Books: Mother Goose in Prose
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L. Frank Baum >> Mother Goose in Prose
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"How would you like to live with me and be my servant?"
Little Tommy Tucker had often longed for just such a place, where he
could have three meals each day to eat and a good bed to sleep in at
night, so he answered,
"I should like it very much, sir."
So the alderman took Tommy for his servant, and dressed him in a smart
livery; and soon the boy showed by his bright ways and obedience that
he was worthy any kindness bestowed upon him.
He often carried the alderman's wig when his master attended the town
meetings, and the mayor of the city, who was a good man, was much
taken with his intelligent face. So one day he said to the alderman,
"I have long wanted to adopt a son, for I have no children of my own;
but I have not yet been able to find a boy to suit me. That lad of
yours looks bright and intelligent, and he seems a well-behaved boy
into the bargain."
"He is all that you say," returned the alderman, "and would be a
credit to you should you adopt him."
"But before I adopt a son," continued the mayor, "I intend to satisfy
myself that he is both wise and shrewd enough to make good use of my
money when I am gone. No fool will serve my purpose; therefore I shall
test the boy's wit before I decide."
"That is fair enough," answered the alderman; "but in what way will
you test his wit?"
"Bring him to my house to-morrow, and you shall see," said the mayor.
So the next day the alderman, followed by Tommy and a little terrier
dog that was a great pet of his master, went to the grand dwelling of
the mayor. The mayor also had a little terrier dog, which was very
fond of him and followed him wherever he went.
When Tommy and the alderman reached the mayor's house the mayor met
them at the door and said:
"Tommy, I am going up the street, and the alderman is going in the
opposite direction. I want you to keep our dogs from following us; but
you must not do it by holding them."
"Very well, sir," replied Tommy; and as the mayor started one way and
the alderman the other, he took out his handkerchief and tied the
tails of the two dogs together. Of course each dog started to follow
its master; but as they were about the same size and strength, and
each pulled in a different direction, the result was that they
remained in one place, and could not move either one way or the other.
"That was well done," said the mayor, coming I back again; "but tell
me, can you put my cart before my horse and take me to ride?"
"Certainly, sir," replied Tommy; and going to the mayor's stable he
put the harness on the nag and then led him head-first into the
shafts, instead of backing him into them, as is the usual way. After
fastening the shafts to the horse, he mounted upon the animal's back,
and away they started, pushing the cart before the horse.
"That was easy," said Tommy. "If your honor will get into the cart I
'll take you to ride." But the mayor did not ride, although he was
pleased at Tommy's readiness in solving a difficulty.
After a moment's thought he bade Tommy follow him into the house,
where he gave him a cupful of water, saying,
"Let me see you drink up this cup of water."
Tommy hesitated a moment, for he knew the mayor was trying to catch
him; then, going to a corner of the room, he set down the cup and
stood upon his head in the corner. He now carefully raised the cup to
his lips and slowly drank the water until the cup was empty. After
this he regained his feet, and, bowing politely to the mayor, he said,
"The water is drunk up, your honor."
"But why did you stand on your head to do it?" enquired the alderman,
who had watched the act in astonishment.
"Because otherwise I would have drunk the water down, and not up,"
replied Tommy.
The mayor was now satisfied that Tommy was shrewd enough to do him
honor, so he immediately took him to live in the great house as his
adopted son, and he was educated by the best masters the city
afforded.
And Tommy Tucker became in after years not only a great, but a good
man, and before he died was himself mayor of the city, and was known
by the name of Sir Thomas Tucker.
Pussy-cat Mew
Pussy-cat Mew
"Pussy-cat, Pussy-cat, where do you go?"
"To London, to visit the palace, you know."
"Pussy-cat Mew, wily you come back again?"
"Oh, yes! I 'll scamper with might and with main!"
Pussy-cat Mew set off on her way,
Stepping quite softly and feeling quite gay.
Smooth was the road, so she traveled at ease,
Warmed by the sunshine and fanned by the breeze.
Over the hills to the valleys below,
Through the deep woods where the soft mosses grow,
Skirting the fields, with buttercups dotted,
Swiftly our venturesome Pussy-cat trotted.
Sharp watch she kept when a village she neared,
For boys and their mischief our Pussy-cat feared!
