"I'm the Lion Tamer," answered the man, as if reading the little boy's
thoughts.
"Are you?" said Jamie. "I saw your lion the first thing--just as I came
into the tent. Aren't you afraid you'll lose him?"
[Illustration]
"I'm more afraid he'll lose me," replied the Lion Tamer. He was quite
right, for at that instant the Alphabet Letters fell apart and a pretty
girl stood in his place.
[Illustration]
"I'm the Circus Queen, little Jamie," she said with a smile, and then
she gave him an alphabet kiss, which looked just like the letter O, I
guess. And then the Letters tumbled apart and the Circus Queen
disappeared.
[Illustration]
But they were not idle, these wonderful Alphabet Letters. They ran ahead
for a little way and then, all of a sudden, arranged themselves into a
beautiful white cow, which looked to Jamie very much like the one in Mr.
Jones' big pasture.
[Illustration]
"Where's Mother?" cried a loud voice, and Jamie saw a small elephant
looking anxiously about. A big J made a most beautiful trunk, while a
capital M served for two sturdy legs. An S made a nice tail, and the
other letters finished his body very satisfactorily.
"You'd better hurry," advised Jamie, "or the first thing you know the
Letters will get tired of making you an elephant, and turn into some
other sort of animal."
[Illustration]
And Jamie was right, for the next instant there was no little elephant,
but instead, a quiet looking camel, with two big humps.
In a few minutes, the camel, too, disappeared, and the wonderful
Alphabet Letters ran over to the other side of the tent, and the next
thing Jamie saw was a funny little man whose make-up consisted of only a
few big letters, but who nevertheless seemed a very important person.
He stood just outside of a door over which was printed in big red
letters,
"ALPHABET
MOVING
PICTURE
SHOW"
[Illustration]
"Come to the 'Alphabet Moving Pictures,'" he called out. "Come and see
'Alphabet Movies'!" Upon a big white screen the letters of the alphabet
arranged themselves into a wonderful picture of Washington Crossing the
Delaware. Jamie clapped his hands. Then the next picture came along, as
his friends, the Alphabet Letters, jumped down and without any confusion
re-arranged themselves. The next picture was very wonderful--George
Washington planting the British Flag at Fort Duquesne. Jamie made up his
mind to ask Mother when he got home all about it. In a jiffy, the
Letters again fell apart, and a picture, which little Jamie could
understand much better, was shown. "Hurray! Mother Goose!" shouted
Jamie, kicking up his feet so high that down fell the big white circus
tent, and he awoke to find himself in his own little bed, with his feet
up underneath the sheet, holding it up just like the tent where the
Alphabet Letters had done all the funny things.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
Jamie rubbed his eyes, just as Mother came in. "Well, I guess I'll know
my alphabet to-day," he said. After breakfast he told Mother where he
had been, and when she asked him to say his alphabet, he recited it
without a miss.
"Wasn't it lucky I went to the circus with the "'Alphabet Letters'?" he
asked, and Mother said it certainly was.
LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat Tries to Comfort Bo-Peep
Often while with the soldiers Little Sir Cat thought of his dear home at
the castle and the quiet silver moat full of silver fish that darted
here and there in the sparkling water, and maybe he wished he was back
at the castle, but he was too brave a kitten to say so, you may be sure.
Day after day they drilled and marched, and at last they came up with
the enemy again and there was a dreadful battle and, when it was all
over, Little Sir Cat found himself at the edge of a wood with a bullet
wound in his leg. He couldn't march any more, so they left him alone
with his little drum, and when night came down he was faint and hungry
and very miserable.
[Illustration: LITTLE SIR CAT TRIES TO COMFORT BO-PEEP]
Well, by and by, when the big moon was high in the sky, and all was
quiet, except for a little breeze that wouldn't go to sleep, but played
hide and seek among the leaves on the tall dark trees, a little owl said
to him:
"_Cheer up, little comrade,
And beat your little drum,
For nothing now shall hurt you
Since I to you have come,
For I will bring you comfort,
So never, never fear.
Cheer up, little comrade,
For help is very near._"
And when morning came Little Jenny Wren gave him a wonderful herb that
cured his leg in less than five hundred short seconds. So he started off
again on his journey and pretty soon he met Little Bo Peep. "I've lost
my sheep and cannot tell where to find them."
"Leave them alone and they'll come home, bringing their tails behind
them," shouted Little Boy Blue, as he passed by with his bright yellow
horn hung over his shoulder. "My sheep get into the meadow every day and
my cows get in the corn, but they always come home at night, bringing
their tails behind them."
"That's because you wake up in time to blow your horn," answered Bo Peep
between her sobs; "but I've no horn and--boo, hoo--no more sheep and
little lambs--boo, hoo"----
"Don't cry, I'll help you find them," said Little Sir Cat.
Well, they hadn't gone very far when they saw little pieces of wool
clinging to the bramble bushes.
"Here are their little tails!" shouted Bo Peep. "They can't be far
away!" And sure enough, in a few minutes they saw the sheep and the
little lambs in a meadow.
_Oh, Little Bo Peep
Has found her sheep
And now she'll take care to mind them.
No more will they roam,
For she'll lead them home
Bringing their tails behind them._
And pretty soon you will find another story about Little Sir Cat--
_Unless you lose this pretty book
And cannot find it tho' you look
Inside the silver sugar bowl
And down the cellar in the coal._
[Illustration: TOM, TOM, THE PIPER'S SON Pub. by Nat. Art Co., N. Y.]
THE LITTLE WHITE HOUSE ON THE HILL
It was the night before Christmas. Outside a cold wind blew the snow
about in clouds, penetrating the cracks and chinks of the little old
white house on the hill. Before the small fire of driftwood, which tried
its best to warm the little bare room, sat Mrs. Whitcomb, wondering
sadly where the money was to come from to buy the turkey for the dinner
the next day.
Mrs. Whitcomb's eyes filled with tears as she remembered the happy
Christmas of a few years previous, when the children's father was alive.
Just then an excited ejaculation from Madge in the doorway startled her.
"Mother, dear!" she cried, running in, followed by Billy, "I've just
been thinking of that story you read to us last year about the money
that was stored away behind the old family portrait over the
mantelpiece. Don't you remember how it fell down when the little boy,
who was locked in the closet for being naughty, kicked the closet door
till everything shook and shook; and then down fell the portrait, and
the bags of money just emptied themselves all over the floor?"
"I'll be the bad boy if you want to put me in the closet," offered
Billy. Mrs. Whitcomb looked up with a sad smile, as she took Madge in
her lap and placed an arm around him.
"Suppose we make believe the old mirror is a portrait," she said.
"And I'll make believe I'm naughty," added Billy. "It will be the first
time I've ever had to make believe!"
Madge jumped off her lap and ran to the closet. "Come, mother," she
called, "make Billy go inside!" In a moment he was shut in, and even
Mrs. Whitcomb began to laugh, for Billy's acting was almost as real as
if he had indeed been a bad boy and was undergoing a just punishment.
One of the candlesticks tumbled over on top of the tiny mahogany box,
knocking it off upon the floor. It broke open on the hearthstone, and as
Mrs. Whitcomb stooped to pick up the broken pieces she uttered a cry of
joy.
"Come here!" she called, "come, see what I've found," and she held up a
five-dollar gold piece before Madge's delighted eyes.
"Oh, mother, darling!" screamed Madge, "where did it come from?"
"What's the matter? Let me out!" yelled Billy from the depths of the
closet; "let me out! What's the matter?"
Madge rushed over to the closet, but in her excitement found it
difficult to turn the key.
"What's it all about?" cried Billy.
"Oh, Billy," gasped Madge, as she twisted and turned the handle, "what
do you think? Mother has found a five-dollar gold piece!"
"Goodness me!" exclaimed Mrs. Whitcomb, after the noise and excitement
had subsided, "how in the world I ever forgot that I put that money away
for safe keeping in that little box years ago is beyond me. But I did,
and it isn't a dream!"
"No, indeed, mother!" cried Madge, pinching the gold piece, "it's as
real as can be!"
"Let's all go down to the village and get the dinner things," suggested
Billy.
By the time the celery and vegetables, the nuts and raisins, together
with the big, fat turkey, were safely packed, the basket was fairly
bulging over.
"Oh, what a feast we'll have tomorrow," gasped Madge. They set the heavy
basket down before the mantel-piece, as mother closed the outer door and
came in. "What a jolly dinner! I'm so glad Billy and I got to talking
before going to bed. Wasn't it lucky I remembered that story?"
"Yes, indeed," answered mother, smiling away, as she unpacked the basket
and stowed away all the good things in safe places until the next day.
"Just like a play," volunteered Billy, "with me as the hero!"
"With Madge as the author," said mother.
"Right you are, mother dear," answered Billy, "only without the great
acting on the hero's part there would never have been any success to the
play. That closet wasn't such a joke after all!"
"No, indeed," laughed Madge, "you shall have the wishbone for your
reward, Mr. Hero Actor."
A LITTLE GIRL'S DIARY
Wednesday
_I love her on a Wednesday
When she kneads the snowy dough,
For the dimples in her elbows
Make such a pretty show._
Wednesday, as soon as I get back from school, if cook is making bread I
beg her to let me have some of the dough, and then Dolly sits by me
while I make it into all sorts of pretty little cakes and things, and
put it in the oven in the stove--I mean, of course, the doll house
stove, for the kitchen is all fitted up with everything just like a real
kitchen. There is a big dresser, and shelves full of tin pans, and
crockery. There is a cunning, little towel on a wooden roller, and a
sink with faucets, and real water. The range is heated by electricity
and really cooks the cakes, only Dolly and I don't eat them, for mother
says our cook's are better, so we eat little pieces of cookies instead.
Of course, if it is a nice day, I go out to the park on my roller
skates, or take my hoop, but I usually get time before I go to help
Dolly with her household duties.
[Illustration: _Harvey Peake_]
_The Man in the Moon,
Came down too soon,
And asked his way to Norwich.
In his crescent machine,
Made of cheese so green,
He drove off after his porridge._
HOW JAMIE PLAYED TROUBADOUR
[Illustration]
Jamie had received a violin for Christmas, much to his delight, for he
was very fond of music and wanted to learn to play the violin more than
any instrument he could think of--even his big drum, which sometimes he
would beat with all his might after a long, long lesson on his violin.
