Chapter II: Part 2

She took them from the poor old hen,
Who'd sat so long with care,
And in a tin she brought them in,
Which really was not fair.

She dabbled with those pretty paints,
Till shells were lost to view;
Then with delight she viewed the sight
Of eggs, in red and blue.

She put them by the kitchen stove,
And covered them up tight,
To keep them warm and free from harm,
And out of baby's sight.

The next morn rang the Easter bells,
And Nell rose with a start;
Her playmates, some would surely come
To view her work of art.

So proudly to the kitchen then,
With step so light and free,
With happy look her playmates took,
Those Easter eggs to see.

But what a change came over Nell!
Had some one played her tricks?
To her surprise, before her eyes
Was a pan of downy chicks.

WHEN DOLLY WAS SICK

My doll got sick one summer day,
And then I had to stop my play.

I tucked her in her little bed,
With burning cheeks and throbbing head.

I knew that she was cutting teeth,
And that one thought gave me relief.

But still I wondered as I had,
Why her poor head should ache so bad.

She seemed so ill for one so young,
So I thought I'd have the doctor come.

I sent for him to come--come quick,
For my dear Nell was very sick.

Then when he came he shook his head,
And this is what the doctor said:

"She has the measles or some fever;
But have no fear, I can relieve her.

"I'll give her powders for her head,
But you must keep her close in bed.

"I'll give her quinine made in pills,
And they will cure those dreadful chills.

"But when your neighbors come to call,
Don't let them see your babe at all.

"She must not talk, nor even smile;
So keep her quiet for a while.

"Be careful what you give to eat,
Now don't give salads or cold meat.

"Nor don't give biscuits that are warm,
For they will do your dolly harm.

"But give her nicely buttered toast,
With veal, or lamb, or mutton roast."

I watched beside her suffering bed,
And many were the tears I shed.

But soon a change came o'er my Nell,
I saw that she was getting well.

Oh, what a joy it was to me,
To know from pain my Nell was free!

But she was very pale and thin,
With faded cheeks and pointed chin.

Then came the doctor with his bills--
So much for powders, so much for pills.

I paid them all without a sigh,
And thanked him 'cause she did not die.

AUNTIE'S PARLOR

My auntie has a parlor grand,
That's furnished very fine,
With lots of pretty, fancy things,
That cost her many a dime.

I like to peep into that room
Whenever I go there,
To see those pretty, fancy things,
And find out what they are.

But auntie always watches me,
Just like a cat a mouse,
And says: "You are a mischief, Belle,
When you are in my house."

There's bric-a-brac on the mantel-shelf,
And pictures on the wall,
And pretty, high-back easy-chairs
That spring up like a ball.

There is a grand piano there
That must have cost her much;
But all I ever hear is this:
"Now, Belle, you must not touch."

There is a lovely stand and stool,
And rugs upon the floor,
And vases in the corner too,
But--a lock is on the door.

Now, what's a parlor good for, say?
I'd really like to know!
With doors and windows fastened tight,
And pretty things for show.

I wish I owned that parlor grand,
And all those things so nice,
I'd let my kitty go in there
To watch for naughty mice.

I'd tell the little girls I know
Who hadn't one so fine,
That they were always welcome guests
To come and play in mine.

OFF TO SCHOOL WE GO

In the morning when the sun
Does begin his daily run,
When the stars have gone to sleep,
And no longer brightly peep,
Then we take a morning dine;
And before the clock strikes nine,
Off to school, to school we go,
Some on time and some are slow.

Some look pleasant, some look sour,
Some are whispering every hour;
Some are naughty, some are good,
Some, they study as they should;
Full of fun and full of play,
So they see us every day.
Off to school, to school we go,
Some on time and some are slow.

Soon our lessons are all past,
And the day has gone at last;
Some, they learned them as they should,
Some, they did not get them good;
Some are always staying late
For mistakes upon their slate.
Home from school, from school we go,
Some on time and some are slow.

