David Cory

“ Can you make your way?"
"Never fear," replied Puss. "A cat can see in the dark."
But, goodness me! just as they reached the barn a bat knocked off Puss, Junior's, hat.
"Bat, bat, come under my hat
And I'll give you a slice of bacon,
And when I bake I'll give you a cake,
If I am not mistaken,"
cried the innkeeper. ”

“ He had gone in quite deep, for he was going at a great rate, and it's a wonder he didn't go right through the great mound of hay.
"Whew! Miew!" cried Puss, pulling wisps of hay out of his hair and dusting off the tops of his red boots. "That was a pretty sudden stop!"
"Yes, but it turned out all right," said the little old man. "It was about the best way to stop your horse, methinks. It was lucky there was hay in the way, I should say."
"How could you be such a bad old thing?" asked Puss, stroking the Good Gray Horse on the nose. "The idea of your running away with us!" ”

“ And, oh, dear me! again, before Puss knew what was going to happen they stretched tiny ropes [7] about his Good Gray Horse and bound his legs fast, and after that they tied Puss to the saddle.
"Ha, ha!" laughed the little fairy. "Now, my good Sir Cat, will you believe that fairies have power?"
"Gid-ap!" cried Puss, but his good gray steed could move neither head nor foot. "Gid-ap!" he cried again; but his Good Gray Horse could move neither ears nor tail.
"Gracious me!" exclaimed Puss. "I'm in a pretty mess!" And then the fairies began to sing:
"Pride must ever have a fall. ”

“ PUSS IN BOOTS, JR., AND
THE GOOD GRAY HORSE THE MAGIC WINGS
ONE morning as little Puss, Junior, on his Good Gray Horse rode through Mother Goose country he saw a spider sitting in her tiny lace house. She kept very still, for the early dewdrops still clung to the delicate web. And as the sun shone down they looked for all the world like diamonds on a piece of lace. So little Puss, Junior, stretched out his paw and, would you believe it, instead of a drop of water he picked off a real diamond. ”

“ The candy shop smelled very nice. Molasses candy in long yellow coils lay in the glass cases. Sticks of pink-and-white peppermint candy stood in big glass bowls with shiny glass stoppers. Chocolate drops were ranged in long glass dishes. There were gumdrops and marshmallows, and goodness knows what all. Puss thrust his paw deep into his pocket, for he knew that one little penny wouldn't go very far in this candy shop.
"What other kind do you like?" he asked. ”

“ And, sure enough, there they found him.
"Are you the man who jumped into the bramble bush?" asked Puss.
"Yes, I am. But let me tell you something. They call me a wise man, but I think a man who jumps into a bramble bush is a silly goose."
And then, all of a sudden, the Bramble-bush Man exclaimed: "Goodness me! I once knew a cat who wore red-top boots. A good many years ago there lived near here a miller who had three sons. When he died he left all his property to the two eldest, but to the youngest only a cat. Well, this cat turned out to be a most wonderful cat. ”

“ Those forest fairies are mischievous, and you will need to pedal fast and furious to overtake them."
"Never fear," replied Puss, stoutly. "I have a good pair of legs." And, jumping on his bicycle, he went up the hill at a great rate. On reaching the top he was delighted to see his Good Gray Horse going down the road to the valley.
"Here's where I overtake them," cried Puss, placing his feet on the coasters. "My bicycle can go downhill faster than a horse. In a few moments I'll again be astride my faithful steed." ”

“ We're going into the house now, for mother has some pie for us. We'll bring you out a little piece of crust in a few minutes."
"Don't forget!" she answered, peeping out of her hole. "Bring us three pieces, for I have two little children who are very fond of pie crust."
"You be sure to save a little piece of crust," said the black kitty to the tabby kit, "and you, too," he said, turning to the gray kitten; "then we'll have three pieces!"
"Let's close the barn door," said Puss, before they started off for the house. "The little mouse may freeze if we leave it open." ”

“ I can cure you, never fear."
"Thank you," said Puss, Junior. [99]
"Don't thank me yet," answered Doctor Drake; "wait till you're cured—then pay me."
"That will I gladly do," replied Puss, Junior; "only make me feel like myself again." [100]
"I think," said Doctor Drake, after looking at Puss, Junior's, tongue, "you had better give up horseback riding; it's bad for you."
"Oh, dear!" sighed poor Puss, Junior. "What shall I do with my Good Gray Horse?"
"Sell him to me," replied Doctor Drake. "I'm in need of a horse. My practice is growing so large I find it difficult to make my calls." ”

