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+Project Gutenberg's The Book of Joyous Children, by James Whitcomb Riley
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Book of Joyous Children
+
+Author: James Whitcomb Riley
+
+Illustrator: J. W. Vawter
+
+Release Date: May 16, 2005 [EBook #15834]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF JOYOUS CHILDREN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE BOOK OF JOYOUS CHILDREN
+
+[Illustration]
+
+JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+THE BOOK OF JOYOUS CHILDREN
+
+JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY
+
+
+_Illustrated by_
+
+J.W. VAWTER
+
+
+
+  NEW YORK
+  CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS
+  1902
+
+
+     Copyright, 1902, by
+    JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY
+     ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
+  -------------------------
+  _Published October, 1902_
+
+
+
+THE BOOK OF JOYOUS CHILDREN
+
+
+
+[Illustration: "NOT IN CLASSIC LORE, BUT RICH IN THE CHILD-SAGAS OF THE
+KITCHEN."]
+
+
+
+
+  GRATEFULLY AND AFFECTIONATELY
+  INSCRIBED
+  TO
+  JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+  _You who to the rounded prime_
+    _Of a life of toil and stress_,
+  _Still have kept the morning-time_
+      _Of glad youth in heart and spirit_,
+      _So your laugh, as children hear it_,
+    _Seems their own, no less_,--
+  _Take this book of childish rhyme_--
+        _The Book of Joyous Children_.
+
+  _Their first happiness on earth_
+    _Here is echoed--their first glee_:
+  _Rich, in sooth, the volume's worth_--
+      _Not in classic lore, but rich in_
+      _The child-sagas of the kitchen_;--
+    _Therefore, take from me_
+  _To your heart of childish mirth_
+        _The Book of Joyous Children_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  CONTENTS
+
+
+  PROEM
+  THE BOOK OF JOYOUS CHILDREN
+  AN IMPROMPTU FAIRY-TALE
+  DREAM-MARCH
+  ELMER BROWN
+  NO BOY KNOWS
+  WHEN WE FIRST PLAYED "SHOW"
+  A DIVERTED TRAGEDY
+  THE RAMBO-TREE
+  FIND THE FAVORITE
+  THE BOY PATRIOT
+  EXTREMES
+  INTELLECTUAL LIMITATIONS
+  A MASQUE OF THE SEASONS
+  THOMAS THE PRETENDER
+  LITTLE DICK AND THE CLOCK
+  FOOL-YOUNGENSZ
+  THE KATYDIDS
+  BILLY AND HIS DRUM
+  THE NOBLE OLD ELM
+  THE PENALTY OF GENIUS
+  EVENSONG
+  THE TWINS
+  THE LITTLE LADY
+  "COMPANY MANNERS"
+  IN FERVENT PRAISE OF PICNICS
+  THE GOOD, OLD-FASHIONED PEOPLE
+  THE BEST TIMES
+  "HIK-TEE-DIK!"
+  A CHRISTMAS MEMORY
+  "OLD BOB WHITE"
+
+  A SESSION WITH UNCLE SIDNEY:
+
+    I ONE OF HIS ANIMAL STORIES
+   II UNCLE BRIGHTENS UP
+  III SINGS A "WINKY-TOODEN" SONG
+   IV AND MAKES NURSERY RHYMES
+      1 THE DINERS IN THE KITCHEN
+      2 THE IMPERIOUS ANGLER
+      3 THE GATHERING OF THE CLANS
+      4 "IT"
+      5 THE DARING PRINCE
+
+  A DUBIOUS "OLD KRISS"
+  A SONG OF SINGING
+  THE JAYBIRD
+  A BEAR FAMILY
+
+  SOME SONGS AFTER MASTER-SINGERS:
+     I SONG
+    II TO THE CHILD JULIA
+   III THE DOLLY'S MOTHER
+    IV WIND OF THE SEA
+     V SUBTLETY
+    VI BORN TO THE PURPLE
+
+  OLD MAN WHISKERY-WHEE-KUM-WHEEZE
+  LITTLE-GIRL-TWO-LITTLE-GIRLS
+  A GUSTATORY ACHIEVEMENT
+  CLIMATIC SORCERY
+  A PARENT REPRIMANDED
+  THE TREASURE OF THE WISE MAN
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+  NOT IN CLASSIC LOOK, BUT RICH IN THE CHILD-SAGAS OF THE KITCHEN
+  KNEEL, ALL GLOWING, TO THE COOL SPRING
+  NO BOY KNOWS WHEN HE GOES TO SLEEP
+  JAMESY ON THE SLACK-ROPE
+  ACROSS THE ORCHARD
+  WHILE ALL THE ARMY, FOLLOWING, IN CHORUS CHEERS AND SINGS
+  WHERE IT GOES WHEN THE FIRE GOES OUT?
+  THE FAIRY QUEEN OF THE SEASONS
+  PORE PA! PORE PA!
+  SQUINT' OUR EYES AN' LAUGH' AGAIN
+  HE'S A-MARCHIN' ROUND THE ROOM
+  THE OLD TREE SAYS HE'S ALL OUR TREE
+  THEREFORE READ NO LONGER
+  SHE'S BUT A RACING SCHOOL-GIRL
+  THEY WAS GOD'S PEOPLE
+  THEM WUZ THE BEST TIMES EVER WUZ
+  HE'S GO' HITCH UP, CHRIS'MUS-DAY, AN' COME TAKE ME BACK AGAIN
+  WHEN WE DROVE TO HARMONY
+  A BIG, HOLLOW, OLD OAK-TREE, WHICH HAD BEEN BLOWN DOWN BY A STORM
+  THE YOUNG FOXES IN IT, ON THE HEARTH BESIDE HER
+  AN' ALL BE POETS AN' ALL RECITE
+  ALONG THE BRINK OF WILD BROOK-WAYS
+  I LIKE TO WATCH HIM
+  WHILE KATE PICKS BY, YET LOOKS NOT THERE
+  LEND ME THE BREATH OF A FRESHENING GALE
+  BOW TO ME IN THE WINDER THERE
+  OUR "OLD-KRISS"-MILKMAN
+  THE CHILDISH DREAMS IN HIS WISE OLD HEAD
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE BOOK OF JOYOUS CHILDREN
+
+
+  Bound and bordered in leaf-green,
+    Edged with trellised buds and flowers
+  And glad Summer-gold, with clean
+      White and purple morning-glories
+      Such as suit the songs and stories
+    Of this book of ours,
+  Unrevised in text or scene,--
+        The Book of Joyous Children.
+
+  Wild and breathless in their glee--
+    Lawless rangers of all ways
+  Winding through lush greenery
+      Of Elysian vales--the viny,
+      Bowery groves of shady, shiny
+    Haunts of childish days.
+  Spread and read again with me
+        The Book of Joyous Children.
+
+  What a whir of wings, and what
+    Sudden drench of dews upon
+  The young brows, wreathed, all unsought,
+      With the apple-blossom garlands
+      Of the poets of those far lands
+    Whence all dreams are drawn
+  Set herein and soiling not
+        The Book of Joyous Children.
+
+  In their blithe companionship
+    Taste again, these pages through,
+  The hot honey on your lip
+      Of the sun-smit wild strawberry,
+      Or the chill tart of the cherry;
+    Kneel, all glowing, to
+  The cool spring, and with it sip
+        The Book of Joyous Children.
+
+  As their laughter needs no rule,
+    So accept their language, pray.--
+  Touch it not with any tool:
+      Surely we may understand it,--
+      As the heart has parsed or scanned it
+    Is a worthy way,
+  Though found not in any School
+        The Book of Joyous Children.
+
+
+[Illustration: "KNEEL, ALL GLOWING, TO THE COOL SPRING."]
+
+
+  Be a truant--know no place
+    Of prison under heaven's rim!
+  Front the Father's smiling face--
+      Smiling, that _you_ smile the brighter
+      For the heavy hearts made lighter,
+    Since you smile with Him.
+  Take--and thank Him for His grace--
+        The Book of Joyous Children.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+AN IMPROMPTU FAIRY-TALE
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+  _When I wuz ist a little bit_
+      _o' weenty-teenty kid_
+  _I maked up a Fairy-tale,_
+      _all by myse'f, I did:--_
+
+
+
+  I
+
+  Wunst upon a time wunst
+    They wuz a Fairy King,
+  An' ever'thing he have wuz _gold--_,
+    His clo'es, an' _ever_'thing!
+  An' all the other Fairies
+    In his goldun Palace-hall
+  Had to hump an' hustle--
+    'Cause he wuz bosst of all!
+
+
+
+  II
+
+  He have a goldun trumput,
+    An' when he blow' on that,
+  It's a sign he want' his boots,
+    Er his coat er hat:
+  They's a sign fer ever'thing,--
+    An' all the Fairies knowed
+  Ever' sign, an' come a-hoppin'
+    When the King blowed!
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+  III
+
+  Wunst he blowed an' telled 'em all:
+    "Saddle up yer bees--
+  Fireflies is gittin' fat
+    An' sassy as you please!--
+  Guess we'll go a-huntin'!"
