followed after her, while the baby kicked and crowed and tried to reach
down and pull his whiskers. And Puss tickled the baby's hand and winked
at the baby, who gurgled and laughed and tried to pull the feather out
of Puss, Jr.'s, cap. And the little mother forgot all about her own
weariness, for baby lay so warm against her neck and his laugh tinkled
so sweetly in her ear!
THE MILKMAN'S HORSE, OLD NAGGETTY NOGG
"Jockety jog, jockety jog!
Over the hills, and over the bog.
"Jockety jog, jockety jog!
Many a mile this day I've trod.
"Jockety jog, jockety jog!
I'm the milkman's horse, old Naggetty Nogg."
"Are you really?" exclaimed Puss, Jr., looking up into the face of the
old white horse. "And is your name 'Naggetty Nogg'?"
"Yes, that's my name," replied the old horse. "You see, every horse is a
nag. So in some way or another they got to calling me 'Naggetty,' and
then, after a while, they added on the 'Nogg.'"
"Yes, every one has at least two names," replied Puss, "and it is
natural that you should have two, just like everybody. I like the name
'Naggetty Nogg' very much. It's quite fine."
"It sounds 'horsy' all right," he answered, giving his tail a sweep to
brush off some flies that had settled on his side. "It sounds real
horsy."
"And it fits you perfectly," said Puss. "You couldn't have chosen a
better name."
"But I didn't choose it," replied the old horse, quickly; "it was given
to me. You see, my master and I start out early every morning. First we
go to the farm to get the milk. It's so early in the morning that it's
quite dark sometimes--that is, in the winter-time. The farmer comes out
and opens the milk-house door with his key. The milk is all kept in
great big pans in long rows. It's very cool inside, for the milk-house
is built over a spring that bubbles away all the time, running out of
the old stone milk-house down to the meadows, where the cows drink it
and the little fish swim in it. I know, because one time when my right
forefoot was hurt they put me out in the meadow and many a good drink
I've had from that same little brook. The bottom is all bright little
stones, and the ferns hang over the edge of the bank, and the little
birds hop down and drink. Oh, it's very pleasant out there in the
meadow. I sometimes wish my old foot would go lame again so that I might
enjoy the green grass and the cool breezes. But that wouldn't do at all.
My master would lose money. He would have to hire another horse. And
then, too, I would miss the mothers who come out to get the nice fresh
milk from my master. Sometimes they have a baby in their arms and two
or three small children hanging on to their skirts. And they always pat
my nose and say:
"'How is old Naggetty Nogg to-day?' Sometimes I get a lump of sugar,
too."
"You make me wish that I could drive a milk-wagon," said Puss, Jr.,
with a sigh. "I'd like to be a milkman if I had a Naggetty Nogg to
drive."
WHO IS A MAN'S MOST FAITHFUL FRIEND?
"What is your master's name?" asked Puss, Jr., as the old white
milk-horse paused in his story.
"Jockety jog, jockety jog!
My master's name is Roundey K. Rogg.
"Jockety jog, jockety jog!
He's a good man; he drinks no grog.
"Jockety jog, jockety jog!
Never does he old Naggetty flog."
"That's a blessing," said Puss, Jr. "I've seen so many poor horses
whipped. It's a shame that a man can hurt a horse."
"Yes, a horse is a man's most faithful friend," replied old Naggetty.
"He works for him all the time."
"Don't you get tired?" asked Puss.
"No-o-o," replied the old horse, "not very tired. You see, when we start
out we have the cans full. So we go very slowly so as not to churn the
milk or spill it. If we went too fast the tops of the cans might fly
off. Then on our way home, when all the milk has been delivered and all
the hungry little children have had all they can drink, we come along at
a good clip. The cans bump and make a most cheerful noise. And every
step is nearer home, where my supper of oats is waiting for me, and my
good master's supper is waiting for him."
"I'd like to climb up into your wagon and go home with you," said Puss.
"Do you suppose your master would object?"