[Illustration]
When New Year's Day came he made up his mind that he would make believe
he was a little troubadour. So he tucked his beloved violin under his
arm and set gaily forth. On the next block lived a little girl named
Rosalie, of whom Jamie was very fond. When he reached the house in which
she lived, he stopped before the big parlor window which was quite close
to the sidewalk, and, taking his violin from under his arm, commenced to
play. Very soon, who should come to the window but little Rosalie
herself, and as soon as she saw Jamie she opened the window and leaned
out.
"Why, Jamie," she cried, "are you playing for money?"
"No," replied Jamie, quite indignantly, "I'm playing for _you_."
"How lovely," answered Rosalie, "and how beautifully you play!"
Jamie's face became quite red when she said this, and he almost made a
mistake in the music. But he kept on playing, and very soon there was
quite a crowd around him. Just then an old gentleman said, "Look out,
little Juliet--you may catch cold!"
"Why, it's Grandpapa," cried Rosalie, and in another minute he and
Rosalie were pulling the little musician and his beloved violin into the
house, where they all had a merry New Year's afternoon, with cake and
ice cream.
FRIENDS OF OURS
[Illustration]
When did human beings first begin to love dogs? So long ago that we have
forgotten just when it all started, but some of the oldest writers and
artists whose works have been preserved up to the present time have left
us words or pictures which show that the dog is a very ancient friend of
man.
Little Egyptian boys and girls, playing on the banks of the Nile,
probably loved their dogs as well as Brooklyn children love theirs. In
that old country the dog was particularly well liked, and it is said
that when a family dog died all the people of the household shaved
themselves. This was an expression of mourning, and was a mark of
respect for the dog.
Egyptians had a special reason for honoring the animal which has always
been used as a symbol of faithfulness. In lower Egypt the prosperity of
the people depended upon the Nile River. Every year it overflowed its
banks, giving the dry land a much needed drink and making possible the
raising of different crops. The people watched for the overflow with
great anxiety, fearing that it would not take place. At the time of year
when the overflow was due a certain star appeared in the sky, which we
know as Sirius. When they saw that the Egyptians drove their cattle to
high pastures and left the lowland to be watered by the river. In time
the people began to associate the constant appearance of the star with
the overflow which meant so much to them, and they began to think that
the star watched over them, as a good dog watches the home of its
master. So they called the star the "Dog Star" and worshipped it, and
also lavished a great deal of love on all.
LITTLE STORIES OF FAMOUS ANIMALS
How a Cow Set Fire to a Big City
It is said that Nero, when he was Emperor of Rome, set fire to the city,
and watched the flames from a high tower, while he sang to his lyre
verses on the burning of Troy. He then laid the blame on the Christians,
whom he persecuted with great cruelty. Afterwards he rebuilt the ruined
portion of Rome with great magnificence, erecting a beautiful palace for
himself on the Palatine Hill, which was called Nero's golden house.
This was all very long ago, for he killed himself with a dagger in the
year 68 when, after many cruel deeds, the Senate condemned him to death.
In 1871 there lived in Chicago, Illinois, a woman named Annie O'Leary
who has since become known throughout the country as the owner of the
cow that set fire to Chicago. One evening this cow, while being milked,
became unruly, and kicked over a kerosene lamp. Soon the whole city of
Chicago was in flames and Mrs. O'Leary's cow probably rang her cowbell
quite as frantically as did the Emperor Nero complacently fiddle while
his beautiful city was burning.
Though Chicago was destroyed by one of the most terrible fires in the
world, the city was rebuilt in a year or two, even better than before.
Prior to the fire, it was one of the newest cities in the country, for
in 1830 there were only a few families there besides the soldiers in the
fort which Uncle Sam had built in 1804.
So you see the people were not discouraged, although Mrs. O'Leary's cow
had burned up their beautiful city.
THE MILKY WAY
[Illustration]
When nursey bids me drink my milk
It gurgles down my throat
Just like the gurgle of the waves
Beneath a sailing boat.
[Illustration]
COASTING
Hip-hurrah! away they go
Gliding over the glittering snow,
Down the hill at a furious rate,
Over the lawn and out through the gate.
Jimmy in front is squeezed pretty tight,
But what does he care,--he's safe all right!
Billy, the motorman, guides the wheel
Which steers the sled on its runners of steel.
Flossie is cuddled up next to Bill,
And last on the sled is Sister Jill.
Hip-hurrah! as on they glide,
Isn't it lots of fun to slide?
Up again to the top of the hill
Dragging the sled for Motorman Bill.
Then once more they get into place,
All aboard! for another race.
What is more fun I'd like to know
Than coasting over the glittering snow.
A LITTLE GIRL'S DIARY
Thursday
_I love her on a Thursday
When she darns a gap that shows
In the sombre socks of Father
Or Brother's careless hose._
Thursday, Mother teaches me how to mend. She says that every little girl
should know these things. Father gives me a penny for every hole I mend
in his socks, and brother Jack gives me little presents; once he gave me
a whole set of furniture which he had cut out with his fretsaw.
There is one nice thing about Dolly--she very seldom has a hole in her
stocking. If she did, I hardly know what I would do, for Father and Jack
keep me pretty busy--at least, Mother laughs and says they do. Learning
all the accomplishments of a grown-up woman is pretty hard work, and,
really, I often wonder how I'll ever get any time for play in the park.
Mother, however, finishes lots of my duties so that I shan't miss my
regular hours in the open air with my friends.
LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat and Mary in the Garden
"_Mistress Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?"
Sang Little Sir Cat
As he doffed his hat
To the cockle-shells all in a row._
It was a lovely garden, full of flowers and shrubs, and in one corner
was a little girl playing with pretty shells on a pile of sand.
"Come in and play with me," she said. So he jumped over the garden wall,
but he didn't stay very long, for he wished to find his fortune, you
know.
Well, after a while, as he journeyed on he came to a bridge, and, all of
a sudden, whom should he meet but Sir Launcelot of the Lake, that noble
knight whom you remember he had met a long time ago. And when Sir
Launcelot had reined in his great charger he cried out in a loud voice:
[Illustration: LITTLE SIR CAT AND MARY IN THE GARDEN]
"Come with me, Kitten!" So Little Sir Cat sprang up lightly behind the
noble knight and together they rode across the bridge and out upon the
King's Highway. And after they had gone for many miles, they came
across Little Miss Muffet who sat on a tuffet. But this time she wasn't
running away from the big cruel spider who had sat down beside her.
"Whither are you bound, little maid?" asked the knight. And then without
waiting for an answer he leaned over and lifted her up into the saddle
beside Little Sir Kitten. And wasn't she glad to see our little traveler
again? Well, if you had only been there you would have laughed with joy,
for she was so happy that she hugged him again and again.
After a while they came to an old mill where the rusty, dusty miller
ground the corn for the farmers. "Please let me down here," said little
Miss Muffet, "for mother asked me to bring home some meal." So the kind
knight pulled in his great steed and Little Miss Muffet ran into the
mill.
But Sir Launcelot didn't wait, for he wasn't going back, you see, so he
and Little Sir Cat called out good-by and went upon their way. And the
sun shone down and glittered on the bright armor of the noble knight and
pussy cat felt very proud to be riding with him.
"You shall go with me to King Arthur's Court," said Sir Launcelot, "for
little friend Tom Thumb is with my good king and he has told all the
knights what a good comrade you are."
Towards evening, they came to the Court of King Arthur where all the
knights were eating their evening meal at the great round table. But
when they heard the hoof beats of Sir Launcelot's great horse, they ran
outside to greet him. Little Sir Kitten was taken into the great dining
hall and placed on the right hand of King Arthur and merry was the
feast that followed, for they had all heard of brave Little Sir Cat and
loved him and Mother Goose, although they had grown up to be great
strong knights.
And pretty soon you will find another story--unless--
_The friendly clock upon the wall
Should strike out three times playing ball._
LILY'S CIRCUS
Captain Morton was an officer in the United States Army and for many
years had lived in the far west--that wonderful country where the sun
blazes down upon miles of grassy prairie, undulating to the horizon as
if it were a great heaving sea, the little hillocks rising like dark
waves upon its surface.
Over those vast plains roved the Indians, hunting antelopes, wolves,
etc. At these times the "red man" looks his best; mounted on his swift
pony, his gaudy blanket and bright feathers gleaming in the sunshine,
his long black hair streaming in the wind, he seems truly the "noble
savage."
To control these savages, soldiers were needed on the plains, to prevent
war parties from dashing into little frontier villages, stealing horses
and cattle, burning barns and houses and murdering the people who were
trying to cultivate the prairies, to turn the great plains of dry, burnt
grass into fields of wheat and beautiful green meadows.
All Indians are not wicked; but the tribe near which Captain Morton was
stationed was extremely wild and cruel, and refused to live on friendly
terms with white people.
All day and all night the "tom-tom," or big drum, was being beaten by
the Indians; for the time I am telling you of was just after that
dreadful battle, when the great Indian chief, Sitting Bull, killed brave
General Custer and half of his noble regiment of cavalry. This success
had made all the other Indians very fierce and restless, and the small
garrison of which Captain Morton had command were kept busy day and
night ready for attack.
But Lily, Captain Morton's little daughter, did not trouble herself
about danger. She was not allowed to go out of the garrison inclosure,
but she played with her chickens and her little pony, which her father
had bought and trained for her. Its name was Tecumseh Sherman, after the
general of the army, but Lily called it Tic for short. It soon followed
her in and out of the log house and wherever she went, and showed a most
decided liking for anything of a red color. When Lily wore a red dress,
Tic would take a fold in his mouth and pull her about, and even knock
her down in his play, for he never meant to hurt her. In the evening
Lily's little sidesaddle was put on Tic, and she would gallop over the
prairie with her father.
One morning Lily rushed into the house calling out:
"Mama, mama, here's a circus! Come and see! It's right outside the
door!"
Sure enough, just outside the garrison was a great crowd of gayly
dressed people, and near the front were six girls mounted on ponies, the
saddles beautifully embroidered with beads, and fine large umbrellas
over their heads made of red, white and blue cloth. These were
princesses, daughters of the great chief of the tribe. Lily ever after
talked of them as the "six Pocahontases."
A LITTLE GIRL'S DIARY
Friday
_I love her on a Friday
When the house is upside down
And her golden hair is muffled
In a twisted turban brown._
Friday is the last of school for the week, and Saturday is coming. There
are two reasons why I like Friday. One is that it is the last day of
school week, and the other--because tomorrow is Saturday.