Soon we girls will older grow,
Then we'll wish so much to know,
So to study we must try,
For our time is flitting by.
Days and weeks are passing fast,
And schooldays will soon be past,
So while off to school we go,
Let's be on time and never slow.

CLARABEL'S VALENTINE

"Now, who shall get my valentine?"
Thought little Clarabel;
"For I must send it to some friend
Who loves me very well."

She thought of cousin Madaline,
A proud and haughty miss,
But changed her mind almost as soon,
For she would scoff at this.

She thought of neighbor Bessie Brown,
But she was rich and fair,
And every year her valentines
Were more than one girl's share.

And next she thought of classmates dear,
Then said their names all o'er;
But every year their valentines
Would number more and more.

So who should get her valentine?
She thought and thought in vain;
At last she said: "I'll keep this one,
And none shall have the gain."

Just then a little voice was heard
To whisper in her ear:
"There's many a girl and many a boy
Who will get none this year.

"So, Clarabel, please think again
Of some poor children's plight,
Who never get a valentine
To make their sad hearts light."

She heard that voice, and then she thought:
"I know what I shall do,
And where to send this valentine
And many others, too."

She took her little money bank,
Where she had kept her dimes,
Then swiftly to the store she ran,
And bought more valentines.

She sent them to the boys and girls
Whose pleasures were but few;
Then told her playmates what she'd done,
And then they tried it, too.

So many were the valentines
That went their happy way,
And many were the girls and boys
That had a happy day.

They thanked the postman o'er and o'er,
Those hapless little elves,
Because he brought them valentines
For their own little selves.

And Clarabel was happy too,
And truly did believe
That giving unto others
Was more than to receive.

THANKSGIVING AT GRANDMA'S

'Twas Thanksgiving on the farm,
And hurry everywhere;
For Grandma Brown got word from town,
The children would be there.
She sent an invitation
A week or two ahead,
To daughter Anna and daughter Hannah,
And this is what it said:

"Now bring the children, every one,
And have a jolly time;
For we've our share, and some to spare,
So bring them all to dine.
And let them bring their relatives,
And each a playmate too,
So bring them all, both large and small,
We'll have enough for you."

So Nell and Dell invited Bell
And little cousin Prue,
Then Bennie Mills asked Jennie Bills,
And also neighbor Sue:
Then neighbor Sue told brother Ralph,
And Ralph told cousin Nan,
Then cousin Nan asked playmate Sam,
And he told neighbor Dan.

Grandma said to grandson Roy:
"Now bring your neighbor Ray."
So neighbor Ray and sister May
Invited cousin Jack;
Then cousin Jack told neighbor Mack,
And asked his playmate Tess;
Then cousin Lottie asked cousin Dottie,
And also sister Bess.

Then sister Bess invited Richard,
And he invited Ned,
Then brother Ned invited Ed,
And also cousin Fred;
Then cousin Fred asked sister Ann,
And she invited Joe,
Then he sent word, so William heard,
To bring his sister Flo.

Then sister Flo and her young beau
Invited playmate Tom;
They said to him: "Bring neighbor Tim
And also cousin Don.
Tell cousin Don to go along
And ask her neighbor Millie;
Then she will make her brother Jake
Invite his sweetheart Tillie."

When grandma's tables were all spread
For little guests from town,
The happy crowd then shouted loud:
"Three cheers for Grandma Brown!"
They listened while dear grandpa then
Gave thanks for daily bread.
Then Will and Tim did both begin
And so did Tom and Ned.

Then Bennie Mills and Jennie Bills
And little Don and Sue,
All waded in with eager vim
And so did Dan and Prue.
Then sister Bess and playmate Tess,
Ate much of poultry meats;
While Ralph and Nell and cousin Bell,
Ate many pickled beets.

