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diff --git a/24011.txt b/24011.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d6c17f6 --- /dev/null +++ b/24011.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2655 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Zodiac Town, by Nancy Byrd Turner + +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: Zodiac Town + The Rhymes of Amos and Ann + +Author: Nancy Byrd Turner + +Illustrator: Winifred Bromhall + +Release Date: December 24, 2007 [EBook #24011] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZODIAC TOWN *** + + + + +Produced by Colin Bell, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +ZODIAC TOWN + +[Illustration: ZODIAC TOWN] + + + * * * * * + + +Little Gateways to Science +BY EDITH M. PATCH + + +VOLUME I. HEXAPOD STORIES + +Twelve stories about the six-footed creatures, the fascinating little +insects that children see every day. As interesting as fiction, yet +holding a wealth of biologic and nature-study information, this is an +ideal volume for younger children. Illustrated by Robert J. Sim. Library +Edition, bound in light-blue silk cloth. $1.25 + + +VOLUME II. BIRD STORIES + +A book of bird Biographies which will be loved by all who love birds both +for the sweetness and strength of the stories, and for the illustrations +which give such intimate sketches of real birds as can only be drawn by an +artist who is also a naturalist. Illustrated by Robert J. Sim. Library +Edition, bound in light-blue silk cloth. $1.25 + + + +THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS + +BOSTON + +[Illustration: _Amos and Ann_ + _And the Journeying Man_] + + + * * * * * + + +ZODIAC TOWN + +_The Rhymes of Amos and Ann_ + +_By_ NANCY BYRD TURNER + +_Illustrated by_ WINIFRED BROMHALL + + +THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY PRESS +BOSTON + + +_Copyright, 1921, by_ +NANCY BYRD TURNER + + +The author makes grateful acknowledgment of permission to reprint in this +book verses that have appeared in _The Youth's Companion_, _St. Nicholas_, +and other periodicals. + + + * * * * * + + +_To My Father_ + + + * * * * * + + + THE CONTENTS + + ZODIAC TOWN 1 + JANUARY 7 + FEBRUARY 17 + MARCH 27 + APRIL 37 + MAY 47 + JUNE 57 + JULY 69 + AUGUST 79 + SEPTEMBER 91 + OCTOBER 101 + NOVEMBER 111 + DECEMBER 119 + + + + + THE ILLUSTRATIONS + + _They went to the January house_ 9 + _They went to the February place_ 19 + _The March house, strangely, was built in a tree_ 29 + _The April house was near a pond_ 39 + _And May herself, with a dimple and curl_ 49 + _The June house wasn't a house at all_ 59 + _The July house was an old, old house, + With an old, old man inside_ 71 + _Oh, such a funny August house-- + It really was like a zoo_ 81 + _Very familiar September seemed_ 93 + _It was a queer October place_ 103 + _The next house stood just back from the street_ 113 + _The house of December was all aglow_ 121 + + + * * * * * + + +ZODIAC TOWN + + + Amos and Ann had a poem to learn, + A poem to learn one day; + But alas! they sighed, and alack! they cried, + 'Twere better to go and play. + Ann was sure 'twas a waste of time + To bother a child with jingling rhyme. + Amos said, "What's the sense in rhythm-- + Feet and lines?" He had finished with 'em! + + They peered at the poem with scowly faces, + And yawned and stumbled and lost their places. + Then--a breeze romped by, and a bluebird sang, + And they shut the book with a snap and a bang; + Shut the book and were off and away, + Away on flying feet;-- + Never did squirrels move more light, + Or rabbits run more fleet! + + Over a wall and down a lane + And through a field they ran; + And "Where shall we go?" said Amos. "Oh, + And where shall we stop?" cried Ann. + Then all at once, round the curve of a hill, + They pulled up panting and stood stock-still; + + For there, by the edge of a ripplety brook, + In a deep little, steep little place, + Sat a long-legged youth, with a staff and a book + And a quaint, very quizzical face. + His cap and his trousers were dusty green + And his jacket was rusty brown, + And he whittled away on sweet white wood, + With shavings showering down. + He whittled away 'twixt a laugh and a tune, + With fingers as light as thistles. + + "And what are you making?" asked Amos and Ann. + + He said, "I am making whistles." + He finished one with a notch and a slit, + And threw back his head and blew on it. + + The whistle sang like a bird when he blew, + Then he twinkled and put it down. + "And where are you going," he said, "you two? + _Are you going to Zodiac Town_?" + + Each of them shook a doubtful head + (For truly they didn't know). + + "But make us a whistle like yours," they said, + "And anywhere we will go!" + + "I'll make you a whistle apiece," quoth he, + "And if you like, you may follow me; + Zodiac Town's in the land of Time, + And I go by the road of Rhyme." + + Ann looked at Amos and Amos at Ann; + They blinked with sheer surprise; + And then they looked at the long-legged man, + Who twinkled back with his eyes. + They said (and their voices were meek and low), + "We ran away from a rhyme, you know." + + "You did?" cried the fellow in green and brown. + "Then it's unmistakably plain, oho, + That you're due in Zodiac Town!" + + He took up his book and shouldered his staff, + And turned to Amos and Ann. + "Call me J. M.," he said with a laugh. + "That stands for Journeying Man. + I'll make you some whistles along the way, + While you are remembering rhymes to say; + For more than once in the land of Time + You will have to speak in rhyme." + + "Our names," said the children, "are Amos and Ann; + And poetry is rather hard for us, + But we'll do the best we can." + + Then they went away with the young-faced man, + Joyfully up and down, + Talking in rhyme by hill and lea, + Gayly in rhyme--for that, said he, + Was the tongue of Zodiac Town. + To Zodiac after a while they came-- + The twistiest, mistiest town, + With odd little collopy, scallopy streets + Meandering up and down. + The home of the years and the hours was there, + Of the minutes, the months, and the days-- + Houses with windows that winked and smiled, + And doors with sociable ways; + And leaves and apples and chestnuts brown + Came pattering down, came clattering down, + And stairways wound to the top of a hill + That a person could climb if he had the will-- + That a person could climb, then start at the top, + And bumpeting down and thumpeting down, + Go zip! to the bottom with never a stop. + + "_Whoopee!_" cried Amos--and off and away, + Quick with a kick, like a clown, + He ran to the top of the highest stair, + Ann at his heels--And zip! the pair + Came bumpeting down and thumpeting down. + + Then, "Come, you two," said the Journeying Man, + "We have twelve calls to pay. + We'll visit the months this time, if we can. + Now listen to me: at every house + Many clocks will be ticking away: + Grandfather clocks and cuckoo clocks + And moon-faced clocks on shelves, + Clocks with alarms and eight-day clocks, + All talking low to themselves; + Little gilt clocks and clocks with chimes, + And all of them keeping different times. + And any minute of any hour + (You never did see their like), + Evening or morning, with never a warning, + One of the lot will strike. + And you _may_ be talking your everyday talk, + But the instant the hour shall chime, + Quick as a flash you must stop, and dash + Right into a rollicking rhyme!" + + "What kind of a rhyme?" gasped Amos and Ann. + "What kind of a rhyme, J. M.?" + + "Any kind at all," said the Journeying Man, + As he twinkled his eyes at them. + "But it must begin with the very two sounds, + (Or three or four, if you like,) + _The last few sounds that were on your tongue_ + _When the clock began to strike_!" + + + + +JANUARY + + +_I_ + +_JANUARY_ + +[Illustration: _Aquarius_] + + + They went to the January house, + A house made all of snow, + With windows of ice, and chandeliers + Of icicles all in a row. + The trim young master was dressed in fur + And didn't seem cold at all-- + A red-cheeked, rollicking, frolicking chap, + Who offered each caller an ermine wrap, + And let them skate in his hall. + +[Illustration: _They went to the January house_] + +While they were skating round the hall, Amos's feet flew from under him +and he sat down hard on the ice. + +"Did you break anything?" asked the January boy. "I hope not, indeed," he +added earnestly, "because so many things are broken here." + +"What kind of things?" Amos wanted to know. + +"Mainly resolutions," answered January with a wry face. And then he +further said: "So many of _them_ get broken that sometimes I think I'll +move into another house." + +"But then," put in little Ann, "we shouldn't have any New Year. And oh, +how