diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 1946446 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/16251-h.htm | 2978 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-00.jpg | bin | 0 -> 28149 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-01a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 59229 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-01b.jpg | bin | 0 -> 44724 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-02a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 18910 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-02b.jpg | bin | 0 -> 19899 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-03.jpg | bin | 0 -> 18126 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-04.jpg | bin | 0 -> 24937 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-05.jpg | bin | 0 -> 17509 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-06.jpg | bin | 0 -> 25093 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-07.jpg | bin | 0 -> 27204 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-08.jpg | bin | 0 -> 30453 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-09.jpg | bin | 0 -> 31342 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-10.jpg | bin | 0 -> 31906 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-11.jpg | bin | 0 -> 22852 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-12.jpg | bin | 0 -> 20590 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-13a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 20767 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-13b.jpg | bin | 0 -> 21128 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-14.jpg | bin | 0 -> 25158 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-15.jpg | bin | 0 -> 30351 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-16.jpg | bin | 0 -> 28725 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-17.jpg | bin | 0 -> 30093 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-18.jpg | bin | 0 -> 31666 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-19.jpg | bin | 0 -> 29753 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-20.jpg | bin | 0 -> 28150 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-21.jpg | bin | 0 -> 27946 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-22.jpg | bin | 0 -> 34465 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-23a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 50584 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-23b.jpg | bin | 0 -> 48261 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-24.jpg | bin | 0 -> 34835 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-25.jpg | bin | 0 -> 55610 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-26.jpg | bin | 0 -> 18046 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-27.jpg | bin | 0 -> 28713 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-28.jpg | bin | 0 -> 30575 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-29.jpg | bin | 0 -> 31304 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-30.jpg | bin | 0 -> 11647 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-31.jpg | bin | 0 -> 36229 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-32a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 21459 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-32b.jpg | bin | 0 -> 22284 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-33.jpg | bin | 0 -> 98944 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-34.jpg | bin | 0 -> 23168 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-35.jpg | bin | 0 -> 21646 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-36.jpg | bin | 0 -> 41519 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-37.jpg | bin | 0 -> 57492 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-38.jpg | bin | 0 -> 35897 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-39.jpg | bin | 0 -> 44512 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-40.jpg | bin | 0 -> 45087 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-41.jpg | bin | 0 -> 45173 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-42.jpg | bin | 0 -> 40378 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-43.jpg | bin | 0 -> 60087 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-44.jpg | bin | 0 -> 28243 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-45.jpg | bin | 0 -> 24784 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-46.jpg | bin | 0 -> 36604 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-47a.jpg | bin | 0 -> 36486 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-47b.jpg | bin | 0 -> 29459 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-48.jpg | bin | 0 -> 50130 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251-h/images/kids-49.jpg | bin | 0 -> 59552 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251.txt | 2755 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16251.zip | bin | 0 -> 40020 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
63 files changed, 5749 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16251-h.zip b/16251-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..55061e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h.zip diff --git a/16251-h/16251-h.htm b/16251-h/16251-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8f34b6e --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/16251-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2978 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>A Book for Kids</TITLE> +<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<STYLE type=text/css>BODY { + BACKGROUND: #ffffcc; MARGIN: 10%; TEXT-ALIGN: justify +} +H1 { + COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: left +} +H2 { + COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: left +} +H3 { + COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: left +} +H4 { + COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: left +} +H5 { + COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: left +} +H6 { + COLOR: green; TEXT-ALIGN: left +} +BLOCKQUOTE { + FONT-SIZE: 0.9em +} +P.poem { + TEXT-ALIGN: center +} +P.external { + FONT-WEIGHT: bold +} +</STYLE> + +<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2668" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> +<BODY><PRE> +Project Gutenberg's A Book for Kids, by C. J. (Clarence Michael James) Dennis + +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: A Book for Kids + +Author: C. J. (Clarence Michael James) Dennis + +Release Date: July 9, 2005 [EBook #16251] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BOOK FOR KIDS *** + + + + +Produced by Colin Choat + + + + + +</PRE> +<H1>A BOOK FOR KIDS<BR>by<BR>C J Dennis<BR>(1921)</H1> +<H4>[reissued as ROUNDABOUT (1935)]</H4> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-00.jpg"></P> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-01a.jpg"><IMG alt="" +src="images/kids-01b.jpg"></P><PRE> +<BR><A name=item-02></A> + +A very charming gentleman, as old as old could be, +Stared a while, and glared a while, and then he said to me: +"Read your books, and heed your books, and put your books away, +For you will surely need your books upon a later day." +And then he wheezed and then he sneezed, and gave me such a look. +And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Be careful of your book." + +A very charming gentleman, indeed, he seemed to be. +He heaved a sigh and wiped his eye, and then he said to me: +"Take your books and make your books companions--never toys; +For they who so forsake their books grow into gawky boys." +I don't know who he was. Do you? he snuffled at the end; +And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Your book should be your friend." + +</PRE> +<H2>A BOOK FOR KIDS</H2> +<P> </P> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-02a.jpg"><IMG alt="" +src="images/kids-02b.jpg"></P> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-03.jpg"></P> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-04.jpg"></P><PRE> +<BR><A name=item-01></A> + + +DEDICATION + +To all good children over four + And under four-and-eighty +Be you not over-prone to pore + On matters grave and weighty. +Mayhap you'll find within this book + Some touch of Youth's rare clowning, +If you will condescend to look + And not descend to frowning. + +The mind of one small boy may hold + Odd fancies and inviting, +To guide a hand unsure and old + That moves, these days, to writing. +For hair once bright, in days of yore, + Grows grey (or somewhat slaty), +And now, alas, he's over four, + Though under four-and-eighty. + +</PRE> +<H2>CONTENTS</H2> +<P><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-01">Dedication</A> +<BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-02">A +Very Charming Gentleman</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-03">The +Baker</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-04">The +Dawn Dance</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-05">Cuppacumalonga</A> +<BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-06">The +Swagman</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-07">The +Ant Explorer</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-08">Riding +Song</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-09">The +Funny Hatter</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-10">The +Postman</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-11">The +Traveller</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-12">Our +Street</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-13">The +Little Red House</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-14">The +Pieman</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-15">The +Triantiwontigongolope</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-16">The +Circus</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-17">You +and I</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-18">Going +to School</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-19">Hist!</A> +<BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-20">Bird +Song</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-21">The +Music of Your Voice</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-22">The +Boy who Rode into the Sunset</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-23">The +Tram-man</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-24">The +Axe-man</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-25">The +Drovers</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-26">The +Long Road Home</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-27">The +Band</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-28">Bessie +and the Bunyip</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-29">Good +Enough</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-30">The +Porter</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-31">Growing +Up</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-32">The +Unsociable Wallaby</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-32a">I +wonder</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-33">The +Song of the Sulky Stockman</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-34">Our +Cow</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-35">The +Teacher</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-36">The +Spotted Heifers</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-37">Tea +Talk</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-38">The +Looking Glass</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-39">Woolloomooloo</A> +<BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-39a">I +wonder</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-40">The +Barber</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-41">Farmer +Jack</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-42">Old +Black Jacko</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-43">Bird +Song</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-44">The +Sailor</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-45">The +Famine</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-46">The +Feast</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-47">Upon +the Road to Rockabout</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-48">A +Change of Air</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-49">Polly +Dibbs</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-49a">I +Suspect</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-50">Lullaby</A> +<BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-50a">I +wonder</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-51">The +Publisher</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-52">Good +Night</A> <BR><A +href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/5/16251/16251-h/16251-h.htm#item-53">A +Very Charming Gentleman</A></P> +<P> </P> +<H2>A BOOK FOR KIDS</H2><BR><A name=item-03></A><PRE> +THE BAKER + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-05.jpg"></P><PRE> +I'd like to be a baker, and come when morning breaks, +Calling out, "Beeay-ko!" (that's the sound he makes)-- +Riding in a rattle-cart that jogs and jolts and shakes, +Selling all the sweetest things a baker ever bakes; +Currant-buns and brandy-snaps, pastry all in flakes; + But I wouldn't be a baker if . . . + I couldn't eat the cakes. + Would you? + +<BR><A name=item-04></A> + + +THE DAWN DANCE + +What do you think I saw to-day when I arose at dawn? +Blue Wrens and Yellow-tails dancing on the lawn! +Bobbing here, and bowing there, gossiping away, +And how I wished that you were there to see the merry play! + +But you were snug abed, my boy, blankets to your chin, +Nor dreamed of dancing birds without or sunbeams dancing in. +Grey Thrush, he piped the tune for them. I peeped out through the glass +Between the window curtains, and I saw them on the grass-- + +Merry little fairy folk, dancing up and down, +Blue bonnet, yellow skirt, cloaks of grey and brown, +Underneath the wattle-tree, silver in the dawn, +Blue Wrens and Yellow-tails dancing on the lawn. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-05></A><PRE> +CUPPACUMALONGA + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-06.jpg"></P><PRE> +'Rover, rover, cattle-drover, where go you to-day?' +I go to Cuppacumalonga, fifty miles away; + Over plains where Summer rains have sung a song of glee, + Over hills where laughing rills go seeking for the sea, +I go to Cuppacumalonga, to my brother Bill. + Then come along, ah, come along! + Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga! + Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill! + +'Rover, rover, cattle-drover, how do you get there?' +For twenty miles I amble on upon my pony mare, + The walk awhile and talk awhile to country men I know, + Then up to ride a mile beside a team that travels slow, +And last to Cuppacumalonga, riding with a will. + Then come along, ah, come along! + Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga! + Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill! + +'Rover, rover, cattle-drover, what do you do then?' +I camp beneath a kurrajong with three good cattle-men; + Then off away at break of day, with strong hands on the reins, + To laugh and sing while mustering the cattle on the plains-- +For up to Cuppacumalonga life is jolly still. + Then come along, ah, come along! + Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga! + Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill! + +'Rover, rover, cattle-drover, how may I go too?' +I'll saddle up my creamy colt and he shall carry you-- + My creamy colt who will not bolt, who does not shy nor kick-- + We'll pack the load and take the road and travel very quick. +And if the day brings work or play we'll meet it with a will. + So Hi for Cuppacumalonga! + Come Along, ah, come along! + Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga Hill! + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-07.jpg"></P><PRE> +<BR><A name=item-06></A> + + +THE SWAGMAN + +Oh, he was old and he was spare; +His bushy whiskers and his hair +Were all fussed up and very grey +He said he'd come a long, long way +And had a long, long way to go. +Each boot was broken at the toe, +And he'd a swag upon his back. +His billy-can, as black as black, +Was just the thing for making tea +At picnics, so it seemed to me. + +'Twas hard to earn a bite of bread, +He told me. Then he shook his head, +And all the little corks that hung +Around his hat-brim danced and swung +And bobbed about his face; and when +I laughed he made them dance again. +He said they were for keeping flies-- +"The pesky varmints"--from his eyes. +He called me "Codger". . . "Now you see +The best days of your life," said he. +"But days will come to bend your back, +And, when they come, keep off the track. +Keep off, young codger, if you can." +He seemed a funny sort of man. + +He told me that he wanted work, +But jobs were scarce this side of Bourke, +And he supposed he'd have to go +Another fifty mile or so. +"Nigh all my life the track I've walked," +He said. I liked the way he talked. +And oh, the places he had seen! +I don't know where he had not been-- +On every road, in every town, +All through the country, up and down. +"Young codger, shun the track," he said. +And put his hand upon my head. +I noticed, then, that his old eyes +Were very blue and very wise. +"Ay, once I was a little lad," +He said, and seemed to grow quite sad. + +I sometimes think: When I'm a man, +I'll get a good black billy-can +And hang some corks around my hat, +And lead a jolly life like that. + +<BR><A name=item-07></A> + + +THE ANT EXPLORER + +Once a little sugar ant made up his mind to roam-- +To fare away far away, far away from home. +He had eaten all his breakfast, and he had his ma's consent +To see what he should chance to see and here's the way he went-- +Up and down a fern frond, round and round a stone, +Down a gloomy gully where he loathed to be alone, +Up a mighty mountain range, seven inches high, +Through the fearful forest grass that nearly hid the sky, +Out along a bracken bridge, bending in the moss, +Till he reached a dreadful desert that was feet and feet across. +'Twas a dry, deserted desert, and a trackless land to tread, +He wished that he was home again and tucked-up tight in bed. +His little legs were wobbly, his strength was nearly spent, +And so he turned around again and here's the way he went-- +Back away from desert lands feet and feet across, +Back along the bracken bridge bending in the moss, +Through the fearful forest grass shutting out the sky, +Up a mighty mountain range seven inches high, +Down a gloomy gully, where he loathed to be alone, +Up and down a fern frond and round and round a stone. +A dreary ant, a weary ant, resolved no more to roam, +He staggered up the garden path and popped back home. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-08></A><PRE> + +RIDING SONG + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-08.jpg"></P><PRE> +Flippity-flop! Flippity-flop! +Here comes the butcher to bring us a chop + Cantering, cantering down the wide street + On his little bay mare with the funny white feet; +Cantering, cantering out to the farm, +Stripes on his apron and basket on arm. + Run to the window and tell him to stop-- + Flippity-flop! Flippity-flop! + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-09></A><PRE> + +THE FUNNY HATTER + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-09.jpg"></P><PRE> +Harry was a funny man, Harry was a hatter; +He ate his lunch at breakfast time and said it didn't matter. +He made a pot of melon jam and put it on a shelf, +For he was fond of sugar things and living by himself. +He built a fire of bracken and a blue-gum log, +And he sat all night beside it with his big--black--dog. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-10></A><PRE> + +THE POSTMAN + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-10.jpg"></P><PRE> +I'd like to be a postman, and walk along the street, +Calling out, "Good Morning, Sir," to gentlemen I meet, +Ringing every door-bell all along my beat, +In my cap and uniform so very nice and neat. +Perhaps I'd have a parasol in case of rain or heat; + But I wouldn't be a postman if . . . + The walking hurt my feet. + Would you? + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-11></A><PRE> + +THE TRAVELLER + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-11.jpg"></P><PRE> +As I rode in to Burrumbeet, +I met a man with funny feet; +And, when I paused to ask him why +His feet were strange, he rolled his eye +And said the rain would spoil the wheat; +So I rode on to Burrumbeet. + +As I rode in to Beetaloo, +I met a man whose nose was blue; +And when I asked him how he got +A nose like that, he answered, "What +Do bullocks mean when they say 'Moo'?" +So I rode on to Beetaloo. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-12.jpg"></P><PRE> +As I rode in to Ballarat, +I met a man who wore no hat; +And, when I said he might take cold, +He cried, "The hills are quite as old +As yonder plains, but not so flat." +So I rode on to Ballarat. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-13a.jpg"></P><PRE> +As I rode in to Gundagai, +I met a man and passed him by +Without a nod, without a word. +He turned, and said he'd never heard +Or seen a man so wise as I. +But I rode on to Gundagai. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-13b.jpg"></P><PRE> +As I rode homeward, full of doubt, +I met a stranger riding out: +A foolish man he seemed to me; +But, "Nay, I am yourself," said he, +"Just as you were when you rode out." +So I rode homeward, free of doubt. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-14.jpg"></P><BR><A +name=item-12></A><PRE> + +OUR STREET + +In our street, the main street + Running thro' the town, +You see a lot of busy folk + Going up and down: + +Bag men and basket men, + Men with loads of hay, +Buying things and selling things + And carting things away. + +The butcher is a funny man, + He calls me Dandy Dick; +The baker is a cross man, + I think he's often sick; + +The fruiterer's a nice man, + He gives me apples, too; +The grocer says, "Good morning, boy, + What can I do for you?" + +Of all the men in our street + I like the cobbler best, +Tapping, tapping at his last + Without a minute's rest; + +Talking all the time he taps, + Driving in the nails, +Smiling with his old grey eyes-- + (Hush) . . . telling fairy tales. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-13></A><PRE> + + +THE LITTLE RED HOUSE + +Very few grown-up people understand houses. Only children understand +them properly, and, if I understand them just a little, it is because +I knew Sym. Sym and his wife, Emily Ann, lived in the Little Red +House. It was built on a rather big mountain, and there were no other +houses near it. At one time, long ago, the mountain had been covered +all over with a great forest; but men had cut the trees down, all but +one big Blue-gum, which grew near the Little Red House. The Blue-gum +and the Little Red House were great friends, and often had long talks +together. The Blue-gum was a very old tree--over a hundred years +old--and he was proud of it, and often used to tell of the time, long +ago, when blackfellows hunted 'possums in his branches. That was +before the white men came to the mountain, and before there were any +houses near it. + +Once upon a time I put a verse about the mountain and the Little Red +House into a book of rhymes which I wrote for grown ups. I don't +think they thought much about it. Very likely they said, "0h, it's +just a house on a hill," and then forgot it, because they were too +busy about other things. + +This is the rhyme: + +A great mother mountain, and kindly is she, +Who nurses young rivers and sends them to sea. +And, nestled high up on her sheltering lap, +Is a little red house, with a little straw cap +That bears a blue feather of smoke, curling high, +And a bunch of red roses cocked over one eye. + +I have tried here to draw the Little Red House for you as well as I +can; and it isn't my fault if it happens to look just a little like +somebody's face. I can't help it, can I? if the stones of the door-step +look something like teeth, or if the climbing roses make the windows +look like a funny pair of spectacles. And if Emily Ann will hang bib +fluffy bobs on the window blinds for tassels, and if they swing about +in the breeze like moving eyes, well, I am not to blame, am I? It +just happens. The only thing I am sorry for is that I couldn't get +the big Blue-gum into the picture. Of course, I could have drawn it +quite easily, but it was too big. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-15.jpg"></P><PRE> +Sym and Emily Ann were fond of the Little Red House, and you may be +sure the Little Red House was fond of them--he was their home. The +only thing that bothered him was that they were sometimes away from +home, and then he was miserable, like all empty houses. + +Now, Sym was a tinker--a travelling tinker. He would do a little +gardening and farming at home for a while, and then go off about the +country for a few days, mending people's pots and pans and kettles. +Usually Sym left Emily Ann at home to keep the Little Red House +company, but now and then Emily Ann went with Sym for a trip, and +then the Little Red House was very sad indeed. + +One morning, just as the sun was peeping over the edge of the world, +the big Blue-gum woke up and stretched his limbs and waited for the +Little Red House to say "Good morning." The Blue-gum always waited +for the greeting because he was the older, and he liked to have +proper respect shown to him by young folk, but the Little Red House +didn't say a word. + +The big Blue-gum waited and waited; but the Little Red House wouldn't +speak. + +After a while the Blue-gum said rather crossly, "You seem to be out +of sorts this morning." + +But the Little Red House wouldn't say a word. + +"You certainly do seem as if you had a pain somewhere," said the +Blue-gum. "And you look funny. You ought to see yourself!" + +"Indeed?" snapped the Little Red House, raising his eyebrows just as +a puff of wind went by. "I can't always be playing the fool, like +some people." + +"I've lived on this mountain, tree and sapling, for over a hundred +years," replied the big Blue-gum very severely, "and never before +have I been treated with such disrespect. When trees become houses +they seem to lose their manners." + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-16.jpg"></P><PRE> +"Forgive me," cried the Little Red House. "I didn't mean to be rude. +I was just listening. There are things going on inside me that I +don't like." + +"I hope they aren't ill-treating you," said the Blue-gum. + +"They are going to leave me!" sighed the Little Red House. + +"And they are laughing quite happily, as if they were glad about it. +There's a nice thing for you!--Going to leave me, and laughing about it!" + +"But perhaps you are wrong," said the big Blue-gum, who was not so +hard-hearted as he seemed. + +"I always know," moaned the Little Red House. "I can't be mistaken. +Sym was singing his Tinker's song this morning long before the sun +was up. And then I heard him tell Emily Ann not to forget her umbrella. +That means that she is going; and the little dog is going, and I shall +be all alone." + +"Well," answered the Blue-gum rather stiffly, "you still have ME for +company." + +"I know," sighed the Little Red House. "Don't think I'm ungrateful. +But, when they both go away, I shan't be really and truly a home again +until they come back--just an empty house; and it makes me miserable. +How would YOU like to be an empty house?" + +"Some day I might be," replied the Blue-gum, "if I don't grow too old. +There is some fine timber in me yet." + +Suddenly there was a great clattering and stamping inside the Little +House, and Sym began to sing his Tinker's song. + +"Kettles and pans! Kettles and pans! +All the broad earth is the tinkering man's-- +The green leafy lane or the fields are his home, +The road or the river, where'er he way roam. +He roves for a living and rests where he can. +Then bring out your kettle! ho! kettle or pan!" + +There's a nice thing for you!" said the Little Red House bitterly. +"What kind of a song do you call that? Any old place is good enough +for his home, and I am just nothing!" + +"Oh, that's only his way of putting it," answered the Blue-gum kindly. +"He doesn't really mean it, you know; he wants a change, that's all." + +But the Little Red House wouldn't say a word. + +"It looks a good deal like rain this morning, doesn't it?" said the +Blue-gum cheerfully, trying to change the subject. + +But the Little Red House wouldn't say a word. + +Very soon Sym and Emily Ann, carrying bundles, came out of the Little +Red House, laughing and talking; and Sym locked the door. + +"Now for a jolly trip!" shouted Sym, as he picked up his firepot and +soldering-irons. + +But all at once Emily Ann ceased laughing and looked back wistfully +at the Little Red House. + +"After all I'm sorry to leave our little home," she said. "See how +sad it looks!" + +"Hurry on!" cried Sym, who was all eagerness for the trip. Then he, +too, looked back. "Why, you forgot to draw down the blinds," he said. + +"No, I didn't forget," answered Emily Ann, "but I think it a shame to +blindfold the Little Red House while we are away. I just left the +blinds up so that he could see things. Good-bye, little home," she +called. And the Little Red House felt just the least bit comforted to +think that Emily Ann was sorry to leave him. Then she went off down +the winding path with Sym; and Sym began to shout his Tinker's Song +again. + +The Little Red House watched them go down the mountain. + +Away they went: through the gate, past the black stump, round by the +bracken patch and over the bridge, across the potato paddock, through +the sliprails--getting smaller and smaller--past the sign-post, down +by the big rocks--getting smaller and smaller--under the tree-ferns, +out on to the stony flat, across the red road, until they were just +two tiny specks away down in the valley. Then they went through a +white gate, round a turn, and the high scrub hid them. + +Had you been able to see the Little Red House just at that moment, you +would have been sure he was going to cry--he looked so miserable and +so lonely. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-17.jpg"></P><PRE> +"Cheer up!" said the big Blue-gum. + +But the Little Red House couldn't say a word. + +Presently the big Blue-gum groaned loudly. + +"Oo! Ah! Ah! Golly!" groaned the Blue-gum in a strange voice. + +"I beg your pardon? said the Little Red House. + +"Oh, I have a nasty sharp pain in my side," said the Blue-gum. "I do +hope and trust it isn't white-ants. It would be simply horrible, if +it were. Fancy getting white-ants at my time of life! Here I have +lived on this mountain, tree and sapling, for over a hundred years; +and to think those nasty, white, flabby little things should get me +at last is horrible--horrible!" + +"I am sorry," said the Little Red House. "I'm afraid I've been very +selfish, too. I was forgetting that everyone has troubles of his own; +but I hope it isn't so bad as you fear." + +"It is bad enough," groaned the Blue-gum. "Ow! There it is again. I'm +afraid it IS white-ants. I can feel the wretched little things nipping." + +But the Little Red House hardly heard him. He was thinking again of +his own troubles. + +So they stood all through that day, saying very little to each other. +Rabbits came and played about the Little Red House, and lizards ran +over his door-step, and once a big wallaby went flopping right past +the front gate. But the Little Red House paid no attention. He was +too busy thinking of his loneliness. + +Birds came and perched in the branches of the big Blue-gum, and +chattered and sang to him, trying to tell him the news of other trees +on distant mountains. But the big Blue-gum took no notice. He was too +busy thinking about white-ants. + +So the sun sank low behind the Little House, and the shadow of the +tall Blue-gum began to creep down the mountain and get longer and +longer. + +Just as it was growing dark, the big Blue-gum said Suddenly, "It +certainly looks more like rain than ever. The heavy clouds have been +gathering all day, and we shall get it properly to-night." + +But the rain did not come that night, nor the next day, nor for two +days and nights. And all this while the Little Red House and the Big +Blue-gum remained silent and miserable--one through loneliness, the +other through white-ants. + +But on the evening of the third day the big Blue-gum said, "The rain +will come to-night for certain. I know by the feel of the air." + +"Let it come!" said the Little Red House. "I don't care. I couldn't +be more miserable than I am." + +Just as he said that, one great rain-drop fell right on the middle +of his roof--Plop! + +"It's coming already," cried the Blue-gum, "and it's going to pour." + +Then three more big drops fell--Plop! Plop! Plop! + +"I have never in my life seen such big rain-drops," said the Blue-gum. +"I've lived on this mountain, tree and sapling, for--" + +But--Crash! came rain before he could finish; and in two seconds +everything was sopping wet. The noise of it was deafening, + +"Why, it's a cloud-burst!" shouted the Blue-gum. "Half of my leaves +have been stripped off already." Then he peered through the rain and +the dark to see how the Little Red House was taking it. "Why, what's +the matter with your face?" he cried. "You look awful." + +"I'm crying!" sobbed the Little Red House. "That's all--just crying. +"Can't you see the tears?" + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-18.jpg"></P><PRE> +"Nonsense!" said the Blue-gum. "Those are not tears. It's just the +rain-water running off your window-sills." + +"I tell you I'm crying!" wailed the Little Red House. "I'm crying +bitterly. I should know, shouldn't I? I'm shivering and crying +because I'm cold and lonely and miserable." + +"Oh, very well," agreed the Blue-gum. "You are crying. But if this +rain doesn't stop soon, you'll cry the front path away. It certainly +is wet." + +Very late that night the rain eased a little and then stopped +altogether. The tears ceased to run from the eyes of the Little +Red House, and they now came only in drops, slower and slower, falling +into the great pool by the front door. + +"It's a hard world!" sobbed the Little Red House, squeezing out +another tear. + +"Listen!" cried the Big Blue-gum. "Do you hear THAT?" + +From far away on the distant ranges came a dull, moaning sound. As +they listened it grew louder, and right in the middle of of it came +another sound--Thump! + +"That's wind," said the Blue-gum; "and a big wind, too." + +"Let it come!" sighed the Little Red House. "I couldn't be more +miserable than I am." + +As he spoke, the moaning grew louder, and there were three or four +quite big thumps one after another. + +"What's that thumping?" asked the little House. + +"Those are my poor brothers," answered the big Blue-gum very sadly, +"Those are trees going down before the big wind. The birds were +bringing me messages from those poor fellows quite lately; and now I +shall never hear from them again. It's very sad." + +"I never thought the wind could blow down big trees," said the Little +House. + +"No tree knows when his time will come," the big Blue-gum answered +gravely. "I've had some very narrow escapes in my time, as tree and +sapling on this mountain." + +The Little Red House was very quiet and thoughtful for a long time +after that. Then he asked suddenly, "Which way do you think you would +fall if you did fall?" + +But the big Blue-gum said that he couldn't tell. It depended on the +wind, and he might fall any way. + +"Not on me!" cried the Little House. + +The Blue-gum said that he didn't know; but he hoped not. + +"If you DID fall on me," said the Little Red House, "I suppose it +would hurt me." + +The Blue-gum said it certainly would, and there would be very little +left but splinters and glass. + +"Then don't! Please don't," yelled the Little Red House. + +But before they could say another word the great wind struck them with +a roar. It tossed the roses about so that the eyebrows of the Little +House seemed to be twitching horribly; and it swayed the big Blue-gum +this way and that till he appeared to be fighting for his very life. +It picked up the fallen leaves and twigs, and even small stones, and +hurled them down the mountain in a cloud. + +In the midst of all the uproar the Little House heard the Blue-gum +calling to him. + +"As long as I've lived upon this mountain, tree and sapling," he +shouted, "I've never known such a wind. I'm not so young as I used to +be, and I fear that my end has come." + +"Be brave! Oh, be brave!" implored the Little Red House. "Don't let +him blow you down. I should be so sorry to lose you, What are you +grunting for?" + +"I'm not grunting," answered the Blue-gym in a pained voice. "Those +are my roots giving way, one by one. I can't stand much more of this. +Look out!" + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-19.jpg"></P><PRE> + +The Little Red House looked up, and what he saw terrified him. The +big Blue-gum, in the clutch of the wind, was bent right over him, +so that the top branches seemed to be just above his roof; and the +great tree appeared to be falling, falling, helplessly. + +"Don't fall on me!" shrieked the Little Red House. "Oh, don't fall +on me; because, if you do, you know you'll squash me! I don't want +to be squashed!" + +But the big Blue-gum said, "There is just one little root holding +now. If that gives way we are both done for." + +"Be brave! Oh, be brave!" shrieked the Little Red House. + +Then slowly, very slowly, the big Blue-gum began to straighten up +again, away from the Little Red House. + +"I have stood upon this mountain, tree and sapling, for over a +hundred years," he said when he had recovered; "but if it blows like +that again, it is the end of me." + +But it did not blow like that again; though the wind howled and +shrieked all that day as if it was very angry and disappointed that +it could not blow down the big Blue-gum. + +Then, towards evening, the wind fell; the heavy clouds went away +beyond the edge of the sky, and all became very calm and peaceful. + +The birds came from their hiding places and sat in the branches of +the Blue-gum and chattered away to him, until he began to feel quite +cheerful once more, in spite of his trouble. And when a certain +little Tree-creeper--a very wise bird--came and had a long, serious +talk with the Blue-gum, he became very much interested indeed and +quite happy. + +But the Little Red House was miserable still; and the beauty of +the evening didn't cheer him up one bit. + +"Ah, well," said the Blue-gum, when the darkness came to the mountain, +"I am going to have a good sleep tonight. I'm a match still for old +Daddy Wind, in spite of all his noise and bluster. And there are ways +of dealing with white-ants, too. I've lived upon this mountain, tree +and sapling, for--" + +But as he was talking he fell fast asleep. + +The Little Red House did not sleep. How could he, with his eyes wide +open? So he just stood there all night staring before him, lonely and +wretched. And when an owl came and sat in the tree and began to call, +"Mopoke," the Little Red House told him rudely to stop his silly noise +and clear out. That will just show you how very miserable he was. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-20.jpg"></P><PRE> +It was quite late next morning when the Blue-gum awoke. He stretched +his big limbs, and began to wonder what he might say to comfort the +Little Red House. But when the Blue-gum looked down, he saw that the +Little Red House was smiling all over his face. + +"Well, now!" cried the big Blue-gum cheerfully. "That's the kind of +face I like to see in the morning! So you've decided to be sensible +and forget your loneliness?" + +But the Little Red House didn't say a word. He just went on smiling. + +Then the big Blue-gum began to get uneasy. + +"I do hope your troubles haven't turned you silly," he said. "You +haven't lost your senses, have you?" + +"I?" cried the Little Red House. "Why, look down the valley! See +who's coming!" + +Down, far down, the valley, just coming through the white gate, were +two figures that looked like tiny specks. And much nearer was another +speck, which was certainly a little dog. + +"It's them--I mean those are they!" shouted the Little Red House +happily. "Sym and Emily Ann! And here comes our little dog." + +"Well, you certainly have sharp eyes," replied the Blue-gum. "But I +suppose I'm getting old--over a hundred years, you know." + +The two figures were through the white gate now, and had crossed the +red road out on to the stony flat--getting bigger and bigger as they +came; and the smile on the Little Red House seemed to grow broader +and broader. On they came, under the tree-ferns, up by the big rocks, +past the sign-post. And now the Little Red House could hear Sym +singing his Tinker's song. + +But it was not quite the same song this time: + +"Kettles and pans! Ho, kettles and pans! +Where's there a home like the tinkering man's? +Weary of wandering, home is the place-- +The Little Red House with the smile on his face-- +Weary and hungry, my Emily Ann. +Then put on the kettle! Ho, put on the pan!" + +"Now THAT is the sort of song I DO like," said the Little Red House, +as he watched them coming up the mountain. + +On they came, growing bigger and bigger--through the sliprails, across +the potato paddock, over the bridge, round by the bracken-patch, past +the black stump, through the gate, and here they were, right at the +front door. + +"Oh, I AM glad to be home again," cried Emily Ann. "And do look at the +Little House. He seems to be smiling." + +"Of course he is smiling," answered Sym; "but he has a very dirty face." + +"The storm did that," said Emily Ann. "Now hurry and get the fire +alight, and I'll put the kettle on." And they went inside laughing +and singing, while the little dog flew round the house, barking for +dear life, and pretending he was very busy seeing everything was +in order. + +"Now I suppose you're happy," said the big Blue-gum to the Little +Red House. + +"Happy?" cried the Little House. "Of course I am. Why, I'm a home +again!" But suddenly he remembered that his own happiness had made +him forget all about his old friend's troubles; and he tried his best +to look serious, as he said: "But what about YOU? Are the white-ants +still troubling you?" + +"Ah!" replied the Blue-gum. "Don't let that worry you. Yesterday I +had a talk with the doctor--Doctor Tree-creeper, you know--a very +clever little bird he is, and he knows all about white-ants. He +examined me thoroughly all over. He says that they have hardly got +under my skin yet, and he will have them all out in a couple of days. +So THAT'S all right." + +"Well, I am glad," shouted the Little Red House. "Now we are ALL happy!" + +Then Sym got the fire started, and the smoke curled up, and the Little +House had his gay blue feather once again. Sym began to sing his +Tinker's Song louder than ever, and Emily Ann, who was getting the +meal ready, joined in and sang too. Very soon the kettle also began +to sing, and, when the pan heard that HE began to sing. Then Doctor +Tree-creeper arrived to attend to the white-ants, and, as he walked +round the trunk of the big Blue-gum, tapping it just like a doctor, +HE began to sing. And two Kookaburras, who were sitting on the fence, +were so tickled with it all, that they laughed and laughed till they +made everyone else laugh with them. + +"This is quite like old times," laughed the big Blue-gum. "Are you +contented now?" + +"Am I contented?" cried the Little Red House. "Am I contented? Well, +what would you think?" + +And then--well, most ordinary grown-up folk would tell you that just +then Emily Ann drew down one of the front blinds. But all the big +Blue-gum knew, and all you and I know, is that the Little Red House +winked. + +And when I saw him last, his smile was as broad as ever, and he was +still winking. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-21.jpg"></P><PRE> +<BR><A name=item-14></A> + + +THE PIEMAN + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-22.jpg"></P><PRE> +I'd like to be a pieman, and ring a little bell, +Calling out, "Hot pies! Hot pies to sell!" +Apple-pies and Meat-pies, Cherry-pies as well, +Lots and lots and lots of pies--more than you can tell. +Big, rich Pork-pies! Oh, the lovely smell! + But I wouldn't be a pieman if . . . + I wasn't very well. + Would you? + +<BR><A name=item-15></A> + + +THE TRIANTIWONTIGONGOLOPE + +There's a very funny insect that you do not often spy, +And it isn't quite a spider, and it isn't quite a fly; +It is something like a beetle, and a little like a bee, +But nothing like a wooly grub that climbs upon a tree. +Its name is quite a hard one, but you'll learn it soon, I hope. +So try: + Tri- + Tri-anti-wonti- + Triantiwontigongolope. + +It lives on weeds and wattle-gum, and has a funny face; +Its appetite is hearty, and its manners a disgrace. +When first you come upon it, it will give you quite a scare, +But when you look for it again, you find it isn't there. +And unless you call it softly it will stay away and mope. +So try: + Tri- + Tri-anti-wonti- + Triantiwontigongolope. + +It trembles if you tickle it or tread upon its toes; +It is not an early riser, but it has a snubbish nose. +If you snear at it, or scold it, it will scuttle off in shame, +But it purrs and purrs quite proudly if you call it by its name, +And offer it some sandwiches of sealing-wax and soap. +So try: + Tri- + Tri-anti-wonti- + Triantiwontigongolope . + +But of course you haven't seen it; and I truthfully confess +That I haven't seen it either, and I don't know its address. +For there isn't such an insect, though there really might have been +If the trees and grass were purple, and the sky was bottle green. +It's just a little joke of mine, which you'll forgive, I hope. +Oh, try! + Tri- + Tri-anti-wonti- + Triantiwontigongolope. + +<BR><A name=item-16></A> + +THE CIRCUS + + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-23a.jpg" width=375><IMG alt="" +src="images/kids-23b.jpg" width=375></P><PRE> +Hey, there! Hoop-la! the circus is in town! +Have you seen the elephant? Have you seen the clown? +Have you seen the dappled horse gallop round the ring? +Have you seen the acrobats on the dizzy swing? +Have you seen the tumbling men tumble up and down? +Hoop-la! Hoop-la! the circus is in town! + +Hey, there! Hoop-la! Here's the circus troupe! +Here's the educated dog, jumping through the hoop. +See the lady Blondin with the parasol and fan, +The lad upon the ladder and the india-rubber man. +See the joyful juggler and the boy who loops the loop. +Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Here's the circus troupe! + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-17></A><PRE> + +YOU AND I + + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-24.jpg"></P><PRE> +They say the eagle is a bird +That sees some splendid sights +When he soars high into the sky +Upon his dizzy flights: +He sees the ground for miles around +Our house, and Billy Johnson's; +But we cannot be eagles, for +That would, of course, be nonsense. + +But you and I, some summer day, +Providing we're allowed, +Will go up in an aeroplane +And sail right through a cloud. +But, if they say we may not go, +We'll stay upon the ground +With other things that have no wings, +And watch them walk around. + +They say the bottom of the sea +Is beautiful to view; +They say the fish, whene'er they wish, +Can sail and see it, too; +The shining pearls, the coral curls, +The sharks, the squids, the schnappers, +And fish with fins (though not in tins) +And fish with funny flappers. + +But you and I, some sunny day, +When weather's in condition, +Will go there in a submarine, +Providing we've permission. + +But if they say we may not go +We must respect their wishes; +And you and I will just keep dry +Because we are not fishes. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-25.jpg"></P><PRE> +The earth is quite a jolly place, +And we don't care for flying; +And thnigs that creep down in the deep +Are sometimes rather trying. +So, if they'll grant a holiday +Or even only half, +We'll lie upon some grassy place, +And think of things, and laugh. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-26.jpg"></P><BR><A +name=item-18></A><PRE> + +GOING TO SCHOOL + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-27.jpg"></P><PRE> + +Did you see them pass to-day, Billy, Kate and Robin, +All astride upon the back of old grey Dobbin? +Jigging, jogging off to school, down the dusty track-- +What must Dobbin think of it--three upon his back? +Robin at the bridle-rein, in the middle Kate, +Billy holding on behind, his legs out straight. + +Now they're coming back from school, jig, jog, jig. +See them at the corner where the gums grow big; +Dobbin flicking off the flies and blinking at the sun-- +Having three upon his back he thinks is splendid fun: +Robin at the bridle-rein, in the middle Kate, +Little Billy up behind, his legs out straight. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-28.jpg"></P><BR><A +name=item-19></A><PRE> + +HIST! + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-29.jpg"></P><PRE> +Hist! . . . . . . Hark! +The night is very dark, +And we've to go a mile or so +Across the Possum Park. + +Step . . . . . . light, +Keeping to the right; +If we delay, and lose our way, +We'll be out half the night. +The clouds are low and gloomy. Oh! +It's just begun to mist! +We haven't any overcoats +And--Hist! . . . . . . Hist! + +(Mo . . . . . . poke!) +Who was that that spoke? +This is not a fitting spot +To make a silly joke. + +Dear . . . . . . me! +A mopoke in a tree! +It jarred me so, I didn't know +Whatever it could be. +But come along; creep along; +Soon we shall be missed. +They'll get a scare and wonder where +We--Hush! . . . . . . Hist! + +Ssh! . . . . . . Soft! +I've told you oft and oft +We should not stray so far away +Without a moon aloft. + +Oo! . . . . . . Scat! +Goodness! What was that? +Upon my word, it's quite absurd, +It's only just a cat. +But come along; haste along; +Soon we'll have to rush, +Or we'll be late and find the gate +Is--Hist! . . . . . . Hush! + +(Kok!. . . . . . Korrock!) +Oh! I've had a shock! +I hope and trust it's only just +A frog behind a rock. + +Shoo! . . . . . . Shoo! +We've had enough of you; +Scaring folk just for a joke +Is not the thing to do. +But come along, slip along-- +Isn't it a lark +Just to roam so far from home +On--Hist! . . . . . . Hark! + +Look! . . . . . . See! +Shining through the tree, +The window-light is glowing bright +To welcome you and me. + +Shout! . . . . . . Shout! +There's someone round about, +And through the door I see some more +And supper all laid out. +Now, run! Run! Run! +Oh, we've had such splendid fun-- +Through the park in the dark, +As brave as anyone. + +Laughed, we did, and chaffed, we did, +And whistled all the way, +And we're home again! Home again! +Hip . . . . . . Hooray! + +<BR><A name=item-20></A> + + +BIRD SONG + +I am friendly with the sparrow +Though his mind is rather narrow + And his manners--well, the less we say the better. +But as day begins to peep, +When I hear his cheery "Cheep" + I am ready to admit I am his debtor + +I delight in red-browed finches +And all birds of scanty inches. + Willie wagtail is a pleasant bird, and coy. +All the babblers, chats and wrens, +Tits and robins, and their hens, + Are my very special friends, and bring me joy. + +<BR><A name=item-21></A> + + +THE MUSIC OF YOUR VOICE + +A vase upon the mantelpiece, + A ship upon the sea, +A goat upon a mountain-top + Are much the same to me; +But when you mention melon jam, + Or picnics by the creek, +Or apple pies, or pantomimes, + I love to hear you speak. + +The date of Magna Charta or + The doings of the Dutch, +Or capes, or towns, or verbs, or nouns + Do not excite me much; +But when you mention motor rides-- + Down by the sea for choice +Or chasing games, or chocolates, + I love to hear your voice. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-30.jpg"></P><BR><A +name=item-22></A><PRE> + +THE BOY WHO RODE INTO THE SUNSET + +Once upon a time--it was not so very long ago, either--a little boy, +named Neville, lived with his people in a house which was almost in +the country. That is to say, it was just at the edge of the city; and +at the back of the house was a rather large hill, which was quite +bald. + +Neville, who was fond of playing by himself, would often wander to the +top of the bald hill; and if he stood right on top of it and looked +one way, toward the East, he could see right over the city, with all +its tall buildings and domes and spires and smoking chimneys. But +looking the other way, to the West, he could see for miles over the +beautiful country, with its green fields and orchards and white roads +and little farm houses. + +One evening Neville was playing alone on the top of the hill when he +noticed that one of the very finest sunsets he had ever seen was just +coming on. The sky in the West, away over the broad country lands, was +filled with little clouds of all sorts and shapes, and they were just +beginning to take on the most wonderful colours. + +Neville had often before amused himself with watching clouds and the +strange shapes into which they changed themselves--sometimes like +great mountain ranges, sometimes like sea-waves, and very often like +elephants and lions and seals and all manner of interesting things of +that sort. But never before had he been able to make out so many +animal shapes in the clouds. The sky was almost as good as a Zoo. +There were kangaroos and elephants and a hen with chickens and +wallabies and rabbits and a funny man with large ears and all sorts of +other peculiar shapes. + +The sun was sinking behind a distant range of hills, where a golden +light shone out as if through a gateway. It was so much like a great +golden gateway that Neville fell to wondering what might be found on +the other side of it. + +Suddenly, right in the middle of all the coloured clouds, he saw one +little cloud which was perfectly white, and, as he watched it, he +noticed that it seemed to be shaped like a small horse. A very small +horse it seemed at that distance; but, as Neville gazed, it grew +bigger and bigger, just as if it were coming toward him very fast, and +he was almost certain he could see its legs moving. + +That startled him a little, and so he rubbed his eyes to make sure +that they were not playing him tricks. + +When he looked again he was more startled than ever; for the little +white cloud was no longer a cloud, but a little white horse in real +earnest. Besides, it had just left the sky and was galloping down the +mountain range which he could see away in the West. + +In two minutes it had left the range, and was coming across the fields +towards him, jumping the fences, dodging under the trees, and racing +across the plain with its white mane and tail tossing as it came. It +seemed to be making straight for him. + +He was not really frightened--you must not think that about him--but +he was just beginning to wonder if it were not nearly time to go home +to dinner, when he noticed that the white horse had stopped, just at +the foot of the bald hill. It was looking up at him, tossing its head +and pawing the ground--the most beautiful white horse that he had ever +seen, even in a circus. Then it appeared to get over its excitement +and began to trot quietly up the hill toward him. + +I do not think anyone would have blamed Neville if he had decided then +to go home to dinner at once. But he was rather a brave boy, and he +was certainly very curious, so he just stood still and waited. + +And here is where the most wonderful part of the story begins. The +white horse trotted up to Neville and spoke to him. That would +surprise most people; and Neville was certainly as much surprised as +anyone else would have been. + +"What are you frightened of?" asked the white horse in a loud voice. + +Now, Neville WAS just a little frightened by this time; but he was not +going to show it, so he just said, "Who's frightened?" + +"YOU'RE frightened," said the white horse, louder than ever. "You're +only a timid little boy. I thought when I saw you in the distance that +you were one of the plucky ones; but I was mistaken. You're just a +little cowardly-custard." + +"You'd better be careful who you're talking to," said Neville, +suddenly losing his fear. (Little boys do not always talk good +grammar; otherwise he would have said "whom" not "who.") He hated to +be called a "cowardly-custard." "You'd better be careful, or I'll give +you a bang!" + +"Ah ha!" cried the white horse. "Very brave all at once, aren't you? +All the same, you're afraid to come near and stroke me." + +"But I don't want to stroke you," said Neville. + +"I thought not," replied the white horse. "I thought not, the moment I +got close to you. You're one of the frightened ones, and I've been +wasting my time." + +"Who's frightened?" said Neville again. + +"You asked that before," replied the white horse, "and I told you. If +you're not frightened, come along and stroke me. There's nothing to be +afraid of." + +So Neville walked right up to the white horse and stroked his +shoulder. And at once he felt that he had been foolish to hold back. +For of all the smooth, soft, silky coats he had ever stroked, that of +the white horse was certainly the smoothest, and the softest, and the +silkiest. He felt that he could go on stroking it for hours. + +"There now," said the white horse in a voice as soft and silky as his +coat. "There was nothing to be afraid of, was there? And I think that +perhaps I was mistaken about you. I rather think you might be one of +those daring boys that one reads about in stories. What about jumping +on my back for a little ride?" + +Neville ceased to stroke the white horse and drew back a little. + +"I'm afraid they'll be expecting me home for dinner," he said. "I'm +very pleased indeed to have met you." Neville was always a polite +little boy. + +"The very thing!" cried the white horse. "Jump on my back and I'll +take you home. You liked stroking me, didn't you? Well that's nothing +to the ride you will enjoy--simply nothing. Why, all the boldest +riders in the world would give their ears just for one little ride on +my back. Now then! One, two, three, and up you go!" + +Then before Neville quite knew what he was doing, he made a little run +and leapt up astride of the white horse. + +"I live just over there," said Neville, pointing towards his home. + +But before he could say "knife", or even "scissors" (supposing he had +wished to say either of these words), the white horse laughed a nasty +hollow laugh, sprang upwards from the ground, and was soaring through +the air toward the dying sunset, right away from home and dinner. + +Neville clung on tightly, for he was so high above the earth that to +fall off would mean the end of him. And far beneath him he saw the +green fields and the white road, which now seemed like a mere thread. + +"That's not fair! Whoa back! Whoa back!" he shouted to the white +horse; but the white horse made no reply. Indeed, he seemed suddenly +not so much like a white horse as like a white cloud shaped like a +horse, and Neville saw that he no longer sat upon the horse's silky +coat, but upon something soft and downy like a white fleece, and it +was slightly damp. Then he knew that he was riding upon a cloud; and, +as it was quite absurd to go on talking to a cloud, he ceased to cry +out. He just sat tight and wondered what would happen next. + +He was high over a farm-house now: one that he used to see from the +bald hill. He knew it by the tall pine-trees that grew round it; and +down in the farm-yard he saw a man with a bucket going out to feed the +calves. Neville called loudly to him, but the man did not even look +up. Now he was far beyond that farm-house and above an orchard, where +he saw the fruit-trees standing in straight rows; and a few seconds +later the mountain range was beneath him, and Neville knew that the +cloud that looked like a horse was making straight for the golden +gateway, which was now glowing dully in a grey sky. He was riding into +the sunset. + +Swiftly as the wind that drove it, the Cloud Horse drifted over the +mountain range. There was a sudden glow of golden light all about him, +and then a flash of colour so wonderful that Neville could not bear to +look. He closed his eyes, and, as he did so, he felt that the Cloud +Horse had come to a halt at last. + +So Neville sat upon the cloud, not daring to open his eyes for quite a +long time. When at last he did look again he almost fainted with the +wonder of it. He was inside the sunset. + +But scarcely had he begun to enjoy the wonderful sight, when he was +startled by the sound of a funny, shrill little voice close by his +side. Looking down, he saw a strange little man, no taller than a +walking-stick, and dressed from top to toe in golden-yellow clothes. +"My stars!" said the wee yellow man. "How did YOU manage to get in +here? Don't you know this is private?" + +"I'm very sorry," said Neville, "but I couldn't help it. The Cloud +Horse brought me, you know." + +"Ah!" said the wee yellow man. "He tricked you, did he? He's much too +playful, that Cloud Horse; and, I must say, he's put you in a pretty +fix." + +"Excuse me," said Neville, "but do you mind telling me who you are?" + +"I?" cried the little yellow man. "Why, I'm the Last Sunbeam, of +course. I thought you knew that. My job, you know, is to shut up the +show when the sunset is over. And it's pretty hard work, I can tell +you, because I've got to keep on doing it all round the earth every +few minutes or so. And it gets very tiresome at times. Would you +believe it? I've never seen a dawn or a bright mid-day in all my +life--just sunsets all the time. Sunsets for breakfast, sunsets for +dinner, sunsets for supper. And if I make the tiniest little slip, the +head scene-shifter is down on me like a ton of bricks." + +"Goodness me!" said Neville. "I didn't know you had scene-shifters +here." Neville had been to see pantomimes, and therefore knew what a +scene-shifter was. + +"Then how do you think we shift the scenes?" cried the wee yellow man +rather crossly. Then he suddenly became very busy about nothing, as he +whispered, "Look out! Here's the head scene-shifter coming now." + +Looking back, Neville saw, coming towards them, a man with very large +ears. He was not a nice-looking man, and he was extremely like the +cloud man that Neville had sometimes seen in the sky when he went to +look at the sunset from the bald hill. + +"Now then! Now then!" roared the man with the large ears. "Move +yourself there, Goldie! We shut up the show here in a few minutes, and +open at once on the next range. See that you have that curtain down on +time." + +"Certainly, sir," replied the little yellow man very humbly. + +Then the man with the large ears noticed Neville for the first time. +He frowned darkly, and his big ears seemed to flap with annoyance. + +"Who is this on our Cloud Horse?" he roared in his great angry voice. + +"Just a little boy," said the yellow man--for Neville was far too +frightened to speak. "Just a little boy that the Cloud Horse has been +playing tricks on. I think he'd like to be getting home--just over by +the bald hill, if you don't mind, sir." + +"Certainly not!" shouted the man with the large ears. "The Cloud Horse +is not to go out there again to-night, nor the silly little boy +either. I'm not going to have the sunset upset by any such silly +nonsense. You mind what I say and attend to your work." + +And, without another glance at Neville, the man with the large ears +strode off to arrange for the sunset on the next range, miles and +miles away. + +Neville gazed at the wee yellow man hopelessly, and the wee yellow man +gazed at Neville, and neither spoke a word until the man with the +large ears was well out of the way. Then the Last Sunbeam grew quite +cheerful again. + +"Well," said he, "you heard what the head scene-shifter said. You +certainly can't go home by the way you came. The only thing for you to +do is to go round. You'll just about have time to do it, if you +hurry." + +"Go round?" repeated Neville in a puzzled voice. "Go round what, round +where?" + +"Round the world, of course," replied the little yellow man. + +"Round the world?" cried Neville. "Why you must be making fun of me, +and I think that is very unkind." + +"Not a bit of it," laughed the little yellow man. "You need not make +such as fuss about it. Why, I go round the world once every day with +the sunset. You have only to go a bit faster so as to do it in a few +minutes, and with the Cloud Horse to help you that's easily managed. +Don't you worry about the Cloud Horse. He has got to do just whatever I +tell him. Now, excuse me for one moment and I'll give you full +directions." + +With that the wee yellow man went behind a pink cloud and came +back with a beautiful blue flower in his hand. + +"This," he said, handing the flower to Neville, "is a Sky Flower. It +is made entirely out of a genuine piece of sky, and it is a +talisman--that's a longer word for charm, you know--which takes you +free round the world. The one thing you have to remember is that you +mustn't, on any account, lose that flower until you get home again. +Now, just exactly what you have to do is to travel West and race round +the world until you catch up with this evening again. It is quite +simple." + +"Simple!" cried Neville. "Why I don't understand it at all." + +"Dear me!" said the wee yellow man rather impatiently, "you are very +dense. Now listen carefully. The world, you know, turns round from +West to East, and that makes it seem as if the sun is going round the +world from East to West. Very well. So what you have to do is to ride +West upon the Cloud horse much faster than the sun appears to travel, +and catch him up again before he gets well away from here. The Cloud +horse is in good condition, and you should easily do it in a few +minutes." + +"A few minutes!" gasped Neville. + +"Keep quiet and listen," snapped the wee yellow man. "A few miles West +from here you will come into broad daylight. That will be afternoon. +After that you will meet mid-day, and, passing that, you will reach +the place where it is only dawn. That's about half-way round the +earth. Show the Sky Flower to the porter of the Dawn, and he will let +you through. Then you get to the half of the world where it is night, +and you must race round that till you reach the place where it is only +evening. That will be THIS evening, somewhere about here, for you will +have taken only a few minutes altogether. And when you see your own +home or the bald hill again, grasp the Sky Flower tightly in your +hand, jump off the Cloud horse, and you will float gracefully down to +the earth. It won't hurt you. Then you can go home, and I hope you +will not be late for dinner." + +"But," began Neville, "I can't understand--" + +"My time is valuable," said the wee yellow man, as he shook hands. +"Good-bye, and a pleasant journey." With that he smacked the Cloud +Horse smartly on the flank, and in a moment it was racing into the +West at a most terrific pace. + +Of course, now that aeroplanes have been invented, flying is not +thought so wonderful as once it was. But loafing along through the air +in a biplane or a monoplane at eighty or a hundred miles an hour is a +very tame business when you compare it with racing the day round the +world on a Cloud horse. And Neville is very probably the only person +who has ever done that yet. + +Almost before he knew what had happened, he had left evening far +behind and was riding in broad daylight. The cloud Horse had ridden +high in the air, and Neville saw the broad country, with plains and +hills and forest lands, stretched far beneath him. An instant later, +and the land was no longer below him, but the wide sea, sparkling in +brilliant sunlight. + +Before he had time to notice very much he had reached mid-day, high +over a strange foreign land, and was racing through the morning toward +the dawn. So quickly did he go that there was little chance of seeing +anything clearly; but he had glimpses of many strange sights. Many +ships he saw upon the sea--small ships and stately steamers crawling +over the ocean like strange water-beetles. Once, as the Cloud Horse +drifted low, Neville saw a beautiful sailing-ship, with all sails set, +and strange-looking men upon the deck. They looked very like pirates, +and perhaps they were; but Neville had no time to make sure, for the +very next minute he was over a wild land where he saw a horde of black +men, with spears and clubs, hunting an elephant through a clearing in +a great jungle. As he looked, the elephant turned to charge the +hunters; but what happened then Neville did not see, for in a moment +more he was above a great city with crowds of people in the +streets--people dressed in strange, bright-coloured clothes--and there +were bells ringing and whistles blowing. Then a great desert spread +beneath him, with no living thing in sight but a great tawny lion +prowling over the sand. Then came the sea again, and more ships; and +the light began to grow dim, for he was nearly half-way round the +earth, and was approaching the dawn. + +Dimmer grew the light, and dimmer yet, just as though evening were +coming--and before him, Neville saw the dawn like a silvery gateway in +the sky. Straight toward it the Cloud Horse rushed, and stopped so +suddenly that Neville almost fell off. + +"What's all this? What's all this?" cried a small voice; and Neville +saw beside the silver gateway, a little man dressed from top to toe in +silver grey. It was the Porter of the Dawn, sometimes called the First +Sunbeam. + +Before Neville could answer, the little grey man had caught sight of +the Sky Flower. + +"Ah, you have the talisman," said he. "Pass in! and don't stop to +gossip, because I'm very busy this morning. A pleasant journey," he +added as he smacked the cloud horse on the shoulder; and in an instant +Neville had passed through the dawn and plunged into the night. + +It was a dark night, with no moon, for the sky was overcast with dense +clouds. Above these the Cloud horse flew, and overhead Neville saw the +rushing stars, and below only the blackness of heavy clouds. But more +often the Cloud horse flew low, and then there was little to be seen. +By the lights of moving ships Neville knew that sometimes he was above +the sea. Sometimes twinkling lights in towns or solitary farms, or the +sudden blaze of a great city told him that the land was beneath him. +Once, through the blackness, he saw a great forest fire upon an +island, and the light of it lit up the sea, and showed the natives +crowded upon the beach and in the shallows, and some making off in +canoes. + +Then darkness swallowed the Cloud Horse again, and the blazing island +was left far behind. + +After that, Neville began to feel a little drowsy. Perhaps he did +sleep a little, for the next thing he saw was a faint light in the sky +before him, as though the dawn were coming. But he knew it must be the +evening, because he was coming back to the place from which he had +started, and was catching up with the sun. You see, he had only been +gone a few minutes. + +The Cloud Horse flew very low now; and rapidly the darkness grew less. +Then, long before he expected it, Neville saw the roof of his own home +below him. He could see the garden in the twilight and his own dog +sniffing about among the trees as though in search of him. + +Neville began to think about jumping now, and he was rather nervous. +He might land softly and he might not. He only had the wee yellow +man's word for that. + +Then, to his horror, he saw that they had passed his home and were +over the bald hill. There was no time to lose. The Cloud Horse was +taking him into the sunset again, and, if he did, what would the head +scene-shifter say then? + +So, grasping the Sky Flower very tightly, Neville closed his eyes and +jumped. He half expected to fall quickly and be dashed to pieces upon +the earth; but, instead, he floated in the air like a feather, swaying +and drifting, and slowly sinking all the time towards the ground. It +was a very pleasant sensation indeed. + +The bald hill was beneath him as he came slowly down, down, down. + +He could see the Cloud Horse--now little more than a small white +speck--rushing on to catch the sunset. And still he sank down ever so +slowly towards the top of the bald hill. + +His little dog had caught sight of him now, and came rushing out the +gate and up the bald hill, barking loudly. And he kept on sinking +nearer to the earth, down, down, nearer and nearer--and then, quite +suddenly, he seemed to forget everything. + +The next thing Neville remembered was feeling something wet and warm +upon his cheek. He opened his eyes and saw that the little dog was +licking his face. Sitting up, he looked about him. He was in the grass +on the top of the bald hill; night was very near, and the first star +was just beginning to twinkle. + +Then, quite suddenly, Neville remembered the Cloud horse and the +little yellow man and the little silver man and the head scene-shifter +and the wonderful journey and all the rest of it. + +"Well, what a remarkable dream," said Neville, stretching his arms. +And, as he did so, the Sky Flower fell from his hand. + +So it was not a dream after all; for, if it was, how could he explain +that Sky Flower? He picked it up and carried it very tenderly, as he +set off home to dinner, his little dog trotting at his heels. + +"What a beautiful flower!" said Neville's mother when he got home. +"Where ever did you get it?" + +"It is a piece of the genuine sky," said Neville proudly, as he gave +it to her. + +His mother smiled at him as she said, "That is a very nice thing to +say, and it certainly does look like a little piece of the sky. But, +of course, it couldn't possibly be a real piece." + +Then Neville knew that if he were to tell the story of his wonderful +ride, and tried to explain that he had been right around the world +since since he went out to play, his parents would find it very, very +hard to believe. So he said nothing, but ate a very good dinner. + +But Neville's mother put the flower in a vase upon the mantel; and to +this day it is still there, as fresh and bright as ever. It will not +fade. Neville's mother thinks that is a very strange and wonderful +thing. And so it is. + +Since that day, when Neville goes to the top of the bald hill to watch +a sunset, he is almost sure that, just as the golden light is fading, +he can see a little yellow man by the gateway; and it seems to him +that the little yellow man waves a cheery greeting. But, whether this +is so or not, Neville always waves back; and he feels very happy to +think that he has a good friend inside the sunset. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-23></A><PRE> + +THE TRAM-MAN + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-31.jpg"></P><PRE> +I'd like to be a Tram-man, and ride about all day, +Calling out, "Fares, please!" in quite a 'ficious way, +With pockets full of pennies which I'd make the people pay. +But in the hottest days I'd take my tram down to the Bay; +And when I saw the nice cool sea I'd shout "Hip, hip, hooray!" +But I wouldn't be a Tram-man if . . . . + I couldn't stop and play. + Would you? + +<BR><A name=item-24></A> + + +THE AXE-MAN + +High on the hills, where the tall trees grow, +There lives an axeman that I know. +From his little hut by a ferny creek, +Day after day, week after week, +He goes each morn with his shining axe, +Trudging along by the forest tracks; +And he chops and he chops till the daylight goes-- +High on the hills, where the blue-gum grows. + +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +There's a log to move and a branch to lop. +Now to the felling! His sharp axe bites +Into a tree on the forest heights, +And scarce for a breath does the axeman stop-- +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +Bell-birds watch him; and in the fern +Wallabies listen awhile, and turn +Back through the bracken, and off they hop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +Patient and tireless, blow on blow +The axeman swings as the minutes go; +While the echoes ring from the mountain-top. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) + +Round about him the rabbits play, +Skipping and scampering all the day, +And the sweet young grass by the logs they crop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) + +Crimson parrots above him climb, +Chattering, chattering all the time, +As down from the branches the twigs they drop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! Chop!) +Steadily, surely, on he goes, +Shaking the tree with his mighty blows: +There's never a pause and there's never a stop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) + +Out from the bush beyond is heard +The swaggering song of the butcher-bird +Seeking a joint for his butcher's shop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +Deeper and deeper the cut creeps in, +While the parrots shriek with a deafening din, +And the chips fly out with a flip and a flop. +(Chip! Chop! Chip! Chop!) +Yellow robins come flocking round, +Watching the chips as they fall to ground, +Darting to catch the grubs that drop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) + +The blows come quicker. The axe-biade hums, +Stand well back, there, before she comes! +Hark! How the splinters crack and pop-- +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +Listen! Listen! She's creaking now! +Look, high up, at that trembling bough! +Another second, and down she'll smash, +Shaking the earth with a mighty crash; +Look at her! Look at her! (Chip! Chop! +Chip! . . . . . . . .Chip!) + Wee--E--E--E--E--E--- + FLOP! + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-25></A><PRE> + +THE DROVERS + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-32a.jpg"></P><PRE> +Out across the spinifex, out across the sand, +Out across the saltbush to Never Never land + That's the way the drovers go, jogging down the track-- + That's the way the drovers go. But how do they come back? +Back across the saltbush from Never Never land. +Back across the spinifex, back across the sand. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-32b.jpg"></P><BR><A +name=item-26></A><PRE> + +THE LONG ROAD HOME + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-33.jpg"></P><PRE> +When I go back from Billy's place I always have to roam +The mazy road, the crazy road that leads the long way home. +Ma always says, "Why don't you come through Mr Donkin's land? +The footbridge track will bring you back." Ma doesn't understand. +I cannot go that way, you know, because of Donkin's dog; +So I set forth and travel north, and cross the fallen log. + +Last week, when I was coming by, that log had lizards in it; +And you can't say I stop to play if I just search a minute. +I look around upon the ground and, if there are no lizards, +I go right on and reach the turn in front of Mrs Blizzard's. +I do not seek to cross the creek, because it's deep and floody, +And Ma would be annoyed with me if I came home all muddy. + +Perhaps I throw a stone or so at Mrs Blizzard's tank, +Because it's great when I aim straight to hear the stone go "Plank!" +Then west I wend from Blizzard's Bend, and not a moment wait, +Except, perhaps, at Mr Knapp's, to swing upon his gate. +So up the hill I go, until I reach the little paddock +That Mr Jones at present owns and rents to Mr Craddock. + +For boys my size the sudden rise is quite a heavy pull, +And yet I fear a short-cut here because of Craddock's bull; +So I just tease the bull till he's as mad as he can get, +And then I face the corner place that's been so long to let. +It's very well for Ma to tell about my dawdling habits. +What would you do, suppose you knew the place was thick with rabbits? + +I do not stay for half a day, as Ma declares I do. +No, not for more than half-an-hour--perhaps an hour--or two. +Then down the drop I run, slip-slop, where all the road is slithy. +And have to go quite close, you know, to Mr Horner's smithy. +A moment I might tarry by the fence to watch them hammer, +And, I must say, learn more that way than doing sums and grammar. + +And, if I do sometimes climb through, I do not mean to linger. +Though I did stay awhile the day Bill Homer burst his finger. +I just stand there to see the pair bang some hot iron thing +And watch Bill Horner swing the sledge and hit the anvil--Bing! +(For Mr Horner and his son are great big brawny fellows: +Both splendid chaps!) And then, perhaps, they let me blow the bellows. + +A while I stop beside the shop, and talk to Mr Horner; +Then off I run, and race like fun around by Duggan's Corner. +It's getting late, and I don't wait beside the creek a minute, +Except to stop, maybe, and drop a few old pebbles in it. +A few yards more, and here's the store that's kept by Mr Whittle-- +And you can't say I waste the day if I 'ust wait. . . a little. + +One day, you know, a year ago, a man gave me a penny, +And Mr Whittle sold me sweets (but not so very many). +You never know your luck, and so I look to see what's new +In Mr Whittle's window. There's a peppermint or two, +Some buttons and tobacco (Mr Whittle calls it "baccy"), +And fish in tins, and tape, and pins. . . . And then a voice calls, "Jacky!" + +"I'm coming, Ma. I've been so far-around by Duggan's Corner. +I had to stay awhile to say 'Good day' to Mr Horner. +I feel so fagged; I've tramped and dragged through mud and over logs, Ma-- +I could not go short-cuts, you know, because of bulls and dogs, Ma. +The creek, Ma? Why, it's very high! You don't call that a gutter? +Bill Horner chews tobacco, Ma. . . . I'd like some bread and butter." + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-27></A><PRE> + +THE BAND + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-34.jpg"></P><PRE> +Hey, there! Listen awhile! Listen awhile, and come. +Down in the street there are marching feet, and I hear the beat of a drum. +Bim! Boom!! Out of the room! Pick up your hat and fly! +Isn't it grand? The band! The band! The band is marching by! + +Oh, the clarinet is the finest yet, and the uniforms are gay. + Tah, rah! We don't go home-- + Oom, pah! We won't go home-- +Oh, we shan't go home, and we can't go home when the band begins to play. + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-35.jpg"></P><PRE> +Oh, see them swinging along, swinging along the street! +Left, right! buttons so bright, jackets and caps so neat. +Ho, the Fire Brigade, or a dress parade of the Soldier-men is grand; +But everyone, for regular fun, wants a Big-Brass-Band. + +The slide-trombone is a joy alone, and the drummer! He's a treat! + So, Rackety-rumph! We don't go home-- + Boom, Bumph! We won't go home-- +Oh, we shan't go home, and we can't go home while the band is in the street. + Tooral-ooral, Oom-pah! + The band is in the street! + +<BR><A name=item-28></A> + + +BESSIE AND THE BUNYIP + + Bessie met a bunyip down along the track, +In his hand a billy and a swag upon his back. + And you will hardly believe it, but when Bessie shouted,"Shoo!" + He turned a double somersault and went quite blue. + +<BR><A name=item-29></A> + + +GOOD ENOUGH + +I do not think there ever was, + Or ever will, or ever could be, +A little girl or little boy + As good as she or as he should be. + +But still, I think, you will agree, + Though perfect very, very few are, +They're not so bad when "pretty good"-- + That's just about as good as you are. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-30></A><PRE> + +THE PORTER + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-36.jpg"></P><PRE> +I'd like to be a porter, and always on the run, +Calling out, "Stand aside!" and asking leave of none. +Shoving trucks on people's toes, and having splendid fun, +Slamming all the carriage doors and locking every one-- +And, when they asked to be let in, I'd say, "It can't be done." + But I wouldn't be a porter if. . . + The luggage weighed a ton. + Would you? + +<BR><A name=item-31></A> + + +GROWING UP + +Little Tommy Tadpole began to weep and wail, +For little Tommy Tadpole had lost his little tail; + And his mother didn't know him as he wept upon a log, + For he wasn't Tommy Tadpole, but Mr. Thomas Frog. + +<BR><A name=item-32></A> + + +THE UNSOCIABLE WALLABY + +Willie spied a wallaby hopping through the fern-- +Here a jump, here a thump, there a sudden turn. + Willie called the wallaby, begging him to stop, + But he went among the wattles with a + flip, + flap, + flop! + +<BR><A name=item-32a></A> + +* * * + +I wonder whether, all together, you and I and father +Could eat a bun that weighs a ton. I'd like to try it, rather. + +I want to know why roosters crow at dawning of the day. +Is it because they cannot think of something else to say? + +* * * + +<BR><A name=item-33></A> + + +THE SONG OF THE SULKY STOCKMAN + +Come, let us sing with a right good ring + (Sing hey for lifting lay, sing hey!) +Of any old, sunny old, silly old thing. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +The sun shone brightly overhead, +And the shearers stood by the shearing shed; +But "The run wants rain," the stockman said +(Sing di-dum, wattle-gum, Narrabori Ned. +For a lifting lay sing hey!) + +The colts were clipped and the sheep were shorn + (Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!) +But the stockman stood there all forlorn. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +The rails were up and the gate was tied, +And the big black bull was safe inside; +But "The wind's gone West!" the stockman sighed +(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, rally for a ride. + For a lifting lay sing hey!) + +The cook came out as the clock struck one + (Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!) +And the boundary rider got his gun. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +He fired it once at an old black crow; +But the shot went wide, for he aimed too low; +And the stockman said, "Fat stock is low." +(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, Jerridiiii Joe. + For a lifting lay sing hey!) + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-37.jpg"></P><PRE> +They spread their swags in the gum-tree's shade + (Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!) +For the work was done and the cheques were paid. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +The overseer rode in at three, +But his horse pulled back and would not gee, +And the stockman said, "We're up a tree!" +(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, Johnny-cake for tea. + For a lilting lay sing hey!) + +The sun sank down and the stars shone out + (Sing hey for a lifting lay, sing hey!) +And the old book-keeper moped about. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +The dingo wailed to the mopoke's call, +The crazy colt stamped in his stall; +But the stockman groaned, "it's bunk for all." +(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, wattle-gum, wattle-gum, + Hey for a backblock day! + Sing hey! + Sing hey for a lifting lay!) + +<BR><A name=item-34></A> + + +OUR COW + +Down by the sliprails stands our cow + Chewing, chewing, chewing, +She does not care what folks out there + In the great, big world are doing. +She sees the small cloud-shadows pass + And green grass shining under. +If she does think, what does she think + About it all, I wonder? + +She sees the swallows skimming by + Above the sweet young clover, +The light reeds swaying in the wind + And tall trees bending over. +Far down the track she hears the crack + of bullock-whips, and raving +Of angry men where, in the sun, + Her fellow-beasts are slaving. + +Girls, we are told, can scratch and scold, + And boys will fight and wrangle, +And big, grown men, just now and then, + Fret o'er some fingle-fangle, +Vexing the earth with grief or mirth, + Longing, rejoicing, rueing-- +But by the sliprails stands our cow, + Chewing. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-35></A><PRE> + +THE TEACHER + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-38.jpg"></P><PRE> +I'd like to be a teacher, and have a clever brain, +Calling out, "Attention, please!" and "Must I speak in vain?" +I'd be quite strict with boys and girls whose minds I had to train, +And all the books and maps and things I'd carefully explain; +I'd make then learn the dates of kings, and all the capes of Spain; + But I wouldn't be a teacher if. . . + I couldn't use the cane. + Would you? + +<BR><A name=item-36></A> + + +THE SPOTTED HEIFERS + +Mr Jeremiah Jeffers +Owned a pair of spotted heifers +These he sold for two pounds ten +To Mr Robert Raymond Wren + +Who reared them in the lucerne paddocks +Owned by Mr Martin Maddox, +And sold them, when they grew to cows, +To Mr Donald David Dowse. + +A grazier, Mr Egbert Innes, +Bought them then for twenty guineas, +Milked the cows, and sold the milk +To Mr Stephen Evan Silk. + +Who rents a butter factory +From Mr Laurence Lampard-Lee. +Here, once a week, come for his butter +The grocer, Mr Roland Rutter, + +Who keeps a shop in Sunny Street +Next door to Mr Peter Peat. +He every afternoon at two +Sent his fair daughter, Lucy Loo, + +To Mr Rutter's shop to buy +Such things as were not priced too high, +Especially a shilling tin +Of "Fuller's Food for Folk Too Thin." + +This food was bought for Lucy Loo-- +A girl of charming manners, who +Was much too pale and much too slight +To be a very pleasant sight. + +When Lucy Loo beheld the butter +Stocked by Mr Roland Rutter, +She said, "I'll have a pound of that." +She had it, and thenceforth grew fat. + +We now go back to Mr Jeffers, +Who sold the pair of spotted heifers. +He had a son, James Edgar John, +A handsome lad to gaze upon, + +Who had now reached that time of life +When young men feel they need a wife; +But no young girl about the place +Exactly had the kind of face + +That seemed to suit James Edgar John-- +A saddening thing to think upon, +For he grew sad and sick of life +Because he could not find a wife. + +One day young James was passing by +(A look of sorrow in his eye) +The shop of Mr Roland Rutter, +When Lucy Loo came out with butter. + +At once James Edgar John said, "That +Is just the girl for me! She's fat." +He offered her his heart and hand +And prospects of his father's land. + +The Reverend Saul Sylvester Slight +Performed the simple marriage rite. +The happy couple went their way, +And lived and loved unto this day. + +Events cannot be far foreseen; +And all ths joy might not have been +If Mr Jeremiah Jeffers +Had kept his pair of spotted heifers. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-37></A><PRE> + +TEA TALK + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-39.jpg"></P><PRE> +'Excuse me if I sit on you,' the cup said to the saucer. + 'I fear I've been here all the afternoon.' +'Spare excuses,' said the saucer; 'you have sat on me before, sir.' + 'Oh, I'll stir him up directly,' said the spoon. +'Stop your clatter! Stop your clatter!' cried the bread-and-butter platter + 'Tittle-tattle!' sneered the tea-pot, with a shrug; +'Now, the most important question is my chronic indigestion.' + 'Ah, you've taken too much tannin,' jeered the jug. +'Hey, hey, hey!' sang the silver-plated tray, +'It's time you had your faces washed. I've come to clear away!' + +<BR><A name=item-38></A> + + +THE LOOKING-GLASS + +When I look into the looking glass + I'm always sure to see-- +No matter how I dodge about-- + Me, looking out at me. + +I often wonder as I look, + And those strange features spy, +If I, in there, think I'm as plain + As I, out here, think I. + +<BR><A name=item-39></A> + + +WOOLLOOMOOLOO + +Here's a ridiculous riddle for you: + How many o's are there in Woolloomooloo? +Two for the W, two for the m, + Four for the l's, and that's plenty for them. + +<BR><A name=item-39a></A> + +* * * + +I wonder what the Jacks have got to laugh and laugh about +I'm sure the worms don't see the joke when Jacky digs them out. + +I wonder which is best: a rich plum-pudding stuffed with plums, +Or lemon ice, or plain boiled rice, or long-division sums. + +* * * + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-40></A><PRE> + +THE BARBER + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-40.jpg"></P><PRE> +I'd like to be a barber, and learn to shave and clip, +Calling out, "Next please!" and pocketing my tip. +All day I'd hear my scissors going, "Snip, Snip, Snip;" +I'd lather people's faces, and their noses I would grip +While I shaved most carefully along the upper lip. + But I wouldn't be a barber if . . . + The razor was to slip. + Would you? + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-41></A><PRE> + +FARMER JACK + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-41.jpg"></P><PRE> +Old farmer Jack gazed on his wheat, + And feared the frost would nip it. +Said he, "it's nearly seven feet-- + I must begin to strip it." + +He stripped it with a stripper and + He bagged it with a bagger; +The bags were all so lumpy that + They made the lumper stagger. + +The lumper staggered up the stack + Where he was told to stack it; +And Jack was paid and put the cash + Inside his linen jacket. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-42></A><PRE> + +OLD BLACK JACKO + + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-42.jpg"></P><PRE> +Old Black Jacko + Smokes tobacco + In his little pipe of clay. +Puff, puff, puff, +He never has enough + Though he smokes it all day. + +But his lubra says, "Mine tink dat Jacky +Him shmoke plenty too much baccy." + +<BR><A name=item-43></A> + + +BIRD SONG + +I detest the Carrion Crow! +(He's a raven, don't you know?) + He's a greedy glutton, also, and a ghoul, +And his sanctimonious caw +Rubs my temper on the raw. + He's a demon, and a most degraded fowl. + +I admire the pert Blue-wren +And his dainty little hen-- + Though she hasn't got a trace of blue upon her; +But she's pleasing, and she's pretty, + And she sings a cheerful ditty; +While her husband is a gentleman of honour. + +I despise the Pallid Cuckoo, +A disreputable "crook" who + Shirks her duties for a lazy life of ease. +I abhor her mournful call, +Which is not a song at all + But a cross between a whimper and a wheeze. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-44></A><PRE> + +THE SAILOR + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-43.jpg"></P><PRE> +I'd like to be a sailor--a sailor bold and bluff-- +Calling out, "Ship ahoy!" in manly tones and gruff. +I'd learn to box the compass, and to reef and tack and luff; +I'd sniff and snifff the briny breeze and never get enough. +Perhaps I'd chew tobacco, or an old black pipe I'd puff, + But I wouldn't be a sailor if . . . + The sea was very rough. + Would you? + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-45></A><PRE> + +THE FAMINE + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-44.jpg"></P><PRE> +Cackle and lay, cackle and lay! +How many eggs did you get to-day? +None in the manger, and none in the shed, +None in the box where the chickens are fed, +None in the tussocks and none in the tub, +And only a little one out in the scrub. +Oh, I say! Dumplings to-day. +I fear that the hens must be laying away. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-46></A><PRE> + +THE FEAST + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-45.jpg"></P><PRE> +Cackle and lay, cackle and lay! +How many eggs did you get to-day? +Two in the manger, and four in the shed, +Six in the box where the chickens are fed, +Two in the tussocks and ten in the tub, +And nearly two dozen right out in the scrub. +Hip, hooray! Pudding to-day! +I think that the hens are beginning to lay. + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-47></A> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-46.jpg"></P><PRE> + +UPON THE ROAD TO ROCKABOUT + +Upon the road to Rockabout +I came upon some sheep-- +A large and woolly flock about +As wide as it was deep. + +I was about to turn about +To ask the man to tell +Some things I wished to learn about +Both sheep and wool as well, + +When I beheld a rouseabout +Who lay upon his back +Beside a little house about +A furlong from the track. + +I had a lot to talk about, +And said to him "Good day." +But he got up to walk about, +And so I went away-- + +<BR><A name=item-48></A> + + +A CHANGE OF AIR + +Now, a man in Oodnadatta +He grew fat, and he grew fatter, + Though he hardly had a thing to eat for dinner; +While a man in Booboorowie +Often sat and wondered how he + Could prevent himself from growing any thinner. + +So the man from Oodnadatta + He came down to Booboorowie, +Where he rapidly grew flatter; + And the folk will tell you how he +Urged the man from Booboorowie + To go up to Oodnadatta-- +Where he lived awhile, and now he + Is considerably fatter. + +<BR><A name=item-49></A> + + +POLLY DIBBS + +Mrs Dibbs--Polly Dibbs, + Standing at a tub, +Washing other people's clothes-- + Rub-Rub-Rub. +Poor, old, skinny arms + White with soapy foam-- +At night she takes her shabby hat + And goes off home. + +Mrs Dibbs--Polly Dibbs-- + Is not very rich. +She goes abroad all day to scrub, + And home at night to stitch. +She wears her shabby hat awry, + Perched on a silly comb; +And people laugh at Polly Dibbs + As she goes home. + +Mrs Dibbs--Mother Dibbs-- + Growing very old, +Says, "it's a hard world!" + And sniffs and drats the cold. +She says it is a cruel world, + A weary world to roam. +But God will smile on Polly Dibbs + When she goes Home. + +* * * +<BR><A name=item-49a></A> + +I suspect the Kookaburra, +For his methods are not thorough +In his highly praised campaign against the snakes. +And the small birds, one and all, +Curse him for a cannibal-- +Though he certainly is cheerful when he wakes. + +* * * + +<BR><A name=item-50></A> + + +LULLABY + +You are much too big to dandle, +And I will not leave the candle. + Go to sleep. +You are growing naughty, rather, +And I'll have to speak to father. + Go to sleep! +If you're good I shall not tell, then. +Oh, a story? Very well, then. + Once upon a time, a king, named Crawley Creep, +Had a very lovely daughter . . . . +You don't want a drink of water! + Go to sleep! There! There! Go to sleep. + +* * * + +<BR><A name=item-50a></A> + +I wonder why I wear a tie. It is not warm to wear; +But if I left it off someone would say it was not there. + +I wonder, if I took a whiff of father's pipe for fun, +Would I be big and strong like him, or just his small, sick son? + +I wonder when our old white hen will know her squawk betrays her. +I think she lets us find her eggs just so that we shall praise her. + +* * * + +<BR><A name=item-51></A> + + +THE PUBLISHER + +I'd like to be a publisher, And publish massive tomes +Written in a massive style by blokes with massive domes-- +Science books, and histories of Egypt's day and Rome's, +Books of psycho-surgery to mine the minds of momes, +And solemn pseudo-psychic stuff to tell where Topsy roams +When her poor clay is put away beneath the spreading holms; +Books about electrocuting little seeds with ohms +To sternly show them how to grow in sands, and clays, and loams, +And bravely burst infinitives, like angry agronomes; +Books on breeding aeroplanes and airing aerodromes, +On bees that buzz in bonnets and the kind that build the combs, +Made plain with pretty pictures done in crimsons, mauves, and chromes; +And diagrams to baulk the brain of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. +I'd set the scientists to work like superheated gnomes, +And make them write and write and write until the printer foams +And lino men, made "loony", go to psychopathic homes. +I'd publish books, I would--large books on ants and antinomes +And palimpsests and palinodes and pallid pallindromes: + But I wouldn't be a publisher if . . . . + I got many "pomes." + Would you? + +</PRE><BR><A name=item-52></A> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-47a.jpg"></P><PRE> + +GOOD NIGHT + +And so, Good Night. I'm rather tired. +I hardly thought I'd be required + To draw a lot of pictures, too, + When I arranged to write for you. +I found it hard, but did my best; +And now I need a little rest. + If you are pleased, why, that's all right. + I'm rather tired. And so + GOOD NIGHT! + +</PRE> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-47b.jpg"></P> +<P> </P> +<P><IMG alt="" src="images/kids-48.jpg"><IMG alt="" +src="images/kids-49.jpg"></P><BR><A name=item-53></A><PRE> +This very charming gentleman, extremely old and gruff, +He slowly shook his head and took a great big pinch of snuff, +Then he spluttered and he muttered and he loudly shouted "Fie! +To tear your books is wicked sir! and likewise all my eye!" +I don't know what he meant by that. He had such piercing eyes. +And, he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Books will make you wise." + +This very charming gentleman said, "Hum," and "Hoity, Toit! +A book is not a building block, a cushion or a quoit. +Soil your books and spoil your books? Is that the thing to do? +Gammon, sir! and Spinach, sir! And Fiddle-faddle, too!" +He blinked so quick, and thumped his stick, then gave me such a stare. +And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! BOOKS--NEED--CARE!" + +</PRE> +<H2>THE END</H2><PRE> + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Book for Kids +by C. J. (Clarence Michael James) Dennis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BOOK FOR KIDS *** + +***** This file should be named 16251-h.htm or 16251-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/2/5/16251/ + +Produced by Colin Choat + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</PRE></BODY></HTML> diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-00.