The Project Gutenberg eBook of Lazy Matilda, and Other Tales

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Title: Lazy Matilda, and Other Tales

Author: Katharine Pyle

Release date: November 4, 2014 [eBook #47283]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Chris Curnow, Emmy and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LAZY MATILDA, AND OTHER TALES *** 



cover





[1]


LAZY MATILDA

and OTHER TALES




[2]
[3]
[4]



girl reading book in small rocking chair; grandmother in chair nearby











“Oh, grandmamma, I’m reading now,”


The lazy Annie said,


“I do not want to leave my book,


Mayn’t Mary go instead?”






[5]


LAZY MATILDA

and OTHER TALES



BY

KATHARINE PYLE

AUTHOR OF “CARELESS JANE AND OTHER TALES,”

“WHERE THE WIND BLOWS,” “FAIRY TALES

FROM MANY LANDS,” ETC.








mother snipping strips of plaster







NEW YORK

E. P. DUTTON & CO., INC.






[6]



COPYRIGHT, 1921,

BY E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY





All Rights Reserved











First printing     
September, 1921




Second printing     
September, 1925



Third printing
March, 1926




Fourth printing
July, 1930








Printed in the United States of America






[7]


CONTENTS







 
PAGE




Lazy Matilda
9




The Witch and the Truant Boys     
27



The Visitor
37




Daddy Crane
49




Envious Eliza
63




The Nixie
75




Stephen’s Lesson
89




The Caterpillar
99




Mischievous Jane
113




The Sweet Tooth
125




Vain Little Lucy
139




The Magic Man
161







[8]
[9]


LAZY MATILDA


[10]



someone feeding cat











Matilda’s kind to pussy cat,


It shows her gratitude for that.




[11]



girl sulking on stool









“I   FEEL ashamed Matilda


To see you such a shirk!


I really think you’d run a mile


To get away from work.”




So spoke Matilda’s mother


Reprovingly one day,


But Mattie only shrugged and sulked


[12]And turned her face away.




Soon mother left her then alone,


The door was open wide.


On tip-toes Mattie crossed the floor,


And gaily ran outside.




She left her room undusted,


She left her bed unmade,


Indeed she really was a shirk


I’m very much afraid.




[13]



Matilda running









With joy she gaily scampered


Across the meadows wide,


And chased the pretty butterflies


That flew from side to side.






And on and on she wandered


Until she reached a wood,


And there, deep in the shadows


A little grey house stood.




[14]



Matilda at door of dwarf's cottage



[15]








A dwarf was in the doorway,


The door stood open wide,


A lean and hungry-looking cat


Was mewing just inside.






The old dwarf grinned and beckoned,


“Come in, come in,” cried he;


“I need a little servant maid,


And you will do for me.”




[16]



Matilda sweeping, dwarf relaxing in chair, cat watching









“I have no wish to serve you,”


Matilda quickly cried.


But still the old dwarf beckoned her


And made her step inside.






He made her cook the dinner,


He made her work all day.


He watched her close, and left no chance


For her to run away.




[17]



Matilda feeding and petting cat









The pussy rubbed about her,


“Meow, meow,” said she.


“I’ve been so starved, please look about


And find some scraps for me.”






“Whatever I may have to eat


I’ll always share with you,”


Matilda cried, “for I can see

[18]That you’re unhappy, too.”






One day the dwarf sat smoking


Outside the open door,


While Mattie worked about inside


And scrubbed and swept the floor.






“Matilda,” whispers pussy,


“You’ve served me well each day,


And now the dwarf is safe outside


I’ll help you run away.




[19]



cat on haunches pointing for Matilda



[20]








“The kitchen door is open,


So now be off,” says she.


“Yes,” Mattie whispers, “but suppose


The dwarf should call to me.”






“You needn’t be afraid of that,”


The clever pussy said,


“For even if by chance he calls


I’ll answer in your stead.”





Now little Mattie’s scarcely gone


Before the old dwarf cries,


“Are you at work?” “I’m kneading bread,”


The pussy cat replies.






The old dwarf smoked and nodded,


But soon again he said,


“Are you at work?” “Oh, yes,” cried puss;


“I’m shaking up the bed.”




[21]



dwarf yelling at cat who has an arched back



[22]








Again the old dwarf calls her,


“Now what are you about?”


“I’m waiting here to catch a mouse


If only he’ll come out.”






“What’s that?” the old dwarf bellows.


He bounces from his chair,


He rushes in and quickly sees


That only puss is there.






At once he knows the trick they’ve played.


He catches up the broom,


And chases poor old pussy cat


Around and around the room.






“Good-bye to you,” says pussy,


“Indeed, I’ve had my fill,”


And up she bounds and out she goes


Across the window sill.




