Goodbye Old Year!

Old Year’s Departure.

 The Old Year in his aeroplane, en route for Elfin Land,

Looks back as far as he can see, and waves a friendly hand,

And though he may not come again to dwell with us below,

In visions he may still return, in memory’s afterglow.

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His brother Years, a countless throng, await the old, old Year,

And welcome him with toast and song, they’re proud of his career,

For he has given flowers and fruit and sun and ice for our delight,

So, “Bon voyage, Old Year!” Let’s shout when he sails off tonight.

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A Year With the Fairies.

Written by Anna M. Scott.

Illustrations by M. T. (Penny) Ross.

P. F. Volland & Co.: Chicago, U.S.A. 1914.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

In Mexico

Soon they will sup from a beautiful dish,

Modeled in clay, on tortillas and fish.

Then, when the stars are all lighted, perchance

Off they will run to the plaza to dance.

Songs in their hearts and sweet bells on their clothes;

Gay little Mexicans, give me a rose!

Kids of Many Colors.

By Grace Duffie Boylan and Ike Morgan.

Hurst and Company Publishers: New York. 1901.

Mayday Ball!

The Mayday Dance.

The Fairies dance with song and shout,

And some trip in and some trip out

Around a Dandelion tall

Whene’er they hold their Mayday ball.

Swinging, swinging, see them bend,

Hear their voices sweetly blend

With the silvery fairy strains

While they weave their Daisy chains.

A YEAR WITH THE FAIRIES.

Written by Anna M. Scott.

Illustrations by M. T. Ross.

Published by P. F. Volland & Co.: Chicago. 1914.

Stern Father!

THE PRINCESS AND THE RAGGED BALLAD-SINGER

When the old King saw that his daughter only made fun of all her fine suitors, he was very angry. “By my beard,” he swore, “the first beggar who comes to the door shall be her husband!”

Only a few days later a strolling ballad-singer took his stand under one of the castle windows and sang his best in hope of alms. When the King heard him, he said: “Let the fellow come up here.” So the beggar was brought in, ragged, stooping, with wild hair, and whiskers that almost hid his face. He sang to the King and the Princess all the ballads he knew and then held out his torn hat for coppers, or perhaps a bit of silver.

The King said: “Your song has pleased me so much that I will give you instead of money this daughter of mine for your wife.”

The Princess cried out in disgust and dismay. But the King said: “I have sworn by my beard that you, too proud for royal suitors, should marry the first beggar who came to the door. That oath cannot be broken.”

This king could be very stern when he chose, and the tears of his daughter did not move him. The court chaplain was called in and the Princess and the beggar were married then and there.

And then, although his daughter clung to his knees, the King shook her off. “Now you are a beggar-woman, and beggar-women do not live in palaces. Go hence with your husband.”

Illustration from From The Story “King Hawksbeak”

Once Upon a Time. 

Edited by Katharine Lee Bates.

Illustrated by Margaret Evans Price.

Rand McNally & Company: Chicago & New York. 1921.