+    So they hunt' a little bit,
+  Till the King blowed "Supper-time,"
+    Nen they all quit.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+  IV
+
+  Nen they have a Banqut
+    In the Palace-hall,
+  An' ist et! an' et! an' et!
+    Nen they have a _Ball_;
+  An' when the _Queen_ o' Fairyland
+    Come p'omenadin' through,
+  The King says an' halts her,--
+    "Guess I'll marry you!"
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+DREAM-MARCH
+
+
+  "Wasn't it a funny dream!--perfectly bewild'rin'!--
+    Last night, and night before, and night before that,
+  Seemed like I saw the march o' regiments o' children,
+    Marching to the robin's fife and cricket's rat-ta-tat!
+  Lily-banners overhead, with the dew upon 'em,
+    On flashed the little army, as with sword and flame;
+  Like the buzz o' bumble-wings, with the honey on 'em,
+    Came an eerie, cheery chant, chiming as it came:--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  _Where go the children? Travelling! Travelling_!
+    _Where go the children, travelling ahead_?
+  _Some go to kindergarten; some go to day-school_;
+    _Some go to night-school; and some go to bed_!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Smooth roads or rough roads, warm or winter weather,
+    On go the children, tow-head and brown,
+  Brave boys and brave girls, rank and file together,
+    Marching out of Morning-Land, over dale and down:
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Some go a-gypsying out in country places--
+    Out through the orchards, with blossoms on the boughs
+  Wild, sweet, and pink and white as their own glad faces;
+    And some go, at evening, calling home the cows.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  _Where go the children? Travelling! Travelling_!
+    _Where go the children, travelling ahead_?
+  _Some go to foreign wars, and camps by the firelight_--
+    _Some go to glory so; and some go to bed_!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Some go through grassy lanes leading to the city--
+    Thinner grow the green trees and thicker grows the dust;
+  Ever, though, to little people any path is pretty
+    So it leads to newer lands, as they know it must.
+  Some go to singing less; some go to list'ning;
+    Some go to thinking over ever-nobler themes;
+  Some go anhungered, but ever bravely whistling,
+    Turning never home again only in their dreams.
+
+  _Where go the children? Travelling! Travelling_!
+    _Where go the children, travelling ahead_?
+  _Some go to conquer things; some go to try them_;
+    _Some go to dream them; and some go to bed_!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: ELMER BROWN]
+
+ELMER BROWN
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Awf'lest boy in this-here town
+  Er anywheres is Elmer Brown!
+  He'll mock you--yes, an' strangers, too,
+  An' make a face an' yell at you,--
+    "_Here's_ the way _you_ look!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Yes, an' wunst in School one day,
+  An' Teacher's lookin' wite that way,
+  He helt his slate, an' hide his head,
+  An' maked a face at _her_, an' said,--
+    "_Here's_ the way _you_ look!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  An' sir! when Rosie Wheeler smile
+  One morning at him 'crosst the aisle,
+  He twist his face all up, an' black
+  His nose wiv ink, an' whisper back,--
+    "_Here's_ the way _you_ look!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Wunst when his Aunt's all dressed to call,
+  An' kiss him good-bye in the hall,
+  An' latch the gate an' start away,
+  He holler out to her an' say,--
+    "_Here's_ the way _you_ look!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  An' when his Pa he read out loud
+  The speech he maked, an' feel so proud
+  It's in the paper--Elmer's Ma
+  She ketched him--wite behind his Pa,--
+    "_Here's_ the way _you_ look!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Nen when his Ma she slip an' take
+  Him in the other room an' shake
+  Him good! w'y, he don't care--no-_sir_!--
+  He ist look up an' laugh at her,--
+    "_Here's_ the way _you_ look!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+NO BOY KNOWS
+
+
+  There are many things that boys may know--
+  Why this and that are thus and so,--
+  Who made the world in the dark and lit
+  The great sun up to lighten it:
+  Boys know new things every day--
+  When they study, or when they play,--
+  When they idle, or sow and reap--
+  But no boy knows when he goes to sleep.
+
+  Boys who listen--or should, at least,--
+  May know that the round old earth rolls East;--
+  And know that the ice and the snow and the rain--
+  Ever repeating their parts again--
+  Are all just water the sunbeams first
+  Sip from the earth in their endless thirst,
+  And pour again till the low streams leap.--
+  But no boy knows when he goes to sleep.
+
+  A boy may know what a long glad while
+  It has been to him since the dawn's first smile,
+  When forth he fared in the realm divine
+  Of brook-laced woodland and spun-sunshine;--
+  He may know each call of his truant mates,
+  And the paths they went,--and the pasture-gates
+  Of the 'cross-lots home through the dusk so deep.--
+  But no boy knows when he goes to sleep.
+
+  O I have followed me, o'er and o'er,
+  From the flagrant drowse on the parlor-floor,
+  To the pleading voice of the mother when
+  I even doubted I heard it then--
+  To the sense of a kiss, and a moonlit room,
+  And dewy odors of locust-bloom--
+  A sweet white cot--and a cricket's cheep.--
+  But no boy knows when he goes to sleep.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "NO BOY KNOWS WHEN HE GOES TO SLEEP."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+WHEN WE FIRST PLAYED "SHOW"
+
+
+  Wasn't it a good time,
+      Long Time Ago--
+  When we all were little tads
+      And first played "Show"!--
+  When every newer day
+      Wore as bright a glow
+  As the ones we laughed away--
+      Long Time Ago!
+
+  Calf was in the back-lot;
+      Clover in the red;
+  Bluebird in the pear-tree;
+      Pigeons on the shed;
+  Tom a-chargin' twenty pins
+      At the barn; and Dan
+  Spraddled out just like "The
+      'Injarubber'-Man!"
+
+  Me and Bub and Rusty,
+      Eck and Dunk and Sid,
+  'Tumblin' on the sawdust
+      Like the A-rabs did;
+  Jamesy on the slack-rope
+    In a wild retreat,
+  Grappling back, to start again--
+    When he chalked his feet!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Wasn't Eck a wonder,
+    In his stocking-tights?
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "JAMESY ON THE SLACK-ROPE."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  Wasn't Dunk--his leaping lion--
+    Chief of all delights!
+  Yes, and wasn't "Little Mack"
+    Boss of all the Show,--
+  Both Old Clown and Candy-Butcher--
+    Long Time Ago!
+
+  Sid the Bareback-Rider;
+    And--oh-me-oh-_my_!--
+  Bub, the spruce Ring-master,
+    Stepping round so spry!--
+  In his little waist-and-trousers
+    All made in one,
+  Was there a prouder youngster
+    Under the sun!
+
+  And NOW--who will tell me,--
+    Where are they all?
+  Dunk's a sanatorium doctor,
+    Up at Waterfall;
+  Sid's a city street-contractor;
+    Tom has fifty clerks;
+  And Jamesy he's the "Iron Magnate"
+    Of "The Hecla Works."
+
+  And Bub's old and bald now,
+    Yet still he hangs on,--
+  Dan and Eck and "Little Mack,"
+      Long, long gone!
+  But wasn't it a good time,
+      Long Time Ago--
+  When we all were little tads
+      And first played "Show"!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A DIVERTED TRAGEDY
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Gracie wuz allus a _careless_ tot;
+    But Gracie dearly loved her doll,
+      An' played wiv it on the winder-sill
+  'Way up-stairs, when she ought to _not_,
+    An' her muvver _telled_ her so an' all;
+      But she won't _mind_ what _she_ say--till,
+  First thing she know, her dolly fall
+    Clean spang out o' the winder plumb
+      Into the street! An' here Grace come
+  Down-stairs, two at a time, ist wild
+  An' a-screamin', "Oh, my child! my child!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Jule wuz a-bringin' their basket o' clo'es
+    Ist then into their hall down there,--
+      An' she ist stop' when Gracie bawl,
+    An' Jule she say "She ist declare
+  She's ist in time!" An' what you s'pose?
+      She sets her basket down in the hall,
+  An' wite on top o' the snowy clo'es
+    Wuz Gracie's dolly a-layin' there
+      An' ist ain't bu'st ner hurt a-tall!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Nen Gracie smiled--ist _sobbed_ an' smiled--
+  An' cried, "My child! my precious child!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE RAMBO-TREE
+
+
+  When Autumn shakes the rambo-tree--
+    It's a long, sweet way across the orchard!--
+  The bird sings low as the bumble-bee--
+    It's a long, sweet way across the orchard!--
+  The poor shote-pig he says, says he:
+  "When Autumn shakes the rambo-tree
+  There's enough for you and enough for me."--
+    It's a long, sweet way across the orchard.
+
+  _For just two truant lads like we_,
+  _When Autumn shakes the rambo-tree_
+  _There's enough for you and enough for me_--
+    _It's a long, sweet way across the orchard_.