Then Roy and Ann and Dick and Joe,
Ate all of grandma's jam,
While Ed and Nan, Dell, Fred, and Sam,
Ate all the eggs and ham.
Then Ray and Millie, and May and Tillie,
And also brother Jake,
And Jack and Lottie, and Mack and Dottie,
Ate all the broiled steak.

When all were through at dinner time,
There naught remained but crumbs;
For pretty Flo and her young beau,
Ate all the sugar plums.
Then grandma smiled when she looked round
And saw the happy set,
For she just knew, as grandmas do,
How hungry children get.

When grandpa hauled the wagons out
To take them back to town,
They scrambled in, with childish din,
And cheered for Grandma Brown;
They cheered for grandpa loud and long,
And called him "Grandpa, dear,"
He said to them: "Now, come again,
And dine with us next year."

DOLLY DAYS

My mama says that I'm too old
To play with dolls much more,
That I must lay them all away
For dolly days for me are o'er.

But what I'll do, I do not know,
When they're all laid away;
I know I'll sigh and maybe cry,
When I've no doll with me to play.

Then with them all put out of sight
The days will lonely be;
For when I'm mad, or when I'm sad,
There'll be no doll to comfort me.

There's Maggie May, my eldest one,
The doll that was so fine,
Santa let her drop from the chimney top,
And caused a crooked spine.

She's been a cripple ever since,
And such a fretful child,
She's cried and screamed until it seemed
I really should go wild.

There's sweet Marie, a pretty doll,
With hair of golden hue,
With cheeks so bright and chin so white,
And eyes of heaven's blue.

And Rosa Nell, another blond,
Whose temper is so mild,
That every one, both old and young,
Could love the pretty child.

She's broke her nose, but what of that!
She always wears a smile,
She's at her play the livelong day,
And sings most all the while.

There's Lilla Dale, with tangled hair,
Who's lain so long in bed,
When very small she had a fall,
That cracked her little head.

She'll miss my care and I'll miss her
When she is laid away;
For many a time I've soothed her whine
Because she could not play.

And Nellie Gray, the sweet brunette,
Whose hair was dark as night,
My heart will ache and maybe break,
When she's laid out of sight.

She's lost an arm and both her legs,
And only has one curl;
But you may bet she's precious yet,
This dear old darky girl.

But now I'm old; too old, they say,--
I've entered in my teens;
But I'll look back o'er memory's track,
To happy doll-day dreams.

There'll be no hours in years to come,
That have been like the past;
For dolly days and dolly plays
Were just too sweet to last.

THAT GIGGLE

When I arose to speak one day,
I quite forgot what I had to say.
I thought, and thought, and tried in vain
To bring it to my mind again,
And there I stood, with head downcast,
A-dreading what would come at last.

The room grew dark, my heart grew sad,
I thought I surely would go mad;
I tried to speak, but not a word
Or e'en a whisper could be heard.
My limbs with palsy seemed to shake,
My heart with terror seemed to quake.

I heard a giggle clear and loud
Go rippling through the waiting crowd.
I could no longer stand the strain,
For bursting seemed my heart and brain.
Then to my feelings I gave vent,
And weeping to my seat I went.

MARION'S LAMENT

I'm such a lonely little girl,
And play all by myself;
I feel just like a broken doll
That's laid by on the shelf.

And when I'm tired of playing alone,
There's nothing else to do,
But wish I had a brother Joe,
Or little sister Sue.

I think I'll write to Santa Claus
And say I'm lone and sad;
And if he'll bring a baby girl,
I'll be so very glad.

I think that he will bring me one,
For Santa's good to me.
I'll tell him please to hang it on
My little Christmas tree.

WHEN I'M A BIG GIRL

I'll try to be good,
And do as I should,
I'll learn how to work
And never will shirk,
When I'm a big girl.

I'll do with my might
Whatever is right,
I'll study at school
And obey each rule,
When I'm a big girl.

With needle and yarn
My stockings I'll darn,
I'll comb my own tresses
And make my own dresses,
When I'm a big girl.