we'd miss New Year--" + +A square-faced clock on the hall-landing struck one just as Ann said she'd +miss New Year. + +"Oh!" said Ann with a gasp. "Now I've got to say a rhyme beginning--'miss +New Year.' What shall I say? + +"Miss New Year, miss New Year--" Then all at once, to her intense +surprise, she found herself reciting: + + "Miss New Year dressed herself in white, + With crystal buttons shining, + A spangled scarf, all lacy-light + About her shoulders twining; + A bunch of pearly mistletoe, + A twig of ruddy holly, + She tucked among her curls, and oh, + She was so sweet and jolly! + + "She tapped upon my window-pane + And waked me, bright and early. + 'Come, come,' she cried, 'the sun's outside, + The winds are gay and whirly! + 'Neath winter frost and summer sky, + In spring or autumn weather, + Come out, dear child, and you and I + Will be good chums together!'" + +J. M. was the next one to get caught. January had just asked the three to +stay to lunch. + +"Wish we could," said the Journeying Man, "but in spite of all these +clocks there is no time. I can smell your stew cooking, January--, such +stew!" + +A clock struck eight just as the Journeying Man said "such stew." Without +hesitation he went on:-- + + "'Such stupid days!' said Willie Green + With long and doleful face. + 'Suppose to-night the whirling globe + Should drop us into space: + Hooray! I'd ride the moon astride, + And, if a cloud sailed up, + Pretend it was a feather-bed, + And dive right in, kerplup!' + + "'What if the moon went in eclipse?' + Said little Johnny Brown; + 'Or if the clouds turned into rain + And sent you drizzling down? + Or if a thunder-bolt went off + And knocked you rather flat?' + + "'Now that's the truth,' said Willie Green, + 'I hadn't thought of that!' + + "But, 'Earth's so poky,' still he mused; + 'It must be finer far + To play _I Spy_ across the sky, + And skip from star to star.' + + "'Stars fall, sometimes,' quoth Johnny Brown, + 'To where, nobody knows.' + + "'Oh, dearie me!' cried Willie Green, + 'I only said _Suppose_!'" + +Amos had a question to ask as the travelers turned to leave the January +house. + +"Don't you keep any pets?" he said. + +January grinned. "It would have to be a cold kind of pet," he replied. +"And I don't like seals and walruses. The very animal that I want I can't +have: the alligator has always been my favorite." + +"The alligator?" echoed Amos and Ann. + +"Yes," said January, firmly. "Always the al--" + +But a little nickel clock caught him just there, so he remarked instead:-- + + "Always the alphabet to me + Is like a happy family. + They work in groups, they work in pairs, + But each one has his little airs: + R runs and romps, and so does S, + And Z is full of foolishness; + H always smiles, and A is jolly; + G's somehow sort of melancholy. + Q sticks his tongue into his cheek + And always waits for U to speak; + D's fat and lazy; so is C; + And O makes funny mouths at me. + Among the pleasant alphabet + It's hard to pick and choose--and yet, + When all is said, I can't deny + (You'll understand), my choice is I!" + + + + +FEBRUARY + + +_II_ + +_FEBRUARY_ + +[Illustration: _Pisces_] + + + They went to the February place: + 'Twas fashioned, with curious art, + Of colored sugar and paper lace, + With a front door shaped like a heart. + A trim little, slim little maid within + Was rolling out cookies crisp and thin; + She blew them a kiss through the window wide, + And bade them step inside. + +[Illustration: _They went to the February place_] + +The little valentine girl in the February house was very sociable; but she +talked so much, and there were so many clocks striking all around, that +she was always getting side-tracked into a rhyme. + +For example, she was just about to describe a jolly party she went to one +day last year, when a clock struck six, and she was obliged to say, +instead:-- + + "One day last year, with hems and haws and sidelong steps and + nervous caws, the crows came mincing forth to mail gay valentines, + you know. The post box was a hollow tree. They did not know, + unluckily, that squirrels had gnawed the floor away, and owls moved + in below. + + "The crows went flapping off with glee. They said, 'Our woodland + friends will see that, though we dress so solemnly, we're sociable + at heart.' + + "The valentines came hurrying down, came scurrying down, came + flurrying down, and waked the owls, all fast asleep, and gave them + quite a start. + + "'What's this, my dear, amiss, my dear?' cried Father Owl. + + "'Oh, bliss, my dear,' said Mrs. Owl. 'A shower of mail for us. How + very fine!' + + "The daughter owls were full of joy, and quick the little owlet boy + ruffed up his feathers roguishly and seized a valentine. + + "Excitement reigned among those owls; but, being such nocturnal + fowls, they could not read the valentines at all in broad + daylight. They blinked a bit and winked a bit, but found them not + distinct a bit; then did not go to bed again, but waited for the + night. + + "Just after dusk a thing occurred, unfortunate for every bird: a + wild, wild wind came romping in (it was a dreadful prank), and with + a swoop, in boisterous play, swept all the envelopes away. + + "The poor owls cried, 'Alackaday, we shan't know whom to thank!' + + "Next morning all the crows came out and pranced about and glanced + about, expecting greetings from their friends, and praise, and + everything; but when they got no single word of gratitude from any + bird, they held a meeting in the trees that made the whole woods + ring. + + "Oh, well, it surely seemed a shame, but no one really was to + blame; and this year all the birds around (I heard it from a wren) + will put their mail most carefully safe in a holeproof hollow tree. + And every crow is going to be a happy crow again!" + +Little Ann was enchanted with the February house; she planned in her own +mind to copy it in chocolate and taffy. + +"I'd like to see upstairs,--the beds and bureaus and things,--" she said +shyly, "if you don't mind my looking--" + +A big clock began to boom somewhere near. + +"My looking--" repeated Ann. "Dear me suz, I'm caught again! What shall I +say?" + +Then all at once she said:-- + + "My looking-glass is like a pool, + As still and clear, as blank and cool. + + "It fronts the clean white nursery wall, + With no look on its face at all. + + "But when in front of it I go, + Why, there I am, from top to toe. + + "Oh, just suppose I hurried there + Some day to brush my tousled hair, + + "And stood and stared, and could not see + One single, single sign of me!" + +When it was nearly time to leave the February house, Ann remarked that +Amos had talked in prose straight along ever since they came. + +Amos smiled proudly. "So I have," he said. He was about to go on to say +that he wondered if he would be caught at all, when--whiz! with a scramble +and a scuffle a cuckoo rushed out of a clock just above his head and +bobbed intently up and down twelve times. Amos had got only as far as +"wonder." "Wonder--wonder--" he stammered, as he heard the clock. +"Wonder--wonder-- + + "Wonder if George Washington + Did just the way we do? + Wonder if he slid on ice, + And now and then broke through; + Slid on ice, and fought with snow, + And whittled hickory sticks, + Called his brother 'April Fool!' + And played him April tricks? + + "Wonder if he shed his shirt + Down beneath the beeches, + Kicked his buckled slippers off, + And his buckled breeches, + Jumped into the swimming-pool, + And gave a splendid shout, + Glad and wiggly, clean and cool, + Splashing like a trout? + + "Wonder did he sit in school, + And try to work a sum, + With bumblebees all mumbling, + 'Summer's come, summer's come!' + If he used to count the days, + And give a sort of sigh, + Because--how queer!