"You can ask him," replied the old horse. "But you mustn't climb up
until you do."
"Certainly not," replied Puss, indignantly. "I wouldn't take such a
liberty. Tell me more about him." The old horse whisked his tail and
commenced:
"Jockety jog, jockety jog!
I'll bear him safe through all this fog.
"Jockety jog, jockety jog!
How the darkness this way doth clog."
The old horse paused. "I was thinking of a dark night some time ago. The
moon was hidden behind the clouds and not a star was to be seen. We had
gone a long ways out of our usual track, for my master had heard of a
poor woman who had a sick baby, and he said he must take her some fresh
milk. When we started back for home it was already pretty dark, but I
knew the road. My master left it all to me. He just let the reins hang
down over the dashboard and gave me my head. So I kept along, taking
good care not to stumble. The tin cans bumped and banged together and
the wheels creaked over the rough places. Master began to sing his
favorite song:
"Place the little candle-light
In the window clear and bright.
Tho' the night be dim and dark
I shall see its tiny spark."
PUSS BUYS A PAIR OF BOOTS MADE FOR HIS FAMOUS SIRE
Solomon Grundy,
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Took ill on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.
This is the end of
Solomon Grundy.
Puss, Jr., stood before a little shop. In the window was this sign. "Too
bad," said Puss to himself; "he had such a nice little store."
"He did that!" cried a voice. Puss looked up and saw a little old woman.
On her head was a queer green bonnet and over her shoulders hung a faded
red shawl. "Are you Mrs. Grundy?" asked Puss. For some reason he felt
sure it was, so he was not at all surprised when she answered yes.
"And do you still run the little shop?" he asked.
"Yes, my good Sir Cat," she replied, "and I have a very fine pair of
red-topped boots which I would like to sell you."
"I guess I need a new pair," said Puss, Jr., looking down at his own.
There was a big hole in the toe of one and the other was minus a heel.
"Walk in," said little old Mrs. Grundy, "and you may try them on." Puss
followed her into the store and sat down. Mrs. Grundy climbed up a
little step-ladder and took down a box from the top shelf. "This pair of
boots," she said, "was made once upon a time, very long ago, for a very
famous cat whose name was Puss in Boots."
At these words Puss, Jr., jumped off his seat and threw his paws around
Mrs. Grundy.
"Gracious me!" she cried, "what are you doing?"
"Oh, my dear madam," cried Puss, "the famous cat you mention is my
father--I am Puss in Boots, Junior."
"Is that possible?" exclaimed Mrs. Grundy, letting the box fall with a
bang to the floor. "Is that possible? I'm so glad that I saved these
boots all these years. And to think that his son will wear them," she
added, sitting down in her excitement.
"But I don't care much about the boots!" cried Puss, Jr. "I want so
badly to find my father. Can't you tell me where he lives?"
Mrs. Grundy looked puzzled. "I did know, my little friend," she replied,
"but I have clean forgotten now. Indeed I have," she added, in a
sympathetic voice, seeing how disappointed poor little Puss looked.
"Just the same, I will pay you well for the boots," said Puss, Jr., "and
be on my way at once. One never can tell what each day may bring, and I
might find my father, although it grieves me to think you have forgotten
just where he lives."
PUSS MEETS A MODEST MENDING MAN AND A JOLLY MILLER
"If I'd as much money as I could spend
I never would cry old chairs to mend;
Old chairs to mend, old chairs to mend,
I never would cry old chairs to mend.
"If I'd as much money as I could tell,
I never would cry old clothes to sell;
Old clothes to sell, old clothes to sell,
I never would cry old clothes to sell."
"Well, what would you do?" asked Puss, Jr., coming up to the funny
little man who was singing this song as he journeyed along over the
roadway down the hill, across the bridge to the creaking mill.
"I'd buy a little house and a little cow and a little pig, and I'd live
all the days of my life as happy as could be," replied the funny little
man.