I'll learn how to bake
Some very nice cake,
I'll make my own bed
And mind what ma said,
When I'm a big girl.

I'll dust, and I'll sweep,
And my dollies I'll keep;
I'll stow them away
To look at some day,
When I'm a big girl.

I'll lay away toys
For some other joys,
I'll never make noise
Like the great big boys,
When I'm a big girl.

Now, had I more time
I'd tell you in rhyme
Some more that I'll do,
When I'm big like you.

WHAT THE BELLS SAID

One Sabbath morn in lovely June,
The old church bells rang out a tune.

Unto the world they seemed to say:
"This is our little children's day.

"Now will you listen to our call,
And come to hear the children small?

"Their songs in voices, sweet and clear,
Unto their Maker you shall hear.

"Their smiling faces are a sight,
That turns all darkness into light.

"Their little speeches are so nice,
That you should hear at any price.

"Their little songs in chorus sound
As though there were no evil 'round.

"Their prayers so humble, sweet, and pure,
Will make you feel that heaven's sure.

"Then come you people, one and all,
And learn the ways of children small.

"And live again those childish days,
Before you learned the worldly ways.

"'Twill bring you back those youthful joys,
Of winsome girls and manly boys.

"'Twill give your soul an upward flight,
And bring your heaven just in sight."

And then the bells rang off their tune,
That lovely Sabbath morn in June.

To listen while the songs of love
Went to the Maker up above;

And listen while a childish prayer,
Was breathed upon the holy air.

WHY?

I often sit and wonder why
It is not always day,
And why the sunshine and the light
Cannot forever stay.

I often sit and wonder why
The birdies are so wild,
And what does make them fly away
From every little child.

And why they always like to sing,
And never like us talk,
And why they always like to fly,
And never like us walk.

Sometimes I sit and wonder too,
About my pussy cats,
Just why they did not have some wings
Like ugly little bats.

My dolly is a mystery too,
And so I wonder why,
When I am washing dolly's face,
She does not pout and cry.

And then it never seemed quite right
To have the world turn round;
It seems so strange we do not fall
Or tumble off the ground.

There are so many other things
That don't look right to me;
I sometimes really don't believe
They're as they ought to be.

BECAUSE

Now what's the use of wondering
Why 'tis not always day?
For we must have the night to sleep
So we can rest from play.

And there's the little birdies too,
It's all right they are wild;
For it never was intended
They should play with a child.

I'd rather hear them singing sweet
Than hear them try to talk;
And rather see them flying high
Than see them try to walk.

Then what would be the use of wings
Upon a pussy cat?
Because she could not catch a mouse
When flying like a bat.

Then what good could a dolly do
To cry, or fret, or scream,
Because her mama's gentle hand
Was trying to wash her clean.

And then I think it is all right
Because the world turns round;
For gravitation in the earth
Does keep us on the ground.

So then, to me, this world of ours
Seems just as it should be;
And with it all I'm satisfied,
And hope it is with me.

HOW HAZEL KEPT HOUSE

"I'm going to be the housekeeper,
While you are gone away,"
Said Hazel to her mama,
One lovely summer day;
"For I can tend the baby,
It's nothing more than play.

"I'll play that I am mama
With lots of work to do;
And then I'll call on brother
To come and help me through
With dishes and the sweeping,
Like papa does help you."

Then mama kissed her daughter,
And said a fond good-by;
But gently did remind her:
"Don't let the baby cry,
Don't burn the dinner pudding,
Don't boil the kettle dry."

There were dishes to be washed,
And kitchen floor to sweep,
And soon the precious baby
To rock and sing to sleep;
And dinner to get ready,
And a watch on pudding keep.

So busy was our Hazel
With dinner to prepare,
She did not notice baby
Was tired of her chair,
Nor that her helpful brother
Had run away somewhere.

She went to stir the pudding,
But baby began to cry;
She had to stop and rock her,
And sing a lullaby;
But could not get her quiet,
No matter how she'd try.