+
+  When Autumn shakes the rambo-tree--
+    It's a long, sweet way across the orchard!--
+  The mole digs out to peep and see--
+    It's a long, sweet way across the orchard!--
+  The dusk sags down, and the moon swings free,
+  There's a far, lorn call, "Pig-_gee_! 'Pig-_gee_!"
+  And two boys--glad enough for three.--
+    It's a long, sweet way across the orchard.
+
+  _For just two truant lads like we_,
+  _When Autumn shakes the rambo-tree_
+  _There's enough for you and enough for me_--
+    _It's a long, sweet way across the orchard_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "ACROSS THE ORCHARD."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+FIND THE FAVORITE
+
+
+  Our three cats is Maltese cats,
+    An' they's two that's white,--
+  An' bofe of 'em's _deef_--an' that's
+    'Cause their _eyes_ ain't right.--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Uncle say that _Huxley_ say
+    Eyes of _white_ Maltese--
+  When they don't match thataway--
+    They're deef as you please!
+
+  _Girls, they_ like our white cats best,
+    'Cause they're white as snow,
+  Yes, an' look the stylishest--
+    But they're deef, you know!
+
+  They don't know their names, an' don't
+    Hear us when we call
+  "Come in, Nick an' Finn!"--they won't
+    Come fer us at all!
+
+  But our _other_ cat, _he_ knows
+    Mister Nick an' Finn,--
+  Mowg's _his_ name,--an' when _he_ goes
+    Fer 'em, they come in!
+
+  Mowgli's _all_ his name--the same
+    Me an' Muvver took
+  Like the Wolf-Child's _other_ name,
+    In "The Jungul Book."
+
+  I bet Mowg's the smartest cat
+    In the world!--_He's_ not
+  _White_, but mousy-plush, with that
+    Smoky gloss he's got!
+
+  All's got little bells to ring,
+    Round their neck; but none
+  Only Mowg _knows_ anything--
+    He's the only one!
+
+  I ist 'spect sometimes he hate
+    White cats' stupid ways:--
+  He won't hardly 'sociate
+    With 'em, lots o' days!
+
+  Mowg wants in where _we_ air,--well,
+    He'll ist take his paw
+  An' ist ring an' ring his bell
+    There till me er Ma
+
+  Er _some_body lets him in
+    Nen an' shuts the door.--
+  An', when he wants out ag'in,
+    Nen he'll ring some more.
+
+  Ort to hear our Katy tell!
+    She sleeps 'way up-stairs;
+  An' last night she hear Mowg's bell
+    Ringin' round _some_wheres...
+
+  Trees grows by her winder.--So,
+    She lean out an' see
+  Mowg up there, 'way out, you know,
+    In the clingstone-tree;--
+
+  An'-sir! he ist _hint_ an' _ring_,--
+    Till she ketch an' plat
+  Them limbs;--nen he crawl an' spring
+    In where Katy's at!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE BOY PATRIOT
+
+
+  I want to be a Soldier!--
+                    A Soldier!--
+                        A Soldier!--
+  I want to be a Soldier, with a sabre in my hand
+  Or a little carbine rifle, or a musket on my shoulder,
+  Or just a snare-drum, snarling in the middle of the band;
+  I want to hear, high overhead, The Old Flag flap her wings
+  While all the Army, following, in chorus cheers and sings;
+  I want to hear the tramp and jar
+    Of patriots a million,
+  As gayly dancing off to war
+    As dancing a cotillion.
+
+  _I want to be a Soldier!_--
+                    _A Soldier!_--
+                        _A Soldier!_--
+  _I want to be a Soldier, with a sabre in my hand_
+  _Or a little carbine rifle, or a musket on my shoulder_,
+  _Or just a snare-drum, snarling in the middle of the band_.
+
+  I want to see the battle!--
+                    The battle!--
+                        The battle!--
+  I want to see the battle, and be in it to the end;--
+  I want to hear the cannon clear their throats and catch the prattle
+  Of all the pretty compliments the enemy can send!--
+  And then I know my wits will go,--and where I _should'nt_ be--
+  Well, there's the spot, in any fight, that you may search for me.
+  So, when our foes have had their fill,
+    Though I'm among the dying,
+  To see The Old Flag flying still,
+    I'll laugh to leave her flying!
+
+  _I want to be a Soldier!_--
+                    _A Soldier!_--
+                        _A Soldier!_--
+  _I want to be a Soldier, with a sabre in my hand_
+  _Or a little carbine rifle, or a musket on my shoulder_,
+  _Or just a snare-drum, snarling in the middle of the band_.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "WHILE ALL THE ARMY, FOLLOWING, IN CHORUS CHEERS AND
+SINGS."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+EXTREMES
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+I
+
+  A little boy once played so loud
+  That the Thunder, up in a thunder-cloud,
+  Said, "Since I can't be heard, why, then
+  I'll never, never thunder again!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+II
+
+  And a little girl once kept so still
+  That she heard a fly on the window-sill
+  Whisper and say to a lady-bird,--
+  "She's the stilliest child I ever heard!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+INTELLECTUAL LIMITATIONS
+
+
+  Parunts knows lots more than us,
+    But they don't know _all_ things,--
+  'Cause we ketch 'em, lots o' times,
+    Even on little small things.
+
+  One time Winnie ask' her Ma,
+    At the winder, sewin',
+  What's the wind a-doin' when
+    It's a-not a-_blowin_'?
+
+  Yes, an' 'Del', that very day,
+    When we're nearly froze out,
+  He ask' Uncle _where_ it goes
+    When the fire goes out?
+
+  Nen _I_ run to ask my Pa,
+    That way, somepin' funny;
+  But I can't say ist but "Say,"
+  When he turn to me an' say,
+    "Well, what is it, Honey?"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "WHERE IT GOES WHEN THE FIRE GOES OUT?"]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A MASQUE OF THE SEASONS
+
+
+Scene.--_A kitchen.--Group of Children, popping corn.--The Fairy Queen
+of the Seasons discovered in the smoke of the corn-popper.--Waving her
+wand, and, with eerie, sharp, imperious ejaculations, addressing the
+bespelled auditors, who neither see nor hear her nor suspect her
+presence._
+
+
+QUEEN
+
+  Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,--
+  Which do you like the best of all?
+
+
+LITTLE JASPER
+
+  When I'm dressed warm as warm can be,
+        And with boots, to go
+        Through the deepest snow,
+  Winter-time is the time for me!
+
+
+QUEEN
+
+  Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,--
+  Which do you like the best of all?
+
+
+LITTLE MILDRED
+
+  I like blossoms, and birds that sing;
+      The grass and the dew,
+      And the sunshine, too,--
+  So, best of all I like the Spring.
+
+
+QUEEN
+
+  Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,--
+  Which do you like the best of all?
+
+
+LITTLE MANDEVILLE
+
+  O little friends, I most rejoice
+      When I hear the drums
+      As the Circus comes,--
+  So Summer-time's my special choice.
+
+
+QUEEN
+
+  Summer or Winter or Spring or Fall,--
+  Which do you like the best of all?
+
+
+LITTLE EDITH
+
+  Apples of ruby, and pears of gold,
+      And grapes of blue
+      That the bee stings through.--
+  Fall--it is all that my heart can hold!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "THE FAIRY QUEEN OF THE SEASONS."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+QUEEN
+
+  Soh! my lovelings and pretty dears,
+  You've _each_ a favorite, it appears,--
+  Summer and Winter and Spring and Fall.--
+  That's the reason I send them _all_!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THOMAS THE PRETENDER
+
+
+  Tommy's alluz playin' jokes,
+  An' actin' up, an' foolin' folks;
+    An' wunst one time he creep
+  In Pa's big chair, he did, one night,
+  An' squint an' shut his eyes bofe tight,
+    An' say, "Now I 'm asleep."
+  An' nen we knowed, an' Ma know' too,
+  He _ain't_ asleep no more 'n you!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  An' wunst he clumbed on our back'fence
+  An' flop his arms an' nen commence
+    To crow, like he's a hen;
+  But when he failed off, like he done,
+  He didn't fool us childern none,
+    Ner didn't _crow_ again.
+  An' our Hired Man, as he come by,
+  Says, "Tom can't _crow_, but he kin _cry_."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "PORE PA! PORE PA!"]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+LITTLE DICK AND THE CLOCK
+
+
+  When Dicky was sick
+    In the night, and the clock,
+  As he listened, said "Tick-
+    Atty--tick-atty--tock!"
+  He said that _it_ said,
+    Every time it said "Tick,"
+  It said "Sick," instead,
+    And he _heard_ it say "Sick!"
+  And when it said "Tick-
+    Atty--tick-atty--tock,"
+  He said it said "Sick-
+    Atty--sick-atty--sock!"
+  And he tried to _see_ then,
+    But the light was too dim,
+  Yet he _heard_ it again--
+    And't was _talking_ to him!
+
+  And then it said "Sick-
+    Atty--sick-atty--sick
+  You poor little Dick-
+    Atty--Dick-atty--dock!
