While Father growls and blows and jaws, And swears the knife was full of flaws, And Mother laughs at him because He couldn"t carve a duck.
_E.V. Wright._
Papa"s Letter
I was sitting in my study, Writing letters when I heard, "Please, dear mamma, Mary told me Mamma mustn"t be "isturbed.
"But I"se tired of the kitty, Want some ozzer fing to do.
Witing letters, is "ou, mamma?
Tan"t I wite a letter too?"
"Not now, darling, mamma"s busy; Run and play with kitty, now."
"No, no, mamma, me wite letter; Tan if "ou will show me how."
I would paint my darling"s portrait As his sweet eyes searched my face-- Hair of gold and eyes of azure, Form of childish, witching grace.
But the eager face was clouded, As I slowly shook my head, Till I said, "I"ll make a letter Of you, darling boy, instead."
So I parted back the tresses From his forehead high and white, And a stamp in sport I pasted "Mid its waves of golden light.
Then I said, "Now, little letter, Go away and bear good news."
And I smiled as down the staircase Clattered loud the little shoes.
Leaving me, the darling hurried Down to Mary in his glee, "Mamma"s witing lots of letters; I"se a letter, Mary--see!"
No one heard the little prattler, As once more he climbed the stair, Reached his little cap and tippet, Standing on the entry stair.
No one heard the front door open, No one saw the golden hair, As it floated o"er his shoulders In the crisp October air.
Down the street the baby hastened Till he reached the office door.
"I"se a letter, Mr. Postman; Is there room for any more?
""Cause dis letter"s doin" to papa, Papa lives with G.o.d, "ou know, Mamma sent me for a letter, Does "ou fink "at I tan go?"
But the clerk in wonder answered, "Not to-day, my little man."
"Den I"ll find anozzer office, "Cause I must go if I tan."
Fain the clerk would have detained him, But the pleading face was gone, And the little feet were hastening-- By the busy crowd swept on.
Suddenly the crowd was parted, People fled to left and right, As a pair of maddened horses At the moment dashed in sight.
No one saw the baby figure-- No one saw the golden hair, Till a voice of frightened sweetness Rang out on the autumn air.
"Twas too late--a moment only Stood the beauteous vision there, Then the little face lay lifeless, Covered o"er with golden hair.
Reverently they raised my darling, Brushed away the curls of gold, Saw the stamp upon the forehead, Growing now so icy cold.
Not a mark the face disfigured, Showing where a hoof had trod; But the little life was ended-- "Papa"s letter" was with G.o.d.
Who Stole the Bird"s Nest?
"To-whit! to-whit! to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid, And the nice nest I made?"
"Not I," said the cow, "Moo-oo!
Such a thing I"d never do; I gave you a wisp of hay, But didn"t take your nest away.
Not I," said the cow, "Moo-oo!
Such a thing I"d never do."
"To-whit! to-whit! to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid, And the nice nest I made?"
"Not I," said the dog, "Bow-wow!
I wouldn"t be so mean, anyhow!
I gave the hairs the nest to make, But the nest I did not take.
Not I," said the dog, "Bow-wow!
I"m not so mean, anyhow."
"To-whit! to-whit! to-whee!
Will you listen to me?
Who stole four eggs I laid, And the nice nest I made?"
"Not I," said the sheep, "oh, no!
I wouldn"t treat a poor bird so.
I gave the wool the nest to line, But the nest was none of mine.
Baa! Baa!" said the sheep; "oh, no!
I wouldn"t treat a poor bird so."
"Caw! Caw!" cried the crow; "I should like to know What thief took away A bird"s nest to-day?"
"I would not rob a bird,"
Said little Mary Green; "I think I never heard Of anything so mean."
"It is very cruel, too,"
Said little Alice Neal; "I wonder if he knew How sad the bird would feel?"
A little boy hung down his head, And went and hid behind the bed, For he stole that pretty nest From poor little yellow-breast; And he felt so full of shame, He didn"t like to tell his name.
_Lydia Maria Child._