[23]



dwarf swinging broom at cat



[24]








“Come back! I will not beat you!


Come back, come back!” cries he.


“If I must lose both maid and cat


What will become of me?”






But pussy does not heed him.


Indeed, she’s far away.


She’s followed little Mattie home


And there she means to stay.






Matilda’s now a useful child,


She never tries to shirk,


But helps, with ready cheerfulness,


At any kind of work.





Matilda holding cat



[25]



three black cats





[26]
[27]


[28]


THE WITCH AND THE TRUANT BOYS



witch shut in window











John is cleverer than the old witch


And he has her in a trap.




[29]



two barefoot boys carrying fising poles with witch watching from behind large stone









PETER and John, against the rule,


Are playing truant from their school.

With eager steps away they go


To seek a fishing pool they know.






But see a witch is hiding there—

She’ll catch them if they don’t take care.


Oh boys! make haste and hurry past!

No—she has caught them tight and fast.




[30]



witch carryign boys under her arms









And now away with them she hies,


In spite of all their kicks and cries.

She hurries home and shuts the door


And then she drops them on the floor.






“These boys are plump and soft,” says she,

“A fine fat meal they’ll make for me.


I’ll fill my very biggest pot,

And cook them when the water’s hot.”




[31]



One boy climbing into box while other watches









But while her pot she’s getting out,


The frightened Peter looks about.

He sees the bread trough open wide,


And into it he jumps to hide;






Then with a bump he shuts the lid.

And there he lies all safely hid.


But the old witch has heard the sound.

And quick she turns herself around.




[32]



boy talking to witch and pointing out window









She peers about with blinking eyes,


“Where is that other boy?” she cries.

“He can’t have run away so quick.


He must be hiding for a trick.”






“You haven’t treated me so well


That you can think I want to tell,

But if you look outside,” says John,


“Maybe you’ll see which way he’s gone.”




[33]



boy shutting window on witch









The old witch throws the window wide


And leans to look about outside.

But while she’s peering all around


John creeps up close without a sound,






And shuts the window on her tight,

And holds it down with all his might.


’Tis vain for her to kick and bawl,

John does not heed her cries at all.




[34]



boy nailing window in place









“Quick, Peter! Bring me from the shelf


Hammer and nails. Bestir yourself.”


Out from the dough-trough Peter springs;


Quickly he fetches John the things.






“Here they are, brother!” Now, tap-tap!


John drives the nails with many a rap.

He has the window nailed at last


So tight ’twill hold the old witch fast.




[35]



boys running home









No matter how she squirms and cries,


She can’t get loose howe’er she tries.

But now the little boys are free


To run on home, as you may see.






I’m sure it will be many a day

Before again from school they stay.


As for the witch, if she’s stuck tight

Until this day it serves her right.






[36]
[37]


[38]


THE VISITOR



mother and boy looking at pigs











Children should never eat like this,


Although for pigs ’tis not amiss.




[39]



boy eating sloppily while girl sits next to him









JOHN’S manners at the table


Were very sad to see.


You’d scarce believe a child could act


In such a way as he.






He smacked his lips and gobbled,


His nose down in his plate.


You might have thought that he was starved,


So greedily he ate.




[40]



mother talking to boy



[41]








He’d snatch for what he wanted,


And never once say “please,”


Or, elbows on the table,


He’d sit and take his ease.






In vain papa reproved him;


In vain mamma would say,


“You really ought to be ashamed


To eat in such a way.”






One day when lunch was ready,


And John came in from play,


His mother said, “A friend has come


To eat with you to-day.”






“A friend of mine?” cried Johnny,


“Whoever can it be?”


“He’s at the table,” mother said,


“You’d better come and see.”




[42]



boy sees pig at this place at table



[43]








Into the dining-room he ran.


A little pig was there.


It had a napkin round its neck,


And sat up in a chair.






“This is your friend,” his father cried,


“He’s just a pig, it’s true,


But he might really be your twin,


He acts so much like you.”






“Indeed he’s not my friend,” cried John,


With red and angry face.


“If he sits there beside my chair


I’m going to change my place.”






“No, no,” his father quickly cried,


“Indeed that will not do.


Sit down at once where you belong,


He’s come to visit you.”




[44]



boy has to sti next to pig for supper



[45]








Now how ashamed was little John;


But there he had to sit,


And see the piggy served with food,


And watch him gobble it.






“John,” said mamma, “I think your friend


Would like a piece of bread.”


“And pass him the potatoes, too,”


Papa politely said.






The other children laughed at this,


But father shook his head.


“Be still, or leave the room at once;


It’s not a joke,” he said.






“Oh, mother, send the pig away,”


With tears cried little John.