"That wouldn't take such an awful lot of money," replied Puss. "You said
in your song if you had 'as much money as you could spend.' I should
think that would mean a big castle and a big automobile and a big yacht,
and, and--"
"I couldn't spend more than a little, for I've never had much practice
in spending," answered the funny little man.
Before Puss could make reply they crossed the bridge and found
themselves opposite the old mill. In the doorway stood the miller all
covered with flour. His hat was dusty, too; even his hair and eyelashes
were white with the dusty flour.
"Any old chairs to mend?" asked the funny little man.
"I have a stool here that has lost a leg," replied the miller, "and an
old clock that has lost a hand, and my wife has a pitcher that has lost
a mouth and a needle that has no eye. Can you mend them all?"
"You'd better call in the doctor," said the funny little man; "he's the
person you want."
"Ha, ha!" roared the miller, "I was only joking."
"So was I," answered the little man. "Give me the stool. I will heal
that patient first, then will see about the others."
The miller presently brought out the injured stool, and while it was
being mended he and Puss, Jr., had a talk.
[Illustration: "IF I'D AS MUCH MONEY AS I COULD SPEND"]
"Yes," said the miller as Puss seated himself on a sack of flour, "I'm a
busy man. It's grind, grind all day long. Red corn and yellow corn and
white corn from the cribs of the farmers. From the fields to my mill,
and then from here to the baker or the kitchen, and then into cakes for
little children. The big wheel goes round and round all day long and the
water splashes and gurgles as it turns it. And then I tie up the sacks
after they are well filled, and then the wagon comes and takes them
away. Every day the same thing, year in and year out."
"It's nice and cool," said Puss, "and the flour smells sweet, and it's
home, you know. I'm a little tired with my long journey and wish I could
find my dear father."
"Cheer up," said the miller. "You'll find him soon, I'm sure of that."
PUSS OVERHEARS A PROPOSAL AND IS INVITED TO A WEDDING
It was a merry time,
When Jenny Wren was young,
So neatly as she danced,
And so sweetly as she sung--
Robin Redbreast lost his heart;
He was a gallant bird;
He doffed his hat to Jenny,
And thus to her he said:
"My dearest Jenny Wren,
If you will but be mine,
You shall dine on cherry pie,
And drink nice currant wine."
"I'll dress you like a goldfinch,
Or like a peacock gay;
So if you'll have me, Jenny,
Let us appoint the day."
While on his journey Puss, Jr., paused to listen to this sweet song. On
a branch above him sat Robin Redbreast. With his hat held in one claw he
bowed most beautifully to a little wren that sat on a limb just below
him. "I'll dress you like a goldfinch," repeated Robin, swinging his
beautiful green hat with its long black feather up and down in the
breeze.
Jenny blushed behind her fan,
And thus declared her mind:
"Then let it be to-morrow, Bob;
I'll take your offer kind.
"Cherry pie is very good,
So is currant wine;
But I'll wear my russet gown,
And never dress too fine."
"I'd like to buy her a beautiful gold dress," said Robin Redbreast,
turning to look at Puss, Jr., who stood very quietly at the foot of the
tree.
"I think her little russet gown is much nicer," replied Puss. "To tell
you the truth, she wouldn't look very much like a wren if you dressed
her like a goldfinch."
"Of course I wouldn't," chirruped little Jenny Wren; "and, besides, I
wouldn't feel at all like myself. I might think Robin had married a
goldfinch instead of me; and I don't want to think that."
"Of course you don't," said Puss, kindly.
"You are both right," said Robin Redbreast. "I only thought for the
moment that she would like a different gown, but she shall have her
way. There is only one little bird in the world for me, and that is
Jenny Wren."
Jenny hid her face behind her fan, for she was I blushing very hard.
Indeed, her cheeks were I almost as red as Robin's breast.
"To-morrow, then, shall be our wedding-day," said Robin, "and you are
invited, my dear Puss, Junior."