+  Have you got the hick-
+    Atties? Hi! send for Doc
+  To hurry up quick
+    Atty--quick-atty--quock,
+  And heat a hot brick-
+    Atty--brick-atty--brock,
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  And rikle-ty wrap it
+  And clickle-ty clap it
+    Against his cold feet-
+      Al-ty--weep-aty--eepaty--
+  _There_ he goes, slapit-
+    Ty--slippaty--sleepaty!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+FOOL-YOUNGENS
+
+
+  Me an' Bert an' Minnie-Belle
+  Knows a joke, an' we won't tell!
+  No, we don't--'cause we don't know
+  _Why_ we got to laughin' so;
+  But we got to laughin' so,
+      "We ist kep' a-laughin'.
+
+  Wind wuz blowin' in the tree--
+  An' wuz only ist us three
+  Playin' there; an' ever' one
+  Ketched each other, like we done,
+  Squintin' up there at the sun
+      Like we wuz a-laughin'.
+
+  Nothin' funny anyway;
+  But I laughed, an' so did they--
+  An' we all three laughed, an' nen
+  Squint' our eyes an' laugh' again:
+  Ner we didn't ist _p'ten'_--
+      We wuz _shore-'nough_ laughin'.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "SQUINT' OUR EYES AN' LAUGH' AGAIN"]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  "We ist laugh' an' laugh', tel Bert
+  Say he _can't_ quit an' it hurt.
+  Nen I _howl_, an' Minnie-Belle
+  She tear up the grass a spell
+  An' ist stop her yeers an' _yell_
+      Like she'd _die_ a-laughin'.
+
+  Never sich fool-youngens yit!
+  Nothin' funny,--not a bit!--
+  But we laugh' so; tel we whoop'
+  Purt'-nigh like we have the croup--
+  All so hoarse we'd wheeze an' whoop
+      An' ist _choke_ a-laughin'.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE KATYDIDS
+
+
+  Sometimes I keep
+  From going to sleep,
+  To hear the katydids "cheep-cheep!"
+  And think they say
+  Their prayers that way;
+  But _katydids_ don't have to _pray_!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  I listen when
+  They cheep again
+  And so, I think, they're _singing_ then!
+  But, no; I'm wrong,--
+  The sound's too long
+  And all-alike to be a song!
+
+  I think, "Well, there!
+  I do declare,
+  If it is neither song nor prayer,
+  It's _talk_--and quite
+  Too vain and light
+  For me to listen to all night!"
+
+  And so, I smile,
+  And think,--"Now I'll
+  Not listen for a little while!"--
+  Then, sweet and clear,
+  Next "_cheep_" I hear
+  'S a _kiss_.... Good morning, Mommy dear!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+BILLY AND HIS DRUM
+
+
+  Ho! it's come, kids, come!
+  "With a bim! bam! bum!
+  Here's little Billy bangin' on his big bass drum!
+  He's a-marchin' round the room,
+  With his feather-duster plume
+  A-noddin' an' a-bobbin' with his bim! bom! boom!
+
+  Looky, little Jane an' Jim!
+  Will you only look at him,
+  A-humpin' an' a-thumpin' with his bam! bom! bim!
+  Has the Day o' Judgment come
+  Er the New Mi-len-nee-um?
+  Er is it only Billy with his bim! bam! bim!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "HE'S A-MARCHIN' ROUND THE ROOM."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  I 'm a-comin'; yes, I am--
+  Jim an' Sis, an' Jane an' Sam!
+  We'll all march off with Billy an' his bom! bim! bam!
+  Come _hurrawin'_ as you come,
+  Er they'll think you're deef-an'-dumb
+  Ef you don't hear little Billy an' his big bass drum!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE NOBLE OLD ELM
+
+
+  O big old tree, so tall an' fine,
+    Where all us childern swings an' plays,
+  Though neighbers says you're on the line
+    Between Pa's house an' Mr. Gray's,--
+  Us childern used to almost fuss,
+    Old Tree, about you when we 'd play.--
+  We'd argy you belonged to _us_,
+    An' them Gray-kids the other way!
+
+  Till _Elsie_, one time _she_ wuz here
+    An' playin' wiv us--Don't you mind,
+  Old Mister Tree?--an' purty near
+    She scolded us the hardest kind
+  Fer quar'llin' 'bout you thataway,
+    An' say _she'll_ find--ef we'll keep still--
+  Whose tree you air _fer shore_, she say,
+    An' settle it _fer good_, she will!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "THE OLD TREE SAYS HE'S ALL OUR TREE."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  So all keep still: An' nen she gone
+    An' pat the Old Tree, an' says she,--
+  "Whose air you, Tree?" an' nen let on
+    Like she's a-list'nin' to the Tree,--
+  An' nen she say, "It's settled,--'cause
+    The Old Tree says he's _all_ our tree--
+  His _trunk_ belongs to bofe your Pas,
+    But _shade_ belongs to you an' me."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE PENALTY OF GENIUS
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+  "When little 'Pollus Morton he's
+    A-go' to speak a piece, w'y, nen
+  The Teacher smiles an' says 'at she's
+    Most proud, of all her little men
+  An' women in her school--'cause 'Poll
+  He allus speaks the best of all.
+
+  An' nen she'll pat him on the cheek,
+    An' hold her finger up at you
+  _Before_ he speak'; an' _when_ he speak'
+    It's ist some piece _she_ learn' him to!
+  'Cause he's her favorite.... An' she
+  Ain't pop'lar as she _ust_ to be!
+
+  When 'Pollus Morton speaks, w'y, nen
+    Ist all the other childern knows
+  They're smart as him an' smart-again!--
+    Ef they _can't_ speak an' got fine clo'es,
+  Their Parunts loves 'em more 'n 'Poll-
+  Us Morton, Teacher, speech, an' all!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+EVENSONG
+
+
+  Lay away the story,--
+    Though the theme is sweet,
+  There's a lack of something yet,
+    Leaves it incomplete:--
+  There's a nameless yearning--
+    Strangely undefined--
+  For a story sweeter still
+    Than the written kind.
+
+  Therefore read no longer--
+    I've no heart to hear
+  But just something you make up,
+    O my mother dear.--
+  With your arms around me,
+    Hold me, folded-eyed,--
+  Only let your voice go on--
+    I'll be satisfied.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "THEREFORE READ NO LONGER."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The TWINS]
+
+
+"IGO AND AGO"
+
+
+  We're The Twins from Aunt Marinn's,
+            Igo and Ago.
+  When Dad comes, the show begins!--
+            Iram, coram, dago.
+
+  Dad he says he named us two
+            Igo and Ago
+  For a poem he always knew,
+            Iram, coram, dago.
+
+  _Then_ he was a braw Scotchman--
+            Igo and Ago.--
+  _Now_ he's Scotch-Amer-i-can.
+            Iram, coram, dago.
+
+  "Hey!" he cries, and pats his knee,
+            "Igo and Ago,
+  My twin bairnies, ride wi' me--
+            Iram, coram, dago!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Here," he laughs, "ye've each a leg,
+            Igo and Ago,
+  Gleg as Tam O'Shanter's 'Meg'!
+            Iram, coram, dago!"
+
+  Then we mount, with shrieks of mirth--
+            Igo and Ago,--
+  The two gladdest twins on earth!
+            Iram, coram, dago.
+
+  Wade and Silas-Walker cry,--
+            "Igo and Ago--
+  Annie's kissin' 'em 'good-bye'!"--
+            Iram, coram, dago.
+
+  Aunty waves us fond farewells.--
+            "Igo and Ago,"
+  Granny pipes, "tak care yersels!"
+            Iram, coram, dago.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE LITTLE LADY
+
+
+  O The Little Lady's dainty
+    As the picture in a book,
+  And her hands are creamy-whiter
+    Than the water-lilies look;
+  Her laugh's the undrown'd music
+    Of the maddest meadow-brook.--
+  Yet all in vain I praise The Little Lady!
+
+  Her eyes are blue and dewy
+    As the glimmering Summer-dawn,--
+  Her face is like the eglantine
+    Before the dew is gone;
+  And were that honied mouth of hers
+    A bee's to feast upon,
+  He'd be a bee bewildered, Little Lady!
+
+  Her brow makes light look sallow;
+    And the sunshine, I declare,
+  Is but a yellow jealousy
+    Awakened by her hair--
+  For O the dazzling glint of it
+    Nor sight nor soul can bear,--
+  So Love goes groping for The Little Lady.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "SHE'S BUT A RACING SCHOOL-GIRL."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  And yet she's neither Nymph nor Fay,
+    Nor yet of Angelkind:--
+  She's but a racing school-girl, with
+    Her hair blown out behind
+  And tremblingly unbraided by
+    The fingers of the Wind,
+  As it wildly swoops upon The Little Lady.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+"COMPANY MANNERS"
+
+
+  When Bess gave her Dollies a Tea, said she,--
+  "It's unpolite, when they's Company,
+  To say you've drinked _two_ cups, you see,--
+  But say you've drinked _a couple_ of tea."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+IN FERVENT PRAISE OF PICNICS
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Picnics is fun 'at's purty hard to beat.