I do just about the same things on Friday, that is, school as usual, and
then a romp or walk in the park, rolling my hoop or skating on my
rollers. But at home I'm very busy. It's doll's house cleaning day, and
oh, dear me! I have to brush it out from attic to kitchen. It is a lot
of work, for all the rooms have carpets or hardwood floors with little
rugs, and everything must be dusted thoroughly. I do my hair up just as
regular grown-up cleaners do, and by and by Dolly's house is all done.
For a little girl it is hard work, and Mother says she thinks I will
make a fine housekeeper when I grow up. I hope I won't get another
doll's house next Christmas, for I don't see how I could run two houses
at once.
LILY AND THE PAPOOSE
"This is 'Annuity Day,' Lily," said her father. "Get your hat and we
will go and see the Indians get their clothes and provisions for the
next year."
"What is 'Annuity'?" asked Lily. "Is it Indian for birthday?"
"Well, yes, it is sort of a birthday, for the United States Government
gives a good many presents that day to the Indians--food and clothes for
the men, women and children for a whole year."
"Well, let's go," said Lily, "and I'll just touch one of those papooses
with my own hand if I get near enough. I think they are just dolls. No
real, live baby would stay quiet tied on a board and fastened up all in
a bunch to its mother's back. They do wink their eyes, that's certain;
but I can make my Rosy wink her eyes, too, only I have to pull a wire to
get her to shut them."
So off started Lily with her papa, and soon they came to an open space,
in the center of which was a great pile of blankets, clothing, bacon,
flour, corn, coffee, sugar, tobacco and many other things which good
Uncle Sam gives once a year to his "wards," the Indians. Around this
pile of things sat a large circle of Indians, men, women and children.
The men were, as a general rule, well dressed in tight leggins, with
strips of gay bead embroidery down the sides; deerskin or calico shirts
fringed with tiny bells and tassels of colored worsted and bright
feathers in their scalp locks. The women wore flannel pantaloons and a
single calico slip, and a blanket drawn over their heads.
Many of these wild people had never seen a little white girl before.
They gazed at Lily's fair skin and long bright hair with great interest.
One old man wrapped in a buffalo robe advanced waving his covering like
some immense bird flapping its wings. When he got near Lily he stood
still, saying:
"Washta papoose! Washta papoose!" (Pretty child! Pretty child!) and held
out his hand, saying: "Howe-howe?" (How do you do?)
And now Lily found a good opportunity to decide whether the funny little
objects on the Indian women's backs were dolls or "really babies."
While the Indian agent and his clerks were busily distributing the
"annuities," giving to the chief of each band the allowance for himself
and his family, Lily went up very close to the squaw who had a
black-eyed bundle tied upon her back, and stood for several minutes
absorbed in contemplation.
"Is that a real, live baby, ma'am, or a doll you keep for your little
girl?" asked Lily very politely.
The squaw, of course, did not understand a word she said, and only
responded: "Ugh! Howe! Washta papoose!" as a general expression of her
good will. So Lily presently put out her hand very softly and touched
the bundle.
What a scream! Even the dignified chiefs turned their plumed heads to
find out what the cause of the noise could be.
There was the papoose shrieking on its mother's back, proving most
positively its claim to be considered a "real, live baby," and there was
a drop of bright red blood on its little brown arm. Lily had stuck a pin
in the Indian baby to find out if it was alive or not.
Poor little girl! She stood frightened and trembling, crimson blushes on
her cheeks, and two great tears just brimming over her eyes. Not until
she had made a peace offering of candy to the baby, and left it
contentedly sucking away at a peppermint stick, could she be consoled
and interested once more in the strange scenes around her.
[Illustration: Harvey Peake]
_There was an old woman
Who lived in a shoe,
She had so many children
She didn't know what to do.
But she mounted the shoe
On a big motor car,
And now there is room
For them all without jar._
LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat Meets Jack and Jill
_Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down
And broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after._
As Little Sir Cat came to a pretty cottage, a yellow bird sang this Old
Mother Goose song. And just then a little girl and boy ran out of the
front door, and said:
"Mother, come see a cat with red top boots!"
"Don't wait, children. Get me a pail of water, for father will be home
soon for dinner."
_So Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
But, oh, dear me, I hate to tell
They spilt the water when they fell._
And poor Little Sir Cat's boots were spattered all over. But he didn't
care, for the big warm sun soon dried them, and he set off once again on
his journey through Mother Goose Country, and by-and-by he came to a
giant's castle on a big high mountain.
[Illustration: LITTLE SIR CAT MEETS JACK AND JILL]
"Come in," said the great big man. "You can sleep in my fur cap--it will
make you a fine bed."
When Little Sir Cat woke up in the morning the sun was shining through
the window and it was time to get up. So he hurriedly dressed, for he
didn't know what time the Giant had breakfast and he didn't dare be
late, and ran down to the dining room, where the Giant was just about to
eat his buckwheat cakes and maple syrup. After they had finished, the
Giant took him out to the stables and showed him all his horses. "I have
a very small horse which I will give you," he said, and he led Little
Sir Cat into another stable. There stood Dapple Gray, only, of course,
he seemed like a little toy to the Giant, for his other horses were all
giant horses, you see. And wasn't Sir Cat glad to see the little pony?
Well, I guess he was, for he was tired walking and one of his boots had
a hole in the toe.
"Oh, I'm so glad to see you, little master," whinnied Dapple Gray, as
Little Sir Cat untied the halter and jumped on his back.
Well, after a while as he rode down the mountain he came to a little
cottage all covered with climbing rose vines. In this cottage lived a
shepherd and his wife who tended the sheep in the big meadow close by.
"Are they little Bo Peep's?" asked Little Sir Cat; but the kind-faced
shepherd said no, so Little Sir Cat rode on, and pretty soon you will
hear what happened to the poor Lady Bug, _unless_
_The Sun tomorrow morning
Should go upon a strike,
And want a penny extra
To do his daily hike!_
A BELL TALE
[Illustration]
There was an old sheep
With a bell on his tail.
It rang with a clatter
And clanged with a wail.
Whenever that poor little sheep
Hove in sight
The birds and the beasts
Disappeared in a fright.
HOW A TORTOISE KILLED A GREAT POET
There was once a boy in olden times who dreamed that he could write
verses, and the dream came true, and he became a very famous writer. And
the way it happened was that this boy, whose name was Æschylus, fell
asleep one day while guarding the grapes in a vineyard. He dreamed that
Bacchus, the god of the vine, came and told him that he could write
poetry. Immediately he awoke and tried, and to his delight he found out
that it was true.
He kept on writing, and afterwards became very famous. In those days
prizes were given for the best tragedies, and at the age of 41 he won
his first prize. He wrote, also, many wonderful plays, and for many
years was esteemed one of the greatest of tragic poets.
When quite an old man, he was sitting in a field, plunged in deep
thought. An eagle, which was flying overhead, mistook his bald head for
a stone and dropped the tortoise which it was carrying in its claws to
break its shell. The force of the blow killed the famous poet and
warrior, who had fought in the Battle of Marathon and received great
honors for his bravery as well as thirteen prizes for his tragedies. He
might have written a great many more if the eagle had not dropped the
tortoise.
EASTER ON A FARM
Finding Eggs Is Much Fun, but Hiding Them First Is More Fun
Easter was coming in a week and Donald, Elizabeth and Ruth were going to
invite their two cousins to an Easter Egg Hunt.
Their mother had agreed to give them one egg out of every six which they
brought in to Mary, their good-natured cook, and it was surprising how
many egg nests these industrious little folks discovered in
out-of-the-way places around the big barn and the farm buildings.
In fact the family had never been so plentifully supplied with eggs
before, and their mother laughingly remarked that she thought it would
be a good plan to continue the arrangement indefinitely, to which the
children gave their hearty consent.
The day before Easter they had almost two dozen. With the help of their
mother they dissolved the various colored powders which they had
purchased at the drug store and poured the liquid into several tins. It
was great fun boiling the eggs in green water, or yellow water, or blue
water, as the case might be, and after they were all done, what a
pretty pile of rainbow-colored eggs!
"Old Speckle and Rosy Comb wouldn't know what to make of them now, would
they?" remarked little Ruth.
"No," answered Donald, "I wonder if we'd get a pink rooster if this one
was hatched!" he added, jokingly, holding up a brilliant carmine egg.
"Well, let's hide them; you hide yours first, Ruth, 'cause you're the
youngest. Remember, for goodness sake, where you put them in case we
can't find them."
You see, the game was for each one to hide his share, and when all the
eggs were hidden they were to invite their two cousins over and
everybody was to hunt as fast as he could, except, of course, for his
own eggs, so as to get as many as possible, for "findings were
keepings."
It took little Ruth quite a while to hide hers. She put a big red egg
carefully in the oat bin and covered it over with oats. The next one she
put deep down in the bran bin, and then she looked around for another
safe place. There was father's old coat hanging on a nail by the harness
room. In the pocket nearest her she slipped a green egg carefully lest
it fall through a possible hole in the well-worn garment, but the lining
was sound and the egg was safe out of sight.
The door of the harness room was ajar. Ruth stepped inside and looked
around. The very thing! An old tin can stood half-hidden in the corner
behind a pile of rubbish. In went the purple egg, and now she had only
two left.
"What shall I do?" said Ruth to herself. Just then an old lantern
hanging on the wall met her eyes, and in a moment she had carefully
lifted the dingy shade and placed an egg inside. Only one egg was now
left, and soon that was tucked away behind an old picture advertising
harness, which rested on a beam running along the side of the wall.
"No one must hunt for his own eggs," said Donald. "Then it will be fair
for all. All ready!" and away they went.
The two cousins had been told that the barn, the wagon house and the
orchard were the places where the eggs were hidden, and in a few minutes
a yell was heard in the barn. Dan had discovered Ruth's green egg in the
overcoat pocket.
"I've got one!" screamed Ruth from the wagon house, as she pulled out a
yellow beauty from under the seat of the old buggy. Then a shout was
heard from Donald, and the can in the corner of the harness room gave up
its prize.
"Who'll get the last one?" Here and there they ran, looking with the
utmost care, but the little egg still defied the hunters. "Let's give up
and let Donald have it," they at last agreed, and Donald, proudly
marching up to a big cherry tree, from a crotch of a limb just above
their reach picked out a red egg, the only one that had resisted
successfully all efforts of capture.
[Illustration]
WHEN ROBIN RED-BREAST ARRIVES
Everybody loves Robin Redbreast. Who of us in early spring is not
gladdened by the sight of this red waistcoated little chap hopping about
on the lawn? But few of us stop to think that our robin is totally
unlike the English robin, the dear old Robin Redbreast of nursery days;
he who covered with leaves the Babes in the Wood and was shot by the
Sparrow with his little arrow!