She called for helpful brother,
And thought he was around;
But no response was given,
Not one familiar sound;
For little helpful brother
Was nowhere to be found.

The noon hour was approaching,
With dinner--not in sight,
Although our patient Hazel
Had worked with will and might
To have it cooked and ready,
And make the pudding right.

When papa came at noon-time,
A hungry man was he,
But not a tempting morsel
For dinner could he see;
But poor discouraged Hazel
With baby on her knee.

The table looked untidy,
The floor was yet unswept,
And naughty little brother,--
Safe out of sight had kept,
While Hazel, with the baby,
Had set her down and wept.

When mama came at evening
She heard her daughter say:
"O mama, take the baby,
I've had an awful day!"
And Hazel found that keeping house
Was something more than play.

DROPS OF HONEY

There was a little busy bee
That roamed a field all over;
At last he spied a blossom red
Upon a stem of clover.

He lit upon that blossom red
And searched it through and through;
And found some drops of honey there
That sparkled like the dew.

He took those drops of honey
And put them in his hive;
And when the cold, cold winter came
They kept the bee alive.

WHEN MY DOLLY WENT TO SCHOOL

When my dolly went to school
I bought her a slate and rule
With my only silver dime;
And I said to dolly dear,
"Now, my pretty, do you hear?
You must always be on time."

But I told her not to worry,
Nor get into a flurry
If she happened to be late;
And what teacher has to say
She must every word obey,
And must always sit up straight.

Then her little study book
And some other things she took,
With a bottle full of ink;
And a pen and blotter too,
With a tablet clean and new,
For to write her little think.

But my dolly had a will
And she never would sit still,
So the teacher had to use a stick.
Then the boys would tease her so
Just because she didn't know
How to get her 'rifmatic.

Soon my dolly grew so haughty
And some days she was so naughty
That she wouldn't mind a rule.
And she couldn't learn to spell,
Nor would get her grammar well,
So I thought I'd take her out of school.

And I'd wait a year or two
Till my dolly older grew,
Then, perhaps, she'd try to learn.
But she promised to do better
So I did consent to let her
Go to school another term.

THREE LITTLE KITTENS

Three little kittens,
All sleek as a mouse,
Played hide-and-go-seek,
'Round a honeybee's house.

Three little kittens,
All sleek as a mouse,
Got stung most to death,
'Round a honeybee's house.

Three little kittens,
All sleek as a mouse,
Never played any more,
'Round a honeybee's house.

THE SPIDER'S PARLOR

There was a cunning spider once
Who wove a tangled web;
A shining fly came passing by
And to the spider said:

"What have you in your parlor, sir,
I wish you'd tell to me."
The spider said: "I wish instead
You'd step inside and see.

"My parlor is a pretty place
Where you may sit and rest;
With cozy nooks and picture books,
I think mine is the best.

"I've windows in my parlor, too,
All draped in woven lace;
And as you pass a pretty glass
Reflects a handsome face.

"I've pictures on the mantelshelf
I purchased just of late;
The frames are fine and nicely shine
And all are up to date."

The fly then crossed the threshold line
And never thought of harm;
The spider wise then blinked his eyes
And spun a little yarn.

He said unto his victim fair:
"This is a pretty place;
So won't you fly to the window high
Where hangs the woven lace?"

The fly flew to the window pane
Where spider lace was hung;
And ere he knew just what to do
A web was 'round him strung.

He buzzed and hummed and fluttered there,
And struggled with his might.
The spider sly had caught the fly
And held him very tight.

So let's not listen, like the fly,
To untrue tales that are told;
For we must mind we're sure to find
All glittering things aren't gold.

Let's not be led to danger then
By a sinful, harmful guide;
But walk each day in the narrow way
And shun the one that's wide.