“ Cat had powdered Puss, Junior's, toes so that they would slip easily into his boots she turned to see what the three little kittens were doing. They had just finished eating the pie. She had been so interested in hearing how Puss, Junior, had found his red-top boots that she hadn't heard them say:
"Oh, mother dear, we greatly fear
That we have soiled our mittens."
"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Cat. "Soiled your mittens, you naughty kittens!" ”

“ A few sovereigns less won't matter to a king," said little Puss, Junior.
"I'm not so sure about that," replied His [61] Majesty, taking off his crown and scratching his head. "One likes to be right as well as King!"
"Nobody said, my lord!" cried the old retainer. "But consider your health. Let's take this wise cat's suggestion and quit for the time being."
"All right," said the King. "Let's go find the Queen."
She was in the parlor eating bread and honey. "How do you do, my dear Puss, Junior?" she cried. ”

“ And the teacher kept them in after school!"
"Oh me! oh my!" cried Puss, Junior. "Please don't slit her tongue!" [105]
"But why did you tell tales on your brothers?" asked her father.
"Oh, please don't slit her tongue!" cried Puss, Junior, again.
"That's what they did in Mother Goose."
"It must have been very long ago in the dark ages," answered Puss, laying hold of his sword.
"Well, it's only a rhyme!" laughed her father, picking up his little girl and hugging her. "Come on, Sir Cat, follow me. You are quite a Knight of the Round Table. If a fair lady be in distress you are her champion!" ”

“ I see your flowers are still in bed."
"Daffy and Down and Dilly are very lazy, I fear," laughed the farmer's pretty daughter; "they'll never get to town to buy a new gown if they don't hurry."
"I hope they won't meet any bad crows on their journey," replied Puss.
"And I hope they won't have any bumpety bumps!" said the farmer's pretty daughter.
Just then the farmer came out of the barn leading Puss, Junior's, Good Gray Horse.
"Good-by," said Puss. "I've had a pleasant visit." And off he rode. By and by, after a while, he met an old crow walking along the top of the fence. ”

“ BOBBY SHAFTO
AS Puss, Junior, rode along on his Good Gray Horse he passed a pretty cottage near the roadway. And the roses that climbed over the front porch were so fragrant and the voice of the girl floating through the open window was so sweet that he stopped to listen. ”

“ The pussy cat looked ashamed of herself. "What you say is very true. I suppose I ought to be thankful that I have such strong [126] claws. It's not hard work climbing trees, and as for running, my legs carry me very well. Perhaps I don't need wings, after all."
"Well, I never saw a flying cat," admitted Puss, Junior, "although I've seen some remarkable things since I started out to find my father, Puss in Boots."
"So you are a traveler," said the pussy cat, jumping down from the wall and walking up to Puss. "How long have you been looking for your father?" ”

“ One doesn't often live in a shoe, although one may walk in one." [96]
"You don't mean to tell me you made that wonderful shoe?" cried Puss.
"Most certainly, my good Sir Cat."
"Then you shall make me a pair of boots. And, mind you, my good man, they must have red tops."
"That they shall," said the cobbler. "Dismount, [97] and come into my humble shop. I would measure your feet."
"Perhaps you have a pair on hand that will fit me," said Puss, gazing about the tiny shop.
"I will see," replied the cobbler.
"I am in haste," said Puss, as the cobbler looked over his stock. ”

“ Well, when little Puss, Junior, heard those blackbirds singing he halted before the castle and knocked on the gate.
"You must have a thousand canaries."
"Canaries nothing," replied the old retainer. "The King's twenty-four blackbirds are singing."
But, goodness, gracious me! all of a sudden something happened. And it was even worse than when the raven cried, "Croak!" and the farmer's mare fell down and broke her knee. For just then, while
The maid was in the garden
Hanging out the clothes,
Down came a blackbird
And snapped off her nose. ”

“ But when I saw your little boy I kept very, very still so as not to disturb him."
"You are a good cat," she answered, with a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you were quiet." [88]
"I am very tired, madam," said Puss, "for I have journeyed far to-day. Would it be asking too much if I might sleep on your front porch?"
"You may sleep on a big red cushion in the hall," she replied, "and I will also give you a bowl of milk."
"May I put my Good Gray Horse in your barn?"
"Of course," she answered. "You will find plenty of hay and oats for his supper." ”