The Redbreast of Europe is only half the size of our robin, being about
five inches and three-quarters from the tip of its bill to the end of
its tail feathers. Its color is a yellowish olive-brown. The throat and
breast are of a reddish orange color, and this gives to him the name of
Redbreast.
They remain all the year round, and when the fields and gardens are
covered with snow, making it difficult for them to obtain food they come
up to the door steps, picking up the crumbs which are thrown to them.
When they are well treated they soon become very familiar and make
themselves quite at home, entering the cottage door and often roosting
confidently over night in the warm kitchens. Their trust and confidence
have made friends for them everywhere and they become domestic pets in
almost every country in Europe. Their song is sweet and plaintive and
is heard from early spring until late in the autumn. In this respect
they are very like our own bluebird.
English books of natural history are full of interesting narratives of
the beautiful confidence in man shown by the Redbreast in selecting a
place for its nest.
Our pair chose for their nest a shelf in a schoolroom in which there
were seventy children and directly over the heads of a little class of
girls, who never once disturbed them. One of the little birds died and
the parents carried out its dead body during school hours. The other
four little robins were fed and reared, day by day, in the presence of
the seventy children. Do you wonder that the boys and girls of England
are so fond of their Robin Redbreast?
The robin of North America belongs to a very different family--that of
the thrushes. It is nearly twice the length of the English bird and more
than twice its size. Audubon calls it the Migratory Thrush, because it
leaves us when winter comes on and does not return until the frost is
out of the ground.
Like the robin of Europe, our bird also has a confiding disposition. It
builds its nest early in the spring, long before there are any leaves to
hide it. It is a devoted parent and when taken sufficiently young is
easily tamed and becomes strongly attached to its benefactor.
With the coming of the first robin we feel sure that spring is here.
Looking out of the window, we see our little friend with his red breast
shining in the sunlight, singing his simple song of faith and hope.
AFTER MOTHER'S SAID GOOD NIGHT
When I'm in bed I feel so small,
And all the shadows seem so tall.
The little light out in the hall
A thin bright line throws on the wall;
It squeezes thro' the crack between
The half-closed door and nursery screen.
And after I have said my prayer
And mother's footstep on the stair
Grows fainter, fainter, fainter, there
Creeps over me a sort of scare;
It prickles me from toe to head
And seems to wiggle all the bed.
But if I cuddle down and keep
Real quiet, and don't kick my feet,
And have the clothes all smooth and neat,
Why, pretty soon I fall asleep;
And then the fairies from their glen
Play with me till it's day again.
[Illustration]
LITTLE SIR CAT
The Fire-Engine
_Lady Bug, Lady Bug, fly away home;
Your house is on fire, your children are gone!_
Sang the little yellow bird whose name I shall tell you some day when
Little Sir Cat finishes his journey through Mother Goose Country.
And just then the fire engine went by, so he jumped up behind and away
they went over a bridge across the River Dee near which the Jolly Miller
on his pillow found a flea.
Well, pretty soon they came to a meadow in which a little bush was on
fire. And right there close beside it, was the poor Lady Bug flapping
her red wings wildly in fear and panic for hidden under the bush were
all her little lady bugs.
"Oh, save my children!" she cried.
Little Sir Cat scrambled under the thicket but the brambles kept
catching in his boot straps and pulling him back. So he kicked them off,
taking care not to burn his bare toes on the hot stubbles, and carefully
felt his way through the smoke until he finally reached the nest near
the heart of the thicket. There lay all the Lady Bug's children,
hundreds of them huddled together, frightened and smothered nearly to
death.
[Illustration: THE FIRE ENGINE]
"Oh, I hope they are not quite dead," he said, tenderly picking up the
smallest one. "But what shall I do now? How can I carry them all out?"
Then, quick as a wink, before the fire reached him, he picked them all
up and put them in his hat.
"Hurry, my brave fireman!" called the Mother Lady Bug; "save my
treasures."
And in less time than I can take to tell it, he carried them out of
danger.
Just then up came Dapple Gray, so Little Sir Cat said good-by and rode
away.
By-and-by, he whispered to Dapple Gray, "Yonder stands the lady who rode
you far away. Do you want to run right by her, or do you want to stay
behind this clump of bushes until she walks away?"
Dapple Gray made no reply. He stood perfectly still and didn't even peek
around until the lady was out of sight. So that was answer enough for
Little Sir Cat, and he rode off towards a little church, for it was
vesper time and the bell was ringing for the people to come to worship.
Pretty soon the organ began to play, so he stopped to listen, and so did
the stars and the big moon up in the sky. They didn't move, but shone
right down on the little white building. After a while he got down and
led Dapple Gray into a grove of trees and lay down on some leaves for
the night. And pretty soon you shall hear how he and his pony had
another adventure,--unless--
_A giant goes down the street for a stroll,
And thinks a peppermint stick is a barber's pole._
[Illustration: _Harvey Peake_]
There was an old woman lived under a hill
On auto'bile wheels that wouldn't stand still.
So she drove around selling her cranberry pies,--
And she's the old woman who never told lies.
The Little Goose-Girl
Many years ago there lived a little goose-girl named Helena. Every
morning at sunrise she left the hut where her mother lived, and trudged
away in the midst of her flock of geese. All day long she stayed in the
fields with them to see that they did not wander away, and in the
evening she brought them back to the village.
The hamlet she lived in was very small, and Helena had the care of all
the geese in the place. Ten of the flock belonged to her mother, the
rest belonged to the neighbors.
Helena was almost as fat as the fattest goose in her flock. Over her
plump, freckled face she wore a flat cap, and her flaxen hair in two
long braids down her back. Her waist was black, without any sleeves and
opened in the front, while the sleeves of her smock were full and long.
Her skirt was very short and full, and plaited all around the waist. In
summer she went barefooted, but in winter she wore thick stockings and
wooden shoes.
She carried in her hand a long stick, with which to manage her goose
family, but she was kind-hearted and never struck them hard. Her little
dog, Hero, helped her keep them in order. He was so well trained that
when they wandered away, he would bark and snap at them until he
frightened them back.
[Illustration: THE GOOSE GIRL PUB. BY NAT. ART CO., N. Y.]
Every morning at sunrise the geese waited in front of the huts for
Helena. Amid a great squawking and hissing they were collected from door
to door, and when the flock was all gathered, Helena drove them off to
the feeding ground, a low flat marshy place, near the river, where they
delighted to waddle in the greenish pools and coarse grasses.
Helena had collected a pile of stones on a dry spot which was a little
higher than the marshy ground around it, and here she would sit on her
throne, like a queen looking over her goose kingdom.
When dinner time came, she would take from a basket a slice of very
coarse bread, almost black, a piece of cheese, or a slice of thick, raw
sausage. When she had finished eating, she would take from the same
basket her spinning, and with her distaff she twirled the thread around
and drew it through her fingers. This was the old-fashioned way of
spinning, and even now one often sees girls and women with their
distaffs spinning in the fields while they watch their cows or sheep or
geese.
There were many beautiful flowers growing in the marshy land, and when
Helena grew tired of spinning, she gathered violets and forget-me-nots.
She would make a wreath of blue lilies and yellow dandelions and hang it
about her neck. Sometimes she would make a collar for her dog, and once
she made a wreath for a pet gander, but he twisted his long neck and ate
up the flowers, at which Helena laughed, showing that she was a happy
little girl, although she did have to tend the geese all day.
RISING TIME
[Illustration]
Pussy's asleep, and the little gray mouse
Is looking about the quiet house.
But oh, dear me! If Pussy should wake
The little mouse wouldn't get any cake.
FEBRUARY
Dear Boys and Girls--Did it ever occur to you that February is a famous
month, for in it were born two of the greatest men that ever lived,
George Washington and Abraham Lincoln?
Perhaps the determination of Washington never to allow himself to be
discouraged in the face of tremendous difficulties and treachery stands
out as one of the biggest factors in his character.
Looking back through history every boy as he gazes on the face of
Washington feels a thrill of pride; the Father of His Country, the man
who never told a lie, the man who never admitted there was such a word
as "fail."
And when we turn to Lincoln, who in the crisis of our country's welfare
stood like a rock and brought order out of chaos, preserved the Union,
"now and forever," and, with "malice toward none," brought the men of
the North and the men of the South under the Stars and Stripes again as
brothers--we find the Savior of our Country.
For the boy of to-day two such men as Washington and Lincoln are an
inspiration. Human nature was just the same in those days as
now--politics were just as corrupt and morals just as bad--but each of
those men shone out with the attributes of greatness--courage, honesty
and truth.
And for the girl of to-day who realizes how the mothers of those two men
gave to this country each a hero; how those mothers by early training
and instruction brought their boys up to reverence courage and honesty
and truth, there is an inspiration; for the sweetest word that is
murmured in the nursery or whispered in prayer on the battlefield is
Mother.
[Illustration]
LITTLE STORIES OF FAMOUS ANIMALS
How the Geese Saved Rome
The Capitol in the city of Rome was built on a high, steep hill called
the Tarpeian Rock. When in 390 B. C. the Gauls entered Rome, after
having defeated the Roman Army, most of the citizens fled, except a few
who had taken refuge on this steep hill. One very dark night, the Gauls
attempted to climb the steepest part and capture the Capitol. The Roman
sentinels were all fast asleep, and the enemy had nearly reached the
top, when suddenly some geese began to cackle and raise a great hub-bub.
The noise awakened a Roman soldier named Marcus Manlius, who rushed out
to the spot just in time to throw down the Gauls and save the Capitol.
After this, the Gauls agreed to leave the city for a thousand pounds of
gold, but the Romans took so long to weigh it, that Camillus arrived
with a big army just in time. "Rome buys her freedom with iron!" he
cried, and attacking the Gauls, drove them out in great confusion. But
if it hadn't been for the geese, who were wide awake and not sound
asleep like the Roman sentinels, Rome would have been captured that dark
night by the Gauls.
THE CARNIVAL
Let us make believe we are in Nice during Carnival time and are
hastening to the Promenade du Cours, up and down which the procession is
to pass.
First, however, I shall buy for you each a little blue gauze mask; for
you cannot even peep at Carnival unmasked. And if any of you can wear
linen dusters with hoods attached, all the better. Don't leave a square
inch of skin unprotected, I warn you.