--there couldn't be + A Fourth in his July! + + "Wonder if he ever took + His history and read + Tales of mighty generals, + Glorious and dead; + Turned the leaves and wished that he + Could be a hero, too? + Wonder if George Washington + Felt the way we do?" + + + + +MARCH + + +_III_ + +_MARCH_ + +[Illustration: _Aries_] + + + The March house, strangely, was built in a tree, + With a fluttering roof of leaves, + And strong, straight boughs for the walls of the house, + And an apple or two in the eaves. + A pair of fun-loving twins lived there, + Who romped on the roof all day, + And flew great kites when the weather was fair, + In a most remarkable way. + +[Illustration: _The March house, strangely, was built in a tree_] + +Amos and Ann were very curious to know why the twins lived in a tree. + +"Well, it saves time," the black-haired twin explained. "There are one or +two days in the year when we're bound to be up here anyhow." + +The children looked puzzled. + +"You see," said the yellow-haired twin, "we never have the slightest idea +how March is going to come in. If he comes in like a lion--" + +"Then, of course, you want to be out of the way," interrupted Ann, +delighted with herself for knowing. + +"Exactly," said the twin. "And if he comes in like a lamb, then we know +how he's going out, of course. So we simply get up here and stay. Listen +to our song." + +Then they sang in duet: + + "When March comes in roaring, growling, + Winds swoop over the hilltop howling; + Bushes toss in the lashing gale, + Right and left, like a lion's tail; + Branches shake in the road and lane, + Tawny and wild, like a lion's mane. + Fierce and furious, he-- + But he's going out like a lamb; + You watch and see! + + "When March comes in gentle, easy, + Waggy and warm and mild and breezy, + Little buds bob all down the trail, + Short and white as a lambkin's tail; + Hedges and ledges with blooms are full, + Fluffy and fair as a lambkin's wool. + Mighty switchy and sweet, and all that-- + But he's going out like a lion. + _Hold on to your hat_!" + +"There's not a single solitary clock at this place, anyway," Amos +remarked. + +"Don't be too sure," J. M. told him. "It may be, you see, that the tree +keeps a clock in its trunk. First thing you know, the clock may speak up +and tell on itself, the way Tom Tuttle used to do." + +"We never heard of Tom Tuttle," said little Ann. + +"Never heard of Tom Tuttle?" echoed the Journeying Man. "Then you shall +hear of him, as soon as--" + +From a hole in the tree came the sound of a clock striking loudly. J. M. +was bound to go on, then, just as he had begun, and so he said:-- + + "As soon as ever spring drew near, and brooks and winds were loose, + Tom Tuttle would be late to school with never an excuse. + + "So little and so very late! And when the teacher said + That he must take his punishment, he merely hung his head. + + "She'd ask him all the hardest things in all the hardest books; + And queerly he would answer her, with absent-minded looks. + + "'How many yards make twenty rods?' And Tommy said, 'Oh, dear, + Twelve rods I've cut for fishing poles in our own yard this year.' + + "'How many perches make a mile? Now think before you speak.' + 'Perches?' he said, 'There's millions in the upper sawmill creek.' + + "'What grows in southern Hindustan?' Said Tom, 'I do not know; + But I can take you to a tree where blackheart cherries grow.' + + "'Name Christopher Columbus's boats.' 'I can't remember, quite; + But mine, that lies below the falls, is named the Water Sprite.' + + "'Now what is "whistle"--noun or verb?' 'I do not know indeed; + But just the other day I made a whistle from a reed.' + + "Then all the little listening boys would wiggle in their places, + And all the little watching girls would have to hide their faces; + + "And, 'Thomas, Thomas!' teacher'd say, and shake her head in doubt, + And make him write a hundred words before the day was out. + + "'T was always so when grass turned green and blue was in the sky-- + Tom Tuttle coming late to school and never telling why." + +They had a good laugh at Tom Tuttle; but presently the thoughts of Amos +turned to March hares. + +"Do they ever come near enough for you to touch them?" he asked the twins. + +"No, March hares are very timid," the twins said. "They are terribly +afraid of meeting the March lion at a sudden corner," the yellow-haired +twin added. "That is on their minds a great deal." + +"The very best way to get close to a March hare," said the black-haired +boy, "is to take a reserved seat at the annual March-hare ball." + +Then the two brothers told this tale; and Amos and Ann saw no reason for +not believing it:-- + + "Maybe nobody's told you + (For very few people know) + What happens down in the meadow brown + At the fall of the first March snow. + + "A flute-note sounds on the midnight, + Blown by a fairy boy, + And the rabbits rush from the underbrush, + All nearly mad with joy. + + "Round and round in the wild wind, + Faster and faster they prance; + The moon comes out and looks about, + And laughs to see them dance. + + "Cold frost covers their whiskers, + But never their hind legs tire, + And whenever a hare feels a flake on his ear, + He leaps a full inch higher! + + "Harum-scarum and happy, + They frolic the whole night through; + Maybe you'll hear them dance, this year + (Though very few mortals do)." + + + + +APRIL + + +_IV_ + +_APRIL_ + +[Illustration: _Taurus_] + + + The April house was near a pond; + It was made of reeds and of rushes, + All helter-skelter and out of kelter, + And ringed by gooseberry bushes. + The April Fool on the chimney sat, + In pointed shoes and a pointed hat, + And welcomed the three with a tee-hee-hee-- + Fair and funny and fat. + +[Illustration: _The April house was near a pond_] + +The owner of the house bowed pleasantly as the visitors approached. + +"I'm delighted that you happened to come on the first of April," he said. + +"But this isn't the first of April," the children began, astonished. + +J. M. pinched their elbows. "Don't contradict him," he whispered. "He +really doesn't know any better, you see." + + "Have you heard the latest news? [asked the Fool] + Cows, this year, wear button shoes; + Dogs will dress in pantaloons; + So will monkeys, minks, and coons; + Cats go gay in capes and shawls; + Robins carry parasols; + Bossy calves and nanny-goats + Skip in scalloped petticoats; + Molly hares and bunny rabbits + Look their best in jumping-habits; + Babies are to dress in bearskins + (If they can be made to wear skins); + Grown-up folks in straw or leather, + Just whichever suits the weather. + These styles are the latest thing, + Brought from Paris for the Spring, + Neat and natty, trim and cool"-- + +[Illustration] + +"April Fool!" cried Amos. He felt sure that was coming. + +But the Fool merely put his hand to his ear. "Did you call me?" he asked +politely. + +The children shook with laughter at that, and the April Fool turned to the +Journeying Man. "Your turn," he said. + +This is the April poem that the Journeying Man recited for the rest:-- + + "Young Peter Puck and his brothers wrote + To the wise wood-people a little note. + It said, 'If you'll meet us by Ripply Pond, + Wonders we'll show with our magic wand.' + 'What shall we do?' said the forest-folk. + 'Maybe it's merely a practical joke.' + But they went, good souls, and they only found + A bare, bare bush and the green, green ground. + 'But watch,' said the fairies, 'and you shall see + Animals grow on a tiny tree.' + + "The rabbits and squirrels felt aggrieved; + They thought that surely they'd been deceived. + But Peter Puck, at the head of the band, + Called, 'Come, come, Kitty!' and waved his hand. + Then the buds on the pussy-willow bush + All became kittens as soft as plush-- + Smooth, round kittens, quite calm and fat; + On every twig hung a little cat. + And the fairies danced, and the glad wood-folk + Cried, 'Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful joke!'" + +"Now look here," said the April Fool, when J. M. was done. "I have several +important questions to ask this crowd." + +He then proceeded to ask the questions, not one of which anyone even tried +to answer. + + "Now, speech is very curious: + You never know what minute + A word will show a brand-new side, + With brand-new meaning in it. + This world could hardly turn around, + If some things acted like they sound. + + "Suppose the April flower-beds, + Down in the garden spaces, + Were made with green frog-blanket spreads + And caterpillar-cases; + Or oak trees locked their trunks to hide + The countless rings they keep inside! + + "Suppose from every pitcher-plant + The milk-weed came a-pouring; + That tiger-lilies could be heard + With dandelions roaring, + Till all the cat-tails, far and near, + Began to bristle up in fear! + + "What if the old cow blew her horn + Some peaceful evening hour, + And suddenly a blast replied + From every trumpet-flower, + While people's ears beat noisy drums + To 'Hail, the Conquering Hero Comes!' + + "If barn-yard fowls had honey-combs, + What should we think, I wonder? + If lightning-bugs should swiftly strike, + Then peal with awful thunder? + And would it turn our pink cheeks pale + To see a comet switch its tail?" + +The queer little fellow did not seem to be at all disturbed by the failure +of the company to answer his questions. He turned courteously to little +Ann. + +"It's your turn to ask a riddle, you know," he reminded her. + +To little Ann's astonishment a riddle popped right into her head--a rhymed +riddle, at that! + + "Busy Mistress One-Eye + With her long white train + Dips her nose and down she goes-- + Up she comes again. + + "Not a hand and not a