop it. " What with bibs, and bows, and baskets, and mummery forlorn, And laziness, and nonsense, he 7 s a noodle ! And, now you know my reasons, can you wonder that I scorn To wag for so ridiculous a poodle?" MASTER THEODORE (Old Nurse's Story.) ITTLEBAT TITMOUSE THEODORE VAN HORN Was the prettiest baby that ever was born. I bathed him and fed him and taught him " Bo-peep," Rocked him and trotted him, sang him to sleep. Then I bade him good-by, and crossed the wide sea, And it rolled twenty years 'twixt that baby and me; Till at last I resolved I would cross the blue main And hug my own precious wee baby again. Well, that old ship creaked, and that old ship tossed, I was sure as I lived that we all should be lost, But at last we saw sea-gulls, and soon we saw land; And then we were in; and if there did n't stand My own blessed baby! He came there to meet me! Yes, when we all landed, he hastened to greet me ! 206 MASTEK THEODORE 207 And wonder of wonders ! that baby had grown To be bigger than I, and he stood all alone ! " Why, Nursey ! " he said (he conld talk, think of that !), As he bowed like a marquis and lifted his hat. " Ah, how did you know your old Nursey ? Oh, my ! You 've changed very much, and no wonder," says I ; When I spied of a sudden his mother, behind, Sweet lady! She 7 d helped him his Nursey to find. And he told me, right there, he 'd a sweet little wife And I should live with them the rest of my life. So I 'm here, and right happy. You just ought to see The dear little fellow who sits on my knee. He has beautiful dimples and eyes like Mama, And his nose and his chin make you think of Papa. Ah, me ! He 's a beauty ! There never was born A lovelier babe than this latest Van Horn. FORBIDDEN "KEEP off the Grass!" the sign-board said; And children turned away, Wondering sadly why the grass Objected to their play. The Summer sped; in time the snow In circling flurries came, And hid the grass, although the board Protested still the same. " Keep off the Grass ! " 'T was plain as day j And birds who came along, Pausing in wonder, cocked their heads, And hushed their chirpy song. " What 's that ? what does it mean ? " they asked And one bird twittered low: " The Summer must be buried here ; Oh, comrades, let us go!" 14 TEN LITTLE DOLLS TEN pretty little dolls are we As happy as the day, Black and white, short and tall, Grave and grand and gay; Ten pretty dolls all waiting here,- Who will come and play? Come and take us, little maidens, Ere we run away. 210 JACK'S WISH IF a pretty fairy should come to me, And ask: "What thing would you like to I 'd say : " On the whole, I will be a mole." Oh, that would be just the thing for me ! I 7 d go straight down, and not care a fig What squirming things in the ground I 'd meet; For if I were a mole, I 'd dig and dig Till my nose should tickle the Chinamen's feet! 211 A DUTCH FAMILY ? ERE 's all our leetle vamily Myzelf and zisters two. Big Rychie's eyes don't open vide, And leetle Katzie's do. Katzie 's zo zlow and plump-y ! And Rychie 's grown zo tall! But all the zense she has n't got You vood not miss at all. Ve 'd be a vunny vamily If it vos not for me ; For I 7 m the only boy ve have, And zmartest of the three. 212 LITTLE MISS KITTY DEAR little Miss Kitty Was going to the city, And feared she might be late; So she called to a man : Oh, sir, if you can, Please tell those cars to wait!" 14* 213 "THE WORTHY POOR" A DOG of morals, firm and sure, Went out to seek the " worthy poor." " Dear things ! " she said, " I 7 11 find them out, And end their woes, without a doubt." She wandered east, she wandered west, And many dogs her vision blest, Some well-to-do, some grand indeed, And some ah! very much in need. "THE WORTHY POOR" 215 So poor they were ! without a bone, Battered and footsore, sad and lone; No friends, no help. " What lives they Ve led, To come to this ! " our doggie said. " I should not give to them ; I 7 m sure They cannot be the worthy poor. They must have fought or been disgraced ; My charity must be well placed." Some dogs she found quite to her mind ; So thrifty they so sleek and kind! " Ah me ! " she said, " were they in need, To help them would be joy indeed." 'T was still the same, day in, day out, The poorest dogs were poor no doubt; But they were neither clean nor wise, As she could see with half her eyes. 