Besides the little masks, you may buy, each of you, a whole bushel of
these "sugar plums," and have them sent to our balcony. Also for each a
little tin scoop fastened on a flexible handle, which you are to fill
with confetti but on no account to pull--at least, not yet.
The crowds are gathering. Pretty peasant girls in their holiday attire
of bright petticoats, laced bodices, and white frilled caps; stray
dominoes; richly dressed ladies with mask in hand; carriages so
decorated with flowers as to be artistically hidden--even the wheels
covered with batiste--blue, pink, purple, green or buff. Even the
sidewalk, as we pass, is fringed with chairs at a franc each.
The "Cours" is gay with suspended banners, bright with festooned
balconies and merry faces. Sidewalks and streets are filled with
people; but the horses have the right of way, and the people are fined
if they are run over.
Let us hasten to our balcony, for here passes a band of musicians, in
scarlet and gold, to open the procession.
It is "the theater"--an open car of puppets--but the puppets are men;
all attached to cords held in the hand of the giant, who sits in
imposing state above them on the top of the car which is on a level with
the third-story balconies.
The giant lifts his hand and the puppets whirl and jump. But alas! his
head is too high. His hat is swept off by the hanging festoons, and the
giant must ride bare-headed, in danger of sunstroke.
Next behind the car moves in military order a regiment of mounted
grasshoppers. Their sleek, shining bodies of green satin, their gauzy
wings and antennae, snub noses and big eyes, are all absolutely perfect
to the eye; but--they are of the size of men.
You lower your mask to see more clearly, you are lost in wonder at the
perfect illusion, your mouth is wide open with "Ohs!" and "Ahs!" when
pop! pop! slings a shower of confetti, and the little hailstones seem to
cut off your ears and rush sifting down your neck.
For, while you were watching the grasshoppers, a low open carriage,
concealed under a pink and white cover, has stopped under our windows.
Four merry masqueraders, cloaked and hooded in hue to match, have a
bushel of confetti between them, and are piled with nosegays. We slink
behind our masks, we pull the handles of our confetti scoops--then the
battle begins and waxes fierce.
But they are crowded on. A colossal stump follows, trailing with mosses
and vines. Upon it a bird's nest filled with young, their mouths wide
open for food; wonderful, because the artistic skill is so perfect that,
although so immense, they seem living and not unnatural.
Up and down the procession sweeps. Up one side the wide "Cours" and down
the other; the space within filled with the merry surging crowd, under
the feet of the horses it would seem. But no matter. Horses and men and
women and children bear a charmed life to-day.
LITTLE STORIES OF FAMOUS ANIMALS
How A Spider Saved Scotland
For several years, Robert Bruce, the hero King of Scotland, was an
outlaw with but a few followers. He even had to leave his beloved
Scotland at one time, and hide himself on a small island off the coast
of Ireland.
He had only a wretched hut to live in, although he was a king, but he
was as patient as he was brave, and willing to suffer hardships if he
could only free his native land.
While lying on his bed one day, he noticed a spider who was spinning its
web. Time after time it failed to run its slender thread from one beam
to another. Six times it tried and as many times it failed. This was
just the number of battles that Bruce had been defeated by the English.
"If the spider tries again," he said to himself, sitting up on his bed
and watching the determined little insect intently, "if the spider tries
again, so will I!" Once more the spider tried, and this time with
success. Bruce jumped from his bed, and in a few days was back in
Scotland.
It was indeed a happy omen, for from that time the tide turned in his
favor, and gradually he won back all the cities and castles which the
English had conquered. And so Bruce freed Scotland and won back his
throne, but if it had not been for the little spider, perhaps he never
would have had the heart to attempt it.
LITTLE SIR CAT
Mother Hubbard finds Little Sir Cat at Home
"_Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To get her poor dog a bone,
But when she got there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none._"
"Oh, dear me!" said Little Sir Cat, "that's too bad," and he pulled out
a shilling and gave it to Mother Hubbard. And after that he went away
and by and by he came to a big circus tent. And while he stood there, a
woman came by and stopped to talk to him. For everybody was interested
in Little Sir Cat. He rode Dapple Gray as well as a circus man, and
there was nothing he couldn't do on horseback, except, perhaps, go to
sleep. Well, the woman stopped and looked at him for a few minutes, and
then she said:
"_I have a little husband
No bigger than my thumb,
So I put him in a bird cage
And keep him safe at home._"
[Illustration: MOTHER HUBBARD FINDS LITTLE SIR CAT AT HOME]
"Why don't you bring him to the circus?" said Little Sir Cat. "He'll
make more money than in a bird cage."
"So he might," said the woman. "I will bring him here this very day,"
and away she went as fast as she could.
Well, by and by, she returned carrying a leather bag, and when she
opened it, who should jump out but Tom Thumb. Wasn't that strange? And,
oh, how glad he was to see Little Sir Cat.
"What! Are you old friends?" asked the woman, stretching out her hand to
take Tom Thumb.
"She is cruel, don't let her take me," cried the little fellow, and of
course Sir Cat didn't, although the woman became very angry.
Well, pretty soon Little Sir Cat turned to her and said with a fierce
look, "Leave him with me. He shall be my comrade. You have no right to
him," and then he took Tom Thumb into the tent, leaving the woman to do
what she might. He didn't care, for he was in the right, and when that
is the case, one can be brave even if he is a small cat. And as soon as
he told the clown what had happened, he said: "We'll never let her have
Tom Thumb. He shall stay with us as long as he likes," and then the
lovely circus lady came up and shook hands with him, and everybody said,
"Hurrah for Little Sir Cat!"
And pretty soon I'll tell you another story unless
_The Big Red Barn gets frisky
And jumps across the road,
And the buzzy, wuzzy horsefly
Eats up the little toad._
MR. TURKEY DECIDES TO TAKE A DAY OFF
[Illustration]
Said the great big Turkey Gobbler
To the little Turkey Turk,
"I guess I'll stay at home today
And not go down to work;
"I have a sort of feeling
That it's wiser not to roam
And that it would be safer
For me to stay at home."
A LITTLE GIRL'S DIARY
Saturday
_I love her on a Saturday
When she and Mother go
Together to a matinee
Or moving picture show._
Saturday is a holiday all the time. In the morning I take a run in the
park to get the fresh air and exercise; and then after lunch, Mother and
I--oh, it's such fun!--go to a matinee or a motion picture play. When we
come out, we have a cup of hot chocolate somewhere, with little cakes or
crackers, and it's just lovely! After that, it's time to go home. Dolly
is waiting for me, and I tell her all about everything while I undress
her and put her to bed, and she is so good she never cries or says: "Why
didn't you take me, too?"
LITTLE STORIES OF FAMOUS ANIMALS
How A Horse Founded A City
There was once a horse named Bucephalus whom nobody could ride except
his master, the famous Alexander the Great; and the reason was because
this horse was afraid of his own shadow. He wasn't afraid of anything
else, for he would carry his master into the thickest of the fight
without flinching.
In those days every boy was trained to be a warrior, as well as to be
proficient in all kinds of knowledge, and as Alexander was a very bright
youth and loved reading as well as fighting his father sent for the
famous Aristotle to be his teacher, under whose teaching he grew up to
be a very fine young man. Every night when Alexander went to bed he
placed his favorite book, Homer's "Iliad," under his pillow with his
sword. Soon he became very expert in all manly sports and excelled every
one at his father's court, especially in riding. But had he not been a
very bright and observing youth he never would have been able to ride
Bucephalus, notwithstanding his splendid horsemanship.
The way it happened was that one day this horse was offered for sale to
his father, the King, but none of the grooms or nobles could mount him.
Alexander, who had been very carefully watching the beautiful white
animal, noticed that Bucephalus was afraid of his own shadow. He
therefore turned his head toward the sun and after patting the animal
until he grew quiet mounted and rode him without any trouble. After that
he was always his favorite charger.
When Alexander set out to conquer the Persians Bucephalus was the first
to swim across the River Granicus with Alexander, amid a shower of
arrows and spears.
On Bucephalus and at the head of his army of 40,000 foot soldiers
Alexander defeated Darius, with over 1,000,000 men.
For five years longer Bucephalus carried Alexander to victory, but
finally in a battle in India against King Porus Bucephalus was so badly
wounded that he died.
Alexander gave his noble horse a splendid burial and founded a city on
the battlefield, which he named in his honor Bucephala.
LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat Meets Tom, the Piper's Son
One can't stay with a circus and travel up high mountains and cross
rivers and visit castles and dungeons, so Little Sir Cat said good-by to
the kind circus people and little Tom Thumb, who was making so much
money exhibiting himself that he wanted to remain with them until he had
made a million dollars.
So once more Little Sir Cat was traveling alone. Well, on he tramped
till by-and-by he came to a village, and as he walked down the main
street
_Little Johnny Curlytop
Sat in his father's shop.
In his thumb he held a plum
And a lollypop._
But when he saw Little Sir Cat, he almost dropped his candy, for he had
never seen a cat with boots and spurs riding on a pony. But Little Sir
Cat only grinned and said: "Pick up your candy, Johnny Curlytop, for
candy doesn't grow on trees, and you are a lucky boy to have a
lollypop."
[Illustration: LITTLE SIR CAT MEETS TOM, THE PIPER'S SON]
Well, just then, all of a sudden, a boy ran down the street with a
little pig under his arm.
"_Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son,
Stole a pig and away he run,_"
screamed a green poll parrot from her cage.
"Why, it's Piggie Porker," cried Little Sir Cat, "the little pig I
helped through the fence. O, please let him go. It's Piggie Porker."
"Piggie what?" asked Tom, scratching his head.
"I want to go home to mother," squealed Piggie, and this so surprised
Tom that he dropped Piggie, who, quick as a wink, darted between his
legs and ran away. And, would you believe it? Little Sir Cat jumped on
his back, and off they went down the street to the country. Pretty soon
Piggie stopped to rest, and Little Sir Cat jumped down to the ground.
"How did you ever get caught?" he asked.
"I disobeyed mother," answered Piggie when able to speak, for he was all
out of breath with running, you see. "I squeezed through the fence and
ran out to the road, and then that bad boy caught me. Oh, dear, oh,
dear!"
Poor little Piggie's pink nose was very red and his cheeks wet with
tears. "Don't cry," said Little Sir Cat kindly, "you can't be far from
home." And then together they ran across the meadow to the wood to look
for the path that led to Piggie's cabin. And pretty soon Piggie found
it, so off he scampered.
"I hope mother won't scold me for being away so long--I hope she won't."
