Jack Frost's harm.
"But now I am going to say good-by,
So, dear little girl, for me do not cry.
I'll not be afraid though the journey is long,
For my body is warm and my wings are strong.
"But if I grow tired and think 'twill be best,
I'll stop on the way and take a short rest;
And in the glad spring I'll come flying back,
And others will follow right on in my track.
"So watch for my coming and list for my song,
For winter is short and you won't wait long";
Then he sang unto me a robin's adieu,
And opened his wings and southward he flew.
THE FOOLISH FLOWERS
Miss Chrysanth'um gave a party
On a cool October night,
And invited in the flowers
That had tender buds in sight.
Then she whispered to the Pansy
That old Jack was coming soon,
And he'd nip her tender budlets
If she left them out to bloom.
Then she told the grand Nasturtium,
That was climbing up the wall,
That if Jack should overtake her
She was sure to have a fall.
And she said to Miss Petunia:
"You must find a hiding-place,
For if Jack should chance to kiss you
He would spoil your pretty face."
And the other summer flowers,
That were blooming rather late,
She told them all to hide away,
Or they'd meet a frosty fate.
So they put their heads together,
All the flowers that were wise,
And they planned to fool old Jack
With his sparkling, piercing eyes.
But the flowers that were foolish,
When she bade them take advice,
Shook their heads of flowery beauty
And they laughed at frost and ice.
Miss Chrysanth'um helped the wise ones
In the plans that they had laid:
So they gathered leaves of maple,
And some coverlets then made.
When old Jack came stealing onward,
With the stars all shining bright,
Not a flower among the wise ones
Was there left to greet his sight.
All were hidden under covers
Made from leaves of Autumn's gold;
And Jack then failed to find them
Though he was so sharp and old.
But the Marigold was laughing,
When he chanced to pass her by;
And Nasturtium still was climbing
O'er the wall so old and high.
Then he blew his breath upon them
And they both began to sneeze;
Soon the tender buds and blossoms
Of the flowers began to freeze.
When the sun shone out next morning
O'er the pretty flower-bed,
All the wise ones were rejoicing
But the foolish ones—were dead. |
GRANDPA AND PET
Grandpa was holding his pet on his lap,
Grandpa and pet were taking a nap.
Off in far dreamland were grandpa and May,
Looking for goodies for Thanksgiving Day.
Jogging along, he was holding her hand,
Viewing the sights in funny dreamland.
Looking for turkeys, dressed up in gowns,
Shooing at goblins wearing bright crowns.
Smiling at puddings a-walking on legs,
Laughing at dumplings a-sitting on pegs.
Onward and onward went grandpa and May,
Looking for goodies for Thanksgiving Day.
Hunting for turkeys stuffed and roasted,
Longing for bread buttered and toasted.
'Round and 'round went grandpa and May,
Hungry as two little children at play.
Finding at last a table all spread,
Grandpa and May sat down at the head.
Looking it o'er some goodies they spied,
"See! Grandpa, see!" little May cried:
"There's a turkey stuffed and roasted!
There's some bread buttered and toasted!
"There's some dumplings sitting on pegs!
There's a pudding standing on legs!
"There's a clock that's mountains high,
Reaching up against the sky!"
Soon the clock began to chime,
Everything marched off in line.
'Round and 'round in giddy whirl,
Passed the man and little girl.
Pet and grandpa watched them all,
Wond'ring that they did not fall.
He helped himself and little May,
As the turkey came their way;
Piled their plates up full and high,
As the rest came marching by.
Just as grandpa took a bite,
Sleeping pet then moved a mite,
Slipped and fell from grandpa's lap,
Right then ended grandpa's nap.
Back from dreamland came the two,
Sorry that their trip was through. |
WHEN I WAS A BABY
When I was a baby
They said I was "sweet";
I'd such dimpled hands
And soft, little feet.
My head, it was bald,
My teeth had not come;
But then just the same
I chewed my own gum.
My eyes they were blue,
My lips they were thin,
My cheeks they were dimpled,
And so was my chin.
I was very good-natured,
Full of frolic and fun;
And they said I was "cute"
For a baby so young.
And when I grew older
I learned how to talk;
And soon after creeping,
I learned how to walk.
I trotted about
Most all of the day;
And got into mischief
When I wasn't in play.
I've kept on growing
And now am quite tall
And think it much nicer
Than being so small.
I'm growing much older
And soon will be eight;
And so long to grow big
I scarcely can wait. |
DOT'S NEW LEAF
As Dot sat by the fire one night,
She thought of times gone past;
Of summer days, of romps, and plays,
Of school, and its hard task.
She thought of times of misspelled words,
And
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