foot; + Has no need for those; + Makes her trip without a slip, + Following her nose. + + "Two she has to guide her: + One, a sturdy chap, + Other, tall beside her, + In a silver cap. + + "As she moves--how funny! + Yet it's very plain-- + Brighter grows her one eye + And shorter grows her train. + +"Now, what's the answer?" she cried. + +"That's easy," the Fool said promptly. "The answer is, of course, a +mushroom." + +Amos laughed loudly at that; but kind little Ann was distressed to think +what a pitifully poor guess her host had made. + +"Oh, not a mushroom, Mr. Fool," she said. "Don't you see it has something +to do with sewing?" + +"Then of course it's a mushroom," the Fool said calmly. "Don't I sow +mushrooms every year all over my backyard? Nobody can fool me," he +finished with a chuckle, "about mushrooms." + +And after that naturally there was nothing more to be said. + +The children were very reluctant to leave the April house; but J. M. +glanced at one of the many topsy-turvy clocks that hung from the ceiling +(of all places!), and reminded them that it was high time to be moving +on. + + + + +MAY + + +_V_ + +_MAY_ + +[Illustration: _Gemini_] + + + A green-thatched cottage was May's sweet home + With velvet moss for a floor, + And a clambering vine in the gay sunshine, + And a Maypole set by the door. + And May herself, with a dimple and curl, + Dressed in a flouncy gown, + Was filling baskets--the prettiest girl + In all of Zodiac Town! + +[Illustration: _And May herself, with a dimple and curl_] + +The Journeying Man swept off his green hat when he caught sight of May. + +"I knew you'd be here," he said. "May I tell my two young companions how +the joyful animals welcomed you when you came?" + +May smiled at Amos and Ann. "How did you know?" she asked J. M. + +"I saw it all," was the answer. "I was passing through the wood one day--" + +The Journeying Man was interrupted here by a clock striking ten, and so he +was obliged to dash into rhyme:-- + + "One day the cheery wood-folk heard + A robin tell another bird + A piece of news, a joyful word + Repeated often over. + 'Oho,' said they, 'we'll plan a way + To welcome back our pretty May. + We'll have a celebration day + To show her how we love her.' + + "Professor Bear should speak, they planned, + With Dr. Fox upon the stand; + The bird quintette from Mapleville + Would sing its loveliest; + And Mr. Owl, the baritone, + Should give selections of his own; + And all the rabbit girls and boys + Should wear their very best. + + "The day was fair with balmy air, + And banners waving everywhere; + The woolliest lamb, all curled and frilled, + Was sent to meet the guest; + And even little rats and things, + And creatures that had only wings, + Were given tiny parts to play, + And waited with the rest. + + "Then, tripping light and skipping light + And laughing clear, a happy sight, + And flinging flowers left and right, + Came merry, merry May. + 'Oh, welcome, welcome home!' they cried; + The banners dipped on every side. + She curtsied low, 'Just think,' she said, + 'I have a month to stay!'" + +May looked as pleased as Amos and Ann when the rhyme was finished. + +"It's every word true," she said. "And here's some more news that the +little bird told--if you'd like to hear it:-- + + "Miss Butterfly sent word one day to all the garden people + That she would give a social tea beneath the hollyhock. + A robin read the message from a slender pine-tree steeple-- + A note that begged them sweetly to be there by six o'clock. + They came a-wing, they came a-foot, they came from flower and thicket; + Miss Hummingbird was present in a coat and bonnet gay, + And portly Mr. Bumblebee and cheerful Mr. Cricket, + And tiny Mrs. Ladybug in polka-dot array. + There were seats for four-and-twenty, and the guest of honor there + Was a gray Granddaddy-long-legs in a little mushroom chair. + + "The table was a toadstool with a spider-woven cover; + The fare was served in rose-leaf plates and bluebell cups a-ring-- + Sweet honey from the latest bloom, and last night's dew left over, + And a crumb of mortal cake for which an ant went pilfering. + A mockingbird within the hedge sang loudly for their revel; + A lily swayed above them, slow, to keep the moths away; + So they laughed and buzzed and chattered till the shadows + lengthened level, + And Miss Katydid said sadly that she must no longer stay. + Then all arose and shook their wings, and curtsied, every one, + 'Good-night, good-bye, Miss Butterfly, we never had such fun.'" + +Little Ann looked wistful when she heard all the butterfly tale. + +"I do wish I might go to a party like that," she said. + +Amos reflected. "I don't know but what I'd be afraid of stepping on the +guests," he remarked. + +"That's true," Ann agreed. "Just think how it would seem to have Miss +Butterfly say to you, 'Oh, you've crushed Mrs. Ant,' or 'Excuse me, but +you seem to be sitting on Colonel Grasshopper, Sir.'" + +"Tell you what _I_ wish," Amos went on. "I wish--Oh, there goes a clock--I +wish--I wish-- + + "I wish, when summer's drawing near about the end of May, + With bees and birds and other things, that teacher'd teach this way: + + "'Bound Pine Wood north and south and east, and all the way around; + Tell where the sassafras bushes grow, and where wild flags are found; + + "'How far from Huckleberry Hill to Sandy-Bottom Creek? + How many cherries at a time can a boy hold in his cheek? + + "'Suppose three fish were in a pond, three fishers close at hand, + Each fisher with a hook and line--how many would they land? + + "'What is the shortest cut to where the buttercups are yellow? + How many fortnights does it take to turn May apples mellow? + + "'Two pickers in a berry patch--when they had picked all day, + How many quarts, inside and out, would those two take away? + + "'If twenty boys turned loose and ran from here in front of school, + How many seconds would they take to reach the swimming-pool?' + + "And then I wish the teacher'd say, 'Well, if you can't remember, + Go find the answers, _right away_, and tell me in September!'" + + + + +JUNE + + +_VI_ + +_JUNE_ + +[Illustration: _Cancer_] + + + The June house wasn't a house at all, + But a level and leafy place, + Where a gypsy scamp had pitched his camp-- + A gypsy merry of face. + He welcomed J. M. and Amos and Ann, + And gave them some savory stew, + Piping hot from a big black pot-- + And all of them ate it, too! + +[Illustration: _The June house wasn't a house at all_] + +It was so cool and delightful at the June house that at first the +travelers didn't have much to say--they simply sat and rested and looked +around. But presently Ann began to feel lively again. + +"No clocks here, anyway!" she exclaimed. + +The gypsy rolled his black eyes. He had a clock, he said, but it ran too +fast. "In fact it ran down," he added. + +"Where is it?" asked little Ann. + +"How can I tell?" returned the gypsy chap. "It ran down, you know--down +into the woods. And since it runs so fast, I didn't even try to overtake +it." + +"But a clock has no feet," cried Amos. + +"It has hands, though," retorted the gypsy. "Will you deny that?" + +Then he pointed his funny brown finger at Ann. "You can make a rhyme +without a clock striking, you know," he said. "Make one, this minute, +Miss." + +Ann was alarmed. "What shall I make it about?" she said in a flustered +voice. + +"Anything," the gypsy answered. "Hats will do." + +"Hats?" echoed Ann. "However in the world can I make a poem about hats?" + +But all at once she did begin to make one; it ran along as smoothly as A B +C. + + "If hats were made of flowers, + I think my party bonnet + Would be a satin tulip + With a touch of green upon it. + + "I'd wear for fun and frolic + A crinkled daffodil, + With a crown quite comfortable + And a flaring yellow frill. + + "I'd choose for church a beauty: + The sweetest flower that grows + Would be my Sunday bonnet-- + A soft, pink, ruffled rose. + + "A daisy crisp and snowy + Would be the choice for school; + A fresh hat every morning, + With scallops starched and cool. + + "For picnics and for rambles + A polished buttercup. + If hats were made of flowers, + How people would dress up!" + +Just as Ann said the last word of her poem, an inquisitive thousand-leg +worm scuttled along the ground about a yard away, and she almost turned a +summersault. + +"He wouldn't think of hurting you," said the gypsy chap. "Speaking of +hats, little Ann--did you ever hear the tale of the centipede lady and her +shoes?" + +Then he told it. + + "Little Miss Centipede + Went out to shop, + And at Shoofly & Company's + Made her first stop. + Mr. Shoofly came forward, + All beaming and gay: + 'And what can I do for you, + Madam, to-day?' + He bowed and he beckoned; + He