In the distance he could see the stout figure of his mother standing in
the cabin door. At the sight of her Piggie began to cry, he was so glad
to be home again.
And his mother never punished him after all, but just hugged him until
he squeaked, "Oh, mother, you're squeezing the breath out of me!"
_But just the same, dear children,
Remember to obey,
For you might be unlucky
And lose your homeward way._
A NEW YEAR'S PRAYER
God grant that I the new year through
May strive with heart and soul to do
Those things which are most good and true.
God grant that I each morning start
My duties with a cheerful heart,
And faithfully perform my part.
To wear a smile all through the day,
To banish thoughts unkind away;
And when my bedtime comes, to pray.
To say my prayers with folded hands
As night comes softly o'er the lands,
To Him, who always understands.
And when the bells on New Year's dawn
Proclaim the bright New Year is born,
And I awake on New Year's morn,
I pray Him whisper, low and sweet,
To help me guide my wayward feet,
Lest I forget my prayer to meet.
THE OLD WOMAN UNDER THE HILL
[Illustration]
There was an old woman
Lived under the hill,
And if she's not married
She's living there still.
The First Christmas
Listen, dear littlest children, and you shall hear about the very first
Christmas Day.
In a country across the sea, far away from here, shepherds were watching
their flocks one night. The sheep were resting on the grass, the little
lambs were fast asleep beside their mothers, but the kind shepherds were
not asleep. They were watching that no harm should happen to the sheep.
Perhaps they were looking up at the stars and the beautiful moon above
them, when suddenly there appeared a wonderful light in the sky,
brighter than the moon or stars, as if the sky had opened and they saw
the glory within.
And while they stood there, looking up, wondering what was the cause of
that strange light, a beautiful, shining angel came near to them and
said:
"Fear not. I bring you good tidings which shall be to all people. This
day is born a Saviour, and ye shall find the babe lying in a manger."
Suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host joined the angel in singing
praises to God.
"_Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
Peace, good will toward men._"
When the angels had gone back to heaven the shepherds said they would go
to Bethlehem and see this Saviour of whom the angels sang. They went,
and found Him, a little baby, in a stable, with no cradle to lie in;
only a manger for His bed. That little baby was Jesus, who when He grew
up said:
"Let the little children come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such
is the kingdom of heaven." His birthday was the first Christmas Day, and
ever since that time we keep that day as a joyful and happy one.
[Illustration]
PLANTING A PUSSY
Charlie was a little rogue, and Charlie's papa was a big rogue; and two
rogues together get into all sorts of mischief.
Charlie wanted a kitten, and one day when he was teasing papa said
carelessly:
"Plant old black Nig. I wouldn't wonder if she came up sort of
kittenish!"
Papa laughed behind his paper to see him march out to the garden with
the big, sleepy black cat under one arm and a hoe under the other.
But when Charlie began to dig, Pussy began to struggle out from under
his arm, and, getting away, she ran for her life. Charlie dropped his
hoe and ran too. Tears also would have run had there been less wisdom in
that little curly head. But Charlie knew that Puss would not wait while
he mourned her departure!
What a race that was! Puss led him under fences, through bushes, over
gates, up trees, and, at last, through the open window, Charlie of
course followed, and what a fall was that!
When Charlie rose, the black cat sat calmly upon the table. Charlie
thought she actually laughed at his forlorn appearance. Well, he didn't
look as well as when the race began, but his courage was still good; so
he resolved to try again, if the Big Rogue would help.
So Charlie asked papa to hold Puss while he dug. Papa was willing, and
the digging began again. Soon papa said the hole was big enough, but he
had no sooner said the word, when Puss thought it was time to run away
again, and off she darted. She looked so funny, with her tail all
swelled up, that Charlie forgot all about the planting and began to
laugh, and then papa began to laugh too. "I don't believe she's the
right kind of a cat to plant," he said, and then he and Charlie went
into the house for lunch, as mama was at the window waiting for them.
LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat and Little Boy Blue
"_Little Boy Blue,
Come blow your horn,
Your cows are eating
Farmer Green's corn,_"
sang Robbie Redbreast as Little Sir Cat passed through a meadow in new
Mother Goose Land. And just then a little boy dressed in blue jumped out
from behind a haystack and began to blow on his silver horn.
Goodness me! Dapple Gray was so startled that he stood up on his hind
legs and nearly upset his small rider.
[Illustration: LITTLE SIR CAT AND LITTLE BOY BLUE]
"Don't blow it again till I get out of the meadow," said Little Sir Cat,
and he rode away. By-and-by, after a while, he came to a neat-looking
cottage with a red chimney and pink blinds. So he knocked on the door,
and who do you suppose opened it? You'll never guess, so I'll tell you
right away. Why, Old Mother Hubbard and her dog. Wasn't that strange?
For the last time Little Sir Cat had seen them was in Old Mother Goose
Country, and of course he was surprised to meet them. All of a sudden,
the Dog began to sing:
"_Old Mother Hubbard never goes to the cupboard
To get me a bone any more;
For she has an excuse, so what is the use?
She remembers what happened before.
So now we both go to a nice movie show,
And then to a restaurant fine,
Where we order a stew of giblets for two,
And the orchestra plays while we dine._"
"Hurray!" cried Little Sir Cat, "things are certainly very different in
this country." And pretty soon he told them he must be on his way. So
off he went through the woods, and by-and-by he came to a deep pool
under a great oak tree. But he didn't know that a Frog Prince lived in
it. No, Siree. And perhaps it was just as well that he didn't, for the
Frog Prince didn't like cats at all.
Well, as soon as he saw Little Sir Cat, he gave a dreadful loud croak
and hopped out on the bank.
"Shall I kick him?" asked Dapple Gray with a toss of his head, for he
wasn't afraid of that croaky old frog, not the least little bit.
"Of course not," answered Little Sir Cat. "Are you really a frog, or an
enchanted prince?" he asked, turning to the Frog Prince.
And, would you believe it, the tears came to that poor frog's eyes, as
he answered:
"A wicked witch has cast a spell over me. I was once a handsome prince."
"I will help you," answered Little Sir Cat, and, jumping off Dapple
Gray, he hunted through the grass until he found a tiny, little flower,
blue as the summer sky.
"Tomorrow morning when the cock crows eat this flower," he said, handing
it to the Frog Prince, "and you will once more be your natural self."
And before the happy frog could thank him he jumped on Dapple Gray and
rode away to the next story.
[Illustration]
Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,
Had a wife and couldn't keep her;
He made a car of the pumpkin shell,
And there he kept her very well.
MAY DAY FROLICS IN MERRY OLD ENGLAND
[Illustration]
Suppose we "go a-Maying" among old traditions and see with what
ceremonies our English ancestors welcomed the "merry month." We do not
celebrate the first day of May to any extent in this country, but in
England, where the season is much earlier than ours, and the earth is
already covered with wild flowers, May-day is more fitly celebrated; but
even in England the old customs have sadly fallen away.
Once upon a time every village had its annual setting up of the
May-pole, which was consecrated to the Goddess of Flowers, and early on
May morning the young people went out to "gather the May." The first
thing was to select the May-pole. The landed gentry allowed the
villagers the choice of a suitable tree on their domains. A tall,
straight sapling having been selected, it was speedily cut down and
dragged to the village green by oxen gayly decorated with flowers and
bright colored ribbons. Following after came the youths and maidens with
wreaths of flowers, which they twined around cottage doorways on their
way to the green, where they were to choose from among their number a
Lord and Lady of May.
After a bower was built for them and the May-pole set up, there were
merry dances, the revellers donning mask and costume to represent Robin
Hood, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian, Much the Miller's Son, Little John, Will
Scarlet and all the other famous characters of merry Sherwood. Pantomime
was also indulged in, for this was a simple age, when simple pleasures
satisfied the country people. Into the ring would come a hobby-horse and
a dragon, the former ambling and prancing about, while the latter hissed
and shook his wings, to the great delight of the spectators. There were
also morris-dancers, with bells attached to their knees and elbows, who
danced and capered musically. After this came trials of skill in archery
by Robin Hood and his fellows, and when all these amusements grew
tiresome, the villagers thronged about the May-pole and spent the
remainder of the day in dancing.
But these May-day observances were not confined only to the country. In
London at one time tall poles were erected on May morning, and green
arbors and branches decorated the streets. It was a great day for the
milkmaids and chimney-sweeps, who paraded the streets in companies,
begging a trifle from their customers.
The leader of the chimney-sweeps, called "Jack in the Green," was
covered, with the exception of his legs, with green boughs, garlands and
nosegays. He looked like a dancing bouquet, as he moved up and down the
street. Many a penny the sweeps collected from the admiring bystanders.
This was a custom up to about one hundred years ago, and will perhaps
remind some of my little readers of the ragamuffins who parade the
streets of New York on Thanksgiving Day, begging a penny from every
passer-by.
Finally, many abuses arose in the observance of the day. In 1644
Parliament passed an act forbidding the erection of May-poles. Later,
during the restoration of the gay Charles the Second, the May-poles came
back and flourished for a long time. Gradually, however, as the ancient
simplicity of manners departed from the lower orders of the people, who
were its chief upholders, the May-day festival fell into disuse, and now
there are neither May-poles nor morris-dancers nor Jacks in the Green.
[Illustration: JACK BE NIMBLE, JACK BE QUICK PUB. BY NAT. ART CO., N.
Y.]
THE SPIDER AND THE FLY
A big Black Spider was spinning away,
Spinning her lacey web all day;
And when she had finished it, close to the wall
She curled herself up in a round black ball.
Lazily buzzing, buzzing away,
A little Blue Fly was buzzing all day.
Into the open window he flew
And close to the Spider's web he drew.
"Oh, what a pretty piece of lace
Swinging away in the window space!"
The little Blue Fly remarked to himself,
As he carefully crawled on the narrow shelf.
Then he brushed the dirt from his gauzy wing
And watched the spider web swing and swing.
Now this little Fly was a mischievous Fly,
And there wasn't a bit of green in his eye!
So, as he watched it swing and swing,
He thought 'twould be fun to cut the string.
Then Mrs. Spider's hammock would fall
Down with a somersault off the wall.
Creeping up to her hiding place,
He gave a pull on the flimsy lace.
Down one end of the hammock fell,
While the Big Black Spider gave a yell.
Out thro' the window the little Fly flew;
'Twas safer out there for him, he knew.
And he said, as he winked his little blue eye:
"Good-by, Mrs. Spider; good-by, good-by!"