+  I purt'-nigh ruther go to them than _eat_.
+  I purt'-nigh ruther go to them than go
+  With our Char_lot_ty to the Trick-Dog Show.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE GOOD, OLD-FASHIONED PEOPLE
+
+
+  When we hear Uncle Sidney tell
+    About the long-ago
+  An' old, old friends he loved so well
+    When _he_ was young--My-oh!--
+  Us childern all wish _we'd 'a'_ bin
+    A-livin' then with Uncle,--so
+  We could a-kindo' happened in
+    On them old friends he used to know!--
+      The good, old-fashioned people--
+      The hale, hard-working people--
+      The kindly country people
+        'At Uncle used to know!
+
+  They was God's people, Uncle says,
+    An' gloried in His name,
+  An' worked, without no selfishness,
+    An' loved their neighbers same
+  As they was kin: An' when they biled
+    Their tree-molasses, in the Spring,
+  Er butchered in the Fall, they smiled
+    An' sheered with all jist ever'thing!--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "THEY WAS GOD'S PEOPLE."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+      The good, old-fashioned people--
+      The hale, hard-working people--
+      The kindly country people
+        'At Uncle used to know!
+
+  He tells about 'em, lots o' times,
+    Till we'd all ruther hear
+  About 'em than the Nurs'ry Rhymes
+    Er Fairies--mighty near!--
+  Only sometimes he stops so long
+    An' then talks on so low an' slow,
+  It's purt'-nigh sad as any song
+    To listen to him talkin' so
+      Of the good, old-fashioned people--
+      The hale, hard-working people--
+      The kindly country people
+        'At Uncle used to know!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE BEST TIMES
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  _When Old Folks they wuz young like us_
+  _An' little as you an' me_,--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  _Them wuz the best times ever wuz_
+  _Er ever goin' to be_!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "THEM WUZ THE BEST TIMES EVER WUZ."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+"HIK-TEE-DIK!"
+
+THE WAR-CRY OF BILLY AND BUDDY
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  When two little boys--renowned but for noise--
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!--
+  May hurt a whole school, and the head it employs,
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+  Such loud and hilarious pupils indeed
+  Need learning--and yet something further they need,
+  Though fond hearts that love them may sorrow and bleed.
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+
+  O the schoolmarm was cool, and in no wise a fool;
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+  And in ruling her ranks it was _her_ rule to _rule_;
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+  So when these two pupils conspired, every day,
+  Some mad piece of mischief, with whoop and hoo-ray,
+  That hurt yet defied her,--how happy were they!--
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+
+  At the ring of the bell they 'd rush in with a yell--
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+  And they'd bang the school-door till the plastering fell,
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+  They'd clinch as they came, and pretend not to see
+  As they knocked her desk over--then, _My!_ and _O-me!_
+  How awfully sorry they'd both seem to be!
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  This trick seemed so neat and so safe a conceit,--
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!--
+  They played it three times--though the third they were beat;
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+  For the teacher, she righted her desk--raised the lid
+  And folded and packed away each little kid--
+  Closed the incident so--yes, and locked it, she did--
+    Hik-tee-dik! Billy and Buddy!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A CHRISTMAS MEMORY
+
+
+  Pa he bringed me here to stay
+    'Til my Ma she's well.--An' nen
+  He's go' hitch up, Chris'mus-day,
+    An' come take me back again
+  Wher' my Ma's at! Won't I be
+  Tickled when he comes fer me!
+
+  My Ma an' my A'nty they
+    'Uz each-uvver's sisters. Pa--
+  A'nty telled me, th' other day,--
+    He comed here an' married Ma....
+  A'nty said nen, "Go run play,
+    I must work now!" ... An' I saw,
+  When she turn' her face away,
+    She 'uz cryin'.--An' nen I
+    'Tend-like I "run play"--an' cry.
+
+  This-here house o' A'nty's wher'
+  They 'uz borned--my Ma an' her!--
+  An' her Ma 'uz my Ma's Ma,
+  An' her Pa 'uz my Ma's Pa--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "HE'S GO' HITCH UP, CHRIS'MUS-DAY, AN' COME TAKE ME BACK
+AGAIN."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  Ain't that funny?--An' they're dead:
+  An' this-here's "th' ole Homestead."--
+  An' my A'nty said, an' cried,
+  It's mine, too, ef my Ma died--
+  Don't know what she mean--'cause my
+  Ma she's nuvver go' to die!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  When Pa bringed me here 't 'uz night--
+    'Way dark night! An' A'nty spread
+  Me a piece--an' light the light
+    An' say I must go to bed.--
+    I cry not to---but Pa said,
+  "Be good boy now, like you telled
+    Mommy 'at you're go' to be!"
+    An', when he 'uz kissin' me
+      My good night, his cheeks' all wet
+  An' taste salty.--An' he held
+    Wite close to me an' rocked some
+    An' langhed-like--'til A'nty come
+      Git me while he's rockin' yet.
+
+  A'nty he'p me, 'til I be
+  Purt'-nigh strip-pud--nen hug me
+  In bofe arms an' lif' me 'way
+  Up in her high bed--an' pray
+    Wiv me,--'bout my Ma--an' Pa--
+  An' ole Santy Claus--an' Sleigh--
+    An' Reindeers an' little Drum--
+    Yes, an' Picture-books, "Tom Thumb,"
+  An' "Three Bears," an' ole "Fee-Faw"--
+
+      Yes, an' "Tweedle-Dee" an' "Dum,"
+      An' "White Knight" an' "Squidjicum,"
+  An' most things you ever saw!--
+      An' when A'nty kissed me, she
+      'Uz all cryin' over me!
+
+  Don't want Santy Claus--ner things
+  Any kind he ever brings!--
+  Don't want A'nty!--Don't want Pa!--
+  I ist only want my Ma!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+"OLD BOB WHITE"
+
+
+  Old Bob White's a funny bird!--
+  Funniest you ever heard!--
+    Hear him whistle,--"Old--Bob--_White_!"
+  You can hear him, clean from where
+  He's 'way 'crosst the wheat-field there,
+  Whistlin' like he didn't care--
+            "Old-Bob-_White_!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: WHEN WE DROVE TO HARMONY]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  Whistles alluz ist the same--
+  So's we won't fergit his name!--
+    Hear him say it?--"Old--Bob--_White_!"
+  _There!_ he's whizzed off down the lane--
+  Gone back where his folks is stayin'--
+  Hear him?--There he goes again,--
+            "Old--Bob--_White_!"
+
+  When boys ever tries to git
+  Clos't to him--how quick he'll quit
+    Whistlin' his "Old-Bob--_White_!"
+  "_Whoo-rhoo-rhoo!_" he's up an' flew,
+  Ist a-purt'-nigh skeerin' you
+  Into fits!--'At's what he'll do.--
+            "Old-Bob--_White_!"
+
+  Wunst our Hired Man an' me,
+  When we drove to Harmony,
+    Saw one, whistlin' "Old--Bob--_White_!"
+  An' we drove _wite clos't_, an' I
+  Saw him an' he didn't fly,--
+  Birds likes horses, an' that's why.
+            "Old--Bob--_White_!"
+
+  One time, Uncle Sidney says,
+  Wunst he rob' a Bob White's nes'
+    Of the eggs of "Old Bob White";
+  Nen he hatched 'em wiv a hen
+  An' her little chicks, an' nen
+  They ist all flewed off again!
+            "Old--Bob--_White_!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A SESSION WITH UNCLE SIDNEY
+
+[1869]
+
+
+I
+
+ONE OF HIS ANIMAL STORIES
+
+
+  Now, Tudens, you sit on _this_ knee--and 'scuse
+  It having no side-saddle on;--and, Jeems,
+  You sit on _this_--and don't you wobble so
+  And chug my old shins with your coppertoes;--
+  And, all the rest of you, range round someway,--
+  Ride on the rockers and hang to the arms
+  Of our old-time splint-bottom carryall!--
+  Do anything but _squabble_ for a place,
+  Or push or shove or scrouge, or breathe _out loud_,
+  Or chew wet, or knead taffy in my beard!--
+  Do _any_thing almost--act _any_way,--
+  Only _keep still_, so I can hear myself
+  Trying to tell you "just one story more!"
+
+  One winter afternoon my father, with
+  A whistle to our dog, a shout to us--
+  His two boys--six and eight years old we were,--
+  Started off to the woods, a half a mile
+  From home, where he was chopping wood. We raced,
+  We slipped and slid; reaching, at last, the north
+  Side of Tharp's corn-field.--There we struck what seemed
+  To be a coon-track--so we all agreed:
+  And father, who was not a hunter, to
+  Our glad surprise, proposed we follow it.
+  The snow was quite five inches deep; and we,
+  Keen on the trail, were soon far in the woods.
+  Our old dog, "Ring," ran nosing the fresh track
+  With whimpering delight, far on ahead.