showed her a seat; + But the poor clerks turned pale + When she put out her feet. + 'How many?' they faltered. + 'As many as these,' + She replied very sweetly, + 'And hurry up, please.' + + "So they hurried and scurried, + The ten Shoofly clerks, + All hustling together + And working like Turks. + They cleared all the counters; + They emptied the shelves; + They made, in their haste, + Perfect slaves of themselves. + They laced and they buttoned, + They pushed and they squeezed, + Miss Centipede watching, + Quite placid and pleased; + They used a short ladder + To fit her top feet, + And never drew breath + Till the job was complete. + + "And here's what they sold her-- + Now count if you choose: + A pair of cloth gaiters, + A pair of tan shoes, + A pair of black pumps, + And a pair of tan ties, + Two pairs of galoshes + And boots, ladies' size; + Five pairs of silk slippers + For thin evening wear-- + Rose, green, red, and buff, + And a rich purple pair; + And soft bedroom slippers + Of crimson and gray; + And a pair of bootees, + By red tassels made gay; + + "And five sets of sandals, + Two basket-ball shoes, + And two pairs for lounging-- + Pale pinks and pale blues; + And six pairs for walking, + And six pairs for snow, + And six pairs to hunt in-- + Though what, I don't know; + And two pairs of goatskin, + And two pairs of duck, + And four pairs of kid-- + And on all of them stuck + The daintiest rubbers. + Indeed, she looked sweet, + Miss Centipede did, + As she tripped down the street!" + +[Illustration] + +By this time they had finished their stew. The Journeying Man rose and +picked up his staff. "That was good soup," he said. + +The gypsy looked gratified. "Maybe," he answered, "it had some of +Contrary Mary's truck in it, and maybe it didn't. I'm not saying as to +that." + +Amos and Ann were filled with curiosity. They wanted to know what +"Contrary Mary's truck" might be. + +"You tell them," the gypsy said to the Journeying Man. And J. M. did. + + "You ask why Mary was called contrary? + Well, this is why, my dear: + She planted the most outlandish things + In her garden every year; + She was always sowing the queerest seed, + And when advised to stop, + Her answer was merely, 'No, indeed-- + Just wait till you see the crop!' + + "And here are some of the crops, my child + (Although not nearly all): + Bananarcissus and cucumberries, + And violettuce small; + Potatomatoes, melonions rare, + And rhubarberries round, + With porcupineapples prickly-rough + On a little bush close to the ground. + + "She gathered the stuff in mid-July + And sent it away to sell-- + And now you'll see how she earned her name, + And how she earned it well. + Were the crops hauled off in a farmer's cart? + No, not by any means, + But in little June-buggies and automobeetles + And dragonflying-machines!" + + + + +JULY + + +_VII_ + +_JULY_ + +[Illustration: _Leo_] + + + The July house was an old, old house, + With an old, old man inside, + Who told them stories of other days, + Stories of pluck and pride. + His beard was long and his hair was white, + But his keen eyes were not dim, + As he told them things that old, old men + Had long ago told him. + +[Illustration: _The July house was an old, old house, + With an old, old man inside_] + +At first Amos and Ann stood a little in awe of the old man in the July +house; but he looked so jolly and friendly, and J. M. seemed to know him +so well, that they were soon set at ease. + +Little Ann made bold to ask him a question. "Do you remember the American +Revolution?" she said. + +"My sakes alive, Ann!" cried Amos, a good deal embarrassed. + +But the old man did not seem at all offended. "Well," he answered slowly, +"I can tell you this much about it: + + "The little boys of '76-- + They did their chores and swam and fished, + And hunted hares and whittled sticks, + While all the time they wished and wished + To hear a sudden summons come, + Each waiting day, each listening night: + 'We need the boys for flag and drum, + So send them to the fight!' + + "The little girls of '76-- + They rocked their dollies to and fro, + And taught the kittens pretty tricks, + And heard their mothers talking low; + Then climbed into the hayloft high, + They peered through every glimmering crack, + And longed to raise a joyful cry: + 'The men are marching back!'" + +Amos was inclined to think that maybe Ann's question hadn't been such a +foolish one, after all. + +"Perhaps," he ventured, "you knew my great-great-great-grandfather. Can +you tell me anything about him, sir?" + +"I can tell you this," the old man said:-- + + "Your great-great-great-grandfather + Was a little chap like you, + When suddenly one summer + Bugles of battle blew, + And bells rang in the towers, + And flags at windows flew. + + "He heard the tramp of horses + And the fall of marching feet; + He saw a dust on the hill road, + Regiments in the street, + While men were thick in the highway + And drums in the market beat. + + "He watched how the townsfolk hurried + Eagerly to and fro; + He heard the voice of his mother, + Quiet and brave and low; + And he saw his father shoulder + A queer old gun and go. + + "Your great-great-great-grandfather, + Sturdy and strong like you, + Glad of the blowing bugles, + Proud of the flags that flew, + Was glad and proud as you, lad-- + Son of a soldier, too!" + +"Why, I _am_ the son of a soldier!" Amos cried, delighted. "Though I don't +know how you found it out, to be sure." + +"Now, Amos," the Journeying Man put in, "it's only fair that you should +give us your poem about a band." + +Amos turned red. "My poem about a band!" he echoed. "I don't know any poem +about a band." + +"One--two--three," chimed an old grandfather clock on the stairs; and all +at once the little boy, much to his astonishment, began to recite. This is +what he recited:-- + + "A band is such a brave, bright thing, + With tassels tossed, and burnished brass, + And music quick and fluttering-- + I love to see one pass. + + "Sometimes it sounds for turning wheels,-- + A circus coming into town,-- + And then the tune gets in my heels + And shakes them up and down. + + "Sometimes it sounds for marching men, + With cry of bugles in the street, + And fair flags blowing free--and then + I cannot hold my feet. + + "I follow, follow on and on; + I let it lead me where it will; + And when the last clear notes are gone, + Somehow I hear them still." + +The old man was plainly pleased with the verses; he told Amos that little +boys had always felt that way about bands, and probably always would. + +"Wait a moment," he said, as the Journeying Man made the move to go. "Did +the June fellow tell them the story of Contrary Mary?" + +"Yes, he did," the children answered in duet. "And oh, wasn't she curious, +sure enough?" + +"Well, she had a right to be queer," the old man said meditatively. "She +inherited queerness. Fact of the matter is, her family name was Queeribus. +Let me tell you about _her_ great-great-great-grandfather! + + "Old Quin Queeribus-- + He loved his garden so, + He wouldn't have a rake around, + A shovel or a hoe. + + "For each potato's eyes he bought + Fine spectacles of gold, + And mufflers for the corn, to keep + Its ears from getting cold. + + "On every head of lettuce green-- + What do you think of that?-- + And every head of cabbage, too, + He tied a garden hat. + + "Old Quin Queeribus-- + He loved his garden so, + He couldn't eat his growing things, + He only let them grow!" + +[Illustration] + + + + +AUGUST + + +_VIII_ + +_AUGUST_ + +[Illustration: _Virgo_] + + + Oh, such a funny August house-- + It really was like a zoo, + For animals roamed in all the rooms + (Even a kangaroo); + Such sociable, smiling, friendly beasts! + As soon as the travelers came, + They hurried out with extended paws, + Announcing, each, his name. + +[Illustration: _Oh, such a funny August house-- + It really was like a zoo_] + +"Why, how in the world did they learn to talk?" the young visitors cried. +"Did they go to school, J. M.?" + +By that time the various animals, having performed their duties as hosts, +had scampered off to play again, and so they were out of hearing. + +"Did they go to school?" the children repeated. + +The Journeying Man shook his head and made answer:-- + + "The birds and beasts don't go to school; + I guess 't would make them mad to; + They wouldn't pass an hour in class. + But just suppose they had to! + How funny it would be to see + The desks all full of scholars, + With fins and claws and hoofs and paws, + Skin coats and brown fur collars! + + "How strange 't would seem to happen by + And hear the teacher saying, + 'The kitty-cat geography + Must be kept in from playing; + And once again I tell you plain + That I shall give a rapping + To the