The Barefoot Time Part 2

A bottle of beans (they were yellow and black); He called them his "stock," which he bought and sold; A "Mother Goose Rhymes"--and his finger prints Were still on its covers, now ragged and old!

A "Dinah" doll, without any hair,-- All these I found--the others you know, For perhaps a like little trunk you placed Under the rafters, too, long ago!

MR. FROG'S WISDOM

Long years ago, as I've been told, a Frog and a speckled Trout Had in the cool of an old mill stream somewhat of a "falling out".

"'Tis foolishness," said Mr. Trout, and the spots on his sides grew red, "To do as you do--I wonder who's been putting such stuff in your head!

It's best you'll find, to spend your time, in studying swimming lore, Learning to dive and float instead of hopping along on sh.o.r.e.

To excel in a single thing is better'n a little of this and that,-- Not to see it thus you really must be 'most as blind as a bat!

I'm going to practice to swim my best, and when one is wanted, see!

To serve some benevolent gentleman--who will he choose but me!"

Respectfully the Frog heard all that his friend, Mr. Trout, did say: "I thank you much for your counsel, sir; I'll meditate it, good day."

But he didn't take Mr. Trout's advice, and this is the reason why,-- "To know but one craft--one's chance to succeed in life is lessened thereby; So I think I'll go on in the same old way my fathers did before,-- Their skill in swimming was none the less for the fact that they hopped on sh.o.r.e!"

At last it was time for Frog and Trout their lifework to begin, So they eagerly scanned the papers o'er to see what "ads" were in.

One day they found among the "wants" a place with tip-top pay, And they packed their grips and started out at dawn the following day.

"I s'pose you can swim?" asked Mr. Seal, whose valet was soon to go.

"Indeed we can!" and off came coats their prowess and skill to show.

Out to the buoy and back again--the Trout came in ahead.

"It's all because he shunned advice," Mr. Trout with a chuckle said.

"Ah, very well done! I think you'll do--your work, to patrol the sh.o.r.e, And when you see any men with clubs don't tarry a moment more, But hurry to warn me as I take in the surf my morning bath",-- Mr. Frog stood by with moistened eye--his tears were not of wrath, As his friend, Mr. Trout, on the sh.o.r.e about, in pain began to flop,-- "Oh, you're no good," called Mr. Seal. "The one who serves me must _hop_!"

STRANGE PEOPLE

"What funny western people, To sit around a table!"

Smiled Wo Yen Locks.

"And eat their funny victuals, Boiled in iron kettles, With knives and forks!"

"What funny orientals, To squat down on the floor,-- (My, what a fix!) To eat their rice and honey,"

Laughed Beth ("how very funny!) With queer chop-sticks!"

BOBBY DREAMED

That oranges plump grew on holly-hock stalks, And lollipops rained all around; That chocolate drops and candy canes Sprung up like mere weeds from the ground!

That each dewdrop he saw was a colored balloon; That jack-knives like birds flew about, (To fill up his pocket--all one had to do, Was to chase them a moment about); That every pebble or stone by the road Was a coin, either silver or gold; That it took but a minute to gather them up,-- As many's you could possibly hold!

"How splendid to live in this wonderful land!"

And he gave his blue cap a slight twirl; "I'd stay here forever--if it weren't I'm afraid I might wake up to-morrow a _girl_!"

HARD THINGS

Love makes not hard things _easy_; no, Nor lighter painful stings,-- Love makes us _willing_, each to do Without complaint hard things!

HOW THE CAMEL GOT HIS HUMP

In Camel Land--'twas years ago, (As all the early records show)-- Mr. and Mrs. Camel, tall, Had on their backs no hump at all.

They were as proud as proud could be Of their physique--as one could see.

At home they used to joke and laugh, Because so stooped their friend Giraffe!

When their two babies came to bless Their home with camel loveliness, Their joy was full. "Dear wife," said he, "Our boys are straight as straight can be!"

But when their age was six or eight, (It pains me this fact to relate), The parents' counsels (so they say), The boys neglected to obey.

"Oh, sit up straight!" the mother cried, When their round shoulders she espied.

"You'll be humpbacked unless you do,"

The father said--"a thing you'll rue!"

But, no! the boys had their own way, Refusing counsel to obey, Until--too late to change, alack!

Each had a hump upon his back!

A SUMMER TASK

How the birds all build their nests, How the woodchuck digs his hole, Why the husband is more colored Than is Mrs. Oriole, Why the rabbit's dark in summer, When in winter he's so white, What becomes of Baby Partridge When its mother takes affright, How she also is a drummer,-- Mrs. Partridge, 'course I mean,-- How the bee obtains its honey, Why its cells one form are seen,-- Won't I have a jolly summer; Not a single thing to do, But to learn these nature secrets,-- Then I'll whisper them to you!

CHARACTER

It blazes not like a meteor forth, A flash, and then swift to die.

Like a star unseen through the clouds and mist, It steadily s.h.i.+nes, while by darkness kissed, As it does in the azure sky!

THE ATTIC RUBBISH