The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 20, 1903, Page 15

MHIE -5 TIN 7 CT7rCHEDDY CoOr>RIGHT 7 % E O host had made A palace rich and beautiful, with domes of every shade. been done That he proclaimed a holiday and urged all on to fun. He charged young Guernsey Parsnip to prepare a programme gay And selected General Pippin as Officer of the Day. “Methinks that I,” said Pippin proud, “should have an aid or so, For I can’t be expected to do everything, you know.” Happy Pat Potato knelt before the jovial king g And said: “Make me Policeman and I'll watch everything. U worthy sire, I'm well equipped, and the honor I should prize, And there’d be no offender who'd escape my many eyes.” “Right well,” King Peter quickly said, “and the Master of the Suit Will fit you out in proper style from helmet down to boot.” Now I'll speed on, my pretty ones, and tell you what-was done To give King Peter pleasure and afford his subjects fun. The first thing on the programme was a tribute to the King, ‘Who applauded very heartily, as did every other thing. Our old friend Water Melon ran a race with Oxheart Beet Angd the excitement of the contest was pitched to fever heat. Just before the goal was reached big Melon tripped and fell And bumped his side so painfully that he set Wp a yell. He tried his very best to rise, but every effort failed him, Till Dr. Carrot chanced along and the monarch quickly hailed him. * “It is my wish,” the sovereign said, and, my pets, he was quite flurried, “That Melon be attended, for indeed I am much worried.” el e ey Je 0ld Dr. Carrot scraped and bowed and hastened o’er the green To where the fat old fellow lay in pain so sharp and keen. The Doctor felt his pulse awhile and listened to his heart And then assumed a wrinkled brow, which is the doctor’s art. “This case, O King, is serious,” said the Doctor, bowing low, “But I think I can fix him up within an bour or so.” He found the sharpest blade of grass, and from big Melon’s side He cut & fine triangle as the King looked on with pride. ‘While Water Melon wailed and moaned the surgeon with'great speed Took out through the open place & badly damaged seed, The patient soon recovered strength—with neither nurse nor drug: And now, my dears, you know about the first big-melon plug. o w gt The next thing on the programme was a fencing contest fine Between 0ld Spanish Onion and Nimble Cuban Lime, The fencers used long, pointed reeds, and the laughter, sweets, was great As little Lime with confidence danced round his older mate. The scientific youngster struck at least one hundred blows To every one old Onion struck—and such laughter, goodness knows! T"H N TA L. LT HEN I left off last week, my sweets, King Pumpkin’s So delighted was His Majesty with the work that had THE SUNDAY CALL. g B It i el Uy But Onion, cool old fellow, smiled and never said a word, But calmly waited for & chance to thrust his trusty sword. He seemed so greatly overmatched that the monarch finally said: “’Twere meet that I should call a halt before my subject’s dedd.” But old Onion, spunky fellow, with gameness stood his flflfl:fl ‘While nimble little Cuban Lime danced ’round and ’round and ’round. 0ld Onion’s strength was failing h'lt, until he scarce could stand, And finally the other knocked the sword from out his hand. “You're at my mercy!” Lime cried out, \nd his face flushed deep with pride, And an instant later sent his sword into old Onion’s side. That thrust, my precious dumplings—strange as it may be, Brought woe unto the nimble Lime and gave Onion victory. ‘When the point pierced Onion’s side the juice flew out in stream And some got into Cuban’s eyes and some went to the green. While the Lime was blinded, old Onion saw his chance And took his sword up fsom the ground and started in to dance. 15 ~orr WWOINDIERIFU L, TTHIN s BER MMECO T E cOry COFRICH T TDO0Z W CHAZYANY AL TLGH7S BZIZEVED - He thrust the Lime a hundred times and dlearly won the prize— Just because his own strong juice got into Cuban’s eyes. BT SRy T The next thing on the programme was a jig by Happy Pat, ‘Who danced until his strength gave out and, exhausted, fell down flat. There wers many other things, my dears, to mark this gladsome day, And every one that took a part won praise from Pumpkin gay. “But one remains,” the monarch sald, in glancing o’er the host, 4Who needs must do a thing or two if he would have my toast.” The venerable Grandpa Prune stepped forth and bowed with ease and grace And said: “0 Worthy King, you know I’'m the oldest of our race. Forsooth, I am too aged to be sprightly like the rest, But to please your Gracious Majesty I shall try to do my best; I cannot dance, I cannot sing—that you all know well, But if your Majesty will allow I shall your fortune tell.” 01d Grandpa hobbled to the King, who held out his jeweled hand To have his fortune told therewith by the wizard of the land. 01d Prune looked at the lines awhile, and sald with great surprise: “There dwells some place a Princess who has rich and lustrous eyes. She is waiting to be wedded by the King of all the realm, And she’d be quite a mate for you in guiding at the helm. It pains me, Gracious Majesty,” 0ld Prune said with regret, «“To say that I do not know where this maiden can be met.” The King was all a-flutter, and with a firm command He ordefed General Pippin bold to scour the entire land. «Fetch to me this Princess fair, and he who does succeed Shall ever be in favor high and shall never be in need. Now, hasts away, my Pippin good, and search both far and near, And do not gaze upon me more until you bring her here.” General Pippin dashed away with purpose well defined, With Crookneck Squash and Radish red trudging closs behind. The King made ready tb receive the Princess fair add fine, And he felt very certain that he shoudd see her in short tima Now, I think, my darling dears, T'll stop and rest awhils, But next week you shall hear about more to make you smile.