very next first-reader owl + That I discover napping.' + + "The crabs would write in copy-books, + Such crawly, scrawly letters; + The bees would have a spelling-bee + And buzz among their betters; + And monkeys chatter French and squeak + In Greek the live-long day, + To scare the class of infant lambs, + Who only know B-A. + +[Illustration] + + "They'd send giraffes up to the board + To figure slowly, each, + Problems in higher branches + That they could never reach. + And here and there and everywhere, + No matter who played fool, + They'd straightway clap a paper cap + Upon the youngest mule. + +[Illustration] + + "A looker-on might feel, perhaps, + A little consternation, + To see the bear philosophy + Arise for recitation; + And pupils all, and teacher, too, + Would pale a bit, perchance, + When the elephants came up to do + Their calisthenics dance!" + +"But," Amos persisted, "if they don't go to school, then how on earth did +they learn how to talk?" + +"I taught them, to be sure," said a hoarse voice overhead. + +The children looked up, startled, and were astonished to see that the +voice came, apparently, from a long-tailed green parrot, with a hooked +beak and round, solemn eyes. + +"They come from all parts of the world," the parrot resumed, "for me to +teach them. Of course, you needn't call it a school if you don't want to." + +He whistled shrilly, and the birds and beasts came scampering back and +stood round in a respectful circle. The children tried to talk to them, +but they looked bashful and would not say a word. + +"Perhaps they'd like to hear some rhymes," J. M. suggested. "Go ahead, +Amos and Ann." + +"My _stars_!" said Ann, and Amos added: "How in the world can I start off +quite suddenly--" + +Just then a cuckoo rushed out from a clock somewhere and cuckooed eleven +times, and the twelfth time Amos said:-- + + "Quite suddenly, a speckled trout + Down in the swift, clear river + Began to bustle all about, + His fishy chin a-quiver. + + "He raised so big a foam and fuss + The fishes all assembled. + Why, at a hippopotamus + He'd scarcely so have trembled! + + "'What ails you?' asked a brother trout. + 'What's wrong?' inquired a minnow. + 'Alas! We're all invited out,' + He shivered, 'to a dinner!' + + "They cried, 'Why, that's a jolly plan! + Who asked us out to dine?' + 'Oh!' sobbed the trout, 'a fisherman, + He just dropped me a line!'" + +When the poem was finished, the parrot cried, "Hear! Hear!" and clapped +his wings excitedly, and a little raccoon laughed so loud that he had to +be sent away in disgrace. + +"Now, Ann," said J. M., "give us a poem about your cat." + +"Not a wild cat, I hope," put in the parrot hastily. "That kind of a cat +has such bad manners--far, far worse than the raccoon's--that it is not +allowed round here at all. If it's a polite kind of a cat, go on, Miss; +not otherwise." + +Little Ann was very red in the face. "But I can't go on," she said. She +intended to say also, "There's nothing to go on with," but just as she +said "There's," a little nickel clock called five very clearly, and she +remarked, instead:-- + + "There's the snow-white cat, the pearl-gray cat, + The brindle and the brown, + The cat with stripes around himself, + The cat striped up and down, + The plaid cat and the buff cat, + The tan, the tortoise-shell, + The bluish sort, the reddish sort-- + More tints than I can tell. + But the finest of the whole fine lot + (There's no disputing that) + Is the jet-black chap with one white spot-- + And that's our kind of cat. + + "The tiny cat is cunning, + The long, lean cat is fleet, + The nimble one is made for fun, + The fluff-ball one is sweet, + The Persian pussy's splendid, + The Maltese kitty, too, + But the special kind I have in mind + Is best of all the crew. + He's not too quick and frisky, + Nor is he slow and fat; + He's soft and warm and fits my arm, + And he's our kind of cat!" + +Ann's recitation was well received. The parrot said he was very familiar +with the kitty kind of cat--in fact, had instructed a good many of them. + +Amos remarked that, with so many beasts coming to learn, the place would +soon be filled to overflowing. + +"Oh, no," said the parrot. "The same train that brings in a crowd takes a +crowd away." + +"_Train?_" Amos repeated, his eyes round with curiosity. + +"To be sure--train," the parrot answered. "You don't mean to tell me you +never heard of the Wild Beast Limited?" + +Then he preened his feathers with pride and chanted the song of the Wild +Beast Limited. + + "The Wild Beast Limited pulls out + With bustle and with fuss. + It's hard to seat the porcupine + And hippopotamus. + + "The ants demand a special coach + If one ant-eater goes; + The dormouse wants a sleeping car; + The chickens shun the crows; + + "The camel will not stir a peg + Until his fill he's drunk; + The elephant is loud and cross + Until he checks his trunk; + + "The tortoise always comes too late; + The hare a day ahead. + I'd hate to be the engineer + Of the Wild Beast Limited." + + + + +SEPTEMBER + + +_IX_ + +_SEPTEMBER_ + +[Illustration: _Libra_] + + + Very familiar September seemed: + A flag-pole stood in the yard, + And the little path that led from the road + Was trampled bare and hard. + A bell hung high in the little tower, + And when the door swung wide + They saw a young woman with pen in hand, + Writing away inside. + +[Illustration: _Very familiar September seemed_] + +The young woman rose and came smilingly to the door. A clock somewhere +inside struck nine, with quick, sharp strokes. + +It sounded so familiar, somehow, that the children cried in alarm, "Oh, +it's time for school!" + +[Illustration] + +"Not quite, for you scholars," the teacher said. "But folks and things in +there"--she nodded toward the schoolroom--"are ready and waiting." + +Amos and Ann peered past her through the door, but they could see nothing +except desks and seats. + +"I suppose Columbus has sailed, by this time," remarked the Journeying +Man. + +"Oh, yes," the young woman replied. "Furthermore, the Mississippi is +flowing into the Gulf of Mexico as hard as it can, and rice is growing in +Japan." + +The children understood, now, and they were both laughing. "Are the +prepositions and adverbs in their places?" they asked. + +"Multiplication tables set, I suppose?" said J. M. + +"Certainly," the teacher answered. "And the tables of weights and +measures, too. And many things are here in addition." + +"How," asked little Ann, "do the children in Zodiac Town know when it's +time for school to open?" + +"Just the way the children in any other town know," the teacher replied. + + "When bees and birds and butterflies + Have grown a little lazy; + When flowers are rare, with here and there + A late rose or a daisy; + When streams are slow, and water's low + Down in the swimming-pool, + And grass burns brown along the lane, + And goldenrod is bright again-- + There's something tells you just as plain, + 'Time for school!' + + "When apples in the orchard lot + And pears come thumping, falling; + When sweet and clear, far off and near, + The bobwhite's voice is calling; + When crickets trill out on the hill, + And dusk comes quick and cool; + When all at once, in midst of play, + You can't remember what's the way + To multiply--you stop and say, + 'Time for school!'" + +A clock boomed ten with a familiar sound, and Ann and Amos jumped. + +"I almost thought we were an hour late for school," Ann said. + +"September's a rather funny month," Amos remarked. "It ends so many things +and it begins so many things." + +"I like to come home at the end of summer," little Ann said. Then, without +waiting at all for a clock to strike she swung into a poem:-- + + "When we travel back in summer to the old house by the sea, + Where long ago my mother lived, a little girl like me, + I have the strangest notion that she still is waiting there, + A small child in a pinafore with ribbon on her hair. + I hear her in the garden when I go to pick a rose; + She follows me along the path on dancing tipsy-toes; + I hear her in the hayloft when the hay is slippery-sweet-- + A rustle and a scurry and a sound of scampering feet; + Yet though I sit as still as still, she never comes to me, + The funny little laughing girl my mother used to be. + + "Sometimes I nearly catch her as she dodges here and there, + Her white dress flutters round a tree and flashes up a stair; + Sometimes I almost put my hand upon her apron strings-- + Then, just before my fingers close, she's gone again like wings. + A sudden laugh, a scrap of song, a footfall on the lawn, + And yet, no matter how I run, forever up and gone! + A fairy or a firefly could hardly flit so fast. + When we come home in summer, I have given up at last. + I lay my cheek on