Often she crept through the grasses so deep
To pass by a dog that was lying asleep.
Once, as she walked through a sweet-clover field,
Something beside her affrightedly squealed,
And swift from her path there darted away
A tiny field-mouse, with a coat of soft gray.
"Nowhere," thought our Pussy, "is chance for a dinner;
The one that runs fastest must surely be winner!"
So quickly she started the mouse to give chase,
And over the clover they ran a great race.
But just when it seemed that Pussy would win,
The mouse spied a hole and quickly popped in;
And so he escaped, for the hole was so small
That Pussy-cat could n't squeeze in it at all.
So, softly she crouched, and with eyes big and round
Quite steadily watched that small hole in the ground
"This mouse really thinks he 's escaped me," she said,
"But I 'll catch him sure if he sticks out his head!"
But while she was watching the poor mouse's plight,
A deep growl behind made her jump with affright;
She gave a great cry, and then started to run
As swift as a bullet that 's shot from a gun!
"Meow! Oh, meow "our poor Puss did say;
"Bow-wow!" cried the dog, who was not far away.
O'er meadows and ditches they scampered apace,
O'er fences and hedges they kept up the race!
Then Pussy-cat Mew saw before her a tree,
And knew that a safe place of refuge 't would be;
So far up the tree with a bound she did go,
And left the big dog to growl down below.
But now, by good fortune, a man came that way,
And called to the dog, who was forced to obey;
But Puss did not come down the tree till she knew
That the man and the dog were far out of view.
Pursuing her way, at nightfall she came
To London, a town you know well by name;
And wandering 'round in byway and street,
A strange Pussy-cat she happened to meet.
"Good evening," said Pussy-cat Mew. "Can you tell
In which of these houses the Queen may now dwell?
I 'm a stranger in town, and I 'm anxious to see
What sort of a person a real Queen may be."
"My friend," said the other, "you really must know
It is n't permitted that strangers should go
Inside of the palace, unless they 're invited,
And stray Pussy-cats are apt to be slighted.
"By good luck, however, I 'm quite well aware
Of a way to the palace by means of a stair
That never is guarded; so just come with me,
And a glimpse of the Queen you shall certainly see."
Puss thanked her new friend, and together they stole
To the back of the palace, and crept through a hole
In the fence, and quietly came to the stair
Which the stranger Pussy-cat promised was there.
"Now here I must leave you," the strange Pussy said,
"So do n't be 'fraid-cat, but go straight ahead,
And do n't be alarmed if by chance you are seen,
For people will think you belong to the Queen."
So Pussy-cat Mew did as she had been told,
And walked through the palace with manner so bold
She soon reached the room where the Queen sat in state,
Surrounded by lords and by ladies so great.
And there in the corner our Pussy sat down,
And gazed at the scepter and blinked at the crown,
And eyed the Queen's dress, all purple and gold;
Which was surely a beautiful sight to behold.
But all of a sudden she started, for there
Was a little gray mouse, right under the chair
Where her Majesty sat, and Pussy well knew
She 'd scream with alarm if the mouse met her view.
So up toward the chair our Pussy-cat stole,
But the mouse saw her coming and ran for its hole;
But Pussy ran after, and during the race
A wonderful, terrible panic took place!
The ladies all jumped on their chairs in alarm,
The lords drew their swords to protect them from harm,
And the Queen gave a scream and fainted away--
A very undignified act, I must say.
And some one cried "Burglars!" and some one cried "Treason!"
And some one cried "Murder!" but none knew the reason;
And some one cried "Fire! they are burning the house!"
And some one cried "Silence! it 's only a mouse!"
But Pussy-cat Mew was so awfully scared
By the shouting and screaming, no longer she dared
To stay in the room; so without more delay
She rushed from the palace and scampered away!
So bristling her fur, and with heart beating fast,
She came to the road leading homeward at last.
"What business," she thought, "has a poor country cat
To visit a city of madmen like that?
"Straight homeward I 'll go, where I am well fed,
Where mistress is kind, and soft is my bed;
Let other cats travel, if they wish to roam,
But as for myself, I shall now stay at home."
And now over hills and valleys she ran,
And journeyed as fast as a Pussy-cat can;
Till just as the dawn of the day did begin
She, safely at home, stole quietly in.