'T is strange what faults come out to view When folks are poor. She said : " 'T is true They need some help; but as for me, I must not waste my charity." So home she went, and dropped a tear, " I Ve done my duty, that is clear. I Ve searched and searched the village round, And not one 'worthy poor' I Ve found." 216 "THE WORTHY POOR" And all this while, the sick and lame And hungry suffered all the same. They were not pleasant, were not neat But she had more than she could eat ! O ye who have enough to spare ! To suffering give your ready care; Waste not your charitable mood Only in sifting out the good. For, on the whole, though it is right To keep the " worthy poor n in sight, This world would run with scarce a hitch If all the rich were the worthy rich. JINGLE A BLACK-NOSED kitten will slumber all the day; A white-nosed kitten is ever glad to play; A yellow-nosed kitten will answer to your call; And a gray-nosed kitten I would n't have at all ! AFTER TEA YES, ' somewhere, far off on the ocean, A lover is sailing to me; A beautiful lover! Nurse found him One night in my cup, after tea. Whenever the cruel wind whistles, I think of that ship on the sea, And tremble with terror lest something May happen, quite dreadful to me. And then, when the moon rises softly, I hardly can sleep, for, you see, 217 218 AFTER TEA I know that its beautiful splendor Is lighting my lover to me. But oh, if he should come ! Why, Nursey, I ? d hide like a mouse. Deary me ! What nonsense it is ! But you should n't Be finding such things in my tea. THE SPRINT RUNNER " LEARNING ? What 7 s the use of learning f " Johnny cried, his lesson spurning. " As for me, 1 7 d rather run ! " So, from morn to set of sun, Johnny's legs were never still 5 He could distance Bob and Bill, Jim, and Tom, and Dick, and Peter, Not a youth in town was fleeter. Grammar, algebra, and history Glimmered in a hazy mystery, School terms softly sped away, While he sprinted day by day, Week by week, and through vacation. Then his friends in desperation, Vowed the boy was not for knowledge, So they sent him off to college. 219 FUN AT GRANDMAMA'S ONE Christmas day at Grandmama's, we all dressed up, for fun 5 And sat in a line and called them in to look when we were done. We never laughed a single time, but sat in a solemn row. Tommy was Queen Elizabeth, and Jane wore an Alsace bow. Freddy was bound to be a nun (though he did n't look it a bit !) And Katy made a Welsh-woman's hat and sat down under it. Sister was Madame de Maintenon, or some such Frenchy dame 5 And Jack had a Roman toga on, and took a classic name. As for poor me, I really think I came out best of all, Though I had n't a thing for dressing up, 'cept Dinah's bonnet and shawl. Well, Grandma laughed, and Grandpa laughed, and all admired the show, I wish I 'd seen us sitting there, so solemn, in a row! THE KNOWING LITTLE FISH " AHEM ! now we are ready ! " said a knowing city chap, As he flung his hook, well baited, and heard it strike "kerflap!" "This cloudy day is just the one; the game is sure to bite. I '11 have a jolly basketful to show the folks, by night." 222 THE KNOWING LITTLE FISH 223 And " Ha ! ha ! ha ! " laughed the happy little fish, " Now we are safe and cozy as any one could wish ! For we know about that funny thing that lives upon the land, And we 're not the fools he takes us for, he '11 please to understand." THE BEES THAT WENT TO THE SKY FUZZY Wuzz, Buzzy Wuzz, Zipperty Flop, All flew up to the cherry-tree top. " Pooh ! " said Buzzy Wuzz, " this is n't high ! Let us keep on till we reach the sky." Upward they went, and they never would stop Fuzzy Wuzz, Buzzy Wuzz, Zipperty Flop; "Ah, how jolly!" they started to say When ev'ry one of them fainted away ! The next they knew they were down on the ground, Three dizzy bumblebees, frightened but sound ; Never a mortal had heard them drop Fuzzy Wuzz, Buzzy Wuzz, Zipperty Flop. Humbled and tumbled, and dusty and lamed, Would n't you think they 'd have been quite ashamed? But " No, sir," they buzzed, " it was n't a fall We only came down from the sky, that 's all." 224 THE BEES THAT WENT TO THE SKY 225 And now, whenever you see three bees Buzzing and pitching about by your knees, You '11 know, by their never once venturing high, They 're the very same bees that flew up to the sky ! LITTLE CHARLEY WHAT is coming? Something bright. It fills the doorway with its light; It thrills the room with music sweet Of laugh and prattle and little feet; It makes it bloom like a garden bed With white and blue and yellow and red ; It covers the wall with pictures made Of every moment's light and shade,, And heightens all the sunlit air With dancing eyes and flowing hair, Bidding our hearts sing out with joy And yet it ? s only a little boy, Only our little Charley. 