An' they seeked him in the rafter room an' cubby-hole an' press, An' seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an' everywheres, I guess, But all they ever found was thist his pants an' round An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin, An' make fun of ever' one an' all her blood-an'-kin, there, 66 She mocked 'em, an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care; An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide, They was two great big Black Things a-standin' by her side, An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about! An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you Ef you Watch An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue, Ef you Watch Out! James Whitcomb Riley THE PERILS OF INVISIBILITY Old Peter led a wretched life- The little fairy Picklekin One summer afternoon looked in, "I have three gifts the first will give "O little fairy Picklekin," Old Peter answered with a grin, "To hesitate would be absurd — Undoubtedly I choose the third." ""Tis yours," the fairy said; "be quite Whene'er you please. Remember me Old Mrs. Peter overheard Wee Picklekin's concluding word, And, jealous of her girlhood's choice, Said, "That was some young woman's voice!" Old Peter let her scold and swear Old Peter, bless him, didn't care. "My dear, your rage is wasted quite – Observe, I disappear from sight!" A well-bred fairy (so I've heard) For when conferred the fairy slim She popped away on fairy wings, So there remained a coat of blue, Old Mrs. Peter soon began And then resolved (I quote the Bard) Old Peter woke next day and dressed, Put on his coat, and shoes, and vest, His shirt and stock - but could not find His only pair of never mind! Old Peter was a decent man, And though he twigged his lady's plan, Yet, hearing her approaching, he Resumed invisibility. "Dear Mrs. P., my only joy," 66 But no; the cross old lady swore She'd keep his - what I said before To make him publicly absurd; And Mrs. Peter kept her word. The poor old fellow had no rest; His coat, his stock, his shoes, his vest, Were all that now met mortal eyeThe rest, invisibility! Now, madam, give them up, I beg I've had rheumatics in my leg; "For though some mirth it might afford But no; resolved to have her quiz, To find a pair of — you know what. But here's the worst of this affair - So he resolved at once to train, And walked and walked with all his main; To bring himself to decent girth. At night, when all around is still, Old Peter walks through wind and rain, William S. Gilbert HANS BREITMANN'S PARTY Hans Breitmann gife a barty; I felled in lofe mit a Merican frau, Und ven dey looket indo mine, Dey shplit mine heart in two. Hans Breitmann gife a barty: I vent dere, you'll pe pound. I valtzet mit Madilda Yane Und vent shpinnen round und round. She vayed 'pout dwo hoondred pound, Hans Breitmann gife a barty: I dells you it cost him dear. Und venefer dey knocks de shpicket in I dinks dat so vine a barty Nefer coom to a het dis year. Hans Breitmann gife a barty: Dere all vas Souse und Brouse; Hans Breitmann gife a barty. I poot mine mout to a parrel of bier, Und de gompany fited mit daple-lecks Hans Breitmann gife a barty — Where ish de lofely golden cloud Dat float on de moundain's prow? Where ish de himmelstrahlende Stern- Charles Godfrey Leland |