The Jumble Book Part 5

[Ill.u.s.tration: LITTLE SIR CAT HELPS PIGGIE]

Well, all of a sudden, Little Sir Cat said "Phist!" which so frightened that naughty cat that he ran away, and I guess he's running yet, for n.o.body ever saw him again. And this made the little Orioles so happy that they began to sing:

"_Oh, how brave is Little Sir Cat!

We like the feather in his hat, But more than that we like the way He saved our Mother Bird to-day!_"

which so pleased Little Sir Cat that he took a cracker out of his pocket and gave it to them. And after that he said good-by and went upon his way, and by and by he met a big Turkey Gobbler who was being fattened for Thanksgiving. But he didn't know it. Oh, my no! He just thought the farmer fed him nice things because he loved him.

"h.e.l.loa!" said Little Sir Cat, "how is Mrs. Turkey?" But the old Turkey Gobbler never answered. He just gobbled, gobbled, not food, you know, but air, for that is the way a turkey talks.

"I can't understand you. You had better go home and talk to Mrs.

Turkey," said Little Sir Cat, and away he went, hoping next time to meet a more sociable person.

Well, pretty soon he saw a little pig caught in the fence. So he helped him out and then they set off together, and after a while, not so very far, they came to a big pond where some boys were sailing toy boats. And they were the funniest, queerest little toy boats you ever saw. In fact, they weren't boats at all, but big wooden letters. And just then a little bird began to sing:

"_Big 'A' and little 'B'

Went a-sailing on the 'C.'_"

"They're Alphabet Boats," cried Little Sir Cat. "I once read about Alphabet Town where all the letters were alive,--'A' was an Ant, and 'B'

was a Bee, and if you weren't an artist you couldn't write letters to your friends."

"He, he!" laughed little Piggie Porker, "that _was_ a queer place."

Well, after that Little Sir Cat and Piggie Porker went into the wood to see Goggle Woggle, a little dwarf who knew just where the fairies and Giant Oatencake lived. And as soon as Goggle Woggle saw Little Sir Cat and Piggie, he said: "Let's go up the hill to Giant Oatencake. I've got a wooden sword and if he comes out of his castle, I'll cut off his head!" So off they went, Little Sir Cat, Piggie and Goggle Woggle, and by and by, not so very long, they came to the top of the hill.

"Wait a minute till I get my sword ready," said Goggle Woggle, and maybe it took him quite a long time, for he was just a little bit afraid, you know. And so would you and so would I if we were going to fight Giant Oatencake.

But Little Sir Cat said: "Don't be afraid. I'm with you!" and this made Goggle Woggle feel lots braver. And after that he shouted:

"Come out of your castle!"

Now Giant Oatencake was only a great big tremendous cornstalk, and as soon as Goggle Woggle struck him with his sword, a big ripe ear of corn fell to the ground.

"Here is his head," cried Goggle Woggle, as he put it under his arm.

"I'll make pop-corn b.a.l.l.s out of it," and he ran back to his big tree in the wood. And in the next story you shall hear what happened after that, _unless_

_The little mouse in the pantry Catches my Tabby Cat, And my little yellow canary Runs away with a high silk hat._

AS I WAS GOING UP MURRAY HILL

[Ill.u.s.tration]

As I was going up Murray Hill, Murray Hill was dirty; There I met a pretty Miss, Very trim and perty.

"Little Miss, pretty Miss, If I had a trillion I would wed you, but, alas!

I only have a million!"

SANTA'S LETTER FROM DOT

Dear Santa Claus, I hope that you Will find it easy to get through Our chimney, 'cause if you should stick Up there where all the smoke is thick,

What would we do, and what would you, For goodness sakes, what would you do?

So if you find it is not wise Enough for you to safely slide

Down to our room without mistake, The attic window you must take.

It's quite close to the chimney, too, And big enough, I know, for you.

I'll creep up there the day before And leave unlocked the attic door; And if I can I'll open, too, The window so you can get through

Without the leastest bit of fuss With all the presents you've for us.

I don't see how you'll tell apart Our stockings, so you'd better start

With mine; it's close up to the clock; The next is father's silken sock; The others all are just like mine, 'Cept Jimmy's--his is tied with twine.

I want a doll with violet eyes Who, when you squeeze her, "Mamma!" cries; And little baby carriage, too, With pillows and a cover blue;

Some candy and a china set Of teacups for my dolly pet.

Jim wants a ball, a mask and bat, A soldier suit, a gun and hat,

Some candy and a picture book For rainy days at which to look.

Mother says she'll write to you, And father says that he will, too.

Now, please remember what I've said About the attic overhead; The window which I'll leave for you Wide open so you can get through;

And whose each stocking is, and where, When you come creeping down the stair, Good-by, dear Santa Claus, I've wrote All I can think of in this note.

THE ANGELS' SONG

"Hark!" the herald angels cry Leaning from the starry sky, "In a manger Christmas morn Christ the baby King is born!"

Near Him stand the lowly kine, O'er her little babe divine Mother Mary bends her face Full of wonder, tender grace.

Kneeling are the Wise Men Three, Silent in humility.

In the humble wooden stall Sleeps the baby King of all.

On the straw that warms His bed s.h.i.+nes the halo 'round His head, Like a little candle's light Making all the stable bright.