Jenny blushed behind her fan, And thus declared her mind: "Then let it be to-morrow, Bob; I'll take your offer kind.
"Cherry pie is very good, So is currant wine; But I'll wear my russet gown, And never dress too fine."
"I'd like to buy her a beautiful gold dress," said Robin Redbreast,turning to look at Puss, Jr., who stood very quietly at the foot of thetree.
"I think her little russet gown is much nicer," replied Puss. "To tellyou the truth, she wouldn't look very much like a wren if you dressedher like a goldfinch."
"Of course I wouldn't," chirruped little Jenny Wren; "and, besides, Iwouldn't feel at all like myself. I might think Robin had married agoldfinch instead of me; and I don't want to think that."
"Of course you don't," said Puss, kindly.
"You are both right," said Robin Redbreast. "I only thought for themoment that she would like a different gown, but she shall have herway. There is only one little bird in the world for me, and that isJenny Wren."
Jenny hid her face behind her fan, for she was I blushing very hard.Indeed, her cheeks were I almost as red as Robin's breast.
"To-morrow, then, shall be our wedding-day," said Robin, "and you areinvited, my dear Puss, Junior."
PUSS AND SEVERAL ACQUAINTANCES JOURNEY TO THE WEDDING
Robin rose up early, Before the break of day; He flew to Jenny Wren's house, To sing a roundelay.
He met the Cock and Hen, And bade the Cock declare, This should be his wedding-day, With Jenny Wren, the fair.
The Cock then blew his horn, To let the neighbors know This was Robin's wedding-day, And they might see the show.
Puss, Jr., was also up bright and early. He carefully polished hisred-top boots and dusted his cap with the long feather in it. Then hestarted out for the woods.
"Cock-a-doodle-do!" cried the rooster.
"How do you doodle-do, my noble Sir Chanticleer?" asked Puss, bowing. "Iam on my way to Cock Robin's wedding; he has given me an invitation,"he added, as the rooster stopped crowing to listen.
A little squirrel ran down from his tree and stood upright on his hindlegs as Puss came to the edge of the woods. "Follow me," said Puss."There is to be a fine wedding in your forest city this morning." So thelittle squirrel ran after Puss.
Presently they came to a little pond. On a big log sat a veryfriendly-looking old bullfrog. "Ker-chunk, ker-chunk!" he cried.
"Get off your log and come with us," said Puss, Jr. "There is to be agrand wedding in the woods."
The bullfrog jumped off his log into the water with a great splash andswam to the shore. Scrambling up the bank, he followed Puss and thesquirrel. The three had only gone a little ways when they came to achipmunk.
"Hello, Chip!" cried the little squirrel. "Don't you want to join us?"
"Where are you going?"
"To a wedding," said Puss, Jr.
"All right," said the chipmunk, and he ran up and joined Puss, Jr.'s,little party. After going for some distance they came to a brook.
"How shall we get across?" asked Puss, Jr.
"I'm all right," said the bullfrog. "I'll swim." And with a beautifuldive he landed in the middle of the stream and swam away to the otherbank.
"I wish my boots were rubber," said Puss. "I might wade across and carryyou two on my back."
While they were wondering what to do, a muskrat swam up to the bank andsaid: "Why don't you walk over Beaver Dam? It's only a little distancefrom here."
"Will it be perfectly safe?" asked the little squirrel, timidly.
"Certainly, my dear friends," replied the muskrat. "You run along thebank and I'll show you the way."
So Puss and his small comrades followed the little muskrat till theyreached Beaver Dam.
THE GUESTS ARRIVE SAFELY AT THE WEDDING
Puss, Jr., continued on his way with his small comrades, the squirrel,the old bullfrog, the chipmunk, the muskrat, the beaver (who had joinedthem without being asked after they had paid him for crossing his dam),and the timid little rabbit. Presently they saw in the distance thewedding procession of Cock Robin and Jenny Wren.
And first came Parson Rook, With his spectacles and band, And one of Mother Hubbard's books He held within his hand.
The Sparrow and the Tomtit, And many more, were there. All came to see the wedding Of Jenny Wren, the fair.
Then followed him the Lark, For he could sweetly sing, And he was to be the clerk At Cock Robin's wedding.
"Let us make haste," cried Puss, Jr., "or we shall be late."
"Please don't go so fast," begged the old bullfrog. "I'm a very poorwalker."
"Here, climb up on my back," said the squirrel. "You can lean against mytail. It will keep you from falling off."
This helped matters a great deal, and our little friends moved forwardat a good pace. The old bullfrog was also much relieved. He was prettytired and every once in a while gasped for breath. He was not too weary,however, to catch several flies on the way, and he winked quite solemnlyat Puss, who grinned in return. As they neared the wedding processionthey heard the lark singing.
He sang of Robin's love For little Jenny Wren; And when he came unto the end, Then he began again.
The Goldfinch came on next, To give away the bride; The Linnet, being bridesmaid, Walked by Jenny's side;
And as she was a-walking, Said, "Upon my word, I think that your Cock Robin Is a very pretty bird."
"I think he is," whispered Puss, Jr., to the squirrel.
"So do I," said the chipmunk.
"Ker-chunk," said the old bullfrog, "he has a fine red vest. I alwayslike white waistcoats, though," he added, looking down at his own; "butthen, you know, everybody doesn't like the same thing."
PUSS IS WELCOMED AT THE WEDDING
All the birds of the forest seemed to be at the wedding of Cock Robinand little Jenny Wren, as Puss, Jr., and his little friends sat downbeneath a big tree. The little squirrel cuddled up to Puss, while thechipmunk sat close by. The muskrat and the beaver stood near at hand,while the rabbit and the old bullfrog, who had climbed off thesquirrel's back, looked out from behind the tree trunk. They were themost timid of all, so they hid behind the tree.