“I’ll never eat that way again


If only he’ll be gone.”




[46]



boy now eating nicely at table while mother and sister watch



[47]








“Why,” said mamma, “since that’s the case,


And you your ways will mend,


Perhaps we’d better let him go.


Perhaps he’s not your friend.”






Now John has learned his lesson,


For ever since that day


He’s lost his piggish manners,


And eats the proper way.






And his papa, and mother too,


Are both rejoiced to see


How mannerly and how polite


Their little John can be.






[48]
[49]


[50]


DADDY CRANE



boy being told to weed garden by mother











Each child should be content to do


Some useful thing each day,


And not be thinking all the time


Of pleasure or of play.




[51]


DADDY CRANE








NED was so fond of swimming


No punishment nor rule


That mother made could keep him long


Out of the swimming pool.






One morning she had set him


To clear a flower bed,


“And do not stop till every weed


Is out of it,” she said.






But oh, that naughty Edward!


She scarce had turned away


When up he rose, and off he ran;

[52]He did not stop nor stay.






Soon, naked as a little frog,


With many a joyous shout,


He jumped into the swimming pool,


And kicked and swam about.






But while he played so gaily


Old Daddy Crane, unseen,


Stood watching him, and grinning,


Among the rushes green.






“I’ll wait until that funny thing


Has dressed, and then,” says he,


“I’ll catch him by the trousers seat


And take him home with me.”






Soon, cooled and freshened by his swim,


Young Ned comes splashing out.


In haste he gets into his clothes


And never looks about.




[53]



boy getting undressed to swim while large crane sees him



[54]








Now Daddy stretches out his neck!


“Oh! Oh,” poor Edward cries,


For Daddy has him in his beak,


And off with him he flies.






Far, far off by a river,


Where no one comes to see,


Old Daddy lives among the reeds,


He and his children three.






’Tis there he carries Edward.


“Look children! Look!” cries he.


“I’ve brought you such a funny thing.


It swims, as you shall see.”






And now with cackling laughter


He throws poor little Ned


Far, far out in the river,


Ker-splash! heels over head.




[55]



crane carryign boy by trousers



[56]








Then how the young ones clap their wings,


And laugh and dance about,


As, blowing water from his nose,


Poor Ned comes scrabbling out.






“Quick, Daddy, throw him in again,”


The youngsters cry with glee.


“There never was a froggy thing


As comical as he.”






In vain poor Edward struggles.


His cries are all in vain.


No sooner does he get on shore


Than splash! he’s in again.






“Oh dear!” he cries, while water


Is mingled with his tears,


“I’ve had enough of swimming


To last for years and years.”




[57]



crane throwing boy into pond while young cranes watch



[58]








And so, next time they throw him in,


Instead of swimming round


He hides himself among the reeds,


And hopes he won’t be found.






He hears old Daddy calling,


“Hi there! You frog, come out!


You needn’t try to hide from me.


I know what you’re about.”






He hears the young ones rustle round,


They bitterly complain,


“Oh Daddy, find our frog for us.


We want him back again.”






But quick Ned gathers lily leaves,


All broad and green and flat,


And fixes them to hide his head


As though they were a hat.




[59]



boy trying to swim off secretly to get away from crane



[60]








Then out beyond the reeds he floats;


The green leaves hide him still


As down the stream he swims away


Past meadow, wood and hill.






In vain old Daddy hunts about,


And little does he dream


That Ned was underneath the leaves


That floated down the stream.






Now Edward’s reached his home again.


He runs in through the door,


Leaving a trail of water


Across the kitchen floor.






“You need not scold me mother,”


With chattering teeth he says.


“I’ve had enough of swimming now


To last me all my days.”




[61]



boy coming in sopping wet to mother





[62]
[63]


[64]


ENVIOUS ELIZA



girl watching friends play with toys











Eliza never was content.


Indeed ’twas very sad


That any child could envy so


The things that others had.




[65]


ENVIOUS ELIZA








ELIZA was an envious child,


Indeed ’twas very sad


To see the way she wished for things


That other children had.






Instead of playing like the rest,


She’d stand about and whine,


“I do not see why every one


Has better things than mine.






“Jane’s doll is prettier than mine.


John has a better ball.


The one Aunt Sarah gave to me


Will hardly bounce at all.




[66]



children playing with toys



[67]








“My picture book is old and torn


And Mary’s looks quite new.


And Tom has all the building blocks.


I wish I had some, too.”






’Twas thus the envious little girl


Complained day after day.


She made herself unhappy,


And spoiled the fun and play.






At last one day when she began


With her complaints once more,


John quickly gathered up his toys


And games from off the floor.






“Here, you may have my things,” he said,


“I’ll give them all to you.”