And there was the fire, with the pot boiling on it,
And there was the maid, in the blue checkered bonnet
And there was the corner where Pussy oft basked,
And there was the mistress, who eagerly asked:
"Pussy-cat, Pussy-cat, where have you been?"
"I 've been to London, to visit the Queen."
"Pussy-cat, Pussy-cat, what did you there?"
"I frightened a little mouse under her chair!"
How the Beggars Came to Town
How the Beggars Came to Town
Hark, hark, the dogs do bark,
The beggars are coming to town:
Some in rags, and some in tags,
And some in velvet gown.
Very fair and sweet was little Prince Lilimond, and few could resist
his soft, pleading voice and gentle blue eyes. And as he stood in the
presence of the King, his father, and bent his knee gracefully before
His Majesty, the act was so courteous and dignified it would have
honored the oldest noble man of the court.
The King was delighted, and for a time sat silently regarding his son
and noting every detail of his appearance, from the dark velvet suit
with its dainty ruffles and collar to the diamond buckles on the
little shoes, and back again to the flowing curls that clustered thick
about the bright, childish face.
Well might any father be proud of so manly and beautiful a child, and
the King's heart swelled within him as he gazed upon his heir.
"Borland," he said to the tutor, who stood modestly behind the Prince,
"you may retire. I wish to sneak privately with his royal highness."
The tutor bowed low and disappeared within the ante-room, and the King
continued, kindly,
"Come here, Lilimond, and sit beside me. Methinks you seem over-grave
this morning."
"It is my birthday, Your Majesty," replied the Prince, as he slowly
obeyed his father and sat beside him upon the rich broidered cushions
of the throne. "I am twelve years of age."
"So old!" said the King, smiling into the little face that was raised
to his. "And is it the weight of years that makes you sad?"
"No, Your Majesty; I long for the years to pass, that I may become a
man, and take my part in the world's affairs. It is the sad condition
of my country which troubles me."
"Indeed!" exclaimed the King, casting a keen glance at his son. "Are
you becoming interested in politics, then; or is there some grievous
breach of court etiquette which has attracted your attention?"
"I know little of politics and less of the court, sire," replied
Lilimond; "it is the distress of the people that worries me."
"The people? Of a surety, Prince, you are better posted than am I,
since of the people and their affairs I know nothing at all. I have
appointed officers to look after their interests, and therefore I have
no cause to come into contact with them myself. But what is amiss?"
"They are starving," said the Prince, looking at his father very
seriously; "the country is filled with beggars, who appeal for
charity, since they are unable otherwise to procure food."
"Starving!" repeated the King; "surely you are misinformed. My Lord
Chamberlain told me but this morning the people were loyal and
contented, and my Lord of the Treasury reports that all taxes and
tithes have been paid, and my coffers are running over."
"Your Lord Chamberlain is wrong, sire," returned the Prince; "my
tutor, Borland, and I have talked with many of these beggars the past
few days, and we find the tithes and taxes which have enriched you
have taken the bread from their wives and children."
"So!" exclaimed the King. "We must examine into this matter." He
touched a bell beside him, and when a retainer appeared directed his
Chamberlain and his Treasurer to wait upon him at once.
The Prince rested his head upon his hand and waited patiently, but the
King was very impatient indeed till the high officers of the court
stood before him. Then said the King, addressing his Chamberlain,
"Sir, I am informed my people are murmuring at my injustice. Is it
true?"
The officer cast an enquiring glance at the Prince, who met his eyes
gravely, before he replied,
"The people always murmur, Your Majesty. They are many, and not all
can be content, even when ruled by so wise and just a King. In every
land and in every age there are those who rebel against the laws, and
the protests of the few are ever heard above the contentment of the
many."
"I am told," continued the King, severely, "that my country is overrun
with beggars, who suffer for lack of the bread we have taken from them
by our taxations. Is this true?"
"There are always beggars, Your Majesty, in every country," replied
the Chamberlain, "and it is their custom to blame others for their own
misfortunes."
The King thought deeply for a moment; then he turned to the Lord of
the Treasury.
"Do we tax the poor?" he demanded.
"All are taxed, sire," returned the Treasurer, who was pale from
anxiety, for never before had the King so questioned him, "but from
the rich we take much, from the poor very little."