15 THE WINDMILL SAID a hazy little, mazy little, lazy little boy : " To see the windmill working so must every one annoy ; It can be stopped, I 'm sure it can, and I should like to know What in the world can ever make a windmill want to go?" 226 THE WINDMILL 227 Said a quizzy little, frizzy little, busy little girl : "What can be more delightful than to see a windmill whirl ? It loves to go, I 7 m sure it does, and hates to hang kerflop j Now what on earth can ever make a windmill want to stop?" HAPPY JOHNNY; OR, TAKING LIFE CHEERFULLY I 'M an excellent lad, so the family say, Because I find cheer in the gloomiest day; For deep in my heart is this mirthful refrain, To drive away trouble, and cure every pain : Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, Tra-la-la-la-la. I 've a damp little room where I slumber aloof, Where the thunder comes down, and kicks on the roof, And the spooks slip in with a merry glide, And coyly startle me where I hide. Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, , Tra-la-la-la-la. HAPPY JOHNNY 229 The bats fly in, and the light goes out, And the social burglar prowls about Or I think he does till I jump up quick, And find he does n't, which makes me sick ! Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, Tra-la-la-la-la. The winter is full of the sport I love best, If it were n't for the fact of a delicate chest. And in summer, beside every daisy and tree Malaria always is waiting for me. Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, Tra-la-la-la-la. Now, fellows, if all of you happy would be, Just prize your good luck, and be guided by me. Instead of " boo-hoo "-ing, just try a " ha-ha!" And go through the world singing tra-la-la-la, Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, Tra-la-la-la-la. 15* A SANTA CLAUS MESSENGER-BOY GOOD MORROW, my lads and lasses ; Good morrow, kind people all ! I 7 m bidden by dear old Santa Glaus To make you a little call. And, knowing your gracious courtesy, I leave you a card to say: "Remember the little ones of the poor On the bountiful Christmas Day! 77 SNOWFLAKES WHENEVER a snowflake leaves the sky, It turns and turns to say " Good-by ! Good-by, dear clouds, so cool and gray ! " Then lightly travels 011 its way. And when a snowflake finds a tree, " Good day ! " it says " Good day to thee ! Thou art so bare and lonely, dear, I '11 rest and call my comrades here." But when a snowflake, brave and meek, Lights on a rosy maiden's cheek, It starts " How warm and soft the day ! 'T is summer ! " and it melts away. 231 CALLING THE FLOWERS THE wind is shaking the old dried leaves That will not quit their hold, The sun slips under the stiffened grass And drives away the cold. Child Franca carries the dinner-horn To summon home the men 5 She raises it high for a ringing blast, But silent it falls again. " The men on the hill are hungry, I know, They 've been working for hours and hours; But first I will blow a soft note, if I can, To call out the sweet little flowers. " For the flowers and buds are dear little things, And must not be frightened at all, So pray you be gentle, you noisy old horn ! Perhaps they will come if I call. 232 CALLING THE FLOWERS 233 " Blow high for the blossoms that live in the trees, And low for the daisies and clover But as soft as I can for the violets shy, Yes, softly and over and over." t^;;;.. PHILOPENA ALL day the Princess ran away, All day the Prince ran after j The palace grand and courtyard gray Rang out with silvery laughter. "What, ho!" the King in wonder cried, "What ails our Princess Lena?" "Your Majesty," the Queen replied, " It is the Philopena. Our royal daughter fears to stand Lest she take something from his hand; The German Prince doth still pursue, And this doth cause the sweet ado." 234 A PHILOPENA Then, in a lowered voice, the King: " I '11 wage he bears a jewelled ring. Our guest, the Prince, is brave and fair; They 7 d make, methinks, a seemly pair ! " But still the Princess ran away, And still the Prince ran after, While palace grand and courtyard gray Bang out with silvery laughter. 