PUSS AND SEVERAL ACQUAINTANCES JOURNEY TO THE WEDDING
Robin rose up early,
Before the break of day;
He flew to Jenny Wren's house,
To sing a roundelay.
He met the Cock and Hen,
And bade the Cock declare,
This should be his wedding-day,
With Jenny Wren, the fair.
The Cock then blew his horn,
To let the neighbors know
This was Robin's wedding-day,
And they might see the show.
Puss, Jr., was also up bright and early. He carefully polished his
red-top boots and dusted his cap with the long feather in it. Then he
started out for the woods.
"Cock-a-doodle-do!" cried the rooster.
"How do you doodle-do, my noble Sir Chanticleer?" asked Puss, bowing. "I
am on my way to Cock Robin's wedding; he has given me an invitation,"
he added, as the rooster stopped crowing to listen.
A little squirrel ran down from his tree and stood upright on his hind
legs as Puss came to the edge of the woods. "Follow me," said Puss.
"There is to be a fine wedding in your forest city this morning." So the
little squirrel ran after Puss.
Presently they came to a little pond. On a big log sat a very
friendly-looking old bullfrog. "Ker-chunk, ker-chunk!" he cried.
"Get off your log and come with us," said Puss, Jr. "There is to be a
grand wedding in the woods."
The bullfrog jumped off his log into the water with a great splash and
swam to the shore. Scrambling up the bank, he followed Puss and the
squirrel. The three had only gone a little ways when they came to a
chipmunk.
"Hello, Chip!" cried the little squirrel. "Don't you want to join us?"
"Where are you going?"
"To a wedding," said Puss, Jr.
"All right," said the chipmunk, and he ran up and joined Puss, Jr.'s,
little party. After going for some distance they came to a brook.
"How shall we get across?" asked Puss, Jr.
"I'm all right," said the bullfrog. "I'll swim." And with a beautiful
dive he landed in the middle of the stream and swam away to the other
bank.
"I wish my boots were rubber," said Puss. "I might wade across and carry
you two on my back."
While they were wondering what to do, a muskrat swam up to the bank and
said: "Why don't you walk over Beaver Dam? It's only a little distance
from here."
"Will it be perfectly safe?" asked the little squirrel, timidly.
"Certainly, my dear friends," replied the muskrat. "You run along the
bank and I'll show you the way."
So Puss and his small comrades followed the little muskrat till they
reached Beaver Dam.
THE GUESTS ARRIVE SAFELY AT THE WEDDING
Puss, Jr., continued on his way with his small comrades, the squirrel,
the old bullfrog, the chipmunk, the muskrat, the beaver (who had joined
them without being asked after they had paid him for crossing his dam),
and the timid little rabbit. Presently they saw in the distance the
wedding procession of Cock Robin and Jenny Wren.
And first came Parson Rook,
With his spectacles and band,
And one of Mother Hubbard's books
He held within his hand.
The Sparrow and the Tomtit,
And many more, were there.
All came to see the wedding
Of Jenny Wren, the fair.
Then followed him the Lark,
For he could sweetly sing,
And he was to be the clerk
At Cock Robin's wedding.
"Let us make haste," cried Puss, Jr., "or we shall be late."
"Please don't go so fast," begged the old bullfrog. "I'm a very poor
walker."
"Here, climb up on my back," said the squirrel. "You can lean against my
tail. It will keep you from falling off."
This helped matters a great deal, and our little friends moved forward
at a good pace. The old bullfrog was also much relieved. He was pretty
tired and every once in a while gasped for breath. He was not too weary,
however, to catch several flies on the way, and he winked quite solemnly
at Puss, who grinned in return. As they neared the wedding procession
they heard the lark singing.
He sang of Robin's love
For little Jenny Wren;
And when he came unto the end,
Then he began again.
The Goldfinch came on next,
To give away the bride;
The Linnet, being bridesmaid,
Walked by Jenny's side;
And as she was a-walking,
Said, "Upon my word,
I think that your Cock Robin
Is a very pretty bird."
