A Child-World by James Whitcomb Riley
page 87 of 123 (70%)
page 87 of 123 (70%)
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Wuz 'bout to raise up,--right in front we see
A feller slippin' out the arber, square Smack under that-air little winder where The _other_ feller had been standin'.--And The thing he wuz a-carryin' in his hand Wuzn't no _gun_ at all!--It wuz a _flute_,-- And _whoop-ee!_ how it did git up and toot And chirp and warble, tel a mockin'-bird 'Ud dast to never let hisse'f be heerd Ferever, after sich miracalous, high Jim-cracks and grand skyrootics played there by Yer Cousin Rufus!--Yes-sir; it wuz him!-- And what's more,--all a-suddent that-air dim Dark winder o' Miss Wetherell's wuz lit Up like a' oyshture-sign, and under it We see him sort o' wet his lips and smile Down 'long his row o' dancin' fingers, while He kindo' stiffened up and kinked his breath And everlastin'ly jest blowed the peth Out o' that-air old one-keyed flute o' his. And, bless their hearts, that's all the 'tale' they is!" And even as Noey closed, all radiantly The unconscious hero of the history, Returning, met a perfect driving storm Of welcome--a reception strangely warm And _unaccountable_, to _him_, although Most _gratifying_,--and he told them so. "I only urge," he said, "my right to be Enlightened." And a voice said: "_Certainly:_-- |
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