MOTHER GOOSE'S DINNER PARTY

Old Mother Goose
Rode in her caboose,
And invited her friends to dine;
And to each of them said,
As she popped out her head:
"Be sure to come at straight nine."

To Old Mother Hubbard,
Who had a bare cupboard,
With nothing to eat or to sup,
She said: "Bring your dog Jack,
So you can carry back
Enough for to fill you both up."

And to little Bopeep:
"You may bring all your sheep,
And their tails that were hung up to dry."
And to little Jack Horner,
Who sat in the corner,
She said: "I have made a plum pie."

And to little Boy Blue:
"Bring your horn along too,
And play us a rollicking tune;
For the cat with the fiddle
Will play us 'Hi-diddle,'
While the cow jumps over the moon."

And to little Tom Tucker,
Whose face wore a pucker,
Because he had nothing to eat,
She said: "Come to the party
And eat quite hearty,
Then your face will be pleas'nt and sweet."

But of little Tom Green,
The boy who was mean,
She said she would surely leave out;
And would only invite
The boy who did right,
And he was that little John Trout.

To the piper's son Tom,
She said: "Come along
And bring us a pig if you will,"
Then poor simple Simon,
Who met the fat pieman,
She told he could eat to his fill.

And to poor Jack and Jill,
Who fell down the hill,
And cut such a terrible caper:
"Be sure that you bring
A drink from the spring,
And some vinegar and brown paper."

But to bad, bad Peter,
The great pumpkin eater,
She said she thought 'twould be well
To give his poor wife
A change in her life,
And let her come out of her shell.

But poor Humpty-Dumpty!
He got such a bumpty,
When he fell way down from the wall,
That he went all to smash
With a terrible crash,
So she couldn't invite him at all.

Then old Mother Goose
Thought 'twould be of no use
To invite the king and the queen;
For they lived so high
On their blackbird pie,
And with poor folks wouldn't be seen.

But thought 'twould be right
To kindly invite
The woman who lived in the shoe.
So lent her caboose
To be of some use
In bringing the children there too.

So all the folks came
To see the good dame,
And they all spent a jolly good day;
And said their good-byes,
With tears in their eyes,
When the wagons were rolling away.

OLIVE'S ADVICE

Let me tell you what to do
As this world you journey through.

Give a smile to all you meet,
Keep your temper nice and sweet.

Keep your faces bright and clean,
Never do a trick that's mean.

Keep pure thoughts within your mind,
Never say a word unkind.

When at home, or when at school
Please obey each given rule.

Keep in mind your duty ever,
Don't neglect it once, no, never!

Then you'll live a happy life,
Free from trouble, free from strife.

THE OLD AND THE NEW

The year has past and gone at last,
The parting gave us pain;
But though we sigh for one gone by,
'Twill not return again.

We can't recall, not one, not all
The years that we have known;
They came and went and each was spent,
With good and bad seeds sown.

Then let's not whine nor e'en repine
For joys that might have been;
But with brave heart let each take part
To help his fellow-men.

We must not grieve; but still believe
Time will soon brighter be;
Though we've not met with greatness yet,
There's hopes for you and me.

We'll let the past that's gone at last,
Be lost on memory's track;
We'll live no more the old year o'er,
Nor ever wish it back.

The new year's come and now begun,
So ring, ye merry chimes;
Peal one loud strain of sweet refrain,
And bring us better times.

Let's greet the year with words of cheer,
And new resolves we'll make;
We'll strive with might to do the right,
And duty never shake.

With pages turned and wisdom learned
By mishaps in life's dream;
We'll turn one new for me and you,
And keep it white and clean.

We'll keep it well that it may tell
Our vows were not in vain;
And may each one, when this year's done,
Be raised to higher plane.

PA'S WAYS

My pa, he's got the funniest ways
Of any man whatever I saw!
He's different than ma.
He never thinks same as she does;
But they alus seem to git 'long some way
'Caus ma says fussin' don't pay.