"I think he is," whispered Puss, Jr., to the squirrel.
"So do I," said the chipmunk.
"Ker-chunk," said the old bullfrog, "he has a fine red vest. I always
like white waistcoats, though," he added, looking down at his own; "but
then, you know, everybody doesn't like the same thing."
PUSS IS WELCOMED AT THE WEDDING
All the birds of the forest seemed to be at the wedding of Cock Robin
and little Jenny Wren, as Puss, Jr., and his little friends sat down
beneath a big tree. The little squirrel cuddled up to Puss, while the
chipmunk sat close by. The muskrat and the beaver stood near at hand,
while the rabbit and the old bullfrog, who had climbed off the
squirrel's back, looked out from behind the tree trunk. They were the
most timid of all, so they hid behind the tree.
All the birds were singing as sweetly as could be. It was certainly very
beautiful wedding music. Perhaps the most exquisite strains came from
The Blackbird and the Thrush,
And charming Nightingale,
Whose soft note sweetly echoes
Through every grove and dale;
The Bullfinch walked by Robin,
And thus to him did say:
"Pray mark, friend Robin Redbreast,
That Goldfinch dressed so gay;
"What though her gay apparel
Becomes her very well,
Yet Jenny's modest dress and look
Must bear away the bell."
Just then Parson Rook looked over at them. "Why, Puss in Boots, Junior!"
he called out. "Come over here," and, turning to the wedding guests, he
said: "There is the son of the famous Puss in Boots. We are honored to
have so illustrious a person with us. And delighted, too, for he is a
great traveler and a jolly good fellow."
Puss, Jr., arose and bowed.
"Bring your little friends with you, also," said Parson Rook, "for all
the forest folk are welcome. Who is there more loved, I would like to
know, than Robin Redbreast and little Jenny Wren?"
"Nobody!" croaked the old bullfrog.
"No one," said Puss, Jr.
"We all love Robin and Jenny," cried the squirrel and the chipmunk.
"And so do I," "And so do I," cried the beaver and the rabbit together.
As they finished the birds began to sing the wedding-march.
Then came the bride and bridegroom,
Quite plainly was she dressed,
And blushed so much, her cheeks were
As red as Robin's breast.
But Robin cheered her up;
"My pretty Jen," said he,
"We're going to be married,
And happy we shall be."
"I'm going to give her a gold piece for good luck," whispered Puss.
"I've got a nut," said the little squirrel.
"And so have I!" said the chipmunk. "We'll each give her a nut."
"I'll give her a fresh-water pearl," said the old bullfrog.
The rabbit and the beaver looked at each other. "We'll have to run home
and get something," they cried.
THE BRIDE RECEIVES SOME HANDSOME PRESENTS
"Don't be gone long," cried Puss, Jr., as the rabbit and the beaver ran
off to their homes to get a present for Jenny Wren. "You had better
hurry, or the wedding will be over by the time you return."
"Don't worry about me," said the rabbit, whisking away at a great rate.
"I'll be back, never fear," said the beaver.
Puss watched them out of sight, then he heard the parson begin again:
"Oh, then," says Parson Rook,
"Who gives this maid away?"
"I do," says the Goldfinch,
"And her fortune I will pay;
"Here's a bag of grain of many sorts,
And other things besides;
Now happy be the bridegroom,
And happy be the bride."
Presently the rabbit returned. "Do you think she will like this?" he
asked Puss, Jr., holding up a little white powder-puff. "I made it all
myself. I had it put away in a little box for safe-keeping."
"It's very pretty," said Puss, Jr., with a smile. "What little bunny's
tail did you cut off to make it with?"
"Not mine," replied the rabbit; "but don't ask me too many questions."
Just then the beaver came panting up. "Whew!" he cried. "I'd rather
travel by water than by land; but, anyhow, I'm here. How do you think
she will like my present?" and he held up a little gold ring.
"Just the thing!" cried Puss. "But where did you get it?"