“And you may have my doll,” said Jane,


“And all her dresses, too.”




[68]



Eliza taking all of te toys



[69]








“Yes,” Mary cried, “and take my books,


”My grace-hoop, sticks and all,


And Noah’s Ark.“ ”And here!“ said Tom,


”Here are my blocks and ball.“






Eliza scarce believed her ears,


“You’ll give them all to me,—


The books and games and toys? Oh dear!


How happy I shall be.”






The other children ran away,


And left her standing there,


But since they’d also left their things


But little did she care.






Quite happily, all by herself,


She played that afternoon,


It seemed to her that supper time


Had never come so soon.




[70]



Children leave Eliza with toys



[71]








Next day, all by herself again;


She settled down to play,


But oh! the room seemed strangely still


With all the rest away.






“I wonder what they’re all about,


And where they are,” thought she;


And then she called them, “Come in here


And play awhile with me.”






“We can’t,” she heard them answer back,


“There’s nothing we can do


Now we have given all our toys


And games and books to you!”






“But oh! I cannot always play


All by myself,” cried she,


“Come here, and you shall have again


The things you gave to me.




[72]



Eliza looks out door for someone to play with



[73]








“The toys and books and dolls and games—


Each one shall take his own,


I’d rather never have a thing


Than always play alone.”






The children now have taken back


The toys they gave to her,


The nursery’s full of merriment


And fun and cheerful stir.






Eliza now is quite content


To play like all the rest,


And never gives a single thought


To which one has the best.






[74]
[75]


[76]


THE NIXIE



Nixie under water











Up through the water see her rise,


The nixie with her sea-green eyes.




[77]



two children playing by water see beautiful nixie









ONCE John and Jane were playing


Beside a shining lake


When suddenly the waters


Began to stir and shake.






And up there rose a nixie


From out the waters green.


She was the strangest looking thing

[78]That they had ever seen.






She called the children gently.


She coaxed them, “Come with me,


And I will show you castles,


And gardens fair to see.”








“Our mother’s often told us,”


The children both replied,


“We must not go with strangers,


Or evil may betide.”






But still the nixie coaxed them.


“Come see my lovely things.


I’ll show you strings of shining shells,


And fishes that have wings.”






She took them by their shoulders,


She took them by the hands,


She drew them down beneath the lake


To where her castle stands.




[79]



Nixie leading children away



[80]








But now the nixie had them


She lost her pleasant smile.


She set the children both to work


And scolded all the while.






“Now scrub about, and sweep about,


And fill the iron pot,


And hang it up above the fire


To make the water hot.






“No idling now, you lazy ones;


Be quick and stir your feet,


The while I go outside a bit


And catch some fish to eat.”






Soon as the nixie leaves them


The children set to work.


Indeed they’re both so frightened


They do not dare to shirk.




[81]



Nixie no longer beautiful and giving children chores



[82]








Just as the work is finished


The nixie comes once more,


And leaves a trail of water


Across the kitchen floor.






Her net is full of fishes.


“Here, child! be quick,” cries she,


“Now clean these fish and cook them,


And serve them up to me.”






Quick little Janie sets to work,


She cooks the fish in haste,


The greedy nixie eats them all;


She does not leave a taste.






Then after she has finished


She lies down on the bed,


And snores so loud the rafters


Are shaken overhead.




[83]



Nixie brings net full of fish



[84]



children plot escape









Then Janie beckons Johnnie,


And whispers in his ear,


“Now, John, I’m going to run away.


I will not stay down here.”






But little John is frightened.


“Oh dear! I’d be afraid.


I know she’d come and catch us,


This cruel water-maid.”




[85]



children put net on nixie while she slept









“But I’ve a plan,” says Janie,


“It just came in my head.


We’ll take the nixie’s fishing-net


And tie her down in bed.






“Be quick or she may waken,


We have no time to waste.”


So now the little children

[86]

Have set to work in haste.






They wrap her net about her,


They tie her tight in bed.


Now, even if she wakened


She scarce could lift her head!






“So there! that job is finished,”


Cries little Jane with glee.


“Unless someone unties her


She never can get free.”






Now quick the little children


Run tip-toe out the door,


And never stop nor turn about


Till they are home once more.






But for the cruel nixie,


Whether she’s still in bed,


Or whether she has wriggled out


No one has ever said.




[87]



children run away while nixie wakes





[88]
[89]


[90]


STEPHEN’S LESSON



Stephen holding napkin over lower half of face











Poor Stephen is in such disgrace


He is ashamed to show his face.




[91]



aunt and grandma looking shocked at Stephen









’TIS very very sad indeed


When little children choose


To say the naughty, ugly words


That no one ought to use.