"But a little from the poor man may distress him, while the rich
subject would never feel the loss. Why do we tax the poor at all?"
"Because, Your Majesty, should we declare the poor free from taxation
all your subjects would at once claim to be poor, and the royal
treasury would remain empty. And as none are so rich but there are
those richer, how should we, in justice, determine which are the rich
and which are the poor?"
Again the King was silent while he pondered upon the words of the
Royal Treasurer. Then, with a wave of his hand, he dismissed them, and
turned to the Prince, saying,
"You have heard the wise words of my councilors, Prince. What have
you to say in reply?"
"If you will pardon me, Your Majesty, I think you are wrong to leave
the affairs of the people to others to direct. If you knew them as
well as I do, you would distrust the words of your councilors, who
naturally fear your anger more than they do that of your subjects."
"If they fear my anger they will be careful to do no injustice to my
people. Surely you cannot expect me to attend to levying the taxes
myself," continued the King, with growing annoyance. "What are my
officers for, but to serve me?"
"They should serve you, it is true," replied the Prince, thoughtfully,
"but they should serve the people as well."
"Nonsense!" answered the King; "you are too young as yet to properly
understand such matters. And it is a way youth has to imagine it is
wiser than age and experience combined. Still, I will investigate the
subject further, and see that justice is done the poor."
"In the meantime," said the Prince, "many will starve to death. Can
you not assist these poor beggars at once?"
"In what way?" demanded the King.
"By giving them money from your full coffers."
"Nonsense!" again cried the King, this time with real anger; "you have
heard what the Chamberlain said: we always have beggars, and none, as
yet, have starved to death. Besides, I must use the money for the
grand ball and tourney next month, as I have promised the ladies of
the court a carnival of unusual magnificence."
The Prince did not reply to this, but remained in silent thought,
wondering what he might do to ease the suffering he feared existed on
every hand amongst the poor of the kingdom. He had hoped to persuade
the King to assist these beggars, but since the interview with the
officers of the court he had lost heart and despaired of influencing
his royal father in any way.
Suddenly the King spoke.
"Let us dismiss this subject, Lilimond, for it only serves to distress
us both, and no good can come of it. You have nearly made me forget it
is your birthday. Now listen, my son: I am much pleased with you, and
thank God that he has given me such a successor for my crown, for I
perceive your mind is as beautiful as your person, and that you will
in time be fitted to rule the land with wisdom and justice. Therefore
I promise, in honor of your birthday, to grant any desire you may
express, provided it lies within my power. Nor will I make any further
condition, since I rely upon your judgment to select some gift I may
be glad to bestow."
As the King spoke, Lilimond suddenly became impressed with an idea
through which he might succor the poor, and therefore he answered,
"Call in the ladies and gentlemen of the court, my father, and before
them all will I claim your promise."
"Good!" exclaimed the King, who looked for some amusement in his son's
request; and at once he ordered the court to assemble.
The ladies and gentlemen, as they filed into the audience chamber,
were astonished to see the Prince seated upon the throne beside his
sire, but being too well bred to betray their surprise they only
wondered what amusement His Majesty had in store for them.
When all were assembled, the Prince rose to his feet and addressed
them.
"His Majesty the King, whose kindness of heart and royal condescension
is well known to you all, hath but now promised me, seeing that it is
my birthday, to grant any one request that I may prefer. Is it not
true, Your Majesty?"
"It is true," answered the King, smiling upon his son, and pleased to
see him addressing the court so gravely and with so manly an air;
"whatsoever the Prince may ask, that will I freely grant."
"Then, oh sire," said the Prince, kneeling before the throne, "I ask
that for the period of one day I may reign as King in your stead,
having at my command all kingly power and the obedience of all who owe
allegiance to the crown!"
"For a time there was perfect silence in the court, the King growing
red with dismay and embarrassment and the courtiers waiting curiously
his reply. Lilimond still remained kneeling before the throne, and, as
the King looked upon him he realized it would be impossible to break
his royal word. And the affair promised him amusement after all, so he
quickly decided in what manner to reply.
"Rise, oh Prince," he said, cheerfully, "your request is granted.
Upon what day will it please you to reign?"
Lilimond arose to his feet.
"Upon the seventh day from this," he answered.