235 THE MAN WHO DID N'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP A VERY fair singer was Mynheer Schwop, Except that he never knew when to stop; He would sing, and sing, and sing away, And sing half the night and all of the day This "pretty bit" and that " sweet air, v This " little thing from Tootov&re." Ah! it is fearful the number he knew, And fearful his way of singing them through. At first, the people would kindly say : "Ah, sing it again, Mynheer, we pray" (This " pretty bit," or that " sweet air," This "little thing from Tootovfcre"). They listened a while, but wearied soon, And, like the professor, they changed their tune. Vainly they coughed and a-hemmed and stirred; Only the harder he trilled and slurred. At last, in despair, and rather than grieve The willing professor, they took their leave, And left him singing this "sweet air," And that " pretty bit from Tootovere " j HE DID N'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP 237 Until the host turned down the light, With " Thanks, Mynheer ! Good night ! good night ! " My moral, dear singers, lies plainly a-top: Be always obliging, and willing to stop. The same will apply, my dear children, to you ; Whenever you Ve any performing to do, Your friends to divert (which is quite proper, too), Do the best that you can and stop when you 're through. THE OREGON EXPRESS ALL aboard for Oregon! Fayelle, Gertrude, Charley, John, Kern, and Emily Dolly too; Frank, the dog, has joined the crew. Don't you hear the whistle blow? That 's to start the train, you know. Kern, the daring engineer, Brave and quick, scorns every fear. Ding, dong! clear the track! There >s a cow ! They >11 have to back ! Soon they 're at the signal-bar, And a wicker parlor-car Baby KarPs is coupled on. Now they 7 re off for Oregon. "Tick ets!" shouts Conductor John. Home again, by light of day; All to sup with Kern and Fay. . HOW WILLY'S SHIP CAME BACK Witty, our 'bonny sailor. With a " Hi-ho ! " and a " Heave away ! " Witty, our would-be whaler, "Oho, lads, ho!" Ruddy of cheek and eager-eyed, Willy, our sailor ~boy : Ship-builder he of a tiny craft, Sear him, our whaler boy : " My, but the boat was a beauty ! A staver ! A stunning toy ! And all by myself I built her." (Willy, our sailor boy.) " She was n't more than a handful, That, sir, I don't deny $ But she went on a voyage of wonder And came back high and dry. " She sailed from the pool like a good one, And then she slipped from sight, 239 240 HOW WILLY'S SHIP CAME BACK Dipped, in a flash, and was gone, sir!" (Willy, our midshipmite !) " Then up she rose on a billow, And sailed till I lost her track ; I waited, and waited, and waited, And how do you think she came back?" Willy, our bonny sailor, With a "Hi-ho!" and a "Heave away!" Willy, our would-be whaler, II Oho, lads, ho!" "I heard a frisking and dashing, Soft as the lightest spray, A tittering crowd came splashing To the cool rock where I lay. " Up I sprang in a hurry. Oh, but I saw a sight! Six queer, bright little faces, Dripping and merry with light. " They were mermaids, sure as I 'm living, Bringing my boat to me, That mite of a boat; now I ? m giving The story as straight as can be ! " They clung, their bright hair streaming, Close to my rock, and laughed; 16 242 HOW WILLY'S SHIP CAME BACK Now why do you think I was dreaming? And why do you say I was daft? "The boat, where is it? you wonder? Well, somehow, before I knew, The mermaids and boat slipped under, And hid in the waters blue." Willy, our bonny sailor, With a "Hi-ho!" and a "Heave away!" Willy, our bold young whaler, "Oho, lads, ho! 77 A STIR AMONG THE DAISIES PRETTY Lill of Littleton sauntered through the grass; The very birds and butterflies stopped to see her pass ; All the daisies nodded to the maiden coming by, And leaned across the pathway left behind her. "Art hurt ? " they asked each other. Each gaily laughed, " Not I ! We bowed too lowj but really we don't mind her. To see so fair a maiden pass has really