[Illustration]
I hate to go to bed at night,
Or get up when again it's light--
It's funny that I love to do
'Most anything between these two.
[Illustration]
Bennie's Easter Dream
Bennie woke up on Easter morning and saw a little rabbit with a big bow
of blue ribbon around his neck standing in the doorway.
"Come along!" he said. "I'm going to give you a ride on my back."
In a few minutes Bennie had on his clothes and tiptoeing down the
stairs, they slipped out of the front door.
"Hold on to my ears!" said the rabbit, and away they went down the
garden walk. When they reached the barnyard the rabbit stopped before
the haystack, and pulling out a small basket and a big silver spoon,
said to Bennie:
"Take this basket and come with me to the hen-house. If we get there
before the fairies we will find the pretty colored eggs which the hens
lay for Easter. But hurry, for we must get there first."
They opened the door quietly, just as the big Red Rooster began to crow.
"Lift up the eggs with the silver spoon," said the rabbit, as they
peeped into the nests; "don't touch one with your hand or it will lose
its lovely color." Soon the basket was full. "Come on," cried the
rabbit; "hurry up and get on my back; it's getting late." Bennie jumped
on, but just as they started off four little chickens ran out of their
coop and screamed:
_Cock-a-doodle doo!
You've got my egg of blue;
My yellow one, my purple one,
My little green one, too!_
Suddenly he found himself in his own little bed, while outside the happy
Easter bells were ringing. He wondered where his little friend the
rabbit had disappeared to, and the four little chickens.
Then he looked down at the counterpane, and what do you suppose he saw.
A whole nest full of beautiful, painted Easter eggs with the funniest
faces and the brightest colors. Bennie gave a squeal of delight and
hopped out of bed to dress so that he could show his treasure to all the
other children he knew, but in his excitement forgot all about the dear
little bunny.
[Illustration]
A LITTLE GIRL'S DIARY
Sunday
_I love her on a Sunday,
As she goes to church with me,
With her little gilt-edged Bible
Held close and reverently._
Sunday morning Father and I start off for church before the rest of the
family, because Father wants his early walk, and I love to go with him.
Through the park we go, watching the pretty little squirrels who run up
to us, for they seem to know that Father will let me wait a few minutes
to give them some nuts or little pieces of cracker which I have almost
always in my pocket. I call one squirrel the "Little Minister" because
he looks so solemn, and walks up so quietly and slowly to me, and then
holds his nut between his paws and looks it over, as if it were a book,
before he starts to open the cover and eat the inside. After church we
all come home and have early dinner. In the afternoon, brother and I go
for a long walk in the park. After supper, the nicest part of all the
day, we sing hymns and Brother Jack and I say a piece of poetry, which
we learn for each Sunday. Then we kiss everybody good night.
LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat and Dame Trot
"_Little fishy in the brook,
Papa catch him with a hook,
Mamma fry him in the pan,
Johnny eat him like a man,_"
sang a sweet voice, and in came Dame Trot with a big platter of fish.
"Did Mr. Trot catch them?" asked Little Sir Cat politely, sitting down
to the table and tucking the napkin under his chin.
"Of course," answered Dame Trot, "fish don't catch themselves, unless
they're playing tag in the pool."
Well, it didn't take Little Sir Cat long to finish his meal, and when
Dapple Gray was saddled, he set out again on his journey through Mother
Goose Land, and by-and-by, after a while, he came to a bridge, and when
he looked over the railing, he saw a pretty silver fish swimming on the
top of the water.
"Helloa there, silver fish! If I had a hook and line I'd soon catch
you," and Little Sir Cat grinned at his own reflection in the clear
water. But if the fish had seen it I guess he would have darted away,
for it looked just like a real cat in the water.
[Illustration: LITTLE SIR CAT AND DAME TROT]
"You can drop me a line," replied the fish with a swish of his tail,
"but I won't promise to bite."
"I don't care for any more fish to-day," answered Little Sir Cat, "I've
just had a feast at Dame Trot's little Inn."
"_If that's the case," replied the fish,
Giving his tail a shimmery swish,
"I'll go right home to Mrs. Trout
And tell her it's safe for her to go out._"
And away went that poetical old trout, and so did Little Sir Cat, and
after he had ridden for maybe a mile or three, he met the Maiden All
Forlorn Who Milked the Cow with the Crumpled Horn. But she wasn't
miserable now at all. No, Siree. She wore a lovely smile and a pink
sun-bonnet with a bit of ribbon on it. And as soon as she saw Little Sir
Cat her smile broke into a laugh: "Here is my dear little puss. Where
has he been this long time?"
"Oh, just traveling," he answered. "What have you been doing?"
"_You remember the tramp all tattered and torn?
Well, he made lots of money in cotton and corn.
So he bought me an automobile and a ring,
And the minister married us both in the spring,_"
she answered, taking the pink ribbon off her sun-bonnet and tying it
around Little Sir Cat's neck.
"There, you look like a prize winner," she laughed, and after that she
ran back into the farm yard to see if the Little Black Hen had laid a
white egg for breakfast.
By-and-by Little Sir Cat met the Spider who frightened Miss Muffet. She
was busy spinning a big web and said to him,
"_Please go 'way, don't bother me,
For I'm as busy as can be._"
So you must wait for the next story to hear what happened to Tommy
Green, unless
_That little Black Spider
Puts salt in her cider._
THE LOST PUSSY CAT
[Illustration]
I've been waiting at the door
To see if pussy comes no more.
Yesterday he left the house
To go a-hunting for a mouse.
ACROSS THE PRAIRIE!
'Way back in the early days of this country, when there weren't any
railroad trains crossing the great Western plains, only big herds of
wild buffalo by day and fierce wolves by night; when the only way to
reach one's destination was in a big, canvas-covered wagon drawn by
oxen; when every man rode a horse and carried a gun, and when even the
women knew how to handle a rifle--then there were lots of Indians.
Those were dangerous times, and it needed a brave heart and a quick hand
and a steady head to overcome the perils of crossing the great plains in
search of a new home and a fortune.
This was what Dick's father was doing, however, and Dick was the
happiest boy on earth, he thought, when they started out on their
journey. The big "prairie schooner" was their Pullman car, and the
patient team of oxen the motive power. Dick was old enough to straddle a
mustang, and so he rode by father and Uncle Billy. Mother and Aunt Mary,
Sister Lou and Cousin Tommy all rode in the wagon, and when night came
on they got the supper, all except Billy, of course; he just watched.
Father and Uncle Billy made the fire and unhitched the oxen and tethered
the ponies.
Dick soon learned that the most important thing to do as the day came to
a close was to find a good grazing place on which to pitch tent for the
night, as the best grass for the animals must be selected with care,
near water if possible. The animals must be looked out for first,
otherwise how would they ever get anywhere if these faithful friends
should become sick and die?
The next thing Dick did was to collect for the fire the dry buffalo dung
which covered the prairie, and after making a pile in the shape of a
huge cone he lighted a few sticks of kindling, a supply of which was
always carried in a sack hung from the bottom of the wagon, and soon the
heap was a mass of dull, glowing coals; then the tin coffee pail and the
frying pan, and then, thank goodness!--for Dick was always
hungry--supper.
After that they pulled down the big, long canvas back of the wagon
cover, which was spread double over the top of the wagon during the day,
and fastened it to the ground with pegs, and under this slanting roof,
with their blankets between them and the earth, with their toes towards
the fire, they slept quite comfortably through the night.
The oxen and the ponies knew enough not to stray any great distance from
the campfire, and if frightened at anything would come rushing back,
helter-skelter, for protection. They know that on the prairie man is
their best friend and protector.
"What are those figures away over there to the westward?" said Dick's
father. Uncle Billy shaded his eyes with his hand and looked in that
direction for a few minutes without answering. "Don't know," he replied,
uneasily. "They look like horses, but I don't see any riders." "Nor I,"
replied Dick's father, "but those wily redskins have a way of hanging
over the far-side of the animal so's to deceive any one who happens to
catch sight of them. They don't act like wild horses."
It was an anxious moment. Neither man spoke for some time, but rode
along quietly, keeping a sharp look-out, however, in order to detect the
slightest change in the appearance of the figures to the westward. "They
seem to be following our way," suggested Uncle Billy about an hour
later. "Supposing we pitch camp to-night a little earlier. That clump of
trees yonder will give us some protection in case they turn out to be
redskins."
"Good plan," murmured Dick's father, turning in the direction of the
trees. "We needn't let on we're worried to the women folks," he added,
"we'll just wait and see how things turn out. Maybe nothing will
happen."
But something did happen. About midnight Dick's father awoke with a
start. A shadow fell across the opening in the canvas. In another moment
he was grappling with an Indian. Over and over he rolled, but the Indian
had found his match. Dick's father was a powerful man, and, whipping out
his revolver, shot him dead. None too soon, for Uncle Billy was being
hard pressed by a number of redskins, two of whom he had already laid
low with his rifle.
"Get into the wagon, Mother!" yelled Dick's father, "and pick off a few
with your rifle!" Mother and Aunt Mary were soon blazing away from the
canvas fort, and after a short time the Indians retired, evidently to
consider what was the next best move.
"Where's Dick?" said his father, looking around anxiously.
"Here I am!" came a voice, and sure enough, under the wagon, crouching
down behind the bag of kindling wood, which he had used for a shield,
was Dick. "I cracked two, dad!" he called out, "one Injun was sneaking
up by the pole, when I dropped him; he's out there now, I can just see
his outline."
Just then, a number of arrows fell around the wagon, and Uncle Billy
caught sight of half a dozen shadowy figures creeping along the grass in
the shadows of the trees to the right. "Look out," he whispered, "let
'em get pretty close and then give 'em hail Columbia."
It was a fierce struggle, for the Indians outnumbered our brave
defenders. Twice the redskins rushed up close to the wagon, only to be
beaten off in time by courage and good marksmanship. Both Dick's father
and Uncle Billy were "nipped" by arrows, but not seriously hurt, and
Dick himself had a narrow escape from being captured by a daring enemy
who sneaked up behind. But Dick turned and saw him just in time,
otherwise our story would have had a sad ending. Mother and Aunt Mary
bravely kept up the firing, and the Indians, thinking that there were
more defenders than there were, finally withdrew, much to the relief of
the besieged.
There was no more sleep in the camp that night, and in the morning, at
the first break of day, Dick's father went out to investigate. Two dead
Indians close to the camp testified to the good aim of its defenders.