“ AS soon as Tom, the piper's son, stopped playing everybody sat down to rest, even the little pig who had been waltzing about on his hind legs. He didn't try to run away. I guess he was too tired for that. Pretty soon he took out a yellow handkerchief and wiped the perspiration from his pink nose, and after that the little girl in blue asked Puss, Junior, where he had learned to dance.
"At Mademoiselle Feline's dancing school," replied Puss. "She taught twenty-one little kittens twice a week." ”

“ But the strangest thing of all was that the alphabet was alive. Yes, from A to Z it was alive, and Puss was so interested that he drew rein at the gates of Alphabet Town because, he said to himself, "If I expect to get [113] through Mother Goose Land I must learn the alphabet, and the sooner I learn it the sooner I shall see my dear father." So he went up to the schoolhouse and this is what he learned:
A was an Ant who worked all the day. ”

“ Unless I may borrow from Sir Pussy Cat?"
"Of course you may," cried Puss. "Just wait till we get to town."
And then the farmer's pretty daughter blushed very red. "I was only in fun," she said. [74]
"But I wasn't," replied Puss.
"Why, have you enough money?" she asked, giving him a hug.
"Don't squeeze so tight," cried Puss. "We may have an accident, and one is enough for [75] to-day. I hope your father will get the old gray mare home safely." ”

“ It was a very big barn door that ran on little iron wheels, and it wasn't easy to move. "Push!" cried Puss, bracing his feet against the side of the barn.
"We can't push any harder," cried the three little kittens.
"Try again," said Puss. "Now, all together, heave ho, heave ho!" The big door began to [45] move. "Push!" cried Puss. "It's beginning to move." ”

“ How the wicked Wolf stole the Magic Button and how the wolves plotted to eat up Little Red Riding Hood and all her family, and how the Flyaways and King Cole sent the wolves flying, makes a story no children will want to miss. ”

“ This cat is no ordinary cat. Let him make himself comfortable while I go and see about supper."
But Puss still hesitated.
"You are indeed welcome," said the little old woman, peering over her glasses to get a good look at him; "you shall stay and rest yourself, for you have helped my good man, and whoever does my man a good turn shall never go unrewarded."
[35]
CHAUFFEUR TAFFY
"HIGH-HO, how the winds blow!" exclaimed little Puss, Junior, as he rode along on his Good Gray Horse toward the castle of my Lord Carabas to see his dear father, Puss in Boots. ”

“ The Good Gray Horse, terrified by the cries of the fairies as well as excited by the stings and blows, paid no attention to the voice of his small master, but dashed out upon the highway, and in a few minutes disappeared down the hill.
"What shall I do?" cried Puss, in dismay.
[15]
BICYCLE PUSS
"IF I had a horse in the stable I'd lend him to you," said the kind-hearted innkeeper.
"Have you an automobile?" asked Puss.
"Not yet," replied the innkeeper. "But I have a bicycle which I will lend you." ”

“ However, when he mounted his Good Gray Horse he found, to his surprise, a couple of gold sovereigns in his pocket. "That's something to be thankful for," he laughed, as he set out upon his journey through Old Mother Goose Land. "I'll stop at the first cobbler shop and see what I can buy." ”

“ They can't even find their mittens." Before he had time to say another word Puss, Junior, sprang on top of the corn bin. Away went the rat, over the barn floor, out through the open door, down the path to the road. Puss, Junior, kicked off his red-topped boots and went after him.
"Go it, Puss, dear!" screamed three little kittens. "Catch him!"
The ground was covered with a light fall of snow, but this made no difference to Puss, Junior. He was a big, strong, healthy cat, and he didn't mind running barefoot in the snow. [42] This was not the case with Mr. Rat, however. ”

“ THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS
Their thrilling battles and expeditions generally end in "punishment" lessons read by Mrs. Parke from the "Life of Washington." The culprits listen intently, for this reading generally gives them new ideas for further games of Indian warfare and Colonists' battles.
THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS RELATIVES
The Davis children visit the Parke home and join zealously in the games of playing General Washington. So zealously, in fact, that little Jim almost loses his scalp.
THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS' TRAVELS
The children wage a fierce battle upon the roof of a hotel in New York City. ”