"Oh, I found it on the bottom of the brook one day," replied the beaver,
"so I picked it up and hung it on a nail; I thought it might come in
handy some day."
"When shall we give her the present?" asked the squirrel.
"Wait, wait," said Puss; "they are not yet married. Listen to Parson
Rook:
"And will you have her, Robin,
To be your wedded wife?"
"Yes, I will," says Robin,
"And love her all my life."
"And will you have him, Jenny,
Your husband now to be?"
"Yes, I will," says Jenny,
"And love him heartily!"
Then on her finger fair
Cock Robin put the ring;
"You're married now," says Parson Rook,
While loud the lark did sing:
"Happy be the bridegroom,
And happy be the bride,
And may not man, nor bird, nor beast,
This happy pair divide."
PUSS MAKES A NEW FRIEND AND GAINS A STEED
"Heigh-ho!" cried Puss, Jr., swinging his cane, as he marched merrily
along--"heigh-ho for a short journey and a happy ending!"
"Well said, my merrie Lord Cat," cried a voice. A tinker by the roadside
looked up as Puss was about to pass him by.
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
If turnips were watches,
I'd wear one at my side.
And if 'ifs' and 'ands'
Were pots and pans,
There'd be no work for tinkers!"
"I guess you are right, my good sir," said Puss, pausing and looking at
the old tins that the tinker had set down on the ground. "If wishes were
horses, I'd have one at once, for four legs are better than two, and
horses' legs are meant to travel, while a cat's are not made especially
for that purpose."
"You are an observing cat," said the tinker, with a twinkle in his eye.
"I speak from experience, my good man," said Puss, "for I have used my
legs for traveling these many miles, and when I look at a horse, I
cannot help thinking he has the better of me as far as legs go."
"And when I look at my legs," said the tinker, "I think how well they
would look astride of a good gray horse."
"Let us both make a wish," suggested Puss, half in fun and half in
earnest. "Wishes do come true at times, you know."
"Very good," replied the tinker, "I'm wishing."
"And so am I," said Puss.
To their utter astonishment they heard a shrill neigh close at hand,
and, turning to see what manner of steed had answered so quickly their
wishes, they beheld two fine gray horses in the meadow close by. Leaning
their heads over the fence rail, the two animals gazed at them with
expectant eyes.
"Why, they already have on their saddles and bridles!" cried the tinker,
with amazement. "Are you a fairy cat? Do your wishes always come true?"
"That is a nice question to answer," replied Puss, "but in this case,
you can see for yourself."
"Well," said the tinker, "let us not refuse this stroke of good luck. I,
for one, shall mount one of yonder steeds."
[Illustration: "I GUESS YOU ARE RIGHT, MY GOOD SIR," SAID PUSS]
"And I will ride the other," cried Puss, nimbly springing over the
fence. Thrusting his foot into the stirrup, he sprang into the saddle
and waited for his friend the tinker. Alas for the clumsy tinker! As he
attempted to mount, the bundle of old tins made such a rattle that both
horses jumped in fright, and in another moment ran off at a great rate.
Puss clung tightly to the reins, and, on looking back, saw the
bewildered tinker still standing by the fence, while his horse careered
across the meadow, kicking up his heels and snorting at a great rate.
PUSS MEETS A HUNTER AND THEY BOTH LEARN THAT THE OWL IS A USEFUL BIRD
"Well, that was a clumsy tinker," said Puss to himself, as he guided his
good gray horse into the highway. "But I suppose he is no rider, and
therefore is safer upon his own two legs. At any rate, I cannot stop to
inquire, nor would I be of any assistance. So I shall ride away,
thankful at my good luck in having a steed for a mere wish. As wishes
are horses, pussy-cats may ride," he said, with a laugh.
The gray horse proved a good roadster and covered many a mile before
midday. Presently, on coming to a crossway, Puss decided to take the
road that led through the woods. He had hardly entered when he saw a
funny little man dressed like a huntsman. In his right hand he carried a
bow and on his back was a quiver full of arrows.