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-00.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a94067f --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-00.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-01a.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-01a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..093da2d --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-01a.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-01b.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-01b.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..53a6132 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-01b.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-02a.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-02a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c50b38 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-02a.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-02b.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-02b.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..663b5b9 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-02b.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-03.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-03.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d951ce1 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-03.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-04.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-04.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cba1936 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-04.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-05.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-05.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe9b59c --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-05.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-06.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-06.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1dbba98 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-06.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-07.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-07.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e56b32b --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-07.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-08.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-08.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ec913bf --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-08.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-09.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-09.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7421e51 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-09.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-10.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-10.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..62bf5a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-10.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-11.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-11.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bf64c48 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-11.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-12.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-12.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..7598c1e --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-12.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-13a.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-13a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2b6bc39 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-13a.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-13b.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-13b.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3fee050 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-13b.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-14.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-14.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..76f82fb --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-14.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-15.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-15.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..001bd53 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-15.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-16.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-16.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9394d2c --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-16.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-17.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-17.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bcebab5 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-17.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-18.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-18.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0350420 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-18.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-19.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-19.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..78bb063 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-19.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-20.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-20.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c58d5fa --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-20.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-21.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-21.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d062a81 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-21.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-22.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-22.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d22218 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-22.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-23a.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-23a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9a4f75a --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-23a.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-23b.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-23b.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..202eca0 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-23b.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-24.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-24.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a421f09 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-24.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-25.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-25.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..86e5a35 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-25.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-26.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-26.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..878152a --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-26.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-27.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-27.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5847a5a --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-27.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-28.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-28.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bd8046e --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-28.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-29.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-29.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..61ccc61 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-29.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-30.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-30.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9befa4d --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-30.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-31.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-31.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c542647 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-31.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-32a.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-32a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ef02fdf --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-32a.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-32b.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-32b.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c50a117 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-32b.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-33.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-33.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..6673db0 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-33.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-34.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-34.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..250f23a --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-34.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-35.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-35.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b9f71b --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-35.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-36.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-36.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4ea7ca --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-36.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-37.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-37.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8147039 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-37.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-38.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-38.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..99769f7 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-38.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-39.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-39.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8293295 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-39.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-40.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-40.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eab8888 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-40.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-41.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-41.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d40e6cb --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-41.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-42.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-42.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dfae02a --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-42.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-43.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-43.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..69e266c --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-43.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-44.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-44.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..d473116 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-44.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-45.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-45.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8aa9a5 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-45.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-46.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-46.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..346e62b --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-46.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-47a.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-47a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..684c3f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-47a.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-47b.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-47b.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f9807b4 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-47b.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-48.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-48.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..469a3e5 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-48.jpg diff --git a/16251-h/images/kids-49.jpg b/16251-h/images/kids-49.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0d72a07 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251-h/images/kids-49.jpg diff --git a/16251.txt b/16251.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..33a3f9f --- /dev/null +++ b/16251.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2755 @@ +Project Gutenberg's A Book for Kids, by C. J. (Clarence Michael James) Dennis + +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: A Book for Kids + +Author: C. J. (Clarence Michael James) Dennis + +Release Date: July 9, 2005 [EBook #16251] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BOOK FOR KIDS *** + + + + +Produced by Colin Choat + + + + + +A Book for Kids by C J Dennis (1921) + +reissued as Roundabout (1935) + + + +A very charming gentleman, as old as old could be, +Stared a while, and glared a while, and then he said to me: +"Read your books, and heed your books, and put your books away, +For you will surely need your books upon a later day." +And then he wheezed and then he sneezed, and gave me such a look. +And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Be careful of your book." + +A very charming gentleman, indeed, he seemed to be. +He heaved a sigh and wiped his eye, and then he said to me: +"Take your books and make your books companions--never toys; +For they who so forsake their books grow into gawky boys." +I don't know who he was. Do you? he snuffled at the end; +And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Your book should be your friend." + + +DEDICATION + +To all good children over four + And under four-and-eighty +Be you not over-prone to pore + On matters grave and weighty. +Mayhap you'll find within this book + Some touch of Youth's rare clowning, +If you will condescend to look + And not descend to frowning. + +The mind of one small boy may hold + Odd fancies and inviting, +To guide a hand unsure and old + That moves, these days, to writing. +For hair once bright, in days of yore, + Grows grey (or somewhat slaty), +And now, alas, he's over four, + Though under four-and-eighty. + + +CONTENTS: + +Dedication + +A Very Charming Gentleman +The Baker +The Dawn Dance +Cuppacumalonga +The Swagman +The Ant Explorer +Riding Song +The Funny Hatter +The Postman +The Traveller +Our Street +The Little Red House +The Pieman +The Triantiwontigongolope +The Circus +You and I +Going to School +Hist! +Bird Song +The Music of Your Voice +The Boy who Rode into the Sunset +The Tram-man +The Axe-man +The Drovers +The Long Road Home +The Band +Bessie and the Bunyip +Good Enough +The Porter +Growing Up +The Unsociable Wallaby +The Song of the Sulky Stockman +Our Cow +The Teacher +The Spotted Heifers +Tea Talk +The Looking Glass +Woolloomooloo +The Barber +Farmer Jack +Old Black Jacko +Bird Song +The Sailor +The Famine +The Feast +Upon the Road to Rockabout +A Change of Air +Polly Dibbs +Lullaby +The Publisher +Good Night + + + +THE BAKER + + + +I'd like to be a baker, and come when morning breaks, +Calling out, "Beeay-ko!" (that's the sound he makes)-- +Riding in a rattle-cart that jogs and jolts and shakes, +Selling all the sweetest things a baker ever bakes; +Currant-buns and brandy-snaps, pastry all in flakes; + But I wouldn't be a baker if . . . + I couldn't eat the cakes. + Would you? + + + +THE DAWN DANCE + +What do you think I saw to-day when I arose at dawn? +Blue Wrens and Yellow-tails dancing on the lawn! +Bobbing here, and bowing there, gossiping away, +And how I wished that you were there to see the merry play! + +But you were snug abed, my boy, blankets to your chin, +Nor dreamed of dancing birds without or sunbeams dancing in. +Grey Thrush, he piped the tune for them. I peeped out through the glass +Between the window curtains, and I saw them on the grass-- + +Merry little fairy folk, dancing up and down, +Blue bonnet, yellow skirt, cloaks of grey and brown, +Underneath the wattle-tree, silver in the dawn, +Blue Wrens and Yellow-tails dancing on the lawn. + + + +CUPPACUMALONGA + +'Rover, rover, cattle-drover, where go you to-day?' +I go to Cuppacumalonga, fifty miles away; + Over plains where Summer rains have sung a song of glee, + Over hills where laughing rills go seeking for the sea, +I go to Cuppacumalonga, to my brother Bill. + Then come along, ah, come along! + Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga! + Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill! + +'Rover, rover, cattle-drover, how do you get there?' +For twenty miles I amble on upon my pony mare, + The walk awhile and talk awhile to country men I know, + Then up to ride a mile beside a team that travels slow, +And last to Cuppacumalonga, riding with a will. + Then come along, ah, come along! + Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga! + Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill! + +'Rover, rover, cattle-drover, what do you do then?' +I camp beneath a kurrajong with three good cattle-men; + Then off away at break of day, with strong hands on the reins, + To laugh and sing while mustering the cattle on the plains-- +For up to Cuppacumalonga life is jolly still. + Then come along, ah, come along! + Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga! + Come to Cuppacumalonga Hill! + +'Rover, rover, cattle-drover, how may I go too?' +I'll saddle up my creamy colt and he shall carry you-- + My creamy colt who will not bolt, who does not shy nor kick-- + We'll pack the load and take the road and travel very quick. +And if the day brings work or play we'll meet it with a will. + So Hi for Cuppacumalonga! + Come Along, ah, come along! + Ah, come to Cuppacumalonga Hill! + + + +THE SWAGMAN + +Oh, he was old and he was spare; +His bushy whiskers and his hair +Were all fussed up and very grey +He said he'd come a long, long way +And had a long, long way to go. +Each boot was broken at the toe, +And he'd a swag upon his back. +His billy-can, as black as black, +Was just the thing for making tea +At picnics, so it seemed to me. + +'Twas hard to earn a bite of bread, +He told me. Then he shook his head, +And all the little corks that hung +Around his hat-brim danced and swung +And bobbed about his face; and when +I laughed he made them dance again. +He said they were for keeping flies-- +"The pesky varmints"--from his eyes. +He called me "Codger". . . "Now you see +The best days of your life," said he. +"But days will come to bend your back, +And, when they come, keep off the track. +Keep off, young codger, if you can." +He seemed a funny sort of man. + +He told me that he wanted work, +But jobs were scarce this side of Bourke, +And he supposed he'd have to go +Another fifty mile or so. +"Nigh all my life the track I've walked," +He said. I liked the way he talked. +And oh, the places he had seen! +I don't know where he had not been-- +On every road, in every town, +All through the country, up and down. +"Young codger, shun the track," he said. +And put his hand upon my head. +I noticed, then, that his old eyes +Were very blue and very wise. +"Ay, once I was a little lad," +He said, and seemed to grow quite sad. + +I sometimes think: When I'm a man, +I'll get a good black billy-can +And hang some corks around my hat, +And lead a jolly life like that. + + + +THE ANT EXPLORER + +Once a little sugar ant made up his mind to roam-- +To fare away far away, far away from home. +He had eaten all his breakfast, and he had his ma's consent +To see what he should chance to see and here's the way he went-- +Up and down a fern frond, round and round a stone, +Down a gloomy gully where he loathed to be alone, +Up a mighty mountain range, seven inches high, +Through the fearful forest grass that nearly hid the sky, +Out along a bracken bridge, bending in the moss, +Till he reached a dreadful desert that was feet and feet across. +'Twas a dry, deserted desert, and a trackless land to tread, +He wished that he was home again and tucked-up tight in bed. +His little legs were wobbly, his strength was nearly spent, +And so he turned around again and here's the way he went-- +Back away from desert lands feet and feet across, +Back along the bracken bridge bending in the moss, +Through the fearful forest grass shutting out the sky, +Up a mighty mountain range seven inches high, +Down a gloomy gully, where he loathed to be alone, +Up and down a fern frond and round and round a stone. +A dreary ant, a weary ant, resolved no more to roam, +He staggered up the garden path and popped back home. + + + +RIDING SONG + +Flippity-flop! Flippity-flop! +Here comes the butcher to bring us a chop + Cantering, cantering down the wide street + On his little bay mare with the funny white feet; +Cantering, cantering out to the farm, +Stripes on his apron and basket on arm. + Run to the window and tell him to stop-- + Flippity-flop! Flippity-flop! + + + +THE FUNNY HATTER + +Harry was a funny man, Harry was a hatter; +He ate his lunch at breakfast time and said it didn't matter. +He made a pot of melon jam and put it on a shelf, +For he was fond of sugar things and living by himself. +He built a fire of bracken and a blue-gum log, +And he sat all night beside it with his big--black--dog. + + + +THE POSTMAN + +I'd like to be a postman, and walk along the street, +Calling out, "Good Morning, Sir," to gentlemen I meet, +Ringing every door-bell all along my beat, +In my cap and uniform so very nice and neat. +Perhaps I'd have a parasol in case of rain or heat; + But I wouldn't be a postman if . . . + The walking hurt my feet. + Would you? + + + +THE TRAVELLER + +As I rode in to Burrumbeet, +I met a man with funny feet; +And, when I paused to ask him why +His feet were strange, he rolled his eye +And said the rain would spoil the wheat; +So I rode on to Burrumbeet. + +As I rode in to Beetaloo, +I met a man whose nose was blue; +And when I asked him how he got +A nose like that, he answered, "What +Do bullocks mean when they say 'Moo'?" +So I rode on to Beetaloo. + +As I rode in to Ballarat, +I met a man who wore no hat; +And, when I said he might take cold, +He cried, "The hills are quite as old +As yonder plains, but not so flat." +So I rode on to Ballarat. + +As I rode in to Gundagai, +I met a man and passed him by +Without a nod, without a word. +He turned, and said he'd never heard +Or seen a man so wise as I. +But I rode on to Gundagai. + +As I rode homeward, full of doubt, +I met a stranger riding out: +A foolish man he seemed to me; +But, "Nay, I am yourself," said he, +"Just as you were when you rode out." +So I rode homeward, free of doubt. + + + +OUR STREET + +In our street, the main street + Running thro' the town, +You see a lot of busy folk + Going up and down: + +Bag men and basket men, + Men with loads of hay, +Buying things and selling things + And carting things away. + +The butcher is a funny man, + He calls me Dandy Dick; +The baker is a cross man, + I think he's often sick; + +The fruiterer's a nice man, + He gives me apples, too; +The grocer says, "Good morning, boy, + What can I do for you?" + +Of all the men in our street + I like the cobbler best, +Tapping, tapping at his last + Without