Part 12 (1/2)

”Ha, ha!” roared the ”

”So was I,” answered the little man ”Give me the stool I will heal that patient first, then will see about the others”

The ht out the injured stool, and while it was being mended he and Puss, Jr, had a talk

[Illustration: ”IF I'D AS MUCH MONEY AS I COULD SPEND”]

”Yes,” said the miller as Puss seated hirind all day long Red corn and yellow corn and white corn from the cribs of the farmers From the fields to my mill, and then from here to the baker or the kitchen, and then into cakes for little children The big wheel goes round and round all day long and the water splashes and gurgles as it turns it And then I tie up the sacks after they are well filled, and then the wagon co, year in and year out”

”It's nice and cool,” said Puss, ”and the flour smells sweet, and it's ho journey and wish I could find my dear father”

”Cheer up,” said the miller ”You'll find him soon, I'm sure of that”

PUSS OVERHEARS A PROPOSAL AND IS INVITED TO A WEDDING

It was a , So neatly as she danced, And so sweetly as she sung--

Robin Redbreast lost his heart; He was a gallant bird; He doffed his hat to Jenny, And thus to her he said:

”My dearest Jenny Wren, If you will but be mine, You shall dine on cherry pie, And drink nice currant wine”

”I'll dress you like a goldfinch, Or like a peacock gay; So if you'll have me, Jenny, Let us appoint the day”

While on his journey Puss, Jr, paused to listen to this sweet song On a branch above him sat Robin Redbreast With his hat held in one claw he bowed most beautifully to a little wren that sat on a lioldfinch,” repeated Robin, swinging his beautiful green hat with its long black feather up and down in the breeze

Jenny blushed behind her fan, And thus declared her mind: ”Then let it be to-morrow, Bob; I'll take your offer kind

”Cherry pie is very good, So is currant wine; But I'll wear own, And never dress too fine”

”I'd like to buy her a beautiful gold dress,” said Robin Redbreast, turning to look at Puss, Jr, who stood very quietly at the foot of the tree

”I think her little russet gown is much nicer,” replied Puss ”To tell you the truth, she wouldn't look very oldfinch”

”Of course I wouldn't,” chirruped little Jenny Wren; ”and, besides, I wouldn't feel at all like oldfinch instead of me; and I don't want to think that”

”Of course you don't,” said Puss, kindly

”You are both right,” said Robin Redbreast ”I only thought for the own, but she shall have her way There is only one little bird in the world for me, and that is Jenny Wren”

Jenny hid her face behind her fan, for she was I blushi+ng very hard

Indeed, her cheeks were I almost as red as Robin's breast