The Project Gutenberg EBook of Children of Our Town, by Carolyn Wells This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Children of Our Town Author: Carolyn Wells Illustrator: E. Mars M.H. Squire Release Date: August 25, 2008 [EBook #26431] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHILDREN OF OUR TOWN *** Produced by Jason Isbell, Christine D. and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net CHILDREN OF OUR TOWN BY E. MARS AND M. H. SQUIRE WITH VERSES BY CAROLYN WELLS CHILDREN OF OUR TOWN CHILDREN OF OUR TOWN FLYING KITES BOATS ON THE LAKE AT CONEY ISLAND IN CENTRAL PARK THE FIRST OF APRIL PLEBEIAN PATRICIAN QUARRELSOMENESS THE ETERNAL FEMININE WISTFULNESS KINDNESS TO ANIMALS A COLD DAY SKATES THE EXCURSION BOAT EVOLUTIONARY FAME PIETY WEALTH THE SKIPPING-ROPE MUSIC'S MIGHT A BALL GAME THE RIVAL QUEENS LITTLE MOTHERS OTHER LITTLE MOTHERS FOURTH OF JULY THANKSGIVING-DAY ICE-CREAM CHILDREN OF OUR TOWN PICTURED BY E. MARS AND M. H. SQUIRE WITH VERSES BY CAROLYN WELLS PUBLISHED BY R. H. RUSSELL NEW YORK Copyright, 1902, by ROBERT HOWARD RUSSELL FLYING KITES A blustering windy day's just right For boys who want to fly a kite; And it affords the greatest joy To make and use the pretty toy. But Aged Duffers, do not try A large-sized paper kite to fly; You could not manage tail or string, And ten to one you'd spoil the thing. BOATS ON THE LAKE A morning full of happiness any boy may find By sailing boats upon the lake, if he is so inclined; The wind it drives them out to sea, he pulls them back, and then They jerk and struggle to be free—away they go again! They wibble-wobble as they sail, and sometimes they upset,— Of course he reaches out for them,—of course he gets quite wet. But Aged Grandsires, if you must sail boats in Central Park, Play properly, don't splash yourself, and run back home ere dark. AT CONEY ISLAND See proud Belinda smartly dressed In all her flaunting Sunday best; With muslin hat and ruffles big She cannot comfortably dig. Ask her if she would like to play,— She will not answer either way; She'll only shake herself, and then, Just pout and grin and pout again. Dear Grandams, meekly learn from this, How very ill-advised it is To don a costume fine and grand When you go playing in the sand. Instead of your bespangled net, Or moire velvet edged with jet, Just wear a gingham, simply made, So you can tuck it up and wade. IN CENTRAL PARK In Central Park, along the Mall, We see the gay goat-carriage crawl; With little boys and girls inside, Enjoying their exciting ride. Right willingly each nimble steed Exerts his very utmost speed; And o'er the smooth hard road they race At something like a turtle's pace. But stout old men and portly dames, Pray, do not urge your rightful claims; And even though you have the price, Listen, I beg, to my advice. Do not insist on getting in The little carriage for a spin; You'd not look picturesque at all Careering up and down the Mall. THE FIRST OF APRIL 'Tis taught by philosophic schools The human race is mostly fools. And once a year you see this truth Ably set forth by jocund youth, Who broach the tenets of the creed Plainly that he who runs may read. But Aged Idiots, 'tis not meet For you to run along the street, And with a manner bold and sly Pin tags on ladies passing by, Or sit upon the curb and look For fools to snatch your pocket-book. PLEBEIAN Lucinda's tastes are so depraved; She likes to play and romp With children poor and ill-behaved, Who boast no style or pomp. Their costumes are not quite correct, They have no pretty tricks; Lucinda! pray be more select, In higher circles mix. PATRICIAN Ah, sweet Lucinda, best of girls, How quick to take advice. Behold her with unpapered curls, And frock so rich and nice! Her haughty stare! Who would suppose That dress would change her so Oh, blessed influence of fine clothes, How much to thee we owe! QUARRELSOMENESS Dear lady-readers of whatever age, Look backward and with me enjoy this page. What happy moments have we often spent Thus to our frenzied anger giving vent. Ah, me, the long-lost joys of being young! To make up faces, and stick out one's tongue; How those occasions of Xantippish strife Gave zip and zest to our dull childish life. THE ETERNAL FEMININE Ah, truly, as the tree is bent the tiny twig's inclined, And in the very littlest girls we see The contradictious tendencies of woman's wayward mind Developed to a marvellous degree. For each small daughter of her mother Will say one thing and do the other. For instance, when some little girls just hate to go to school And beg that they may stay at home and play; And then, permission given, these same children, as a rule, Delight in playing school the livelong day! Ah, no wonder poets feature Woman as a captious creature. WISTFULNESS Baby and Sis and me Stand by the fence and see Picnickers munch Lots o' good lunch, Jes' givin' nothin' to we. Baby and Sis and me, Hungry as we can be, Haven't no right To be 'spectin' a bite,— But we're glad lookin' is free. KINDNESS TO ANIMALS The Bison, though he seems so grim, Is very sensitive; And when the children stare at him, He wants to cease to live. He hears them wonder why he's there, And why he can't break through; And why he has such funny hair, And why he doesn't moo. At this, the suffering Buffalo Can scarce restrain to weep; Their caustic comments hurt him so,— They haunt him in his sleep. But, Grown-Up people, let me pray You'll not behave like this; The Bison pet,—and, when you may, Give him a friendly kiss. A COLD DAY In winter time when ice and sleet Make slidy places on the street, The children early leave their beds And rush out with their skates and sleds. All merrily the little dears Throw snowballs in each other's ears; And thus with pretty playful ways Beguile the white and wintry days. Oh, Venerable Veterans, I hate to disarrange your plans; But truly, if you try this game You will go home all stiff and lame. SKATES A blithesome boy this picture shows; He has a true Mercurian pose, Like winged heels his roller-skates Send him fast-flying past his mates. When one is young, 'tis very nice To skate on rollers or on ice. But Ancient Gaffers, do not try With active boys like this to vie. For if you get a skate on, you Acquire a rolling gait, 'tis true. But soon this proverb you'll endorse,— A rolling gait gathers remorse.