a minute's rest; + +Talking all the time he taps, + Driving in the nails, +Smiling with his old grey eyes-- + (Hush) . . . telling fairy tales. + + + +THE LITTLE RED HOUSE + +Very few grown-up people understand houses. Only children understand +them properly, and, if I understand them just a little, it is because +I knew Sym. Sym and his wife, Emily Ann, lived in the Little Red +House. It was built on a rather big mountain, and there were no other +houses near it. At one time, long ago, the mountain had been covered +all over with a great forest; but men had cut the trees down, all but +one big Blue-gum, which grew near the Little Red House. The Blue-gum +and the Little Red House were great friends, and often had long talks +together. The Blue-gum was a very old tree--over a hundred years +old--and he was proud of it, and often used to tell of the time, long +ago, when blackfellows hunted 'possums in his branches. That was +before the white men came to the mountain, and before there were any +houses near it. + +Once upon a time I put a verse about the mountain and the Little Red +House into a book of rhymes which I wrote for grown ups. I don't +think they thought much about it. Very likely they said, "0h, it's +just a house on a hill," and then forgot it, because they were too +busy about other things. + +This is the rhyme: + +A great mother mountain, and kindly is she, +Who nurses young rivers and sends them to sea. +And, nestled high up on her sheltering lap, +Is a little red house, with a little straw cap +That bears a blue feather of smoke, curling high, +And a bunch of red roses cocked over one eye. + +I have tried here to draw the Little Red House for you as well as I +can; and it isn't my fault if it happens to look just a little like +somebody's face. I can't help it, can I? if the stones of the door-step +look something like teeth, or if the climbing roses make the windows +look like a funny pair of spectacles. And if Emily Ann will hang bib +fluffy bobs on the window blinds for tassels, and if they swing about +in the breeze like moving eyes, well, I am not to blame, am I? It +just happens. The only thing I am sorry for is that I couldn't get +the big Blue-gum into the picture. Of course, I could have drawn it +quite easily, but it was too big. + +Sym and Emily Ann were fond of the Little Red House, and you may be +sure the Little Red House was fond of them--he was their home. The +only thing that bothered him was that they were sometimes away from +home, and then he was miserable, like all empty houses. + +Now, Sym was a tinker--a travelling tinker. He would do a little +gardening and farming at home for a while, and then go off about the +country for a few days, mending people's pots and pans and kettles. +Usually Sym left Emily Ann at home to keep the Little Red House +company, but now and then Emily Ann went with Sym for a trip, and +then the Little Red House was very sad indeed. + +One morning, just as the sun was peeping over the edge of the world, +the big Blue-gum woke up and stretched his limbs and waited for the +Little Red House to say "Good morning." The Blue-gum always waited +for the greeting because he was the older, and he liked to have +proper respect shown to him by young folk, but the Little Red House +didn't say a word. + +The big Blue-gum waited and waited; but the Little Red House wouldn't +speak. + +After a while the Blue-gum said rather crossly, "You seem to be out +of sorts this morning." + +But the Little Red House wouldn't say a word. + +"You certainly do seem as if you had a pain somewhere," said the +Blue-gum. "And you look funny. You ought to see yourself!" + +"Indeed?" snapped the Little Red House, raising his eyebrows just as +a puff of wind went by. "I can't always be playing the fool, like +some people." + +"I've lived on this mountain, tree and sapling, for over a hundred +years," replied the big Blue-gum very severely, "and never before +have I been treated with such disrespect. When trees become houses +they seem to lose their manners." + +"Forgive me," cried the Little Red House. "I didn't mean to be rude. +I was just listening. There are things going on inside me that I +don't like." + +"I hope they aren't ill-treating you," said the Blue-gum. + +"They are going to leave me!" sighed the Little Red House. + +"And they are laughing quite happily, as if they were glad about it. +There's a nice thing for you!--Going to leave me, and laughing about it!" + +"But perhaps you are wrong," said the big Blue-gum, who was not so +hard-hearted as he seemed. + +"I always know," moaned the Little Red House. "I can't be mistaken. +Sym was singing his Tinker's song this morning long before the sun +was up. And then I heard him tell Emily Ann not to forget her umbrella. +That means that she is going; and the little dog is going, and I shall +be all alone." + +"Well," answered the Blue-gum rather stiffly, "you still have ME for +company." + +"I know," sighed the Little Red House. "Don't think I'm ungrateful. +But, when they both go away, I shan't be really and truly a home again +until they come back--just an empty house; and it makes me miserable. +How would YOU like to be an empty house?" + +"Some day I might be," replied the Blue-gum, "if I don't grow too old. +There is some fine timber in me yet." + +Suddenly there was a great clattering and stamping inside the Little +House, and Sym began to sing his Tinker's song. + +"Kettles and pans! Kettles and pans! +All the broad earth is the tinkering man's-- +The green leafy lane or the fields are his home, +The road or the river, where'er he way roam. +He roves for a living and rests where he can. +Then bring out your kettle! ho! kettle or pan!" + +There's a nice thing for you!" said the Little Red House bitterly. +"What kind of a song do you call that? Any old place is good enough +for his home, and I am just nothing!" + +"Oh, that's only his way of putting it," answered the Blue-gum kindly. +"He doesn't really mean it, you know; he wants a change, that's all." + +But the Little Red House wouldn't say a word. + +"It looks a good deal like rain this morning, doesn't it?" said the +Blue-gum cheerfully, trying to change the subject. + +But the Little Red House wouldn't say a word. + +Very soon Sym and Emily Ann, carrying bundles, came out of the Little +Red House, laughing and talking; and Sym locked the door. + +"Now for a jolly trip!" shouted Sym, as he picked up his firepot and +soldering-irons. + +But all at once Emily Ann ceased laughing and looked back wistfully +at the Little Red House. + +"After all I'm sorry to leave our little home," she said. "See how +sad it looks!" + +"Hurry on!" cried Sym, who was all eagerness for the trip. Then he, +too, looked back. "Why, you forgot to draw down the blinds," he said. + +"No, I didn't forget," answered Emily Ann, "but I think it a shame to +blindfold the Little Red House while we are away. I just left the +blinds up so that he could see things. Good-bye, little home," she +called. And the Little Red House felt just the least bit comforted to +think that Emily Ann was sorry to leave him. Then she went off down +the winding path with Sym; and Sym began to shout his Tinker's Song +again. + +The Little Red House watched them go down the mountain. + +Away they went: through the gate, past the black stump, round by the +bracken patch and over the bridge, across the potato paddock, through +the sliprails--getting smaller and smaller--past the sign-post, down +by the big rocks--getting smaller and smaller--under the tree-ferns, +out on to the stony flat, across the red road, until they were just +two tiny specks away down in the valley. Then they went through a +white gate, round a turn, and the high scrub hid them. + +Had you been able to see the Little Red House just at that moment, you +would have been sure he was going to cry--he looked so miserable and +so lonely. + +"Cheer up!" said the big Blue-gum. + +But the Little Red House couldn't say a word. + +Presently the big Blue-gum groaned loudly. + +"Oo! Ah! Ah! Golly!" groaned the Blue-gum in a strange voice. + +"I beg your pardon? said the Little Red House. + +"Oh, I have a nasty sharp pain in my side," said the Blue-gum. "I do +hope and trust it isn't white-ants. It would be simply horrible, if +it were. Fancy getting white-ants at my time of life! Here I have +lived on this mountain, tree and sapling, for over a hundred years; +and to think those nasty, white, flabby little things should get me +at last is horrible--horrible!" + +"I am sorry," said the Little Red House. "I'm afraid I've been very +selfish, too. I was forgetting that everyone has troubles of his own; +but I hope it isn't so bad as you fear." + +"It is bad enough," groaned the Blue-gum. "Ow! There it is again. I'm +afraid it IS white-ants. I can feel the wretched little things nipping." + +But the Little Red House hardly heard him. He was thinking again of +his own troubles. + +So they stood all through that day, saying very little to each other. +Rabbits came and played about the Little Red House, and lizards ran +over his door-step, and once a big wallaby went flopping right past +the front gate. But the Little Red House paid no attention. He was +too busy thinking of his loneliness. + +Birds came and perched in the branches of the big Blue-gum, and +chattered and sang to him, trying to tell him the news of other trees +on distant mountains. But the big Blue-gum took no notice. He was too +busy thinking about white-ants. + +So the sun sank low behind the Little House, and the shadow of the +tall Blue-gum began to creep down the mountain and get longer and +longer. + +Just as it was growing dark, the big Blue-gum said Suddenly, "It +certainly looks more like rain than ever. The heavy clouds have been +gathering all day, and we shall get it properly to-night." + +But the rain did not come that night, nor the next day, nor for two +days and nights. And all this while the Little Red House and the Big +Blue-gum remained silent and miserable--one through loneliness, the +other through white-ants. + +But on the evening of the third day the big Blue-gum said, "The rain +will come to-night for certain. I know by the feel of the air." + +"Let it come!" said the Little Red House. "I don't care. I couldn't +be more miserable than I am." + +Just as he said that, one great rain-drop fell right on the middle +of his roof--Plop! + +"It's coming already," cried the Blue-gum, "and it's going to pour." + +Then three more big drops fell--Plop! Plop! Plop! + +"I have never in my life seen such big rain-drops," said the Blue-gum. +"I've lived on this mountain, tree and sapling, for--" + +But--Crash! came rain before he could finish; and in two seconds +everything was sopping wet. The noise of it was deafening, + +"Why, it's a cloud-burst!" shouted the Blue-gum. "Half of my leaves +have been stripped off already." Then he peered through the rain and +the dark to see how the Little Red House was taking it. "Why, what's +the matter with your face?" he cried. "You look awful." + +"I'm crying!" sobbed the Little Red House. "That's all--just crying. +"Can't you see the tears?" + +"Nonsense!" said the Blue-gum. "Those are not tears. It's just the +rain-water running off your window-sills." + +"I tell you I'm crying!" wailed the Little Red House. "I'm crying +bitterly. I should know, shouldn't I? I'm shivering and crying +because I'm cold and lonely and miserable." + +"Oh, very well," agreed the Blue-gum. "You are crying. But if this +rain doesn't stop soon, you'll cry the front path away. It certainly +is wet." + +Very late that night the rain eased a little and then stopped +altogether. The tears ceased to run from the eyes of the Little +Red House, and they now came only in drops, slower and slower, falling +into the great pool by the front door. + +"It's a hard world!" sobbed the Little Red House, squeezing out +another tear. + +"Listen!" cried the Big Blue-gum. "Do you hear THAT?" + +From far away on the distant ranges came a dull, moaning sound. As +they listened it grew louder, and right in the middle of of it came +another sound--Thump! + +"That's wind," said the Blue-gum; "and a big wind, too." + +"Let it come!" sighed the Little Red House. "I couldn't be more +miserable than I am." + +As he spoke, the moaning grew louder, and there were three or four +quite big thumps one after another. + +"What's that thumping?" asked the little House. + +"Those are my poor brothers," answered the big Blue-gum very sadly, +"Those are trees going down before the big wind. The birds were +bringing me messages from those poor fellows quite lately; and now I +shall never hear from them again. It's very sad." + +"I never thought the wind could blow down big trees," said the Little +House. + +"No tree knows when his time will come," the big Blue-gum answered +gravely. "I've had some very narrow escapes in my time, as tree and +sapling on this mountain." + +The Little Red House was very quiet and thoughtful for a long time +after that. Then he asked suddenly, "Which way do you think you would +fall if you did fall?" + +But the big Blue-gum said that he couldn't tell. It depended on the +wind, and he might fall any way. + +"Not on me!" cried the Little House. + +The Blue-gum said that he didn't know; but he hoped not. + +"If you DID fall on me," said the Little Red House, "I suppose it +would hurt me." + +The Blue-gum said it certainly would, and there would be very little +left but splinters and glass. + +"Then don't! Please don't," yelled the Little Red House. + +But before they could say another word the great wind struck them with +a roar. It tossed the roses about so that the eyebrows of the Little +House seemed to be twitching horribly; and it swayed the big Blue-gum +this way and that till he appeared to be fighting for his very life. +It picked up the fallen leaves and twigs, and even small stones, and +hurled them down the mountain in a cloud. + +In the midst of all the uproar the Little House heard the Blue-gum +calling to him. + +"As long as I've lived upon this mountain, tree and sapling," he +shouted, "I've never known such a wind. I'm not so young as I used to +be, and I fear that my end has come." + +"Be brave! Oh, be brave!" implored the Little Red House. "Don't let +him blow you down. I should be so sorry to lose you, What are you +grunting for?" + +"I'm not grunting," answered the Blue-gym in a pained voice. "Those +are my roots giving way, one by one. I can't stand much more of this. +Look out!" + +The Little Red House looked up, and what he saw terrified him. The +big Blue-gum, in the clutch of the wind, was bent right over him, +so that the top branches seemed to be just above his roof; and the +great tree appeared to be falling, falling, helplessly. + +"Don't fall on me!" shrieked the Little Red House. "Oh, don't fall +on me; because, if you do, you know you'll squash me! I don't want +to be squashed!" + +But the big Blue-gum said, "There is just one little root holding +now. If that gives way we are both done for." + +"Be brave! Oh, be brave!" shrieked the Little Red House. + +Then slowly, very slowly, the big Blue-gum began to straighten up +again, away from the Little Red House. + +"I have stood upon this mountain, tree and sapling, for over a +hundred years," he said when he had recovered; "but if it blows like +that again, it is the end of me." + +But it did not blow like that again; though the wind howled and +shrieked all that day as if it was very angry and disappointed that +it could not blow down the big Blue-gum. + +Then, towards evening, the wind fell; the heavy clouds went away +beyond the edge of the sky, and all became very calm and peaceful. + +The birds came from their hiding places and sat in the branches of +the Blue-gum and chattered away to him, until he began to feel quite +cheerful once more, in spite of his trouble. And when a certain +little Tree-creeper--a very wise bird--came and had a long, serious +talk with the Blue-gum, he became very much interested indeed and +quite happy. + +But the Little Red House was miserable still; and the beauty of +the evening didn't cheer him up one bit. + +"Ah, well," said the Blue-gum, when the darkness came to the mountain, +"I am going to have a good sleep tonight. I'm a match still for old +Daddy Wind, in spite of all his noise and bluster. And there are ways +of dealing with white-ants, too. I've lived upon this mountain, tree +and sapling, for--" + +But as he was talking he fell fast asleep. + +The Little Red House did not sleep. How could he, with his eyes wide +open? So he just stood there all night staring before him, lonely and +wretched. And when an owl came and sat in the tree and began to call, +"Mopoke," the Little Red House told him rudely to stop his silly noise +and clear out. That will just show you how very miserable he was. + +It was quite late next morning when the Blue-gum awoke. He stretched +his big limbs, and began to wonder what he might say to comfort the +Little Red House. But when the Blue-gum looked down, he saw that the +Little Red House was smiling all over his face. + +"Well, now!" cried the big Blue-gum cheerfully. "That's the kind of +face I like to see in the morning! So you've decided to be sensible +and forget your loneliness?" + +But the Little Red House didn't say a word. He just went on smiling. + +Then the big Blue-gum began to get uneasy. + +"I do hope your troubles haven't turned you silly," he said. "You +haven't lost your senses, have you?" + +"I?" cried the Little Red House. "Why, look down the valley! See +who's coming!" + +Down, far down, the valley, just coming through the white gate, were +two figures that looked like tiny specks. And much nearer was another +speck, which was certainly a little dog. + +"It's them--I mean those are they!" shouted the Little Red House +happily. "Sym and Emily Ann! And here comes our little dog." + +"Well, you certainly have sharp eyes," replied the Blue-gum. "But I +suppose I'm getting old--over a hundred years, you know." + +The two figures were through the white gate now, and had crossed the +red road out on to the stony flat--getting bigger and bigger as they +came; and the smile on the Little Red House seemed to grow broader +and broader. On they came, under the tree-ferns, up by the big rocks, +past the sign-post. And now the Little Red House could hear Sym +singing his Tinker's song. + +But it was not quite the same song this time: + +"Kettles and pans! Ho, kettles and pans! +Where's there a home like the tinkering man's? +Weary of wandering, home is the place-- +The Little Red House with the smile on his face-- +Weary and hungry, my Emily Ann. +Then put on the kettle! Ho, put on the pan!" + +"Now THAT is the sort of song I DO like," said the Little Red House, +as he watched them coming up the mountain. + +On they came, growing bigger and bigger--through the sliprails, across +the potato paddock, over the bridge, round by the bracken-patch, past +the black stump, through the gate, and here they were, right at the +front door. + +"Oh, I AM glad to be home again," cried Emily Ann. "And do look at the +Little House. He seems to be smiling." + +"Of course he is smiling," answered Sym; "but he has a very dirty face." + +"The storm did that," said Emily Ann. "Now hurry and get the fire +alight, and I'll put the kettle on." And they went inside laughing +and singing, while the little dog flew round the house, barking for +dear life, and pretending he was very busy seeing everything was +in order. + +"Now I suppose you're happy," said the big Blue-gum to the Little +Red House. + +"Happy?" cried the Little House. "Of course I am. Why, I'm a home +again!" But suddenly he remembered that his own happiness had made +him forget all about his old friend's troubles; and he tried his best +to look serious, as he said: "But what about YOU? Are the white-ants +still troubling you?" + +"Ah!" replied the Blue-gum. "Don't let that worry you. Yesterday I +had a talk with the doctor--Doctor Tree-creeper, you know--a very +clever little bird he is, and he knows all about white-ants. He +examined me thoroughly all over. He says that they have hardly got +under my skin yet, and he will have them all out in a couple of days. +So THAT'S all right." + +"Well, I am glad," shouted the Little Red House. "Now we are ALL happy!" + +Then Sym got the fire started, and the smoke curled up, and the Little +House had his gay blue feather once again. Sym began to sing his +Tinker's Song louder than ever, and Emily Ann, who was getting the +meal ready, joined in and sang too. Very soon the kettle also began +to sing, and, when the pan heard that HE began to sing. Then Doctor +Tree-creeper arrived to attend to the white-ants, and, as he walked +round the trunk of the big Blue-gum, tapping it just like a doctor, +HE began to sing. And two Kookaburras, who were sitting on the fence, +were so tickled with it all, that they laughed and laughed till they +made everyone else laugh with them. + +"This is quite like old times," laughed the big Blue-gum. "Are you +contented now?" + +"Am I contented?" cried the Little Red House. "Am I contented? Well, +what would you think?" + +And then--well, most ordinary grown-up folk would tell you that just +then Emily Ann drew down one of the front blinds. But all the big +Blue-gum knew, and all you and I know, is that the Little Red House +winked. + +And when I saw him last, his smile was as broad as ever, and he was +still winking. + + + +THE PIEMAN + +I'd like to be a pieman, and ring a little bell, +Calling out, "Hot pies! Hot pies to sell!" +Apple-pies and Meat-pies, Cherry-pies as well, +Lots and lots and lots of pies--more than you can tell. +Big, rich Pork-pies! Oh, the lovely smell! + But I wouldn't be a pieman if . . . + I wasn't very well. + Would you? + + + +THE TRIANTIWONTIGONGOLOPE + +There's a very funny insect that you do not often spy, +And it isn't quite a spider, and it isn't quite a fly; +It is something like a beetle, and a little like a bee, +But nothing like a wooly grub that climbs upon a tree. +Its name is quite a hard one, but you'll learn it soon, I hope. +So try: + Tri- + Tri-anti-wonti- + Triantiwontigongolope. + +It lives on weeds and wattle-gum, and has a funny face; +Its appetite is hearty, and its manners a disgrace. +When first you come upon it, it will give you quite a scare, +But when you look for it again, you find it isn't there. +And unless you call it softly it will stay away and mope. +So try: + Tri- + Tri-anti-wonti- + Triantiwontigongolope. + +It trembles if you tickle it or tread upon its toes; +It is not an early riser, but it has a snubbish nose. +If you snear at it, or scold it, it will scuttle off in shame, +But it purrs and purrs quite proudly if you call it by its name, +And offer it some sandwiches of sealing-wax and soap. +So try: + Tri- + Tri-anti-wonti- + Triantiwontigongolope . + +But of course you haven't seen it; and I truthfully confess +That I haven't seen it either, and I don't know its address. +For there isn't such an insect, though there really might have been +If the trees and grass were purple, and the sky was bottle green. +It's just a little joke of mine, which you'll forgive, I hope. +Oh, try! + Tri- + Tri-anti-wonti- + Triantiwontigongolope. + + + +THE CIRCUS + +Hey, there! Hoop-la! the circus is in town! +Have you seen the elephant? Have you seen the clown? +Have you seen the dappled horse gallop round the ring? +Have you seen the acrobats on the dizzy swing? +Have you seen the tumbling men tumble up and down? +Hoop-la! Hoop-la! the circus is in town! + +Hey, there! Hoop-la! Here's the circus troupe! +Here's the educated dog, jumping through the hoop. +See the lady Blondin with the parasol and fan, +The lad upon the ladder and the india-rubber man. +See the joyful juggler and the boy who loops the loop. +Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Here's the circus troupe! + + + +YOU AND I + +They say the eagle is a bird +That sees some splendid sights +When he soars high into the sky +Upon his dizzy flights: +He sees the ground for miles around +Our house, and Billy Johnson's; +But we cannot be eagles, for +That would, of course, be nonsense. + +But you and I, some summer day, +Providing we're allowed, +Will go up in an aeroplane +And sail right through a cloud. +But, if they say we may not go, +We'll stay upon the ground +With other things that have no wings, +And watch them walk around. + +They say the bottom of the sea +Is beautiful to view; +They say the fish, whene'er they wish, +Can sail and see it, too; +The shining pearls, the coral curls, +The sharks, the squids, the schnappers, +And fish with fins (though not in tins) +And fish with funny flappers. + +But you and I, some sunny day, +When weather's in condition, +Will go there in a submarine, +Providing we've permission. + +But if they say we may not go +We must respect their wishes; +And you and I will just keep dry +Because we are not fishes. + +The earth is quite a jolly place, +And we don't care for flying; +And things that creep down in the deep +Are sometimes rather trying. +So, if they'll grant a holiday +Or even only half, +We'll lie upon some grassy place, +And think of things, and laugh. + + + +GOING TO SCHOOL + +Did