That was the way with Stephen,


Such naughty words he said


That grandmamma looked shocked and grieved,


And auntie shook her head.




[92]



Mother explaining to Stephen about the plasters









Mamma said, “Son, I’ve told you


Such words you must not say,


And yet, in spite of warnings,


I hear them every day.






“So now, my child, I’m taking


These sticking plaster strips.


I’m going to put them on your mouth


And seal those naughty lips.”




[93]



mother putting plasters on









“But mother, how then shall I eat?”


Cries Stephen anxiously.


“Oh, I will take them off for meals.


’Twill not be hard,” says she.






In vain poor Stephen pleads with her;


In vain he sobs and cries.


She lays the strips across his lips


In straight and criss-cross wise.




[94]



Stephen crying with mouth taped shut, mother shaking finger









Now only sounds like “Um! Um-hum!”


From Stephen’s lips are heard,


Because, with all those plasters on


He cannot speak a word.






Now Stephen cannot go to school,


He sits at home all day.


He feels ashamed to go outside,


Or join the boys at play.




[95]



Stephen sitting by window hiding from people walking by









And if he’s at the window,


And some one passes by,


He quickly turns aside his head,


Lest they the plasters spy.






One day, when mother changed the strips


In haste poor Stephen cried,


“I do not think my lips could say


Those words now if I tried.”




[96]



mother kissing Stephen









“If that’s the case,” cried mother,


“No need to use these slips,”


And with a smile of joy she kissed


The one-time naughty lips.






Indeed the lesson had been learned,


For Stephen nevermore


Was heard to say those naughty words


That he had used before.




[97]



mother cutting plasters





[98]
[99]


[100]


THE CATERPILLAR



girl holding branch with caterpillar on it











The Caterpillar has to crawl.


He cannot run or jump at all.




[101]



girl catching ball









ANNE was a lively child at play,


And quick as she could be,


But when an errand must be run


Ah, slow of foot was she.






“My child,” said grandmamma one day,


“Run to my room and look,


And bring me, from my bureau there,


My spectacles and book.”






“Oh, grandmamma, I’m reading now,”


The lazy Annie said,


“I do not want to leave my book,


Mayn’t Mary go instead?”




[102]



Girl reading with Granmother in nearby chair









No wonder grandmamma looked pained


When Annie answered so,


But little Mary cried, “Why, yes!


Of course I’d love to go.”






“Come little Anne,” her mother called,


“Run down the street for me,


And get some thread to sew your frock.


Let’s see how quick you’ll be.”




[103]



girl talking to mother









“Oh dear! I’m tired,” Anne replied,


“Why cannot Mary go?


Or nurse? She’s not been out all day,


Indeed she told me so.”






“My child, my child!” her mother said,


“Whatever shall I do?


You’re such a lazy, useless girl


I feel ashamed of you.




[104]



girl wakes up with caterpillar feet instead of her own



[105]








“Your little feet run fast enough


For pleasure or for fun,


But you can hardly crawl about


When errands must be run.”






But listen now! One day Anne woke


And felt quite strange and queer.


“Whatever’s happened to me now,”


She cried; “Oh dear, oh dear!






“Oh mother! nurse! Come in here quick


And tell me what is wrong.


I seem to have so many feet—


My body feels so long.”






Mamma and nurse came hurrying in,


Ah what a sight to see!


Poor Anne! A caterpillar’s legs


And stubby feet had she.




[106]



mother sadly watching girl creep up stairs with caterpillar feet



[107]








She scarce knew how to turn herself


Nor how to climb from bed.


“However shall I run or play!”


The poor child sadly said.






Mamma and nurse were shocked and grieved,


And so was grandma, too,


While little Mary sobbed, “Oh dear!


Whatever will she do!”






But like a caterpillar soon


She learned to crawl around,


Although her legs were now so short


She almost touched the ground.






’Twas sad indeed to be so slow


When she had been so fleet.


No longer could she play about


Nor run out in the street.




[108]



girl bringing book to grandmother, girl's legs better



[109]








Her greatest pleasure was to find


Some errand she could go,


And up and down the stairs she’d trudge


With patient steps and slow.






She waited on her grandmamma,


And on her mother, too.


No one could ask her anything


She was not glad to do.






One day her watchful mother said,


“It really seems to me


Anne’s legs are growing long and slim,


More like they used to be.






“She does not have so many now.


Her body’s shorter, too.


I saw her standing up to-day


Quite as she used to do.”




[110]



girl wakes up with own legs again



[111]








“I’ve noticed that,” her grandma said,


“Indeed I hope some day


To see our Anne herself again,


And fit for work and play.”






And so it was. For one day Anne


Awoke to find once more


She was the selfsame nimble child


That she had been before.