"So be it," returned the King. Then, turning to the royal herald he
added, "Make proclamation throughout the kingdom that on the seventh
day from this Prince Lilimond will reign as King from sunrise till
sunset. And whoever dares to disobey his commands will be guilty of
treason and shall be punished with death!"
The court was then dismissed, all wondering at this marvellous decree,
and the Prince returned to his own apartment where his tutor, Borland,
anxiously awaited him.
Now this Borland was a man of good heart and much intelligence, but
wholly unused to the ways of the world. He had lately noted, with much
grief, the number of beggars who solicited alms as he walked out with
the Prince, and he had given freely until his purse was empty. Then he
talked long and earnestly with the Prince concerning this shocking
condition in the kingdom, never dreaming that his own generosity had
attracted all the beggars of the city toward him and encouraged them
to become more bold than usual.
Thus was the young and tender-hearted Prince brought to a knowledge of
all these beggars, and therefore it was that their condition filled
him with sadness and induced him to speak so boldly to the King, his
father.
When he returned to Borland with the tidings that the King had granted
him permission to rule for a day the kingdom, the tutor was overjoyed,
and at once they began to plan ways for relieving all the poor of the
country in that one day.
For one thing, they dispatched private messengers to every part of the
kingdom, bidding them tell each beggar they met to come to the Prince
on that one day he should be King and he would relieve their wants,
giving a broad gold piece to every poor man or woman who asked.
For the Prince had determined to devote to this purpose the gold that
filled the royal coffers; and as for the great ball and tourney the
King had planned, why, that could go begging much better than the
starving people.
On the night before the day the Prince was to reign there was a great
confusion of noise within the city, for beggars from all parts of the
kingdom began to arrive, each one filled with joy at the prospect of
receiving a piece of gold.
There was a continual tramp, tramp of feet, and a great barking of
dogs, as all dogs in those days were trained to bark at every beggar
they saw, and now it was difficult to restrain them.
And the beggars came to town singly and by twos and threes, until
hundreds were there to await the morrow. Some few were very pitiful to
behold, being feeble and infirm from age and disease, dressed in rags
and tags, and presenting an appearance of great distress. But there
were many more who were seemingly hearty and vigorous; and these were
the lazy ones, who, not being willing to work, begged for a
livelihood.
And some there were dressed in silken hose and velvet gowns, who,
forgetting all shame, and, eager for gold, had been led by the
Prince's offer to represent themselves as beggars, that they might add
to their wealth without trouble or cost to themselves.
The next morning, when the sun arose upon the eventful day, it found
the Prince sitting upon the throne of his father, dressed in a robe of
ermine and purple, a crown upon his flowing locks and the King's
scepter clasped tightly in his little hand. He was somewhat frightened
at the clamor of the crowd without the palace, but Borland, who stood
behind him, whispered,
"The more you can succor the greater will be your glory, and you will
live in the hearts of your people as the kind Prince who relieved
their sufferings. Be of good cheer, Your Majesty, for all is well."
Then did the Prince command the Treasurer to bring before him the
royal coffers, and to stand ready to present to each beggar a piece of
gold. The Treasurer was very unwilling to do this, but he was under
penalty of death if he refused, and so the coffers were brought forth.
"Your Majesty," said the Treasurer, "if each of those who clamor
without is to receive a piece of gold, there will not be enough within
these coffers to go around. Some will receive and others be denied,
since no further store of gold is to be had."
At this news the Prince was both puzzled and alarmed.
"What are we to do?" he asked of the tutor; but Borland was unable to
suggest a remedy.
Then said the aged Chamberlain, coming forward, and bowing low before
the little King,
"Your Majesty, I think I can assist you in your difficulty. You did
but promise a piece of gold to those who are really suffering and in
need, but so great is the greed of mankind that many without are in no
necessity whatever, but only seek to enrich themselves at your
expense. Therefore I propose you examine carefully each case that
presents itself, and unless the beggar is in need of alms turn him
away empty-handed, as being a fraud and a charlatan."
"Your counsel is wise, oh Chamberlain," replied the Prince, after a
moment's thought; "and by turning away the impostors we shall have
gold enough for the needy. Therefore bid the guards to admit the
beggars one by one."
When the first beggar came before him the Prince asked,
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