The San Francisco call. [volume], December 06, 1903, Image 15

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

Image provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA

                
At lest they reached a wondrous tree whose twig* and boughs were white,
And the sight they saw therein, my loves, filled them, both with fright.
They scampered to a spot secure and regained their courage keen,
And then retraced their steps across the plain of whitened green.
With courage that was splendid, Grandpa Prune went to the tree,
With Crookneck Squash a pace behind and trembling at the knee.
In the tree all clothed in white were beings strange and funny,
And all of them were seeking spots that were warm and bright and
sunny.
"I think that we are strong enough," said Grandpa Prune in time,
'•To capture all these beings strange and whip them into line.
Ill talk to them and see if they will tell to you and me
Why they're perched and how they got up in this magic tree."
"While you're talking," Crookneck said, "111 run and get a cag«
So we'll be safe in case they all should fly into a rage."
Trembling Crookneck dashed away, and Grandpa planned and thought
And felt quite sure the dwellers strange in time should all bo caught
Timid Crookneck soon returned with a cage and other things,
Including a fishing rod and net and a trap with sprightly springs.
"Twere wise, dear Crookneck," Grandpa said, "that you should shake tha
And if the' strangers lose their hold, they'll come straight unto me."
Old Crookneck gave tha tree a shake and many tumbled down-
Some in black and yellow shells and some in shells of brown,
Grandpa chased one little chap many times around the cage,
And became fatigued, which was not strange, if you only knew his ago.
With tact and great diplomacy the strangers all were captured,
And as a result the captors bold were very much enraptured.
When all were safely in the cage eld Grandpa called the roll,
While Crookneck stirred them all about with a long, sharp-pointed pole.
A double-Jointed Peanut was the first to speak his name,
And Crookneck made fr*™ dance about until his legs were lame.
The others who responded when Grandpa said: "Who's here?"
All trembled very greatly and their voices showed much fear.
When the 'roll had been completed old Grandpa said In glee:
"We've captured many hundred nuts and I'm full of ecstasy.
We have a dapper Filbert and a Walnut black as jet
And a Pecan trim and tidy who will make a pretty pet.
The lis{ shows we've a Hazel and an Almond sleek and yellow
And a satin-coated Chestnut, who seems a charming fellow.
We've 'Nigger Toes' and Hickories and Chinkapins so fine,
And of our captured Acorns I've already counted nine.
We've Pistachios by the hundreds and Beech Nuts one or two,
And two dainty little Xdchees that are Chinese through, and through.
Dear Crookneck, we've done wonders and our fortune should be great,
And I t**"*' our golden glory' will flow throughout the State."
Grandpa Prune and Crookneck wheeled the cage to Pumpkinton,
To where folks swarmed in masses till the setting of the sun.
fOKDERS ne'er -will cense, It seems, In the Wonderful
Kingdom great,
And as long as there are ears to hear there'll be
wonders to relate.
A week or so ago, my sweets, there came. on a Heecs
lined cloud
The Honorable Mr. Jacky Frost, who was haughty,
bold and proud.
He anchored his cloud on a hilltop high and swept
down to a plain,
Where he gleefully blew his chilling breath time and
time again.
Grcndpa Prune and Crookneck Squisn soon learned that heM arrived,
And they kept close to his heels to see the wonders he'd contrived.
Over hills and down through dales they trudged till dusk of day,
And marveled at the whiteness which he scattered on his way.
THE SUNDAY CALL.
THE
WONDERFUL
KINGDOM OF
WONDERFUL
THINGS
15
Read About the "Luxurious Wonian," By Col Kate-Next Sunday's Call