Then what rejoicings filled the house,


All gathered round to see;


And as for Anne, as you may guess,


A thankful child was she.






And never since has Annie lost


Her willing, useful ways,


And her mamma and every one


All speak of her with praise.






[112]
[113]


[114]


MISCHIEVOUS JANE



Jane scares Nurse









Only see how this naughty Jane


Is frightening her nurse again.




[115]



Jane climbing tree









JANE’S greatest pleasure and delight


Was putting others in a fright.






She loved to bounce and scream and climb,

She kept nurse nervous all the time.






Her dear mamma was worried, too,

She never knew what Jane would do.




[116]



Jane grinning in tree









One day she climbed up in a tree.


A very daring child was she.






Then she began to scream and call,


“Oh nurse, come quick! Oh! Oh! I’ll fall!”






Quickly her nurse came running out,

And anxiously she looked about.






“Where are you, Jane? Where can you be?”

“Here I am, nurse, up in the tree.”




[117]



Nurse at base of tree, afraid









Poor nurse was in a dreadful fright.


“Oh Jane!” she cried. “That is not right.”






“Come down! If your mamma should see


You know how worried she would be.”






Jane laughed aloud to see her fright,

She thought it such a funny sight.






Now higher up the tree she went,

On nurse’s further torment bent.




[118]



Jane falling out of tree









“Now look!” she cried. But as she spoke


The branch where she was standing broke,






And then—a fearful sight to see—


Down she came crashing through the tree.






Her nursie screamed so loud with fear


That all the neighborhood could hear.






But luckily, when half way down


A ragged branch caught Janie’s gown.




[119]



Jane caught by dress, hanging in tree









It stopped her fall, and held her there


Swinging and turning in the air.






Her nurse’s cries brought mother out,

And neighbors ran from all about.






They talked and made a great to-do,

But how to reach her no one knew.






Till some one cried, “Without a doubt

[120]We’ll have to call the firemen out.






“They have a ladder that’s so high


It almost reaches to the sky.”






Mamma cries, “Oh, for mercy’s sake

Be quick! Suppose the branch should break?”






Now clang! clang! clang! the fire-bells go.

People are running to and fro,






And down the street—ah only see!

There comes the fire company.




[121]



fireman getting Jane out of tree



[122]








“Quick! Get the ladder up!” “Look out!”


“Be careful there what you’re about.”






Now up, up, up, the ladder goes.


It’s up as high as Janie’s toes.






Up further still; it’s resting now


Its topmost rung against a bough.






Then quick a fireman, strong and brown


Runs up and lifts the poor child down.






And listen how the anxious crowd


That has been watching shouts aloud.






No need for any more alarms.


He’s placed her in her mother’s arms.






“Oh dear! I’ll never try,” sobs Jane


“To frighten any one again.”




[123]



mother hugging crying Jane





[124]
[125]


[126]


THE SWEET TOOTH



Mother and rather rotund Fred











Alas poor Fred! So fat is he,


Only a pig could fatter be.




[127]


THE SWEET TOOTH








A   SWEET-TOOTH was our Frederick.


He scorned the bread and meat


And all the other wholesome things


That children ought to eat.






He ate the sugar from the bowl;


He fed on cakes and pies,


The very sight of lollipops


Brought water to his eyes.






He grew too fat to play about,


Too fat to run or jump,


On either side his arms stuck out


Like handles of a pump.




[128]



fred walking down street









It grieved his kind mamma to see


How fat and fatter grew


Her little Fred, in spite of all


That she could say or do.






One day, with pennies in his hand


He set out for a shop,


To buy himself some sugar-cakes


Or tart or lollipop.




[129]



Fred surprised as his growing rounder









But oh the day was very hot,


The sun a fiery ball,


And soon the heat made Fred so soft


He scarce could walk at all.






“Oh dear, oh dear! I feel so queer;


What’s happening?” cried he.


“If I should melt in all this heat


How dreadful it would be!”




[130]



Fred now a perfectly round ball









It is a sorry tale to tell,


But greedy ones take heed!


Fred’s arms and legs and all of him


Were melting down indeed.






They melted till you scarce could tell


Fred was a boy at all,


For now he looked all smooth and round


As though he were a ball.




[131]



Children find Fred-ball









That afternoon the girls and boys


Came running out to play,


And wondering they gathered round


The place where Frederick lay.






“Oh what a great enormous ball!


”Let’s play with it,“ they cried;


And then they rolled and pushed poor Fred


About from side to side.




[132]



Children roll and play iwth Fred-ball



[133]








Hither and yon, in giddy round


The wretched Frederick sped,


And sometimes he was on his heels,


And sometimes on his head.






