Volume I Part 42 (1/2)
SEEIN' THINGS
I ain't afeard uv snakes, or toads, or bugs, or worms, or mice, An' things 'at girls are skeered uv I think are awful nice!
I'm pretty brave, I guess; an' yet I hate to go to bed, For, when I'm tucked up warm an' snug an' when my prayers are said, Mother tells me ”Happy Dreams!” an' takes away the light, An' leaves me lyin' all alone an' seein' things at night!
Sometimes they're in the corner, sometimes they're by the door, Sometimes they're all a-standin' in the middle uv the floor; Sometimes they are a-sittin' down, sometimes they're walkin' round So softly and so creepylike they never make a sound!
Sometimes they are as black as ink, an' other times they're white-- But the color ain't no difference when you see things at night!
Once, when I licked a feller 'at had just moved on our street, An' father sent me up to bed without a bite to eat, I woke up in the dark an' saw things standin' in a row, A-lookin' at me cross-eyed an' p'intin' at me--so!
Oh, my! I wuz so skeered that time I never slep' a mite-- It's almost alluz when I'm bad I see things at night!
Lucky thing I ain't a girl, or I'd be skeered to death!
Bein' I'm a boy, I duck my head an' hold my breath; An' I am, oh, so sorry I'm a naughty boy, an' then I promise to be better an' I say my prayers again!
Gran'ma tells me that's the only way to make it right When a feller has been wicked an' sees things at night!
An' so, when other naughty boys would coax me into sin, I try to skwush the Tempter's voice 'at urges me within; An' when they's pie for supper, or cakes 'at's big an' nice, I want to--but I do not pa.s.s my plate f'r them things twice!
No, ruther let Starvation wipe me slowly out o' sight Than I should keep a-livin' on an' seein' things at night!
Eugene Field [1850-1895]
THE DUEL
The gingham dog and the calico cat Side by side on the table sat; 'Twas half past twelve, and (what do you think!) Nor one nor t'other had slept a wink!
The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate Appeared to know as sure as fate There was going to be a terrible spat.
(I wasn't there: I simply state What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)
The gingham dog went, ”Bow-wow-wow!”
And the calico cat replied, ”Mee-ow!”
The air was littered, an hour or so, With bits of gingham and calico, While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place Up with its hands before its face, For it always dreaded a family row!
(Now mind; I'm only telling you What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)
The Chinese plate looked very blue, And wailed, ”Oh, dear! what shall we do!”
But the gingham dog and the calico cat Wallowed this way and tumbled that, Employing every tooth and claw In the awfullest way you ever saw-- And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!
(Don't fancy I exaggerate-- I got my news from the Chinese plate!)
Next morning, where the two had sat They found no trace of dog or cat: And some folks think unto this day That burglars stole that pair away!
But the truth about the cat and pup Is this: they ate each other up!
Now what do you really think of that!
(The old Dutch clock it told me so, And that is how I came to know.)