But pa don't b'lieve in women votin';
En he says that ma can't,
En then he says that she shan't!
He says he'd be 'shamed of her;
En says he'd git divorce.
En pa means what he says o' course.

Pa likes to go to church sometimes;
But he don't b'long to any
'Caus there's so awful many,
En nobody knows which one's right.
He says the preachers don't know
Where the folks is goin' to go.

'Caus they's never been there--
He means the place they's preach for,
What they calls the golden shore.
But he says they's doin' lots o' good
En he don't mind givin' 'm money.
En ma says that's what's funny!

But he never minds what she says,
He says woman can't mind her biz!
En I guess he's right, pa is.
But ma b'lieves in woman's rights;
En says a woman kin talk en do,
En that's what she's goin' to.

Pa says if she couldn't talk she'd die!
En he wants her to live long,
So lets her talk on, en on.
But pa can eat more'n she can;
En he likes everything she bakes
Her pies, en pudins, en cakes.

En it keeps her bakin' lots it does.
She says she wishes he wouldn't eat s' much
Of pies, en cakes, en pudins, en such.
He says her cookin's good too,
En it jest gives him a appitite!
Oh, my! pa eats a awful sight.

But he don't care anything 'bout fashion;
He says his is all his own;
En wishes folks 'uld let him 'lone!
He says if folks 'uld pay ther bills
They couldn't wear so much style,
En go to picnics all the while.

He's gittin' older every day, pa is.
En ma says he's funnier, too,
En she don't know what she'll do!
But she never crosses him now;
'Caus she says it never pays
Fer pa--well them's pa's ways.

THE SPIDER AND THE BEE

"Will you walk into my parlor?"
Said a spider to a bee,
"'Tis the prettiest little parlor
That ever you did see."

"No: I thank you, Mr. Spider,"
Said the busy, humming bee,
"There's no honey in your parlor,
So it's not the place for me."

KITTY BELL

I've a story that I'll tell
'Bout a puss named Kitty Bell,
How she played and romped one day,
In a _very shocking_ way.

And what happened to her then
Just because she'd naughty been;
For she wouldn't mind a word,
Not a single one she heard.

So she had to go to bed
With a dreadful aching head!
An' she cried an awful lot,
'Caus her head was burning hot.

But I bound an' tied it up,
Gave her tea in her new cup,
Shook her pillow till 'twas light,
Then slept kitty all the night.

In the morning when she woke
Not a single word she spoke;
But she mewed, "I'm hungry ma,"
Then she licked her little paw,

Washed her face as kittens do,
Till it looked as clean as new;
Soon her mama brought a mouse,
That she caught back of the house.

This she gave to Kitty Bell;
An' poor kitty then got well,
Ate it up an' ran to play
In a _very quiet_ way.

THE BIRDS' PARTY

The birds all held a party
One lovely day in June;
When hearts were light and cheery
And voices were in tune.

They came in pairs from woodlands,
From orchards, and from glen,
The robin, rook, and bluebird,
The swallow, cuckoo, wren,

Sweet bobolink and sparrow,
The crow and pretty jay,
The whip-poor-will and linnet,
All came that happy day.

The meadow lark and blackbird,
The tiny chickadee,
The chippy bird and nightingale,
All came the sights to see.

The catbird and canary,
The topknot and the thrush,
The oriole and turtledove,
All came to join the rush.

And each one brought a basket
With something good to eat;
The robins brought some cherries,
The crows each brought some meat.

The sparrows brought some pudding,
The blackbird brought some corn,
The topknot brought a June plum,
The chickadee a horn.

The bluebird brought a horsefly,
The meadow lark a bug,
The linnet brought a cricket,
The turtledove a slug.

The swallow brought a beetle,
The wren a little ant,
The cuckoo brought a blossom,
From off a mustard plant.

The catbird brought some berries,
The thrush his choice of weeds,
The canary and the rest,
Brought baskets full of seeds.