At supper time the mothers called,


“Now put your ball away.


To-morrow you can get it out


And have another play.”






Ah Frederick, poor Frederick!


Though he lay quiet now


He could not even lift his hand


To wipe his heated brow,






And now each day they came to play


With Fred, until at last


His fat began to wear away


They rolled him round so fast.




[134]



Fred-ball becoming more Fred-shaped









The disappointed children said,


“Someone has spoiled our ball.


It’s growing such a funny shape


It scarcely rolls at all.”






One time when they had stopped to rest


Fred’s little brother said,


“It’s queer, but don’t you think our ball


Looks very much like Fred?”




[135]



Fred more crescent shaped now and mother and children recognize him









“Why it is Fred,” his sister cried.


“I know his eyes and nose.


And only see! Those are his hands,


And down there are his toes.”






They called his mother out to see.


With eager steps she came,


At once she knew her Frederick,


And called him by his name.




[136]



Fred in baggy clothes standing before mother in street



[137]








And now he found that he could turn,


That he could move and rise.


He stood before his mother


With shamed and tearful eyes.






“Oh, mother, mother, dear, I’ve had


A dreadful time!” cried he,


“But now that I’m a boy again


Less greedy I will be.”




[138]



Thinner Fred standing with rotund shadow behind him





[139]


[140]


VAIN LITTLE LUCY



Lucy opening box of new clothes











Her godmamma once sent to her


A frock of ruffled lace.




[141]


VAIN LITTLE LUCY








MISS LUCY was a pretty child,


But vain as she could be,


She loved all sorts of furbelows,


And frills and finery.






Her godmamma once sent to her


A frock of ruffed lace,


A flowered hat, and parasol


With which to shade her face.






And in the box was also packed


A pair of pink kid shoes.


“Oh dear!” her mother sighed; “they all


Are quite too fine to use.”




[142]



Lucy admiring slef in mirror while mother watches



[143]








But Lucy cried, “Oh mother, no!


I’m sure they’re what I need.


When I am dressed and walking out


I will look fine indeed.”






And then she begged to put them on,


And with a peacock pride


She stood before the looking-glass


And turned from side to side.






“May I go out and show them off?”


Cried Lucy eagerly.


“How all the little girls will stare!


And how they’ll envy me!”






“Why Lucy! What a way to speak!”


Her loving mother cried.


“I am surprised my child should show


Such vain and silly pride.”




[144]



Lucy in calico, sulking in chair









“Now go put on your calico,


And run outdoors and play.


These things were meant for special times,


And not for every day.”






But Lucy has another plan.


She sulks, and hangs about,


Till later in the afternoon,


When her mamma goes out.




[145]



Lucy, with parasol, walking haughtitly past other girls









Then quick she dresses up again


In all her frills and lace,


And out she runs, to trip along


With air of dainty grace.






She walked with such a haughty air,


She held her head so high,


The other children scarcely dared


To speak as she passed by.




[146]

But even as, with scornful air,


She minced along the street,


There came a sudden rushing wind


That swept her from her feet.






It caught her by her parasol,


It caught her by her frills,


It swept her up into the sky,


And off across the hills.






No knowing where she would have gone,


Still driven by the blast,


But luckily a branching tree


Has caught her skirts at last.






It catches her and holds to her,—


It will not let her go;


Whatever will become of her


Poor Lucy does not know.




[147]



Lucy caught up by parasol and flying away



[148]








In vain she twists herself about


And strives with all her might.


“Oh, dear kind tree,” she says to it,


“Don’t hold me quite so tight.”






The tree replies, “My branches


Shall quickly set you free


If you’ll give me your parasol


To wear as finery.”






“Oh, take it, do,” cries Lucy.


“I do not care at all,


If you will only set me free;


But do not let me fall.”






So now the twigs and branches


Bend back to let her go,


And safely Lucy clambers down


Into the field below.




[149]



Lucy caught up in tree iwth finery



[150]








Now Lucy looks about her


With frightened, tearful eyes.


“Oh dear, oh dear, I’m lost I fear!


What shall I do!” she cries.






High overhead a raven


Is sitting in the tree,


“I know the way you ought to go.”


Cries Lucy, “Tell it me!”






“Oh it is not for nothing


I tell the things I know,


But if you’ll let me have your hat


I’ll tell you how to go.”






“Alas, I meant to keep it,


And wear it for my best.


But take it,” cries poor Lucy.


“’Twill make a pretty nest.”




[151]



Lucy gives bird her hat



[152]








Now with his wing the raven points,


“There yonder lies your way.”


And off Miss Lucy runs in haste.


She does not stop nor stay.






But see! across the pathway


A thorn tree towers high.