you see them pass to-day, Billy, Kate and Robin, +All astride upon the back of old grey Dobbin? +Jigging, jogging off to school, down the dusty track-- +What must Dobbin think of it--three upon his back? +Robin at the bridle-rein, in the middle Kate, +Billy holding on behind, his legs out straight. + +Now they're coming back from school, jig, jog, jig. +See them at the corner where the gums grow big; +Dobbin flicking off the flies and blinking at the sun-- +Having three upon his back he thinks is splendid fun: +Robin at the bridle-rein, in the middle Kate, +Little Billy up behind, his legs out straight. + + + +HIST! + +Hist! . . . . . . Hark! +The night is very dark, +And we've to go a mile or so +Across the Possum Park. + +Step . . . . . . light, +Keeping to the right; +If we delay, and lose our way, +We'll be out half the night. +The clouds are low and gloomy. Oh! +It's just begun to mist! +We haven't any overcoats +And--Hist! . . . . . . Hist! + +(Mo . . . . . . poke!) +Who was that that spoke? +This is not a fitting spot +To make a silly joke. + +Dear . . . . . . me! +A mopoke in a tree! +It jarred me so, I didn't know +Whatever it could be. +But come along; creep along; +Soon we shall be missed. +They'll get a scare and wonder where +We--Hush! . . . . . . Hist! + +Ssh! . . . . . . Soft! +I've told you oft and oft +We should not stray so far away +Without a moon aloft. + +Oo! . . . . . . Scat! +Goodness! What was that? +Upon my word, it's quite absurd, +It's only just a cat. +But come along; haste along; +Soon we'll have to rush, +Or we'll be late and find the gate +Is--Hist! . . . . . . Hush! + +(Kok!. . . . . . Korrock!) +Oh! I've had a shock! +I hope and trust it's only just +A frog behind a rock. + +Shoo! . . . . . . Shoo! +We've had enough of you; +Scaring folk just for a joke +Is not the thing to do. +But come along, slip along-- +Isn't it a lark +Just to roam so far from home +On--Hist! . . . . . . Hark! + +Look! . . . . . . See! +Shining through the tree, +The window-light is glowing bright +To welcome you and me. + +Shout! . . . . . . Shout! +There's someone round about, +And through the door I see some more +And supper all laid out. +Now, run! Run! Run! +Oh, we've had such splendid fun-- +Through the park in the dark, +As brave as anyone. + +Laughed, we did, and chaffed, we did, +And whistled all the way, +And we're home again! Home again! +Hip . . . . . . Hooray! + + + +BIRD SONG + +I am friendly with the sparrow +Though his mind is rather narrow + And his manners--well, the less we say the better. +But as day begins to peep, +When I hear his cheery "Cheep" + I am ready to admit I am his debtor + +I delight in red-browed finches +And all birds of scanty inches. + Willie wagtail is a pleasant bird, and coy. +All the babblers, chats and wrens, +Tits and robins, and their hens, + Are my very special friends, and bring me joy. + + + +THE MUSIC OF YOUR VOICE + +A vase upon the mantelpiece, + A ship upon the sea, +A goat upon a mountain-top + Are much the same to me; +But when you mention melon jam, + Or picnics by the creek, +Or apple pies, or pantomimes, + I love to hear you speak. + +The date of Magna Charta or + The doings of the Dutch, +Or capes, or towns, or verbs, or nouns + Do not excite me much; +But when you mention motor rides-- + Down by the sea for choice +Or chasing games, or chocolates, + I love to hear your voice. + + + +THE BOY WHO RODE INTO THE SUNSET + +Once upon a time--it was not so very long ago, either--a little boy, +named Neville, lived with his people in a house which was almost in +the country. That is to say, it was just at the edge of the city; and +at the back of the house was a rather large hill, which was quite +bald. + +Neville, who was fond of playing by himself, would often wander to the +top of the bald hill; and if he stood right on top of it and looked +one way, toward the East, he could see right over the city, with all +its tall buildings and domes and spires and smoking chimneys. But +looking the other way, to the West, he could see for miles over the +beautiful country, with its green fields and orchards and white roads +and little farm houses. + +One evening Neville was playing alone on the top of the hill when he +noticed that one of the very finest sunsets he had ever seen was just +coming on. The sky in the West, away over the broad country lands, was +filled with little clouds of all sorts and shapes, and they were just +beginning to take on the most wonderful colours. + +Neville had often before amused himself with watching clouds and the +strange shapes into which they changed themselves--sometimes like +great mountain ranges, sometimes like sea-waves, and very often like +elephants and lions and seals and all manner of interesting things of +that sort. But never before had he been able to make out so many +animal shapes in the clouds. The sky was almost as good as a Zoo. +There were kangaroos and elephants and a hen with chickens and +wallabies and rabbits and a funny man with large ears and all sorts of +other peculiar shapes. + +The sun was sinking behind a distant range of hills, where a golden +light shone out as if through a gateway. It was so much like a great +golden gateway that Neville fell to wondering what might be found on +the other side of it. + +Suddenly, right in the middle of all the coloured clouds, he saw one +little cloud which was perfectly white, and, as he watched it, he +noticed that it seemed to be shaped like a small horse. A very small +horse it seemed at that distance; but, as Neville gazed, it grew +bigger and bigger, just as if it were coming toward him very fast, and +he was almost certain he could see its legs moving. + +That startled him a little, and so he rubbed his eyes to make sure +that they were not playing him tricks. + +When he looked again he was more startled than ever; for the little +white cloud was no longer a cloud, but a little white horse in real +earnest. Besides, it had just left the sky and was galloping down the +mountain range which he could see away in the West. + +In two minutes it had left the range, and was coming across the fields +towards him, jumping the fences, dodging under the trees, and racing +across the plain with its white mane and tail tossing as it came. It +seemed to be making straight for him. + +He was not really frightened--you must not think that about him--but +he was just beginning to wonder if it were not nearly time to go home +to dinner, when he noticed that the white horse had stopped, just at +the foot of the bald hill. It was looking up at him, tossing its head +and pawing the ground--the most beautiful white horse that he had ever +seen, even in a circus. Then it appeared to get over its excitement +and began to trot quietly up the hill toward him. + +I do not think anyone would have blamed Neville if he had decided then +to go home to dinner at once. But he was rather a brave boy, and he +was certainly very curious, so he just stood still and waited. + +And here is where the most wonderful part of the story begins. The +white horse trotted up to Neville and spoke to him. That would +surprise most people; and Neville was certainly as much surprised as +anyone else would have been. + +"What are you frightened of?" asked the white horse in a loud voice. + +Now, Neville WAS just a little frightened by this time; but he was not +going to show it, so he just said, "Who's frightened?" + +"YOU'RE frightened," said the white horse, louder than ever. "You're +only a timid little boy. I thought when I saw you in the distance that +you were one of the plucky ones; but I was mistaken. You're just a +little cowardly-custard." + +"You'd better be careful who you're talking to," said Neville, +suddenly losing his fear. (Little boys do not always talk good +grammar; otherwise he would have said "whom" not "who.") He hated to +be called a "cowardly-custard." "You'd better be careful, or I'll give +you a bang!" + +"Ah ha!" cried the white horse. "Very brave all at once, aren't you? +All the same, you're afraid to come near and stroke me." + +"But I don't want to stroke you," said Neville. + +"I thought not," replied the white horse. "I thought not, the moment I +got close to you. You're one of the frightened ones, and I've been +wasting my time." + +"Who's frightened?" said Neville again. + +"You asked that before," replied the white horse, "and I told you. If +you're not frightened, come along and stroke me. There's nothing to be +afraid of." + +So Neville walked right up to the white horse and stroked his +shoulder. And at once he felt that he had been foolish to hold back. +For of all the smooth, soft, silky coats he had ever stroked, that of +the white horse was certainly the smoothest, and the softest, and the +silkiest. He felt that he could go on stroking it for hours. + +"There now," said the white horse in a voice as soft and silky as his +coat. "There was nothing to be afraid of, was there? And I think that +perhaps I was mistaken about you. I rather think you might be one of +those daring boys that one reads about in stories. What about jumping +on my back for a little ride?" + +Neville ceased to stroke the white horse and drew back a little. + +"I'm afraid they'll be expecting me home for dinner," he said. "I'm +very pleased indeed to have met you." Neville was always a polite +little boy. + +"The very thing!" cried the white horse. "Jump on my back and I'll +take you home. You liked stroking me, didn't you? Well that's nothing +to the ride you will enjoy--simply nothing. Why, all the boldest +riders in the world would give their ears just for one little ride on +my back. Now then! One, two, three, and up you go!" + +Then before Neville quite knew what he was doing, he made a little run +and leapt up astride of the white horse. + +"I live just over there," said Neville, pointing towards his home. + +But before he could say "knife", or even "scissors" (supposing he had +wished to say either of these words), the white horse laughed a nasty +hollow laugh, sprang upwards from the ground, and was soaring through +the air toward the dying sunset, right away from home and dinner. + +Neville clung on tightly, for he was so high above the earth that to +fall off would mean the end of him. And far beneath him he saw the +green fields and the white road, which now seemed like a mere thread. + +"That's not fair! Whoa back! Whoa back!" he shouted to the white +horse; but the white horse made no reply. Indeed, he seemed suddenly +not so much like a white horse as like a white cloud shaped like a +horse, and Neville saw that he no longer sat upon the horse's silky +coat, but upon something soft and downy like a white fleece, and it +was slightly damp. Then he knew that he was riding upon a cloud; and, +as it was quite absurd to go on talking to a cloud, he ceased to cry +out. He just sat tight and wondered what would happen next. + +He was high over a farm-house now: one that he used to see from the +bald hill. He knew it by the tall pine-trees that grew round it; and +down in the farm-yard he saw a man with a bucket going out to feed the +calves. Neville called loudly to him, but the man did not even look +up. Now he was far beyond that farm-house and above an orchard, where +he saw the fruit-trees standing in straight rows; and a few seconds +later the mountain range was beneath him, and Neville knew that the +cloud that looked like a horse was making straight for the golden +gateway, which was now glowing dully in a grey sky. He was riding into +the sunset. + +Swiftly as the wind that drove it, the Cloud Horse drifted over the +mountain range. There was a sudden glow of golden light all about him, +and then a flash of colour so wonderful that Neville could not bear to +look. He closed his eyes, and, as he did so, he felt that the Cloud +Horse had come to a halt at last. + +So Neville sat upon the cloud, not daring to open his eyes for quite a +long time. When at last he did look again he almost fainted with the +wonder of it. He was inside the sunset. + +But scarcely had he begun to enjoy the wonderful sight, when he was +startled by the sound of a funny, shrill little voice close by his +side. Looking down, he saw a strange little man, no taller than a +walking-stick, and dressed from top to toe in golden-yellow clothes. +"My stars!" said the wee yellow man. "How did YOU manage to get in +here? Don't you know this is private?" + +"I'm very sorry," said Neville, "but I couldn't help it. The Cloud +Horse brought me, you know." + +"Ah!" said the wee yellow man. "He tricked you, did he? He's much too +playful, that Cloud Horse; and, I must say, he's put you in a pretty +fix." + +"Excuse me," said Neville, "but do you mind telling me who you are?" + +"I?" cried the little yellow man. "Why, I'm the Last Sunbeam, of +course. I thought you knew that. My job, you know, is to shut up the +show when the sunset is over. And it's pretty hard work, I can tell +you, because I've got to keep on doing it all round the earth every +few minutes or so. And it gets very tiresome at times. Would you +believe it? I've never seen a dawn or a bright mid-day in all my +life--just sunsets all the time. Sunsets for breakfast, sunsets for +dinner, sunsets for supper. And if I make the tiniest little slip, the +head scene-shifter is down on me like a ton of bricks." + +"Goodness me!" said Neville. "I didn't know you had scene-shifters +here." Neville had been to see pantomimes, and therefore knew what a +scene-shifter was. + +"Then how do you think we shift the scenes?" cried the wee yellow man +rather crossly. Then he suddenly became very busy about nothing, as he +whispered, "Look out! Here's the head scene-shifter coming now." + +Looking back, Neville saw, coming towards them, a man with very large +ears. He was not a nice-looking man, and he was extremely like the +cloud man that Neville had sometimes seen in the sky when he went to +look at the sunset from the bald hill. + +"Now then! Now then!" roared the man with the large ears. "Move +yourself there, Goldie! We shut up the show here in a few minutes, and +open at once on the next range. See that you have that curtain down on +time." + +"Certainly, sir," replied the little yellow man very humbly. + +Then the man with the large ears noticed Neville for the first time. +He frowned darkly, and his big ears seemed to flap with annoyance. + +"Who is this on our Cloud Horse?" he roared in his great angry voice. + +"Just a little boy," said the yellow man--for Neville was far too +frightened to speak. "Just a little boy that the Cloud Horse has been +playing tricks on. I think he'd like to be getting home--just over by +the bald hill, if you don't mind, sir." + +"Certainly not!" shouted the man with the large ears. "The Cloud Horse +is not to go out there again to-night, nor the silly little boy +either. I'm not going to have the sunset upset by any such silly +nonsense. You mind what I say and attend to your work." + +And, without another glance at Neville, the man with the large ears +strode off to arrange for the sunset on the next range, miles and +miles away. + +Neville gazed at the wee yellow man hopelessly, and the wee yellow man +gazed at Neville, and neither spoke a word until the man with the +large ears was well out of the way. Then the Last Sunbeam grew quite +cheerful again. + +"Well," said he, "you heard what the head scene-shifter said. You +certainly can't go home by the way you came. The only thing for you to +do is to go round. You'll just about have time to do it, if you +hurry." + +"Go round?" repeated Neville in a puzzled voice. "Go round what, round +where?" + +"Round the world, of course," replied the little yellow man. + +"Round the world?" cried Neville. "Why you must be making fun of me, +and I think that is very unkind." + +"Not a bit of it," laughed the little yellow man. "You need not make +such as fuss about it. Why, I go round the world once every day with +the sunset. You have only to go a bit faster so as to do it in a few +minutes, and with the Cloud Horse to help you that's easily managed. +Don't you worry about the Cloud Horse. He has got to do just whatever I +tell him. Now, excuse me for one moment and I'll give you full +directions." + +With that the wee yellow man went behind a pink cloud and came +back with a beautiful blue flower in his hand. + +"This," he said, handing the flower to Neville, "is a Sky Flower. It +is made entirely out of a genuine piece of sky, and it is a +talisman--that's a longer word for charm, you know--which takes you +free round the world. The one thing you have to remember is that you +mustn't, on any account, lose that flower until you get home again. +Now, just exactly what you have to do is to travel West and race round +the world until you catch up with this evening again. It is quite +simple." + +"Simple!" cried Neville. "Why I don't understand it at all." + +"Dear me!" said the wee yellow man rather impatiently, "you are very +dense. Now listen carefully. The world, you know, turns round from +West to East, and that makes it seem as if the sun is going round the +world from East to West. Very well. So what you have to do is to ride +West upon the Cloud horse much faster than the sun appears to travel, +and catch him up again before he gets well away from here. The Cloud +horse is in good condition, and you should easily do it in a few +minutes." + +"A few minutes!" gasped Neville. + +"Keep quiet and listen," snapped the wee yellow man. "A few miles West +from here you will come into broad daylight. That will be afternoon. +After that you will meet mid-day, and, passing that, you will reach +the place where it is only dawn. That's about half-way round the +earth. Show the Sky Flower to the porter of the Dawn, and he will let +you through. Then you get to the half of the world where it is night, +and you must race round that till you reach the place where it is only +evening. That will be THIS evening, somewhere about here, for you will +have taken only a few minutes altogether. And when you see your own +home or the bald hill again, grasp the Sky Flower tightly in your +hand, jump off the Cloud horse, and you will float gracefully down to +the earth. It won't hurt you. Then you can go home, and I hope you +will not be late for dinner." + +"But," began Neville, "I can't understand--" + +"My time is valuable," said the wee yellow man, as he shook hands. +"Good-bye, and a pleasant journey." With that he smacked the Cloud +Horse smartly on the flank, and in a moment it was racing into the +West at a most terrific pace. + +Of course, now that aeroplanes have been invented, flying is not +thought so wonderful as once it was. But loafing along through the air +in a biplane or a monoplane at eighty or a hundred miles an hour is a +very tame business when you compare it with racing the day round the +world on a Cloud horse. And Neville is very probably the only person +who has ever done that yet. + +Almost before he knew what had happened, he had left evening far +behind and was riding in broad daylight. The cloud Horse had ridden +high in the air, and Neville saw the broad country, with plains and +hills and forest lands, stretched far beneath him. An instant later, +and the land was no longer below him, but the wide sea, sparkling in +brilliant sunlight. + +Before he had time to notice very much he had reached mid-day, high +over a strange foreign land, and was racing through the morning toward +the dawn. So quickly did he go that there was little chance of seeing +anything clearly; but he had glimpses of many strange sights. Many +ships he saw upon the sea--small ships and stately steamers crawling +over the ocean like strange water-beetles. Once, as the Cloud Horse +drifted low, Neville saw a beautiful sailing-ship, with all sails set, +and strange-looking men upon the deck. They looked very like pirates, +and perhaps they were; but Neville had no time to make sure, for the +very next minute he was over a wild land where he saw a horde of black +men, with spears and clubs, hunting an elephant through a clearing in +a great jungle. As he looked, the elephant turned to charge the +hunters; but what happened then Neville did not see, for in a moment +more he was above a great city with crowds of people in the +streets--people dressed in strange, bright-coloured clothes--and there +were bells ringing and whistles blowing. Then a great desert spread +beneath him, with no living thing in sight but a great tawny lion +prowling over the sand. Then came the sea again, and more ships; and +the light began to grow dim, for he was nearly half-way round the +earth, and was approaching the dawn. + +Dimmer grew the light, and dimmer yet, just as though evening were +coming--and before him, Neville saw the dawn like a silvery gateway in +the sky. Straight toward it the Cloud Horse rushed, and stopped so +suddenly that Neville almost fell off. + +"What's all this? What's all this?" cried a small voice; and Neville +saw beside the silver gateway, a little man dressed from top to toe in +silver grey. It was the Porter of the Dawn, sometimes called the First +Sunbeam. + +Before Neville could answer, the little grey man had caught sight of +the Sky Flower. + +"Ah, you have the talisman," said he. "Pass in! and don't stop to +gossip, because I'm very busy this morning. A pleasant journey," he +added as he smacked the cloud horse on the shoulder; and in an instant +Neville had passed through the dawn and plunged into the night. + +It was a dark night, with no moon, for the sky was overcast with dense +clouds. Above these the Cloud horse flew, and overhead Neville saw the +rushing stars, and below only the blackness of heavy clouds. But more +often the Cloud horse flew low, and then there was little to be seen. +By the lights of moving ships Neville knew that sometimes he was above +the sea. Sometimes twinkling lights in towns or solitary farms, or the +sudden blaze of a great city told him that the land was beneath him. +Once, through the blackness, he saw a great forest fire upon an +island, and the light of it lit up the sea, and showed the natives +crowded upon the beach and in the shallows, and some making off in +canoes. + +Then darkness swallowed the Cloud Horse again, and the blazing island +was left far behind. + +After that, Neville began to feel a little drowsy. Perhaps he did +sleep a little, for the next thing he saw was a faint light in the sky +before him, as though the dawn were coming. But he knew it must be the +evening, because he was coming back to the place from which he had +started, and was catching up with the sun. You see, he had only been +gone a few minutes. + +The Cloud Horse flew very low now; and rapidly the darkness grew less. +Then, long before he expected it, Neville saw the roof of his own home +below him. He could see the garden in the twilight and his own dog +sniffing about among the trees as though in search of him. + +Neville began to think about jumping now, and he was rather nervous. +He might land softly and he might not. He only had the wee yellow +man's word for that. + +Then, to his horror, he saw that they had passed his home and were +over the bald hill. There was no time to lose. The Cloud Horse was +taking him into the sunset again, and, if he did, what would the head +scene-shifter say then? + +So, grasping the Sky Flower very tightly, Neville closed his eyes and +jumped. He half expected to fall quickly and be dashed to pieces upon +the earth; but, instead, he floated in the air like a feather, swaying +and drifting, and slowly sinking all the time towards the ground. It +was a very pleasant sensation indeed. + +The bald hill was beneath him as he came slowly down, down, down. + +He could see the Cloud Horse--now little more than a small white +speck--rushing on to catch the sunset. And still he sank down ever so +slowly towards the top of the bald hill. + +His little dog had caught sight of him now, and came rushing out the +gate and up the bald hill, barking loudly. And he kept on sinking +nearer to the earth, down, down, nearer and nearer--and then, quite +suddenly, he seemed to forget everything. + +The next thing Neville remembered was feeling something wet and warm +upon his cheek. He opened his eyes and saw that the little dog was +licking his face. Sitting up, he looked about him. He was in the grass +on the top of the bald hill; night was very near, and the first star +was just beginning to twinkle. + +Then, quite suddenly, Neville remembered the Cloud horse and the +little yellow man and the little silver man and the head scene-shifter +and the wonderful journey and all the rest of it. + +"Well, what a remarkable dream," said Neville, stretching his arms. +And, as he did so, the Sky Flower fell from his hand. + +So it was not a dream after all; for, if it was, how could he explain +that Sky Flower? He picked it up and carried it very tenderly, as he +set off home to dinner, his little dog trotting at his heels. + +"What a beautiful flower!" said Neville's mother when he got home. +"Where ever did you get it?" + +"It is a piece of the genuine sky," said Neville proudly, as he gave +it to her. + +His mother smiled at him as she said, "That is a very nice thing to +say, and it certainly does look like a little piece of the sky. But, +of course, it couldn't possibly be a real piece." + +Then Neville knew that if he were to tell the story of his wonderful +ride, and tried to explain that he had been right around the world +since since he went out to play, his parents would find it very, very +hard to believe. So he said nothing, but ate a very good dinner. + +But Neville's mother put the flower in a vase upon the mantel; and to +this day it is still there, as fresh and bright as ever. It will not +fade. Neville's mother thinks that is a very strange and wonderful +thing. And so it is. + +Since that day, when Neville goes to the top of the bald hill to watch +a sunset, he is almost sure that, just as the golden light is fading, +he can see a little yellow man by the gateway; and it seems to him +that the little yellow man waves a cheery greeting. But, whether this +is so or not, Neville always waves back; and he feels very happy to +think that he has a good friend inside the sunset. + + + +THE TRAM-MAN + +I'd like to be a Tram-man, and ride about all day, +Calling out, "Fares, please!" in quite a 'ficious way, +With pockets full of pennies which I'd make the people pay. +But in the hottest days I'd take my tram down to the Bay; +And when I saw the nice cool sea I'd shout "Hip, hip, hooray!" +But I wouldn't be a Tram-man if. . . . + I couldn't stop and play. + Would you? + + + +THE AXE-MAN + +High on the hills, where the tall trees grow, +There lives an axeman that I know. +From his little hut by a ferny creek, +Day after day, week after week, +He goes each morn with his shining axe, +Trudging along by the forest tracks; +And he chops and he chops till the daylight goes-- +High on the hills, where the blue-gum grows. + +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +There's a log to move and a branch to lop. +Now to the felling! His sharp axe bites +Into a tree on the forest heights, +And scarce for a breath does the axeman stop-- +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +Bell-birds watch him; and in the fern +Wallabies listen awhile, and turn +Back through the bracken, and off they hop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +Patient and tireless, blow on blow +The axeman swings as the minutes go; +While the echoes ring from the mountain-top. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) + +Round about him the rabbits play, +Skipping and scampering all the day, +And the sweet young grass by the logs they crop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) + +Crimson parrots above him climb, +Chattering, chattering all the time, +As down from the branches the twigs they drop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! Chop!) +Steadily, surely, on he goes, +Shaking the tree with his mighty blows: +There's never a pause and there's never a stop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) + +Out from the bush beyond is heard +The swaggering song of the butcher-bird +Seeking a joint for his butcher's shop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +Deeper and deeper the cut creeps in, +While the parrots shriek with a deafening din, +And the chips fly out with a flip and a flop. +(Chip! Chop! Chip! Chop!) +Yellow robins come flocking round, +Watching the chips as they fall to ground, +Darting to catch the grubs that drop. +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) + +The blows come quicker. The axe-biade hums, +Stand well back, there, before she comes! +Hark! How the splinters crack and pop-- +(Chip! . . Chop! . . Chip! . . Chop!) +Listen! Listen! She's creaking now! +Look, high up, at that trembling bough! +Another second, and down she'll smash, +Shaking the earth with a mighty crash; +Look at her! Look at her! (Chip! Chop! +Chip! . . . . . . . .Chip!) + Wee--E--E--E--E--E--- + FLOP! + + + +THE DROVERS + +Out across the spinifex, out across the sand, +Out across the saltbush to Never Never land + That's the way the drovers go, jogging down the track-- + That's the way the drovers go. But how do they come back? +Back across the saltbush from Never Never land. +Back across the spinifex, back across the sand. + + + +THE LONG ROAD HOME + +When I go back from Billy's place I always have to roam +The mazy road, the crazy road that leads the long way home. +Ma always says, "Why don't you come through Mr Donkin's land? +The footbridge track will bring you back." Ma doesn't understand. +I cannot go that way, you know, because of Donkin's dog; +So I set forth and travel north, and cross the fallen log. + +Last week, when I was coming by, that log had lizards in it; +And you can't say I stop to play if I just search a minute. +I look around upon the ground and, if there are no lizards, +I go right on and reach the turn in front of Mrs Blizzard's. +I do not seek to cross the creek, because it's deep and floody, +And Ma would be annoyed with me if I came home all muddy. + +Perhaps I throw a stone or so at Mrs Blizzard's tank, +Because it's great when I aim straight to hear the stone go "Plank!" +Then west I wend from Blizzard's Bend, and not a moment wait, +Except, perhaps, at Mr Knapp's, to swing upon his gate. +So up the hill I go, until I reach the little paddock +That Mr Jones at present owns and rents to Mr Craddock. + +For boys my size the sudden rise is quite a heavy pull, +And yet I fear a short-cut here because of Craddock's bull; +So I just tease the bull till he's as mad as he can get, +And then I face the corner place that's been so long to let. +It's very well for Ma to tell about my dawdling habits. +What would you do, suppose you knew the place was thick with rabbits? + +I do not stay for half a day, as Ma declares I do. +No, not for more than half-an-hour--perhaps an hour--or two. +Then down the drop I run, slip-slop, where all the road is slithy. +And have to go quite close, you know, to Mr Horner's smithy. +A moment I might tarry by the fence to watch them hammer, +And, I must say, learn more that way than doing sums and grammar. + +And, if I do sometimes climb through, I do not mean to linger. +Though I did stay awhile the day Bill Homer burst his finger. +I just stand there to see the pair bang some hot iron thing +And watch Bill Horner swing the sledge and hit the anvil--Bing! +(For Mr Horner and his son are great big brawny fellows: +Both splendid chaps!) And then, perhaps, they let me blow the bellows. + +A while I stop beside the shop, and talk to Mr Horner; +Then off I run, and race like fun around by Duggan's Corner. +It's getting late, and I don't wait beside the creek a minute, +Except to stop, maybe, and drop a few old pebbles in it. +A few yards more, and here's the store that's kept by Mr Whittle-- +And you can't say I waste the day if I 'ust wait . . . a little. + +One day, you know, a year ago, a man gave me a penny, +And Mr Whittle sold me sweets (but not so very many). +You never know your luck, and so I look to see what's new +In Mr Whittle's window. There's a peppermint or two, +Some buttons and tobacco (Mr Whittle calls it "baccy"), +And fish in tins, and tape, and pins. . . . And then a voice calls, "Jacky!" + +"I'm coming, Ma. I've been so far-around by Duggan's Corner. +I had to stay awhile to say 'Good day' to Mr Horner. +I feel so fagged; I've tramped and dragged through mud and over logs, Ma-- +I could not go short-cuts, you know, because of bulls and dogs, Ma. +The creek, Ma? Why, it's very high! You don't call that a gutter? +Bill Horner chews tobacco, Ma . . . . I'd like some bread and butter." + + + +THE BAND + +Hey, there! Listen awhile! Listen awhile, and come. +Down in the street there are marching feet, and I hear the beat of a drum. +Bim! Boom!! Out of the room! Pick up your hat and fly! +Isn't it grand? The band! The band! The band is marching by! + +Oh, the clarinet is the finest yet, and the uniforms are gay. + Tah, rah! We don't go home-- + Oom, pah! We won't go home-- +Oh, we shan't go home, and we can't go home when the band begins to play. + +Oh, see them swinging along, swinging along the street! +Left, right! buttons so bright, jackets and caps so neat. +Ho, the Fire Brigade, or a dress parade of the Soldier-men is grand; +But everyone, for regular fun, wants a Big-Brass-Band. + +The slide-trombone is a joy alone, and the drummer! He's a treat! + So, Rackety-rumph! We don't go home-- + Boom, Bumph! We won't go home-- +Oh, we shan't go home, and we can't go home while the band is in the street. + Tooral-ooral, Oom-pah! + The band is in the street! + + + +BESSIE AND THE BUNYIP + + Bessie met a bunyip down along the track, +In his hand a billy and a swag upon his back. + And you will hardly believe it, but when Bessie shouted,"Shoo!" + He turned a double somersault and went quite blue. + + + +GOOD ENOUGH + +I do not think there ever was, + Or ever will, or ever could be, +A little girl or little boy + As good as she or as he should be. + +But still, I think, you will agree, + Though perfect very, very few are, +They're not so bad when "pretty good"-- + That's just about as good as you are. + + + +THE PORTER + +I'd like to be a porter, and always on the run, +Calling out, "Stand aside!" and asking leave of none. +Shoving trucks on people's toes, and having splendid fun, +Slamming all the carriage doors and locking every one-- +And, when they asked to be let in, I'd say, "It can't be done." + But I wouldn't be a porter if . . . + The luggage weighed a ton. + Would you? + + + +GROWING UP + +Little Tommy Tadpole began to weep and wail, +For little Tommy Tadpole had lost his little tail; + And his mother didn't know him as he wept upon a log, + For he wasn't Tommy Tadpole, but Mr. Thomas Frog. + + + +THE UNSOCIABLE WALLABY + +Willie spied a wallaby hopping through the fern-- +Here a jump, here a thump, there a sudden turn. + Willie called the wallaby, begging him to stop, + But he went among the wattles with a + flip, + flap, + flop! + + + +* * * + +I wonder whether, all together, you and I and father +Could eat a bun that weighs a ton. I'd like to try it, rather. + +I want to know why roosters crow at dawning of the day. +Is it because they cannot think of something else to say? + +* * * + + + +THE SONG OF THE SULKY STOCKMAN + +Come, let us sing with a right good ring + (Sing hey for lifting lay, sing hey!) +Of any old, sunny old, silly old thing. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +The sun shone brightly overhead, +And the shearers stood by the shearing shed; +But "The run wants rain," the stockman said +(Sing di-dum, wattle-gum, Narrabori Ned. +For a lifting lay sing hey!) + +The colts were clipped and the sheep were shorn + (Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!) +But the stockman stood there all forlorn. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +The rails were up and the gate was tied, +And the big black bull was safe inside; +But "The wind's gone West!" the stockman sighed +(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, rally for a ride. + For a lifting lay sing hey!) + +The cook came out as the clock struck one + (Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!) +And the boundary rider got his gun. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +He fired it once at an old black crow; +But the shot went wide, for he aimed too low; +And the stockman said, "Fat stock is low." +(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, Jerridiiii Joe. + For a lifting lay sing hey!) + +They spread their swags in the gum-tree's shade + (Sing hey for a lilting lay, sing hey!) +For the work was done and the cheques were paid. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +The overseer rode in at three, +But his horse pulled back and would not gee, +And the stockman said, "We're up a tree!" +(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, Johnny-cake for tea. + For a lilting lay sing hey!) + +The sun sank down and the stars shone out + (Sing hey for a lifting lay, sing hey!) +And the old book-keeper moped about. + (Sing ho for the ballad of a backblock day!) +The dingo wailed to the mopoke's call, +The crazy colt stamped in his stall; +But the stockman groaned, "it's bunk for all." +(Sing, di-dum, wattle-gum, wattle-gum, wattle-gum, + Hey for a backblock day! + Sing hey! + Sing hey for a lifting lay!) + + + +OUR COW + +Down by the sliprails stands our cow + Chewing, chewing, chewing, +She does not care what folks out there + In the great, big world are doing. +She sees the small cloud-shadows pass + And green grass shining under. +If she does think, what does she think + About it all, I wonder? + +She sees the swallows skimming by + Above the sweet young clover, +The light reeds swaying in the wind + And tall trees bending over. +Far down the track she hears the crack + of bullock-whips, and raving +Of angry men where, in the sun, + Her fellow-beasts are slaving. + +Girls, we are told, can scratch and scold, + And boys will fight and wrangle, +And big, grown men, just now and then, + Fret o'er some fingle-fangle, +Vexing the earth with grief or mirth, + Longing, rejoicing, rueing-- +But by the sliprails stands our cow, + Chewing. + + + +THE TEACHER + +I'd like to be a teacher, and have a clever brain, +Calling out, "Attention, please!" and "Must I speak in vain?" +I'd be quite strict with boys and girls whose minds I had to train, +And all the books and maps and things I'd carefully explain; +I'd make then learn the dates of kings, and all the capes of Spain; + But I wouldn't be a teacher if . . . + I couldn't use the cane. + Would you? + + + +THE SPOTTED HEIFERS + +Mr Jeremiah Jeffers +Owned a pair of spotted heifers +These he sold for two pounds ten +To Mr Robert Raymond Wren + +Who reared them in the lucerne paddocks +Owned by Mr Martin Maddox, +And sold them, when they grew to cows, +To Mr Donald David Dowse. + +A grazier, Mr Egbert Innes, +Bought them then for twenty guineas, +Milked the cows, and sold the milk +To Mr Stephen Evan Silk. + +Who rents a butter factory +From Mr Laurence Lampard-Lee. +Here, once a week, come for his butter +The grocer, Mr Roland Rutter, + +Who keeps a shop in Sunny Street +Next door to Mr Peter Peat. +He every afternoon at two +Sent his fair daughter, Lucy Loo, + +To Mr Rutter's shop to buy +Such things as were not priced too high, +Especially a shilling tin +Of "Fuller's Food for Folk Too Thin." + +This food was bought for Lucy Loo-- +A girl of charming manners, who +Was much too pale and much too slight +To be a very pleasant sight. + +When Lucy Loo beheld the butter +Stocked by Mr Roland Rutter, +She said, "I'll have a pound of that." +She had it, and thenceforth grew fat. + +We now go back to Mr Jeffers, +Who sold the pair of spotted heifers. +He had a son, James Edgar John, +A handsome lad to gaze upon, + +Who had now reached that time of life +When young men feel they need a wife; +But no young girl about the place +Exactly had the kind of face + +That seemed to suit James Edgar John-- +A saddening thing to think upon, +For he grew sad and sick of life +Because he could not find a wife. + +One day young James was passing by +(A look of sorrow in his eye) +The shop of Mr Roland Rutter, +When Lucy Loo came out with butter. + +At once James Edgar John said, "That +Is just the girl for me! She's fat." +He offered her his heart and hand +And prospects of his father's land. + +The Reverend Saul Sylvester Slight +Performed the simple marriage rite. +The happy couple went their way, +And lived and loved unto this day. + +Events cannot be far foreseen; +And all ths joy might not have been +If Mr Jeremiah Jeffers +Had kept his pair of spotted heifers. + + + +TEA TALK + +'Excuse me if I sit on you,' the cup said to the saucer. + 'I fear I've been here all the afternoon.' +'Spare excuses,' said the saucer; 'you have sat on me before, sir.' + 'Oh, I'll stir him up directly,' said the spoon. +'Stop your clatter! Stop your clatter!' cried the bread-and-butter platter + 'Tittle-tattle!' sneered the tea-pot, with a shrug; +'Now, the most important question is my chronic indigestion.' + 'Ah, you've taken too much tannin,' jeered the jug. +'Hey, hey, hey!' sang the silver-plated tray, +'It's time you had your faces washed. I've come to clear away!' + + + +THE LOOKING-GLASS + +When I look into the looking glass + I'm always sure to see-- +No matter how I dodge about-- + Me, looking out at me. + +I often wonder as I look, + And those strange features spy, +If I, in there, think I'm as plain + As I, out here, think I. + + + +WOOLLOOMOOLOO + +Here's a ridiculous riddle for you: + How many o's are there in Woolloomooloo? +Two for the W, two for the m, + Four for the l's, and that's plenty for them. + + + +* * * + +I wonder what the Jacks have got to laugh and laugh about +I'm sure the worms don't see the joke when Jacky digs them out. + +I wonder which is best: a rich plum-pudding stuffed with plums, +Or lemon ice, or plain boiled rice, or long-division sums. + +* * * + + + +THE BARBER + +I'd like to be a barber, and learn to shave and clip, +Calling out, "Next please!" and pocketing my tip. +All day I'd hear my scissors going, "Snip, Snip, Snip;" +I'd lather people's faces, and their noses I would grip +While I shaved most carefully along the upper lip. + But I wouldn't be a barber if . . . + The razor was to slip. + Would you? + + + +FARMER JACK + +Old farmer Jack gazed on his wheat, + And feared the frost would nip it. +Said he, "it's nearly seven feet-- + I must begin to strip it." + +He stripped it with a stripper and + He bagged it with a bagger; +The bags were all so lumpy that + They made the lumper stagger. + +The lumper staggered up the stack + Where he was told to stack it; +And Jack was paid and put the cash + Inside his linen jacket. + + + +OLD BLACK JACKO + +Old Black Jacko + Smokes tobacco + In his little pipe of clay. +Puff, puff, puff, +He never has enough + Though he smokes it all day. + +But his lubra says, "Mine tink dat Jacky +Him shmoke plenty too much baccy." + + + +BIRD SONG + +I detest the Carrion Crow! +(He's a raven, don't you know?) + He's a greedy glutton, also, and a ghoul, +And his sanctimonious caw +Rubs my temper on the raw. + He's a demon, and a most degraded fowl. + +I admire the pert Blue-wren +And his dainty little hen-- + Though she hasn't got a trace of blue upon her; +But she's pleasing, and she's pretty, + And she sings a cheerful ditty; +While her husband is a gentleman of honour. + +I despise the Pallid Cuckoo, +A disreputable "crook" who + Shirks her duties for a lazy life of ease. +I abhor her mournful call, +Which is not a song at all + But a cross between a whimper and a wheeze. + + + +THE SAILOR + +I'd like to be a sailor--a sailor bold and bluff-- +Calling out, "Ship ahoy!" in manly tones and gruff. +I'd learn to box the compass, and to reef and tack and luff; +I'd sniff and snifff the briny breeze and never get enough. +Perhaps I'd chew tobacco, or an old black pipe I'd puff, + But I wouldn't be a sailor if . . . + The sea was very rough. + Would you? + + + +THE FAMINE + +Cackle and lay, cackle and lay! +How many eggs did you get to-day? +None in the manger, and none in the shed, +None in the box where the chickens are fed, +None in the tussocks and none in the tub, +And only a little one out in the scrub. +Oh, I say! Dumplings to-day. +I fear that the hens must be laying away. + + + +THE FEAST + +Cackle and lay, cackle and lay! +How many eggs did you get to-day? +Two in the manger, and four in the shed, +Six in the box where the chickens are fed, +Two in the tussocks and ten in the tub, +And nearly two dozen right out in the scrub. +Hip, hooray! Pudding to-day! +I think that the hens are beginning to lay. + + + +UPON THE ROAD TO ROCKABOUT + +Upon the road to Rockabout +I came upon some sheep-- +A large and woolly flock about +As wide as it was deep. + +I was about to turn about +To ask the man to tell +Some things I wished to learn about +Both sheep and wool as well, + +When I beheld a rouseabout +Who lay upon his back +Beside a little house about +A furlong from the track. + +I had a lot to talk about, +And said to him "Good day." +But he got up to walk about, +And so I went away-- + + + +A CHANGE OF AIR + +Now, a man in Oodnadatta +He grew fat, and he grew fatter, + Though he hardly had a thing to eat for dinner; +While a man in Booboorowie +Often sat and wondered how he + Could prevent himself from growing any thinner. + +So the man from Oodnadatta + He came down to Booboorowie, +Where he rapidly grew flatter; + And the folk will tell you how he +Urged the man from Booboorowie + To go up to Oodnadatta-- +Where he lived awhile, and now he + Is considerably fatter. + + + +POLLY DIBBS + +Mrs Dibbs--Polly Dibbs, + Standing at a tub, +Washing other people's clothes-- + Rub-Rub-Rub. +Poor, old, skinny arms + White with soapy foam-- +At night she takes her shabby hat + And goes off home. + +Mrs Dibbs--Polly Dibbs-- + Is not very rich. +She goes abroad all day to scrub, + And home at night to stitch. +She wears her shabby hat awry, + Perched on a silly comb; +And people laugh at Polly Dibbs + As she goes home. + +Mrs Dibbs--Mother Dibbs-- + Growing very old, +Says, "it's a hard world!" + And sniffs and drats the cold. +She says it is a cruel world, + A weary world to roam. +But God will smile on Polly Dibbs + When she goes Home. + + + +* * * + +I suspect the Kookaburra, +For his methods are not thorough +In his highly praised campaign against the snakes. +And the small birds, one and all, +Curse him for a cannibal-- +Though he certainly is cheerful when he wakes. + +* * * + + + +LULLABY + +You are much too big to dandle, +And I will not leave the candle. + Go to sleep. +You are growing naughty, rather, +And I'll have to speak to father. + Go to sleep! +If you're good I shall not tell, then. +Oh, a story? Very well, then. + Once upon a time, a king, named Crawley Creep, +Had a very lovely daughter . . . . +You don't want a drink of water! + Go to sleep! There! There! Go to sleep. + + + +* * * + +I wonder why I wear a tie. It is not warm to wear; +But if I left it off someone would say it was not there. + +I wonder, if I took a whiff of father's pipe for fun, +Would I be big and strong like him, or just his small, sick son? + +I wonder when our old white hen will know her squawk betrays her. +I think she lets us find her eggs just so that we shall praise her. + +* * * + + + +THE PUBLISHER + +I'd like to be a publisher, And publish massive tomes +Written in a massive style by blokes with massive domes-- +Science books, and histories of Egypt's day and Rome's, +Books of psycho-surgery to mine the minds of momes, +And solemn pseudo-psychic stuff to tell where Topsy roams +When her poor clay is put away beneath the spreading holms; +Books about electrocuting little seeds with ohms +To sternly show them how to grow in sands, and clays, and loams, +And bravely burst infinitives, like angry agronomes; +Books on breeding aeroplanes and airing aerodromes, +On bees that buzz in bonnets and the kind that build the combs, +Made plain with pretty pictures done in crimsons, mauves, and chromes; +And diagrams to baulk the brain of Mr. Sherlock Holmes. +I'd set the scientists to work like superheated gnomes, +And make them write and write and write until the printer foams +And lino men, made "loony", go to psychopathic homes. +I'd publish books, I would--large books on ants and antinomes +And palimpsests and palinodes and pallid pallindromes: + But I wouldn't be a publisher if . . . . + I got many "pomes." + Would you? + + + +GOOD NIGHT + +And so, Good Night. I'm rather tired. +I hardly thought I'd be required + To draw a lot of pictures, too, + When I arranged to write for you. +I found it hard, but did my best; +And now I need a little rest. + If you are pleased, why, that's all right. + I'm rather tired. And so + + GOOD NIGHT! + + + +This very charming gentleman, extremely old and gruff, +He slowly shook his head and took a great big pinch of snuff, +Then he spluttered and he muttered and he loudly shouted "Fie! +To tear your books is wicked sir! and likewise all my eye!" +I don't know what he meant by that. He had such piercing eyes. +And, he said, "Mark--ME--boy! Books will make you wise." + +This very charming gentleman said, "Hum," and "Hoity, Toit! +A book is not a building block, a cushion or a quoit. +Soil your books and spoil your books? Is that the thing to do? +Gammon, sir! and Spinach, sir! And Fiddle-faddle, too!" +He blinked so quick, and thumped his stick, then gave me such a stare. +And he said, "Mark--ME--boy! BOOKS--NEED--CARE!" + + + +THE END + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Book for Kids +by C. J. (Clarence Michael James) Dennis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A BOOK FOR KIDS *** + +***** This file should be named 16251.txt or 16251.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/2/5/16251/ + +Produced by Colin Choat + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/16251.zip b/16251.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a6ce8b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/16251.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fcaf557 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #16251 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16251) |