"They took the other dead and wounded with them," said Dick's father,
turning to his brave boy, "they didn't dare come in so close to get
them. Here's the fellow you shot, sonny--I remember he was just about to
tomahawk me as you shot him in the nick of time--guess you saved your
dad's life," and Dick felt as proud as Punch when his father slapped him
on the back like a man.
[Illustration]
LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat and Tommy Green
"_Please, Mister Cat, go ring the bell,
I'm sure it won't be wrong.
Perhaps my Mary will come out,
I've waited here so long,_"
said Mary's Little Lamb.
"I can't do that," answered Little Sir Cat, "the teacher wouldn't like
it." Just then all the children ran out of the little red school-house.
But, oh, dear me! One of the boys pinched Little Sir Cat's tail.
And I don't know what would have happened if the teacher hadn't looked
out of the window at that moment. Well, it didn't take him long to run
out and give that naughty boy a good shaking.
"I know it was you, Tommy Green. You're the boy who drowned poor pussy
cat, who never did you any harm but killed the mice in your father's
barn!" And then that angry teacher pulled that naughty boy into the
school-house.
[Illustration: LITTLE SIR CAT AND TOMMY GREEN]
"Tommy Green, I'm going to send you home with a letter to your father. I
think he had better keep you away from school. We don't want boys who
are unkind to animals."
"Oh, please sir," sobbed Tommy Green, "don't do that. I got an awful
whipping when I put pussy in the well; I didn't mean to drown her, I
only wanted to see her swim. And I didn't pull this cat's tail hard. I
just gave it a little pinch to see how thick the fur was."
"Please, professor," said tender-hearted Little Sir Cat, holding up his
paw as he had seen the children do in school, "if it's all the same to
you, I'd like to give Tommy a chance to be good. I don't want him
whipped. My tail doesn't hurt at all now, professor."
Well, goodness me. You should have seen that teacher smile when Little
Sir Cat called him "professor."
"This is certainly a lesson to you children," he said; "a great lesson
to be kind to all God's creatures."
And then Tommy began to cry. You see, he wasn't a bad boy at heart, and
Little Sir Cat's forgiveness made him feel dreadfully ashamed. I guess
it did him more good than any number of whippings.
_Dear children, never be unkind
To small four-footed things.
Oh, never pinch a pussy's tail
Nor pull a poor fly's wings._
_And never tease your little dog,
With unkind act or word,
And never throw a cruel stone
At any little bird._
[Illustration]
The Trees
I often think when Winter comes
How cold must be the trees;
More than in the Summer Time
They need their coats of leaves.
THE CANARY
Canary Bird, Canary Bird,
In your golden jail,
On your trapeze balancing
With your yellow tail,
Don't you wish that you could fly
Through the window pane
To the Robin Redbreast gay
Singing in the lane?
Where the apple trees in bloom
Drop their petals white,
So you almost think it has
Snowed 'most all the night?
Would you love to see the nest
Mrs. Robin's made,
And the eggs of china blue
Which she just has laid?
Don't you want to leave your cage?
See, the door is wide
Open and the window, too--
You can fly outside.
[Illustration]
_See the turkey gobbler run.
Guess he doesn't call it fun.
Don't you hope he gets away
Before it is Thanksgiving Day?_
[Illustration]
_Up and down the page he goes
On his long, thin pointed toes.
Now and then he gives a squawk--
That's the way a Turkey talks!_
THE LAND OF NOWHERE
Jack and Grace were in the nursery playing with their toys, when
suddenly they were startled by a tiny voice calling out "Good-by!"
They looked up quickly, and to their surprise their little tin airship
was slowly rising from the floor. In another moment it sailed across the
room and out of the top of the window, which was down a little to let in
fresh air. The little man at the steering wheel waved his hand as the
airship disappeared. Jack rushed to the window.
"Grace, Grace!" he shouted, "did you ever hear of such a thing? Come on.
I'm going to run outside and see where it goes." Both children hurried
down stairs and out on the sidewalk. Sure enough, just over the top of
the next house they could distinguish their Christmas present ascending
higher and higher into the clear blue sky.
Just then something fluttered at their feet. Jack stooped down and
picked up a piece of paper on which was written:
"Sorry I didn't have time to tell you as the airship was under way and I
didn't dare make a turn inside the room, but if you both will come up
on the roof, I will come back and tell you something lovely."
"Let's!" exclaimed Grace, who had read the note over Jack's shoulder;
and in another moment both children were running up to the attic. After
some difficulty, they raised the little door in the ceiling and stood
upon the roof. Sure enough, just overhead and about to descend was an
airship. But, goodness me! it was a regular airship, just like the kind
they had seen in pictures, and not the little toy machine which they had
but a few minutes before seen sailing out of the window and up over the
next house. Nor did the lovely fairy who now alighted from the airship
look anything like the queer little painted man. "Hello!" she said, in a
very friendly voice: "would you like to take a sail?"
Jack helped Grace in, and before long they were flying above the clouds,
which looked like huge snow banks below them, white and fluffy.
Everything was blue about them, and the air seemed full of perfume.
"Isn't it lovely, Jack!" exclaimed Grace. "I'm so glad I came!"
"So am I," replied her brother, "but I wonder where we are going. I
don't see the earth any more; we must be going somewhere. Where are you
taking us, little Fairy Queen?" he called out, and he and Grace waited
anxiously for the answer.
"Nowhere!" she answered.
"Don't you know where Nowhere is?"
"Well, not exactly," replied Jack. "I've often heard of it, but I've
never been there."
Just then the airship swerved to the right and in a few seconds landed
gracefully on the broad steps of a beautiful castle. Everything was
blue, even the tall chimney was built of blue bricks. The fairy had
hardly turned off the power, and the big airship was still quivering,
when the castle door opened, and a beautiful princess, dressed all in
blue, came graciously forward. The only thing about her that wasn't blue
was her long flowing hair, which was of the most wonderful golden hue
that Grace had ever seen. "How do you do?" she said in a sweet voice.
"Come in. Have you come from very far away?"
"We don't know, Princess," answered Jack, bowing politely, while Grace
made a pretty courtesy; "we really don't know how far we have come, nor
just where we are."
"Well, I'll tell you then," answered the lovely blue Princess, taking
them each by the hand and walking between them through the open castle
door; "at least, I'll tell you where you are and then after that you can
tell me where you came from, and then we'll know a little more about
each other."
"How beautiful you are," said Grace as they all three sat down on a big
blue sofa in the big blue hall of the stately blue castle.
"Am I, dear?" said the Princess, looking at Grace with a smile, "and why
do you think so?"
"I never saw such wonderfully beautiful gold hair," exclaimed Grace,
admiringly, gradually getting over her bashfulness.
The lovely Blue Princess laughed. "When I was a little girl," she said,
taking hold of Jack's hand so as not to leave him out in the cold, "the
Sun Man told me if I would comb my hair every morning for a whole year,
at break of day, when he first got up, that it would turn gold. And so
every morning for a whole year I got up at peep o' day and stood by the
east window and combed my hair."
"And it did?" said Jack, speaking for the first time since they had
entered the Blue Castle. "Why don't you try it, Grace? You love gold
hair so much," and he gave her braid a mischievous pull behind the back
of the Blue Princess.
Grace gave a little scream. "Don't, Jack"--and then, to her surprise,
she found herself with her arms around her new dolly in the big armchair
in their own room at home. She looked over to where Jack was busily
engaged with his train of cars. "I must have been dreaming," Grace
exclaimed, and as she looked at her golden-haired doll, with the
beautiful blue dress, she laughed and said:
"Oh, dolly, I guess it was you I dreamed was the beautiful Blue
Princess!"
[Illustration]
LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat Visits the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe
_There was an Old Woman who lived in a shoe,
And it was a pity she didn't have two.
It was crowded so tight from the heel to the toe
The children were packed like sardines in a row._
Well, as Little Sir Cat went on his way to find his fortune in Mother
Goose Land, he came in sight of a queer-looking little house, and when
he drew nearer he found it wasn't a house at all, but a big shoe, with a
little chimney on top and a tiny door in the toe and two small windows
above the heel.
"I'd ask you to make us a visit," said the Old Woman, "but, dearie me! I
haven't even a spare closet, and rents are so high I've not been able to
hire another old shoe."
"Thank you just the same," replied Little Sir Cat, and off he went, and
by-and-by, after a while, not so very long, he saw a little bear dressed
in a red cap and khaki trousers, but I don't think he wore anything on
his feet because his claws were so sharp they made holes in his shoes
and his mother wouldn't buy him any more.
[Illustration: LITTLE SIR CAT VISITS THE OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE]
"If you want to find your fortune?" said the little bear, "follow me,"
and he led Little Sir Cat down a narrow path till they came to a cave in
a great rock. And, oh my, it looked dark inside, but the little bear
wasn't afraid, and by-and-by he found a candle. And when he had lighted
it, they went farther into the big dark cave till they came to a little
iron door. But before the little bear opened it, he said, "If anybody
speaks to you, you mustn't say anything but 'Bumpty bump!'" Then the
little bear opened the door and there sat twenty-one little dwarfs at a
table filling little bags with gold.
"What are you doing here?" they asked, all in one voice.
"Bumpty bump!" replied the little bear.
"And what are _you_ doing here?" And, oh, dear me! for a moment Little
Sir Cat forgot what the little bear had told him. And if he hadn't
remembered to say "Bumpty bump!" pretty quick I guess something dreadful
might have happened.
Then all the little dwarfs looked frightened to death, and they
whispered together and tried to hide the bags of gold under the
three-legged stools. But the little bear wouldn't go away, and of course
Little Sir Cat did just what the little bear did, for he didn't know
what else to do, you know.
Well, after a while the dwarfs asked, "What do you want?" And Little Sir
Cat replied, "Bumpty bump!" And then the little dwarfs looked at one
another, and, oh, dear me! how they did scowl. But pretty soon one of
them filled two small bags with gold and gave them to him.
"Bumpty bump!" said Little Sir Cat with a bow, and then the little bear
opened the door and led him back through the big cave till they came out
into the sunlight again.
And that's how Little Sir Cat found his fortune.
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
As this book had no page numbers, errata will be listed by story or
rhyme instead.
Little Sir Cat Helps Piggie,
"Chesire" changed to "Cheshire" (his from Cheshire)
What to Do at Night:
The final line of the first stanza was not indented in the original.
This was changed to match the form of the rest of the poem.
Dick's Valentine:
"litle" changed to "little" (speak the little waif)