+  After following the trail more than a mile
+  To northward, through the thickest winter woods
+  We boys had ever seen,--all suddenly
+  He seemed to strike _another_ trail; and then
+  Our joyful attention was drawn to
+  Old "Ring"--leaping to this side, then to that,
+  Of a big, hollow, old oak-tree, which had
+  Been blown down by a storm some years before.
+  There--all at once--out leapt a lean old fox
+  From the black hollow of a big bent limb,--
+  Hey! how he scudded!--but with our old "Ring"
+  Sharp after him--and father after "Ring"--
+  We after father, near as we could hold!
+  And father noticed that the fox kept just
+  About four feet ahead of "Ring"--just _that_--
+  No farther, and no nearer! Then he said:--
+  "There are young foxes in that tree back there,
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "A BIG, HOLLOW, OLD OAK-TREE, WHICH HAD BEEN BLOWN DOWN
+BY A STORM."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  And the mother-fox is drawing 'Ring' and us
+  Away from their nest there!" "Oh, le' 's go back!--
+  Do le' 's go back!" we little vandals cried,--
+  "Le' 's go back, quick, and find the little things--
+  _Please_, father!--Yes, and take 'em home for pets--
+  'Cause 'Ring' he'll kill the old fox anyway!"
+  So father turned at last, and back we went,
+  And father chopped a hole in the old tree
+  About ten feet below the limb from which
+  The old fox ran, and--Bless their little lives!--
+  There, in the hollow of the old tree-trunk--
+  There, on a bed of warm dry leaves and moss--
+  There, snug as any bug in any rug--
+  We found--one--two--three--four, and, yes-sir, _five_
+  Wee, weenty-teenty baby-foxes, with
+  Their eyes just barely opened--_Cute_?--my-oh!--
+  _The_ cutest--the most cunning little things
+  Two boys ever saw, in all their lives!
+  "Raw weather for the little fellows _now_!"
+  Said father, as though talking to himself,--
+  "Raw weather, and no home _now_!"--And off came
+  His warm old "waumus"; and in that he wrapped
+  The helpless little animals, and held
+  Them soft and warm against him as he could,--
+  And home we happy children followed him.--
+  _Old "Ring"_ did not reach home till nearly dusk:
+  The mother-fox had led him a long chase--
+
+  "Yes, and a fool's chase, too!" he seemed to say,
+  And looked ashamed to hear us _praising_ him.
+  But, _mother_--well, we _could not_ understand
+  _Her_ acting as she did--and we so _pleased_!
+  I can see yet the look of pained surprise
+  And deep compassion of her troubled face
+  When father very gently laid his coat,
+  With the young foxes in it, on the hearth
+  Beside her, as she brightened up the fire.
+  She urged--for the old fox's sake and theirs--
+  That they be taken back to the old tree;
+  But father--for _our_ wistful sakes, no doubt--
+  Said we would keep them, and would try our best
+  To raise them. And at once he set about
+  Building a snug home for the little things
+  Out of an old big bushel-basket, with
+  Its fractured handle and its stoven ribs:
+  So, lining and padding this all cosily,
+  He snuggled in its little tenants, and
+  Called in John Wesley Thomas, our hired man,
+  And gave him in full charge, with much advice
+  Regarding the just care and sustenance of
+  _Young_ foxes.--"John," he said, "you feed 'em _milk_--
+  _Warm_ milk, John Wesley! Yes, and _keep 'em by_
+  _The stove_--and keep your stove _a-roarin'_, too,
+  Both night and day!--And keep 'em _covered_ up--
+  Not _smothered_, John, but snug and comfortable.--
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "THE YOUNG FOXES IN IT, ON THE HEARTH BESIDE HER."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  And now, John Wesley Thomas, first and last,--
+  You feed 'em _milk_--_fresh_ milk--and always _warm_--
+  Say five or six or seven times a day--
+  Of course we'll grade that by the way they _thrive_."
+  But, for all sanguine hope, and care, as well,
+  The little fellows _did not_ thrive at all.--
+  Indeed, with _all_ our care and vigilance,
+  By the third day of their captivity
+  The last survivor of the fated five
+  Squeaked, like some battered little rubber toy
+  Just clean worn out.--And that's just what it was!
+
+  And--nights,--the cry of the mother-fox for her young
+  Was heard, with awe, for long weeks afterward.
+  And we boys, every night, would go to the door
+  And, peering out in the darkness, listening,
+  Could hear the poor fox in the black bleak woods
+  Still calling for her little ones in vain.
+  As, all mutely, we returned to the warm fireside,
+  Mother would say: "How would you like for _me_
+  To be out there, this dark night, in the cold woods,
+  Calling for _my_ children?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+UNCLE BRIGHTENS UP--
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Uncle he says 'at 'way down in the sea
+  Ever'thing's ist like it _used_ to be:--
+  He says they's mermaids, an' mermens, too,
+  An' little merchildern, like me an' you--
+  Little merboys, with tops an' balls,
+  An' little mergirls, with little merdolls.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Uncle Sidney's vurry proud
+    Of little Leslie-Janey,
+  'Cause she's so smart, an' goes to school
+    Clean 'way in Pennsylvany!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "AN' ALL BE POETS AN' ALL RECITE."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  She print' an' sent a postul-card
+    To Uncle Sidney, telling
+  How glad he'll be to hear that she
+    "Toock the onners in Speling."
+
+  Uncle he learns us to rhyme an' write
+  An' all be poets an' all recite:
+  His little-est poet's his little-est niece,
+  An' this is her little-est poetry-piece.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+SINGS A "WINKY-TOODEN" SONG--
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  O here's a little rhyme for the Spring- or Summer-time--
+    An a-ho-winky-tooden-an-a-ho!--
+  Just a little bit o' tune you can twitter, May or June,
+    An a-ho-winky-tooden-an-a-ho!
+  It's a song that soars and sings,
+  As the birds that twang their wings
+  Or the katydids and things
+    Thus and so, don't you know,
+    An a-ho-winky-tooden-an-a-ho!
+
+  It's a song just broken loose, with no reason or excuse--
+    An a-ho-winky-tooden-an-a-ho!
+  You can sing along with it--or it matters not a bit--
+    An a-ho-winky-tooden-an-a-ho!
+  It's a lovely little thing
+  That 'most any one could sing
+  With a ringle-dingle-ding,
+    Soft and low, don't you know,
+    An a-ho-winky-tooden-an-a-ho!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+IV
+
+AND MAKES NURSERY RHYMES
+
+
+
+
+1
+
+THE DINERS IN THE KITCHEN
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Our dog Fred
+  Et the bread.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Our dog Dash
+  Et the hash.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Our dog Pete
+  Et the meat.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Our dog Davy
+  Et the gravy.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Our dog Toffy
+  Et the coffee.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Our dog Jake
+  Et the cake.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Our dog Trip
+  Et the dip.
+
+  And--the worst,
+  From the first,--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Our dog Fido
+  Et the pie-dough.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+2
+
+THE IMPERIOUS ANGLER
+
+
+  Miss Medairy Dory-Ann
+  Cast her line and caught a man,
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  But when he looked so pleased, alack!
+  She unhooked and plunked him back.--
+  "I never like to catch what I can,"
+  Said Miss Medairy Dory-Ann.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+3
+
+THE GATHERING OF THE CLANS
+
+
+[_Voice from behind high board-fence_.]
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Where's the crowd that dares to go
+  Where I dare to lead?--you know!"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Well, here's _one_!"
+  Shouts Ezry Dunn.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Count me _two_!"
+  Yells Cootsy Drew.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Here's yer _three_!"
+  Sings Babe Magee.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Score me _four_!"
+  Roars Leech-hole Moore.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Tally--_five_!"
+  Howls Jamesy Clive.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "I make _six_!"
+  Chirps Herbert Dix.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Punctchul!--_seven_!"
+  Pipes Runt Replevin.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Mark me _eight_!"
+  Grunts Mealbag Nate.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "I'm yet _nine_!"
+  Growls "Lud'rick" Stein.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "Hi! here's _ten_!"
+  Whoops Catfish Ben.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "And now we march, in daring line,
+  For the banks of Brandywine!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+4
+
+"IT"
+
+
+  A wee little worm in a hickory-nut
+    Sang, happy as he could be,--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  "O I live in the heart of the whole round world,
+    And it all belongs to me!"
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+5
+
+THE DARING PRINCE
+
+
+  A daring prince, of the realm Rangg Dhune,
+  Once went up in a big balloon
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  That caught and stuck on the horns of the moon,
+  And he hung up there till next day noon--
+  When all at once he exclaimed, "Hoot-toot!"
+  And then came down in his parachute.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A DUBIOUS "OLD KRISS"
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Us-folks is purty _pore_--but Ma
+  She's waitin'--two years more--tel Pa
+  He serve his term out. Our Pa he--
+  _He's in the Penitenchurrie_!
+
+  Now don't you never _tell_!--'cause _Sis_,
+  The _baby_, _she_ don't know he is.--
+  'Cause she wuz only four, you know,
+  He kissed her last an' hat to go!
