Katharine Pyle

“ Eliza Ann was far from good; She did not act as children should, But fought and quarreled so at play The boys and girls all ran away.
[Pg 95]
Her mother said, "Take care, my dear, The rabbit witch will come, I fear, And steal you one of these fine days, Unless you learn to mend your ways."
[Pg 96]
But yet Eliza did not heed; She was a naughty girl indeed. So now the rabbit witch has come, And carries her away from home.
[Pg 97]
Down in the marshes far away The rabbit's children squeak and play; They tease Eliza till she cries, And with her apron hides her eyes. ”

“ Upon the roof the little storks Live high up in the sky, And far below them in the street They hear the folks go by. The old stork brings them, in his beak, The eels and frogs for food; But these he will not let them have Unless they're very good. ”

“ The stupid sand-man never sees Where Frederick crouches on his knees, Behind the rock, till out of sight The old sand-man has vanished quite.
[Pg 57]
But Fred, a thankful boy is he, As home he hastens tearfully. And ah his mother! with what joy She welcomes home her little boy. "Ah always after this," cries Fred, "I will be good, and go to bed."
[Pg 58]
[Pg 59]
THE BEET
[Pg 60]
"I will not wash my face I say; I will not wash," cried Jane, "to-day." In vain mamma said, "What disgrace! To go with dirty hands and face." Jane only sulked and hung her head, And so she crept away to bed. ”

“ And now her frock with belt and fold Into another doll is rolled; She gives it to the rabbit boy, Who squeaks and stamps his foot with joy.
[Pg 100]
"Now," cry the rabbits, "we will play, For these girls cannot run away." But while they rock their dolls and sing The witch brings home her marketing. "Where are you children dear," she cries. The little rabbit boy replies;—
[Pg 101]
"Here with two girls we play, but one Far off, across the fields has run." The rabbit witch went hurrying out To see what they could be about. There no Eliza could she find But only clothes she'd left behind. ”

“ A robber rat lived in a wood— A gloomy wood—close by; He had sharp teeth, and a pointed tail. And a wicked, restless eye.
[Pg 70]
To the yellow house the rat would come, And strike the door—knock! knock! The kitten's tail would stand on end, It gave him such a shock.
Then in the rat would boldly march. "What have you here?" he'd say; And then he would steal the bread and cheese, And carry it all away.
[Pg 71]
At last the kitten went to ask Advice of some old cat Who lived close by, and told her all About the robber rat. ”

“ In vain Amanda shrieks and runs, He has her by the hair; Snip-snap! the shining scissors go And leave her head quite bare.
[Pg 49]
Now when mamma comes home again, Ah, what is her surprise To see Amanda's naked head And note her tearful eyes; And now lest she a cold should catch A nightcap she must wear, And when her locks have grown again I'm sure she'll comb her hair.
[Pg 50]
THE CHILD WHO WOULD NOT GO TO BED
[Pg 51]
[Pg 52]
"I do not want to go to bed; I will not go!" cried naughty Fred. But it was growing very late ”

“ Contents Page Careless Jane 7 Boisterous Ann 15 The Brother and Sister 23 Georgie Lie-a-Bed 35 Untidy Amanda 43 The Child who would not go to Bed 49 The Beet 57 The Robber Rat 65 Grandfather Stork 73 Old Mother Webtoes 81 The Rabbit Witch 91 Peter and the Ogress 103
[Pg 5]
To
My Nephew
[Pg 7]
[Pg 9]
[Pg 10]
"Come Jane," said grandmamma one day, "'Tis time you learned to sew; At your age I could make a frock, And you should also know."
But Jane cared little for such things; She liked to make a noise; She used to run about all day, And shout, and play with boys. ”