Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building Part 46

BY FRANK MUNRO

To p.u.s.s.y-town, the other day, The movies came.

And you must know, The only chance mice have to play Is when the cats Go to the show!

(Yes, mice have certain little "rights"-- Though I confess 'Em hard to see!

And one is to stay up o' nights And steal our cheese-- If cheese there be!)

Well, in the playhouse, on the screen, The p.u.s.s.ies saw (And so may you) True love run smoothly, I ween: But "also ran,"

A dog in blue!

The foolish cats, in great alarm, Dashed out, nor Asked for money back!-- A dog policeman has no charm When he is close Upon one's track!

They did not use their heads. I fear; (Some boys and girls Are just like that) And so the p.u.s.s.ies now must hear The grown folks say "'Fraid cat! 'Fraid cat!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CATS AT THE MOVIES FROM A DRAWING BY CULMER BARNES]

THE SPIDER AND THE FLY

BY MARY HOWITT

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly, "'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy; The way into my parlor is up a winding stair, And I have many curious things to show when you are there."

"Oh, no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain; For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.

"There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin; And if you like to rest a while, I'll snugly tuck you in!"

"Oh, no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said, They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend, what can I do To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?

I have, within my pantry, good store of all that's nice; I'm sure you're very welcome--will you please to take a slice?"

"Oh, no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot be, I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

"Sweet creature," said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise; How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!

I have a little looking-gla.s.s upon my parlor shelf; If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say, And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."

The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den, For well he knew the silly Fly would soon be back again; So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly, And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing: "Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing; Your robes are green and purple, there's a crest upon your head; Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead."

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly, Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by: With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew-- Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue; Thinking only of her crested head--poor foolish thing! At last, Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den Within his little parlor--but she ne'er came out again!

[Ill.u.s.tration: "h.e.l.lO! IS THIS THE CLOVER NOOK DAIRY? PLEASE SEND ME SOME MILK AT ONCE. GOOD-BY"]

#Everyday Verses#

BY ALDEN ARTHUR KNIPE

PICTURES BY EMILIE BENSON KNIPE

A LITTLE GENTLEMAN

When Mother drops things on the floor, My father asks me: "Who Should always pick them up for her?"

And so I always do.

He says I haven't far to reach And that a gentleman Must do things for his Mother And be helpful as he can.

But Mother bends down just the same,-- She has to, don't you see?

For after she's said "Thank you, dear,"

She stoops and kisses me.

TIME FOR EVERYTHING

There's a time to run and a time to walk; There's a time for silence, a time for talk; There's a time for work and a time for play; There's a time for sleep at the close of day.

There's a time for everything you do, For children and for grown-ups, too.

A time to stand up and a time to sit,-- But see that the time and actions fit.

UMBRELLAS AND RUBBERS

Umbrellas and rubbers You never forget, Whenever it's raining Or snowy or wet;

But if it should clear up, While you are away, Please bring them back home For the next rainy day.

WHISPERING IN SCHOOL

"Do not whisper" is a rule You will find in every school, And the reason here is given In a rhyme: For children all will chatter About any little matter-- And there'd be a dreadful clatter, All the time!

RECESS

The romping boys Make lots of noise, And run and jump and laugh and shout, While here and there, With quiet air, The girls in couples walk about.

A game begins, But no one wins, Although they play with might and main, For long before The game is o'er The bell rings out for school again.

AFTER SCHOOL

Although we like to go to school, We're rather glad to put away Our books and slates and other things, When it is over for the day.