+
+  Pa alluz liked Sis best of all
+  Us childern.--'Spect it's 'cause she fall
+  "When she'uz ist a _child_, one day--
+  An' make her back look thataway.
+
+  Pa--'fore he be a burglar--he's
+  A locksmiff, an' maked locks, an' keys,
+  An' knobs you pull fer bells to ring,
+  An' he could ist make _anything_!--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  'Cause our Ma say he can!--An' this
+  Here little pair o' crutches Sis
+  Skips round on--Pa maked _them_--yes-sir!--
+  An' silivur-plate-name here fer her!
+
+  Pa's out o' work when Chris'mus come
+  One time, an' stay away from home,
+  An' 's drunk an' 'buse our Ma, an' swear
+  They ain't no "Old Kriss" anywhere!
+
+  An' Sis she alluz say they wuz
+  A' Old Kriss--an' she alluz does.
+  But ef they is a' Old Kriss, why,
+  When's Chris'mus, Ma she alluz cry?
+
+  This Chris'mus _now_, we live here in
+  Where Ma's rent's alluz due ag'in--
+  An' she "_ist slaves_"--I heerd her say
+  She did--ist them words thataway!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  An' th'other night, when all's so cold
+  An' stove's 'most out--our Ma she rolled
+  Us in th'old feather-bed an' said,
+  "To-morry's Chris'mus--go to bed,
+
+  "An' thank yer blessed stars fer this--
+  We don't _'spect_ nothin' from Old Kriss!"
+  An' cried, an' locked the door, an' prayed,
+  An' turned the lamp down.... An' I laid
+
+  There, thinkin' in the dark ag'in,
+  "Ef _wuz_ Old Kriss, he can't git in,
+  'Cause ain't no chimbly here at all--
+  Ist old stovepipe stuck frue the wall!"
+
+  I sleeped nen.--An' wuz dreamin' some
+  When I waked up an' morning's come,--
+  Fer our Ma she wuz settin' square
+  Straight up in bed, a-readin' there
+
+  Some letter 'at she 'd read, an' quit,
+  An' nen hold like she's huggin' it.--
+  An' diamon' ear-rings she don't _know_
+  Wuz in her ears tel I say so--
+
+  An' wake the rest up. An' the sun
+  In frue the winder dazzle-un
+  Them eyes o' Sis's, wiv a sure-
+  Enough gold chain Old Kriss bringed to 'er!
+
+  An' _all_ of us git gold things!--Sis,
+  Though, say she know it "_ain't_ Old Kriss--
+  He kissed her, so she waked an' saw
+  Him skite out--an' it wuz her Pa."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "ALONG THE BRINK OF WILD BROOK-WAY."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A SONG OF SINGING
+
+
+  Sing! gangling lad, along the brink
+    Of wild brook-ways of shoal and deep,
+  Where killdees dip, and cattle drink,
+    And glinting little minnows leap!
+  Sing! slimpsy lass who trips above
+    And sets the foot-log quivering!
+  Sing! bittern, bumble-bee, and dove--
+    Sing! Sing! Sing!
+
+  Sing as you will, O singers all
+    Who sing because you _want_ to sing!
+  Sing! peacock on the orchard wall,
+    Or tree-toad by the trickling spring!
+  Sing! every bird on every bough--
+    Sing! every living, loving thing--
+  Sing any song, and anyhow,
+    But Sing! Sing! Sing!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE JAYBIRD
+
+
+  The Jaybird he's my _favorite_
+    Of all the birds they is!
+  I think he's quite a stylish sight
+    In that blue suit of his:
+  An' when he' lights an' shuts his wings,
+    His coat's a "cutaway"--
+  I guess it's only when he sings
+    You'd know he wuz a jay.
+
+  I like to watch him when he's lit
+    In top of any tree,
+  'Cause all birds git wite out of it
+    When _he_ 'lights, an' they see
+  How proud he act', an' swell an' spread
+    His chest out more an' more,
+  An' raise the feathers on his head
+    Like it's cut pompadore!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "I LIKE TO WATCH HIM."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A BEAR FAMILY
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Wunst, 'way West in Illinoise,
+  Wuz two Bears an' their two boys:
+  An' the two boys' names, you know,
+  Wuz--like _ours_ is,--Jim an' Jo;
+  An' their _parunts'_ names wuz same's,
+  All big grown-up people's names,--
+  Ist _Miz_ Bear, the neighbers call
+  'Em, an' _Mister_ Bear--'at's all.
+  Yes--an' Miz Bear scold him, too,
+  Ist like grown folks _shouldn't_ do!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Wuz a grea'-big river there,
+  An', 'crosst that, 's a mountain where
+  Old Bear said some day he'd go,
+  Ef she don't quit scoldin'so!
+  So, one day when he been down
+  The river, fishin', 'most to town,
+  An' come back 'thout no fish a-tall,
+  An' Jim an' Jo they run an' bawl
+  An' tell their ma their pa hain't fetch'
+  No fish,--she scold again an' ketch
+  Her old broom up an' biff him, too.--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  An' he ist cry, an' say, "_Boo-hoo_!
+  I _told_ you what I 'd do some day'."
+  An' he ist turned an' runned away
+  To where's the grea'-big river there,
+  An' ist _splunged_ in an' swum to where
+  The mountain's at, 'way th'other side,
+  An' clumbed up there. An' Miz Bear _cried_--
+  An' little Jo an' little Jim--
+  Ist like their ma--bofe cried fer him!--
+  But he clumbed on, _clean out o' sight_,
+  He wuz so mad!--An' served 'em right!
+
+  Nen--when the Bear got 'way on top
+  The mountain, he heerd somepin' flop
+  Its wings--an' somepin' else he heerd
+  A-rattlin'-like.--An' he wuz _skeerd_,
+  An' looked 'way up, an'--_Mercy sake!_--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  It wuz a' Eagul an' a SNAKE!
+  An'-sir! the Snake, he bite an' kill'
+  The Eagul, an' they bofe fall till
+  They strike the ground--_k'spang-k'spat!_--
+  Wite where the Bear wuz standin' at!
+  An' when here come the Snake at him,
+  The Bear he think o' little Jim
+  An' Jo, he did--an' their ma, too,--
+  All safe at home; an' he ist flew
+  Back down the mountain--an' could hear
+  The old Snake rattlin', sharp an' clear,
+  Wite clos't behind!--An' Bear he's so
+  All tired out, by time, you know,
+  He git down to the river there,
+  He know' he can't _swim_ back to where
+  His folks is at. But ist wite nen
+  He see a boat an' six big men
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  'At's been a-shootin' ducks: An' so
+  He skeerd them out the boat, you know,
+  An' ist jumped in--an' Snake _he_ tried
+  To jump in, too, but failed outside
+  Where all the water wuz; an' so
+  The Bear grabs one the things you row
+  The boat wiv an' ist whacks the head
+  Of the old Snake an' kills him dead!--
+
+  An' when he's killed him dead, w'y, nen
+  _The old Snake's drownded dead again_!
+  Nen Bear set in the boat an' bowed
+  His back an' rowed--an' rowed--an' rowed--
+  Till he's safe home--so tired he can't
+  Do nothin' but lay there an' pant
+  An' tell his childern, "Bresh my coat!"
+  An' tell his wife, "Go chain my boat!"
+  An' they're so glad he's back, they say
+  "They _knowed_ he's comin' thataway
+  To ist surprise the dear ones there!"
+  An' Jim an' Jo they dried his hair
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  An' pulled the burrs out; an' their ma
+  She ist set there an' helt his paw
+  Till he wuz sound asleep, an' nen
+  She tell' him she won't scold again--
+      Never--never--never--
+      Ferever an' ferever!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: SOME SONGS AFTER MASTER SINGERS]
+
+
+
+
+SOME SONGS AFTER MASTER SINGERS
+
+
+I
+
+SONG
+
+[W.S.]
+
+
+  With a hey! and a hi! and a hey-ho rhyme!
+      O the shepherd lad
+      He is ne'er so glad
+  As when he pipes, in the blossom-time,
+      So rare!
+  While Kate picks by, yet looks not there.
+      So rare! so rare!
+  _With a hey! and a hi! and a ho!_
+  _The grasses curdle where the daisies blow!_
+
+  With a hey! and a hi! and a hey-ho vow!
+      Then he sips her face
+      At the sweetest place--
+  And ho! how white is the hawthorn now!--
+      So rare!--
+  And the daisied world rocks round them there.
+      So rare! so rare!
+  _With a hey! and a hi! and a ho!_
+  _The grasses curdle where the daisies blow!_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "WHILE KATE PICKS BY, YET LOOKS NOT THERE."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+TO THE CHILD JULIA
+
+[R.H.]
+
+
+  Little Julia, since that we
+  May not as our elders be,
+  Let us blithely fill the days
+  Of our youth with pleasant plays.
+  First we'll up at earliest dawn,
+  While as yet the dew is on
+  The sooth'd grasses and the pied
+  Blossomings of morningtide;
+  Next, with rinsed cheeks that shine
+  As the enamell'd eglantine,
+  We will break our fast on bread
+  With both cream and honey spread;
+  Then, with many a challenge-call,
+  We will romp from house and hall,
+  Gypsying with the birds and bees
+  Of the green-tress'd garden trees.