They gathered in the green wood,
To spread their dinner fine;
Then each one took his sweetheart,
And went with her to dine.

The feast was soon all over,
And each one with his mate
Danced to the horn of chickadee,
Until the hour was late.

Then all the birdies parted,
And each one took to flight;
But every bird was happy
When he bade his love good-night.

JANUARY

With merry chimes and merry times
We'll greet the new year bright;
We'll turn a page that's new in age
And try to keep it white.

We'll look ahead and never dread
The wind in all his whirls,
For winter days and winter plays
Are good for boys and girls.

The wind will blow and drift the snow
O'er lakes and frozen rills;
But what care we? we'll happy be
A-coasting down the hills!

We'll build our forts for winter sports,
And make a man of snow;
And then we'll skate upon the lake,
And let the cold wind blow.

We like the ice and think it nice,
And wish 'twould always tarry;
Of all the year we hold most dear
The month of January.

FEBRUARY

The jolly month of winter time
Has called around once more;
And Mr. Ground-hog will be out
To tell us winter is not o'er.

He'll walk about in pig-ship style,
And, ere the day is done,
He'll freeze his nose and chill his toes
And wish he hadn't come.

Then soon will come old Valentine
With lots of fun to see;
He'll have a face that looks like you,
And one that looks like me.

And next will come a birthday
Of one who once was great--
We'll dance and shout and all turn out
And help to celebrate

The birth of one who never lied,
And thus he lived until he died--
George Washington.

MARCH

The month of March has come again
With blowing, snowing blast;
The winds are piercing in their search,
But come too late to last.

But as the month will onward march,
The winds will warmer grow;
Until 'tis seen the earth is green
And vanished has the snow.

Then comes the sweetest time of all,
When sap flows up the tree;
When sugar-makers busy are
A-making cakes for me.

For I'm the girl who likes the cakes
Made from that sugar sweet--
They're better far than all the gum
That's chewed upon the street.

This is the time I like so well
And wish 'twere always here.
Of all the months that call around
I think March sweetest of the year.

APRIL

The welcome month of April,
With sunshine and with showers,
Sets all the buds to swelling
And brings the early flowers.

And nature now has wakened
From her long and wintry sleep,
And dandelions are peeping
In the grasses at our feet.

The bullfrog loud is calling
From the pond or running stream,
And the nesting birds are cooing
In their early "love's young dream."

The hop-toad in the cellar
Thinks he'll take a look without,
And old shanghi on the fence
Crows and flops his wings about.

And I am just as happy
As the butterfly or bee,
For the showery month of April
Is a welcome month to me.

MAY

The sweetest time of all the year
Is when the month of May draws near.
The air is sweet with rich perfume
That comes from apple-trees in bloom.

The peach-tree sheds its fragrance too,
And sips alike its share of dew.
The lilac blooms and shows its right
To make this month a flowery sight.

The pansy lifts her welcome face
From out her long-leaved hiding-place.
The violet blossoms as of old
And shows her color true as gold.

The brooks they ripple as they go
From brink to brink, in ceaseless flow.
The lark sails high on upward wing--
All Nature's glad to greet the spring.

The wild flowers blossom in the wood,
And all proclaim that God is good.
Of all the months I'd have to stay
It is the flowery month of May.

JUNE

The month of June brings roses sweet,
And daisies blooming at our feet;
When Nature sings her sweetest tune,
'Tis in the balmy month of June.

And glad vacation June will bring,
Then old school bells will cease to ring,
But wedding bells their sweet refrain
Will ring and ring out just the same.

Now lilies white upon the stream,
In early morning will be seen;
And cherries ripe upon the tree
Are tempting to the birds and me.

So robin hops from limb to limb,
And seems to think they're all for him;
And gets his share, and even more,
Before the cherry time is o'er.

This is the month that suits me best,
And I love it better than all the rest;
I'd always sing the same gay tune,
If all the months were just like June.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:

Text in italics is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.

Inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained from the
original.