mother's. If there's only one for me, + I'd rather have her, anyway, than the girl she used to be!" + +"That's pretty good," said Amos critically. "I like--" + +Before he could go on, a little crystal clock struck four. So Amos had to +fall a-rhyming again. He stood on his head and illustrated the last two +lines of the rhyme. + + "I like to have vacation, + I like to camp and roam; + But mostly, in a curious way, + I like the coming home. + + "Our old house looks so solid, + So settled and arranged; + The front gate creaks the same old creak, + The chimneys haven't changed. + + "Those weeks of sea and mountain + Had many valued points; + But oh, this loosening of my bones, + This limbering of my joints! + + "Our old dog comes to meet me + With something of a smile-- + I wheel right over on my head + And wave my legs a while." + + + + +OCTOBER + + +_X_ + +_OCTOBER_ + +[Illustration: _Scorpio_] + + + It was a queer October place-- + No house, you'd say, at all! + A wide brown wood with leaves for a floor, + And timbers straight and tall. + The little creatures that lived in there-- + Fairies and furry things-- + Scurried away when the children came, + With bashful scamperings. + +[Illustration: _It was a queer October place_] + +As the travelers entered the woods, they heard funny little clicking +sounds everywhere. + +"It's the sound a watch makes when you shut it," Ann said. + +"Maybe they have watches here instead of clocks," remarked Amos. + +"Not at all," said a voice behind them. The voice came from a fat Brownie, +who was sitting on a stone with his legs dangling. "They have clocks +everywhere in Zodiac Town," the Brownie resumed, "even out here in the +suburbs. That noise is the Chestnut Chaps unbuckling their belts and +throwing off their overcoats." + +The children looked as if they did not know whether he was serious or +joking. + +"It's the honest truth," said the Brownie. "Listen. + + "Every little wing of wind, + Every tilt of breeze, + Stirs a sound of frolicking + In the tallest trees: + Scuffling, shuffling, shouldering, + Nudges, nips, and taps, + Watch and wait a moment, child-- + It's the Chestnut Chaps! + + "Elbow crowding elbow hard + In their breeches brown, + If one comrade takes a leap, + Ten come bouncing down; + When the crackle of a leaf + Shakes one lad to laughter, + Till he tumbles from his perch, + Twenty tumble after. + + "Frisky with the silver frost, + Wild with windy weather, + Half the autumn-tide they spend + Giggling all together. + Rough of coat but sweet of heart, + Jolly, glad--perhaps + Never finer fellows lived + Than the Chestnut Chaps!" + +As he finished, there came a series of clicks overhead, and seven Chestnut +Chaps landed suddenly at the travelers' very feet. As they fell, two gray +squirrels darted out to the end of a limb, their tails jerking with +excitement; but the Brownie waved them back. + +"In this wood," he said, "squirrels are not allowed to feed on chestnuts." +He turned to the squirrels, who were scowling at him from a high branch. +"And you know that very well," he added. + +The squirrels merely looked sulky, and so the Brownie addressed himself to +Amos. "What," he asked, "is your candid opinion about the wood-folk, +anyway?" + +"The wood-folk?" Amos said. He had not known that he had any opinion about +the wood-folk, but just then a clock struck four, and suddenly he formed +an opinion on the spot. + + "The wood-folk scamper to and fro; + They have no tasks to do. + It's here and there and high and low + For them, the whole day through; + Up to the tops of highest trees, + In holes and caves, and where they please. + + "They have no clothes to guard with care, + No shoes upon their feet,-- + For fur and feathers never tear, + And claws are always neat,-- + No hooks to hook, no strings to tie. + Small wonder that they skip and fly! + + "The wood-folk frolic everywhere, + With all the sky o'erhead, + A swaying bough for rocking-chair, + A hollow trunk for bed. + And yet, for all this woodland joy, + Who would not rather be a boy?" + +"Well, everyone to his taste," remarked an odd-looking elf, who appeared +suddenly from nowhere in particular. "For my part, I prefer to be just +exactly what I am. Once a witch changed me into a boy for ten minutes, and +I give you my word I never was so uncomfortable in my life." + +"Are witches _here_?" cried Ann, as she fixed her big eyes on the elf. + +"Certainly," said the elf and the Brownie briskly, in one breath. "Don't +you have witches up your way?" + +"Only at Hallowe'en," Amos told them. + +The elf looked thoughtful. "Oh, at Hallowe'en," he said. Then his eyes +began to twinkle, and he spoke as follows:-- + + "Suppose this year at Hallowe'en, without a bit of warning, + The roly-poly pumpkin heads we cut and carved that morning + Should grow slim bodies, legs, and feet, + And quick, from post and steeple, + Come skipping 'mongst us, pert and fleet, + Real, frisky pumpkin people! + Suppose that you and I had just completed one that minute, + As day grew late, down by the gate, and set a candle in it, + So that its eyes were deep and wide, + Its mouth a grinning yellow, + Then turn to find him at our side, + A living pumpkin fellow? + Suppose we ran with twinkling heels and met a throng advancing, + Their teeth a-row, their eyes aglow, all whirling, pranking, prancing; + Suppose they twirled us merrily, + The whole dark landscape lighting-- + This Hallowe'en, I think, would be + A little too exciting!" + + + + +NOVEMBER + + +_XI_ + +_NOVEMBER_ + +[Illustration: _Sagittarius_] + + + The next house stood just back from the street, + In a gray little narrow lane. + A table loaded with things to eat + They saw through the window-pane. + A cozy old lady came out to the door + And said, "There is turkey in here, + Potatoes and rice, and cake with spice, + And no one to dine, oh, dear!" + +[Illustration: _The next house stood just back from the street_] + +Amos and Ann looked at the Journeying Man. "It must be very hard on her, +J. M.," they said. + +"What's hard on her?" returned J. M. "Having turkey and potatoes and all +that?" + +Amos and Ann turned red. "Having no one to eat them," they said in a low +voice. + +It had been some hours since they left the gypsy camp, and they were +beginning to be very hungry indeed. + +The little old lady stood at the door and waited. + +"We might help her out if there's time," J. M. said suddenly. + +"Oho!" cried Amos. "There's plenty of that, you know, in Zodiac Town!" + +Two minutes later they were seated round the table. + +"It's like Thanksgiving," Ann said in delight. + +"Just think--" J. M. replied-- + + "Just think, the little Pilgrim boys + That came ashore, you know, + From off the good Mayflower ship + That wild day long ago, + + "They had no roasted turkey-breast + For dinner; not a scrap + Of gravy, stuffing, and the rest + Saw any hungry chap. + + "No apple sauce, no pumpkin pies, + No nuts and raisins plump, + No oranges and gingersnaps, + No taffy in a lump. + + "I'm glad that things are different now-- + 'T would give me quite a shock + To see our dinner-table look + As bare as Plymouth Rock. + + "And yet, those little Mayflower lads + Were thankful to be living-- + A splendid reason, after all, + For anyone's thanksgiving!" + +"I think I'm thankfulest of all," Ann said--and a little clock tinkled and +sent her into rhyming. + + "I think I'm thankfulest of all + For that old house of ours; + The maple by the garden wall, + The borders full of flowers; + + "The front doorsill that's hollowed out + By many passing feet; + The different pictures hung about, + With faces kind and sweet. + + "The firewood's flame is red and gold + And makes a spicy smell; + There's nothing half so clear and cold + As water from our well; + + "And through the window, sleepy nights, + Just at the stairway's head, + A white star like a candle lights + Me safely up to bed. + + "So brightly all my blessings shine + That many thanks I give-- + But mostly for that home of mine + Where I was put to live." + +The old lady was delighted with all this rhyming, and on the spur of the +moment she made up a very good rhyme of her own. Amos and Ann thought it +was the best of all that they had heard that day--and goodness knows they +had heard a great many! + + "Suppose you lived in a gingerbread house, + With a roof of jujube paste, + And sugar shutters, and peppermint pipes, + And doors that you could taste; + In a land where weather could do no harm, + Absurd as that may seem, + With chocolate ground and lemonade rain + And plenty of snow ice-cream? + + "Plenty of snow ice-cream for you, + And a soda-water pump, + And a little garden where gumdrops grew, + And taffy all in a lump. + Taffy all in a lump, hurrah! + And tarts and cookies