Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building Part 43

"c.o.c.k-a-doodle-doo!" answered the rooster. "Bow-wow!" answered the dog.

And the little boy and the little girl put up the bars and ran back home as fast as they could go.

_Jessie Wright Whitcomb._

[Ill.u.s.tration: "THE LITTLE BOY AND THE LITTLE GIRL PUT UP THE BARS."]

GAY AND SPY

(_A Rhyming Story for Little Folk_)

One beautiful day in the month of May, A little girl whose name was Gay (They called her that, because, you see, She was always cheerful as she could be) Went for a walk in the woods near by, And her dog went with her (his name was Spy).

As they strolled along a fine woodland path She saw a little bird taking a bath.

She kept very still and watched him splash, When all at once, with a sudden dash, Into the brook jumped little dog Spy.

My, how he made the water fly!

"What a bad, bad dog you are!" said Gay.

"Birdie won't bathe any more to-day.

You frightened him so, but, never mind, He's only frightened, not hurt, he'll find.

We'll walk on further and you must try To be good and quiet."

"_Bow-wow!_" said Spy.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "INTO THE BROOK JUMPED LITTLE DOG SPY."]

They had only walked on a little way, When something rustled: "What's that?" said Gay.

Out from the leaves sprang a squirrel red And sped like a flash down the path ahead.

Close behind him was little dog Spy.

He paid no heed to the little girl's cry.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "'YOU'RE YOUNG,' SAID GAY, 'AND IS THAT WHY YOU ACT SO SILLY?'"]

She whistled and called; they were out of sight.

She waited a moment, then laughed outright.

For who was this coming? Why, little dog Spy!

But he didn't look happy--with head held high-- Indeed, he looked rather ashamed instead For he hadn't caught the squirrel red.

Spy couldn't climb trees, and so, you see, Master Squirrel escaped quite easily.

"You're young," said Gay, "and is that why You act so silly?"

"_Bow-wow!_" said Spy.

"I'm tired of walking," the little girl said, "I think I will pick some flowers instead.

I will take them home to my Grandma, dear; She loves them but she can't walk out here."

There were plenty of flowers all around.

Sweet white violets covered the ground.

There were lovely long-stemmed blue ones, too, And all around the May-flowers grew.

But when she had all her hands would hold, It was time to leave, it was growing cold.

The sun was sinking. But where was Spy?

She whistled and called,--but no reply!

"Where can he be?" she said, when hark!

Off in the distance she heard him bark.

"He must have a rabbit," said she, "that's all."

And sure enough, by an old stone-wall, Spy was barking away as hard as he could-- As if scaring the rabbit would do any good.

"The rabbit is safe in that wall," said Gay, "He wouldn't come out if you barked all day.

So you better come home for it's growing late.

And Mother will wonder why I wait.

Supper'll be ready, too. Oh, my!

Are you hungry as I am?"

"_Bow-wow!_" said Spy.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "I'SE BIGGEST!"

FROM AN ENGRAVING OF THE PAINTING BY ARTHUR J. ELSLEY.]

The Ballad of a runaway Donkey:

by Emilie Poulsson:

here shadow'd forth in divers pictures by Alfred Brenon.

A st.u.r.dy little Donkey, All dressed in sober gray, Once took it in his long-eared head That he would run away.

2 So, when a little open He saw the sable door, He ran as if he never would Come back there any more.

3 Away that Donkey galloped And ran and ran and ran And ran and ran and ran and ran And Ran and RAn and RAN!

4 Behind him ran the Children, The Groom and Coachman, too; The Farmer and the farmer's man, To see what they could do.

5 Some carried whips to whip him, Some, oats to coax him near, Some called "Come here you foolish beast!"

And some, "Come, Barney, dear."

6 But not a whit cared Barney For cross or coaxing word; And clatter, clatter, clatter still, His little hoofs were heard.

7 And all across the meadow, And up and o'er the hill, And through the woods and down the dale He galloped with a will.

8 And into every hayfield And through the swamp and mire Still Barney ran and ran and ran As if he'd never tire!

9 His chasers all stopped running, Then meek as any lamb Did Barney stand as if to say, "Come catch me! here I am."

10 But when one of them started, Then Barney started, too; As if the chase had just begun Away he swiftly flew.

11 But there's an end to all things, And so, (the stupid elf) When no one else could capture him This donkey caught himself.

12 For, running in the barn-yard, He did not calculate What consequences would befall, And hit the swinging gate.

13 It quickly swung together, Down dropped the iron latch O, Barney Gray! to think that you The runaway should catch!

14 The Children danced with pleasure, The Groom roared with delight, The Others smiled their broadest smiles Or laughed with all their might.