quite unstrung us j But we '11 straighten up, and ready be when next she comes among us." 243 THE LITTLE KINDERGARTEN GIRL IF we sew, sew, sew, and pull, pull, pull, The pattern will come and the card be full 5 So it 's criss, criss, criss, and it 's cross, cross, cross ; If we have some pleasant work to do we 're never at a loss. 244 THE LITTLE KINDERGARTEN GIRL 245 Oh, dear ! I pulled too roughly I 've broken through my card. I feel like throwing all away, and crying pretty hard. But 110, no, no, for we never should despair, So I 11 rip, rip, rip, and I '11 tear, tear, tear. There! you pretty purple worsted, I Ve saved you every stitch (Because if we are wasteful we never can get rich). Now I '11 start another tablet, and I '11 make it perfect yet, And Mother '11 say, " Oh, thank you, my precious little pet!" 16* HOW SHOCKING! MY grandma met a fair gallant one day, And, blushing, gave the gentleman a daisy. Now, if your grandma acted in that way, Would you not think the dear old soul was crazy? h, Grandmama! And then the gentleman bent smiling down, And told my grandma that he loved her dearly; And Grandma, smiling back, forgot to frown, Ah, Grandpa nods ! So he recalls it clearly ? hj Grandpapa! 246 "LITTLE POT SOON HOT" FUME and fury! I have cause To tear about and break the laws. But, on the whole, 1 7 d better not ; " Little pots are soon hot." Little souls slights discover 5 Big souls pass ? em over. Big souls bear their trouble- Little souls sizz and bubble. Little souls oft ferment; Big souls are content. Big souls tumble slowly; Little souls roly poly! Big souls, like as not, When it 7 s fitting, do get hot. But "little pots" all grandeur spoil. 1 11 think a bit before I boil ! 247 THE BICYCLE BOYS OH, the bicycle boys, The bicycle boys! They care not for tops Or babyish toys 5 They 're done with their hobbies And that sort of play, As mounted on nothing They 're off, and away ! u Oh, the bicycle boys, The bicycle boys! They travel along Without any noise. They travel so softly, They travel so fast, They always get somewhere, I 'm told, at the last. THE BICYCLE BOYS 249 III They race with each other, They race with a horse, All sure they will beat As a matter of course ; And often they win, And often they fall; Then "down comes bicycle, Boy, and all!" LITTLE ROSY RED-CHEEK LITTLE Rosy Red-cheek said unto a clover: " Flower, why were you made ? I was made for mother, She has n't any other j But you were made for no one, I 'm afraid." 250 LITTLE ROSY RED-CHEEK 251 Then the clover softly unto Eed-cheek whispered : " Pluck me, ere you go." Red-cheek, little dreaming, Pulled, and ran off screaming, " Oh, naughty, naughty flower, to sting me so ! " " Foolish child ! " the startled bee buzzed crossly, "Foolish, not to see That I make my honey While the day is sunny ; That the pretty little clover lives for me!" NOW THE NOISY WINDS ARE STILL Now the noisy winds are still April 's coming up the hill ! All the spring is in her train, Led by shining ranks of rain : Pit, pat, patter, patter, Sndden snn, and clatter, clatter! First the blue, and then the shower, Bursting bud, and smiling flower, 252 NOW THE NOISY WINDS AEE STILL Brooks set free with tinkling ring; Birds too full of song to sing; Dry old leaves astir with pride, Where the timid violets hide, All things ready with a will, April 7 s coming up the hill ! 253 NOT ONLY IN THE CHRISTMAS-TIDE NOT only in the Christmas-tide The holy baby lay 5 But month by month his home he blessed, And brightened every day. Each season held its light divine, Its glow of love and cheer; For Christ, who lived for all the world, Was part of all the year. 254 IN TRUST IT 's coming, boys, It ; s almost here ; It 7 s coming, girls, The grand New Year! A year to be glad in, Not to be bad in, A year to live in, To gain and give in A year for trying And not for sighing ; A year for striving, And hearty thriving j A bright New Year, Oh! hold it dear 5 For God, who sendeth, He only lendeth. 255 GENERAL LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED This book is due on the last date stamped below, or on the date to which renewed. Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. APR b LIBRARY USE APR 5 1957 DECEIVED t.OAN REC'D LD SEP 2 9*64-4 ffM HUH* 21-100m-l,'54(1887sl6)476 2> 6 l\.ns v *! ' \