and all. + If ever you move to a house like that, + I'll make an early call!" + + + + +DECEMBER + + +_XII_ + +_DECEMBER_ + +[Illustration: _Capricornus_] + + + The house of December was all aglow, + Each room was jolly and red; + There were bulgy stockings ranged in a row, + And holly hung overhead. + A silver star hung fair and far, + A silver bell rang clear; + And some Christmas children came out and cried, + "Come in to the Christmas Cheer!" + +[Illustration: _The house of December was all aglow_] + +The children had a glorious time at the December house. There was a +beautiful tree there, all lighted and ready. + +"But we can't take the things off, you know," one Christmas child told +Amos and Ann, "until somebody says a rhyme." + +A clock chimed two a minute later, and caught Amos in the middle of a +sentence, at the words, "it was." So he went on and said:-- + + "It was crammed and laden and bent with fruit, + The tree that bore in a night; + Rich with treasure from tip to root, + A very goodly sight. + Dim in the parlor's gloom it showed, + When a tiny gleam at the window glowed; + When over the hills a rooster crowed, + It thrilled through all its height. + + "A rubber doll on a distant limb + Stretched with a sleepy word; + A little lead soldier answered him, + And a big stuffed elephant stirred. + A quiver flickered the pop-corn strings, + Fluttered the tinsel angel's wings, + Tinkled the silver balls and things, + Till all of the company heard. + + "A jack-in-the-box with a frisky eye + Suddenly jumped his lid, + And a white-rag rabbit that hung close by + Squeaked with fright when he did; + A dog from London began to bark; + The animals in the Noah's ark + Struggled and scuffled in the dark, + Back in the branches hid. + + "The large French doll (she was very vain) + Settled her silk and lace; + The rocking horse of the tawny mane + Struck up a gentle pace; + And hither and thither the boughs among, + Sampling the goodies, tooth and tongue, + A mechanical monkey slid and swung + With agile monkey grace. + + "All was still when the children came + With candle-stars adorning; + Somebody heard and hissed a name, + Whispered a sudden warning. + Now don't get curious, people, please. + It's generally known that things like these + Only happen to Christmas trees + Quite early Christmas morning." + +"I like that poem, Amos," said Ann, "though I must say I don't know how +you found out all that." Then she asked the little Christmas girl to +repeat a poem. + +"I know one about a different kind of Christmas tree," the little girl +said. + +"Not a prettier tree than this one here in the room--surely!" cried Amos +and Ann. + +The Christmas child reflected. "Yes," she said, "prettier, in a way, than +this--because it was such a surprise. Listen." + +Then she told them about it. + + "A little bird told a squirrel, + And a squirrel told a jay, + That a poor child lived in a city + Not very far away, + Who never at any Christmas + Had a Christmas tree in her home; + And the jay bird told a rabbit next, + And the rabbit told a gnome. + The gnome blew thrice on his fingers + For half a dozen elves, + And he told them the sorrowful rumor, + And he said, 'Now stir yourselves!' + + "Then Tip and Twinkle and Tony + And Pete and Chipper and Chase + Hurried and scurried the whole day through, + Till they'd put the tree in place. + They trimmed it with moss and holly, + And odd little colored stones, + And seeds and chestnuts and apples, + And feathers and leaves and cones. + And icicles hung upon it, + And crystals of snow gleamed white; + And soon as the sun rose on it, + It sparkled and flamed with light. + Then two birds perched in the tree top, + And half a dozen elves + Climbed gayly into the branches + And safely hid themselves. + + "And the little girl came to the window, + And wide her shutters flew. + She cried, 'I dreamed of a Christmas tree, + And here is my dream come true!'" + +Then the presents were taken from the Christmas tree and given round among +the little girls and boys who were present. + +[Illustration] + +Just as the last gift was handed down, the last candles went suddenly out, +and, at the same time, clocks began to strike all over the house. + +The Journeying Man picked up his stick. "Time to go to bed!" he cried. + +Amos and Ann were astonished. "To bed?" they repeated, unbelieving. "To +bed, in Zodiac Town?" + +"No, in your own home," replied J. M. "Come along, Amos and Ann!" + +[Illustration] + +And when they still held back, he gave them a funny little scolding all in +rhyme, which pleased them so that they followed him out into the dusk with +never a word! + + "It's strange how things can differ so! + Now, take two kinds of fruit-- + Banana chap and Orange-- + And watch each doff his suit. + + "Banana's swift and nimble, + His way is safe and slick; + He gets out of his trouser-leg + With a wiggle and a kick. + + "But Orange makes a big to-do; + Indeed, it is distressing + To happen by quite suddenly + And see that lad undressing. + + "He clings to every single rag + With obstinacy and vim; + It takes ten fingers and a will + To part his clothes from him. + + "And when he feels the poor clothes go, + All raggedy and mussy, + He sheds an acid tear or two, + And keeps on being fussy. + + "It's strange how things can differ so! + To be quite frank and truthful, + It isn't only things, you know, + But people, chiefly youthful, + + "Who show these different traits and tricks + When bedtime hour comes duly-- + Banana-kind and Orange-kind; + Now which kind are you, truly?" + +"Banana-kind!" cried Amos and Ann, as well as they could for laughter. + +"Don't be _too_ quick. Don't be Grape-kind," said the Journeying Man. + +"Grape-kind?" they echoed. + +"And jump out of your skins," said J. M. + +At that Amos and Ann laughed so hard that they had to sit down on the +ground. But all at once a clock began to strike fast and furiously. It had +struck a hundred before the children could scramble to their feet. + +"Oh, how late it is!" they cried. "Take us home, J. M.!" + + It surely was late when they started home, + But they took the trail with a laugh, + Little Ann clinging to Amos's coat, + And Amos to J. M.'s staff. + And through the meadows and over the hills, + Happily up and down, + + With hurry and scurry and skip and hop, + And talking in verse the live-long time, + (For they'd got in the habit and couldn't stop,) + They traveled the scallopy road of Rhyme, + The wandering road of much renown + That leads from Zodiac Town. + + They traveled on till they came in sight + Of a couple of windows shining bright. + Then J. M. stopped and held up his stick. + "Yonder's your house," he said. "Be quick! + I'll count very slowly, but you must be + As far as the gate by twenty-three; + And when I have counted twenty-four + You must be inside the door." + + "Come with us, do!" the children cried, + But he only shook his head. + "I can't, for I am a Journeying Man, + And I must be off," he said. + + Then he started to count--and away at last + They went on twinkling feet; + Never did squirrels move more fast, + Or rabbits run more fleet. + And just as they touched the latch of the gate, + They heard, far down in the hush, + "Twenty-three!" as plain as could be; + And they scurried through with a rush. + + There on the porch, its covers bent, + The book with the poem lay. + They picked it up as they fled through the door + (Just as the voice called, "Twenty-four!"). + "Why, _this_ wasn't hard!" said they. + They stared at the poem and hung their heads-- + "Why did we run away?" + They said to each other, "It seems sometimes + There really is lots of good in rhymes." + + "Perhaps it would be a very good plan + To study them more," said wise little Ann. + + And Amos answered: "I'm going to know + Whole pages up and down, + Then find J. M., in a hurry, and go + Straight back to Zodiac Town." + + They fled upstairs like swift little hares, + And burrowed into their beds, + With numberless tunes and rhythms and runes + A-ringing in their heads. + And they dreamed all night of a scallopy road + And of clocks with a curious chime, + And talked in their sleep--and every word + Was a rhyme, a rhyme, a rhyme! + + + * * * * * + + +McGRATH-SHERRILL PRESS +BOSTON, MASS. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Zodiac Town, by Nancy Byrd Turner + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ZODIAC TOWN *** + +***** This file should be named 24011.txt or 24011.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/0/1/24011/ + +Produced by Colin Bell, Joseph Cooper, Anne Storer and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +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. 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