Its thorns will surely catch her


Before she can go by.






“Oh prickly, stickly thorn-tree,


That stands to bar the way,


Draw back your boughs,” cries Lucy,


“And let me pass, I pray.”






The thorn replies, “My blossoms


Have dropped and left me bare,


I’ll let you pass if I may have


That little frock you wear.”




[153]



Lucy gives frock to thornbush



[154]








“Here take my frock,” cries Lucy,


And gives it to the tree,


Then quick it draws aside its thorns


And leaves the pathway free.






Now on again runs Lucy.


Indeed she is in haste.


If she would reach her home by dark


She has no time to waste.






And now she sees a river,


It flows so deep and wide


There seems no way for Lucy


To reach the other side.






But look! A duck is sailing


Upon the flowing tide,


His legs are strong for swimming,


His back is flat and wide.




[155]



Lucy in chemise standing by water



[156]



Lucy taking off shoes for duck









“Oh pretty duck,” cries Lucy,


“Come here, come here to me.


If you will carry me across


How thankful I will be.”






“In winter time,” replies the duck,


“My toes get nipped with frost.


If you will give your shoes to me


I’ll carry you across.”




[157]



Lucy riding duck across water









“Here! Take them quick,” cries Lucy.


“Indeed I do not care!


I have a stouter pair at home,


And they will do to wear.”






And now see little Lucy


On ducky’s back astride,


As steadily he swims across


Unto the other side.




[158]



Lucy, dressed in calico, meeting girls to play









Now on she runs—she reaches home—


In through the door she creeps,


“Oh mother dear, I’m back again,”


With joyful tears she weeps.






Now Lucy’s grown more sensible,


She’s quite content when dressed


In just the plain and simple things


That mother thinks are best.




[159]



peacock





[160]
[161]


[162]


THE MAGIC MAN



Magic Man opening door











Be careful, children, lest some day


The Magic Man should come your way.




[163]



boy listening behind door to mother and friend's conversation









’TIS very naughty for a child


To try to hang about


And overhear what people say,


And find their secrets out.






Our James was such a child as that.


He loved to overhear


The very things he knew were not


Intended for his ear.




[164]



Nurse finds James listening on stairs



[165]








The older people often said,


“Now James, please run away.


You’re always, always hanging round


To hear what we may say.”






Once mother asked some ladies in


To drink a cup of tea,


And nurse said, “James, don’t go downstairs;


Come in the room with me.”






“I want to hear them talk,” said James.


“I like to listen, too.”


“But that’s exactly what mamma


Has told you not to do.”






“I’ll stay here, anyway,” said James,


And sat down on the stair,


And when nurse found he would not move


She went and left him there.




[166]



James sneaking downstairs to listen









“And now she’s gone, I’ll creep downstairs


Into the hall,” thought he,


“And listen at the parlor door,


I’m sure no one will see.”






But James had hardly risen up


Before, all silently,


Some one came stealing down the hall


As soft as soft could be.




[167]



James caught by ear by Magic Man









And then James felt that somebody


Had caught him by each ear,


“Ho!” cried a voice, “so you’re the boy


Who always wants to hear.”






Quite suddenly he felt his ears


Begin to stretch and spread.


Until, like any elephant’s


They stood out from his head.




[168]



James with very large ears indeed cowering from Magic Man



[169]








“Let go!” cried James, “Let go, I say!


Take care what you’re about!”


And then the hands had set him free,


And quick he turned about.






He peered around with frightened eyes.


No one at all was there,—


Only the clock that said tick-tock,


And shadows on the stair.






Into the nursery quick he ran,


“Oh, nursie! Only see!


Somebody came and stretched my ears


And scared me terribly.”






Nurse looked at him and gave a cry.


“Oh James! What shall we do!


It must have been the Magic Man


Who did this thing to you.




[170]



Nurse and mother see James' ears



[171]








“I know when children misbehave


He often comes about,


And punishes their naughty ways


If he can find them out.”






And now mamma is called in haste.


She comes, and “Oh!” cries she,


“Whatever’s happened to your ears?


They are a sight to see!”






James tells her all the doleful tale,


But ah, ’tis very plain


The only thing is just to wait


And hope they’ll shrink again.






“If you are very patient, James,


And if you will be good,


Perhaps some day your ears once more


Will look the way they should.”




[172]



James now covering ears at doorway instead of listening









Now James is different indeed,


For ever since that day


He’s never wished to overhear


What other people say,






And if a secret’s being told

[173]That he perchance might hear


He runs away, or else he stuffs


A finger in each ear.





James reading book in another room while others tell secrets









His ears are shrinking day by day,


And soon I hope we’ll see


They are as small as any lad


Could wish his ears to be.