+  In a bower of leaf and vine
+  Thou shalt be a lady fine
+  Held in duress by the great
+  Giant I shall personate.
+  Next, when many mimics more
+  Like to these we have played o'er,
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  We'll betake us home-along
+  Hand in hand at evensong.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+THE DOLLY'S MOTHER
+
+[W.W.]
+
+
+  A little maid, of summers four--
+    Did you compute her years,--
+  And yet how infinitely more
+    To me her age appears:
+
+  I mark the sweet child's serious air,
+    At her unplayful play,--
+  The tiny doll she mothers there
+    And lulls to sleep away,
+
+  Grows--'neath the grave similitude--
+    An infant real, to me,
+  And _she_ a saint of motherhood
+    In hale maturity.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  So, pausing in my lonely round,
+    And all unseen of her,
+  I stand uncovered--her profound
+    And abject worshipper.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "LEND ME THE BREATH OF A FRESHENING GALE."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+WIND OF THE SEA
+
+[A.T.]
+
+
+  Wind of the Sea, come fill my sail--
+  Lend me the breath of a freshening gale
+    And bear my port-worn ship away!
+  For O the greed of the tedious town--
+  The shutters up and the shutters down!
+    Wind of the Sea, sweep over the bay
+      And bear me away!--away!
+
+  Whither you bear me, Wind of the Sea,
+  Matters never the least to me:
+    Give me your fogs, with the sails adrip,
+  Or the weltering path thro' the starless night--
+  On, somewhere, is a new daylight
+    And the cheery glint of another ship
+      As its colors dip and dip!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Wind of the Sea, sweep over the bay
+    And bear me away!--away!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+SUBTLETY
+
+[R.B.]
+
+
+  Whilst little Paul, convalescing, was staying
+  Close indoors, and his boisterous classmates paying
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    Him visits, with fresh school-notes and surprises,--
+  With nettling pride they sprung the word "Athletic,"
+  With much advice and urgings sympathetic
+    Anent "Athletic exercises." Wise as
+  Lad might look, quoth Paul: "I've pondered o'er that
+  'Athletic,' but I mean to take, before that,
+    Downstairic and outdooric exercises."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+BORN TO THE PURPLE
+
+[W.M.]
+
+
+  Most-like it was this kingly lad
+  Spake out of the pure joy he had
+  In his child-heart of the wee maid
+  Whose eerie beauty sudden laid
+  A spell upon him, and his words
+  Burst as a song of any bird's:--
+
+  A peerless Princess thou shalt be,
+  Through wit of love's rare sorcery:
+  To crown the crown of thy gold hair
+  Thou shalt have rubies, bleeding there
+  Their crimson splendor midst the marred
+  Pulp of great pearls, and afterward
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Leaking in fainter ruddy stains
+  Adown thy neck-and-armlet-chains
+  Of turquoise, chrysoprase, and mad
+  Light-frenzied diamonds, dartling glad
+  Swift spirts of shine that interfuse
+  As though with lucent crystal dews
+  That glance and glitter like split rays
+  Of sunshine, born of burgeoning Mays
+  When the first bee tilts down the lip
+  Of the first blossom, and the drip
+  Of blended dew and honey heaves
+  Him blinded midst the underleaves.
+  For raiment, Fays shall weave for thee--
+  Out of the phosphor of the sea
+  And the frayed floss of starlight, spun
+  With counterwarp of the firm sun--
+  A vesture of such filmy sheen
+  As, through all ages, never queen
+  Therewith strove truly to make less
+  One fair line of her loveliness.
+  Thus gowned and crowned with gems and gold,
+  Thou shalt, through centuries untold,
+  Rule, ever young and ever fair,
+  As now thou rulest, smiling there.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+OLD MAN WHISKERY-WHEE-KUM-WHEEZE
+
+
+  Old Man Whiskery-Whee-Kum-Wheeze
+  Lives 'way up in the leaves o' trees.
+  An' wunst I slipped up-stairs to play
+  In Aunty's room, while she 'uz away;
+  An' I clumbed up in her cushion-chair
+  An' ist peeked out o' the winder there;
+  An' there I saw--wite out in the trees--
+  Old Man Whiskery-Whee-Kum-Wheeze!
+
+  An' Old Man Whiskery-Whee-Kum-Wheeze
+  Would bow an' bow, with the leaves in the breeze,
+  An' waggle his whiskers an' raggledy hair,
+  An' bow to me in the winder there!
+  An' I 'd peek out, an' he'd peek in
+  An' waggle his whiskers an' bow ag'in,
+  Ist like the leaves'u'd wave in the breeze--
+  Old Man Whiskery-Whee-Kum-Wheeze!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "BOW TO ME IN THE WINDER THERE!"]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  An' Old Man Whiskery-Whee-Kum-Wheeze,
+  Seem-like, says to me: "See my bees
+  A-bringin' my dinner? An' see my cup
+  O' locus'-blossoms they've plum' filled up?"
+  An' "_Um-yum, honey!_" wuz last he said,
+  An' waggled his whiskers an' bowed his head;
+  An' I yells, "Gimme some, won't you, please,
+  Old Man Whiskery-Whee-Kum-Wheeze?"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+LITTLE-GIRL-TWO-LITTLE-GIRLS
+
+
+  I'm twins, I guess, 'cause my Ma say
+    I'm two little girls. An' one o' me
+    Is _Good_ little girl; an' th'other 'n' she
+    Is _Bad little girl as she can be!_
+  An' Ma say so, 'most ever' day.
+
+  An' she's the _funniest_ Ma! 'Cause when
+    My Doll won't mind, an' I ist cry,
+    W'y, nen my Ma she sob an' sigh,
+    An' say, "Dear _Good_ little girl, good-bye!--
+  _Bad_ little girl's comed here again!"
+
+  Last time 'at Ma act' thataway,
+    I cried all to myse'f awhile
+    Out on the steps, an' nen I smile,
+    An' git my Doll all fix' in style,
+  An' go in where Ma's at, an' say:
+    _"Morning to you, Mommy dear_!
+    _Where's that Bad little girl wuz here_?
+    _Bad little girl's goned clean away_,
+    _An' Good little girl's comed back to stay."_
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A GUSTATORY ACHIEVEMENT
+
+
+  Last Thanksgivin'-dinner we
+  Et at Granny's house, an' she
+
+[Illustration]
+
+  Had--ist like she alluz does--
+  Most an' best pies ever wuz.
+
+  Canned _black_ burry-pie an' _goose_
+  Burry, squshin'-full o' juice;
+  An' _roz_burry--yes, an' plum--
+  Yes, an' _churry_-pie--_um-yum_!
+
+  Peach an' punkin, too, you bet.
+  Lawzy! I kin taste 'em yet!
+  Yes, an' _custard_-pie, an' _mince!_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+  An'--I--_ain't_--et--no--pie--since!
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+CLIMATIC SORCERY
+
+
+  When frost's all on our winder, an' the snow's
+  All out-o'-doors, our "Old-Kriss"-milkman goes
+  A-drivin' round, ist purt'-nigh froze to death,
+  With his old white mustache froze full o' breath.
+
+  But when it's summer an' all warm ag'in,
+  He comes a-whistlin' an' a-drivin in
+  Our alley, 'thout no coat on, ner ain't cold,
+  Ner his mustache ain't white, ner he ain't old.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "OUR 'OLD-KRISS'-MILKMAN."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+A PARENT REPRIMANDED
+
+
+  Sometimes I think 'at Parents does
+  Things ist about as bad as _us_--
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    Wite 'fore our vurry eyes, at that!
+  Fer one time Pa he scold' my Ma
+    'Cause he can't find his hat;
+  An' she ist _cried_, she did! An' I
+    Says, "Ef you scold my Ma
+  Ever again an' make her cry,
+    Wy, you sha'n't _be_ my Pa!"
+  An' nen he laugh' an' find his hat
+  Ist wite where Ma she said it's at!
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration: "THE CHILDISH DREAMS IN HIS WISE OLD HEAD."]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+THE TREASURE OF THE WISE MAN
+
+
+  O the night was dark and the night was late,
+    And the robbers came to rob him;
+  And they picked the locks of his palace-gate,
+    The robbers that came to rob him--
+  They picked the locks of his palace-gate,
+  Seized his jewels and gems of state,
+  His coffers of gold and his priceless plate,--
+    The robbers that came to rob him.
+
+  But loud laughed he in the morning red!--
+    For of what had the robbers robbed him?--
+  Ho! hidden safe, as he slept in bed,
+    When the robbers came to rob him,--
+  They robbed him not of a golden shred
+  Of the childish dreams in his wise old head--
+  "And they're welcome to all things else," he said,
+    When the robbers came to rob him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Book of Joyous Children
+by James Whitcomb Riley
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOOK OF JOYOUS CHILDREN ***
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