The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 6, 1903, Page 15

THOE SUNDAY CALL. 15 7962 BY BFIMCUTCIHEON. ALL RIGHTS REFERVELD. ONDERS ne’er will cease, it seems, in the Wonderful Kingdom great, wonders to relate. A week or so ago, my sweets, there came on a fleece- lined eloud The Honorable Mr. Jacky Frost, who was haughty, bold and proud. Pl 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. Gra Prune and Crookneck Squisn soon learned that heM arrived, ~ A pt close to his heels to see the wonders he’d contrived. Ove ls and down through dales they trudged till dusk of day, A veled at the whiteness which he scattered on his way. S — “While you’re talking,” Crookneck said, “F’ll run and get a cage 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 be 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 the % free, And if the strangers lose their hold, they’ll come straight unto me.” ©0ld Crookneck gave the 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 age. 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 old Grandpa called the roll, ‘While Crookneck #tirred them all about with a long, sharp-pointed pole. A double-jointed Peanut was the first to speak his name, And Crookneck made him dance about until his legs were lame. The others who responded when Grandpa sald: “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. At lest they reached a wondrous tree whose twigs and boughs were white, d a Walnut black And the sight they saw therein, my loves, filled them both with fright. We have a dapper Filbert and a ut black as jet And a Pecan trim and tidy who will make a pretty pet. They scampered to a spot secure and regained their courage keen, dhuataie . A4 BRIy ows we've a Hazel Alm eek and yellow And then retraced their steps across the plain of whitened green. 2 t, who seems a 2 With courage that was splendid, Grandpa Prune went to the tres, And a satin-coated Chestnut, ms a charming fellow. With Crookneck Squash a pace behind and trembling at the knee. We've ‘Nigger Toes’ and Hickories and Chinkapins so fine, of our captured Acorns I've already counted nine. In the tree all clothed in white wgre beings strange and funny, And P y And 21l of them were secking spots that were warm and bright and We've Pistachios by the hundreds and Beech Nuts one or two, y And two dainty little Lichees that are Chinese through and through. sunny. ‘ I think that we are strong enough,” said Grandpa Prune in time, “To capture all these beings strange and whip them into line. 1’1l 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 tres.” Dear Crookneck, we've done wonders and our fortune should be great, And I think 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. e Read About the “Luxurious Woman,” By Col. Kate—Next: Sunday’s Call