All the birds were singing as sweetly as could be. It was certainly verybeautiful wedding music. Perhaps the most exquisite strains came from
The Blackbird and the Thrush, And charming Nightingale, Whose soft note sweetly echoes Through every grove and dale;
The Bullfinch walked by Robin, And thus to him did say: "Pray mark, friend Robin Redbreast, That Goldfinch dressed so gay;
"What though her gay apparel Becomes her very well, Yet Jenny's modest dress and look Must bear away the bell."
Just then Parson Rook looked over at them. "Why, Puss in Boots, Junior!"he called out. "Come over here," and, turning to the wedding guests, hesaid: "There is the son of the famous Puss in Boots. We are honored tohave so illustrious a person with us. And delighted, too, for he is agreat traveler and a jolly good fellow."
Puss, Jr., arose and bowed.
"Bring your little friends with you, also," said Parson Rook, "for allthe forest folk are welcome. Who is there more loved, I would like toknow, than Robin Redbreast and little Jenny Wren?"
"Nobody!" croaked the old bullfrog.
"No one," said Puss, Jr.
"We all love Robin and Jenny," cried the squirrel and the chipmunk.
"And so do I," "And so do I," cried the beaver and the rabbit together.As they finished the birds began to sing the wedding-march.
Then came the bride and bridegroom, Quite plainly was she dressed, And blushed so much, her cheeks were As red as Robin's breast.
But Robin cheered her up; "My pretty Jen," said he, "We're going to be married, And happy we shall be."
"I'm going t
o give her a gold piece for good luck," whispered Puss.
"I've got a nut," said the little squirrel.
"And so have I!" said the chipmunk. "We'll each give her a nut."
"I'll give her a fresh-water pearl," said the old bullfrog.
The rabbit and the beaver looked at each other. "We'll have to run homeand get something," they cried.
THE BRIDE RECEIVES SOME HANDSOME PRESENTS
"Don't be gone long," cried Puss, Jr., as the rabbit and the beaver ranoff to their homes to get a present for Jenny Wren. "You had betterhurry, or the wedding will be over by the time you return."
"Don't worry about me," said the rabbit, whisking away at a great rate.
"I'll be back, never fear," said the beaver.
Puss watched them out of sight, then he heard the parson begin again:
"Oh, then," says Parson Rook, "Who gives this maid away?" "I do," says the Goldfinch, "And her fortune I will pay;
"Here's a bag of grain of many sorts, And other things besides; Now happy be the bridegroom, And happy be the bride."
Presently the rabbit returned. "Do you think she will like this?" heasked Puss, Jr., holding up a little white powder-puff. "I made it allmyself. I had it put away in a little box for safe-keeping."
"It's very pretty," said Puss, Jr., with a smile. "What little bunny'stail did you cut off to make it with?"
"Not mine," replied the rabbit; "but don't ask me too many questions."
Just then the beaver came panting up. "Whew!" he cried. "I'd rathertravel by water than by land; but, anyhow, I'm here. How do you thinkshe will like my present?" and he held up a little gold ring.
"Just the thing!" cried Puss. "But where did you get it?"
"Oh, I found it on the bottom of the brook one day," replied the beaver,"so I picked it up and hung it on a nail; I thought it might come inhandy some day."
"When shall we give her the present?" asked the squirrel.
"Wait, wait," said Puss; "they are not yet married. Listen to ParsonRook:
"And will you have her, Robin, To be your wedded wife?" "Yes, I will," says Robin, "And love her all my life."
"And will you have him, Jenny, Your husband now to be?" "Yes, I will," says Jenny, "And love him heartily!"
Then on her finger fair Cock Robin put the ring; "You're married now," says Parson Rook, While loud the lark did sing:
"Happy be the bridegroom, And happy be the bride, And may not man, nor bird, nor beast, This happy pair divide."
PUSS MAKES A NEW FRIEND AND GAINS A STEED
"Heigh-ho!" cried Puss, Jr., swinging his cane, as he marched merrilyalong--"heigh-ho for a short journey and a happy ending!"
"Well said, my merrie Lord Cat," cried a voice. A tinker by the roadsidelooked up as Puss was about to pass him by.
"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. If turnips were watches, I'd wear one at my side. And if 'ifs' and 'ands' Were pots and pans, There'd be no work for tinkers!"
"I guess you are right, my good sir," said Puss, pausing and looking atthe old tins that the tinker had set down on the ground. "If wishes werehorses, I'd have one at once, for four legs are better than two, andhorses' legs are meant to travel, while a cat's are not made especiallyfor that purpose."
"You are an observing cat," said the tinker, with a twinkle in his eye.
"I speak from experience, my good man," said Puss, "for I have used mylegs for traveling these many miles, and when I look at a horse, Icannot help thinking he has the better of me as far as legs go."
"And when I look at my legs," said the tinker, "I think how well theywould look astride of a good gray horse."
"Let us both make a wish," suggested Puss, half in fun and half inearnest. "Wishes do come true at times, you know."
"Very good," replied the tinker, "I'm wishing."
"And so am I," said Puss.
To their utter astonishment they heard a shrill neigh close at hand,and, turning to see what manner of steed had answered so quickly theirwishes, they beheld two fine gray horses in the meadow close by. Leaningtheir heads over the fence rail, the two animals gazed at them withexpectant eyes.
"Why, they already have on their saddles and bridles!" cried the tinker,with amazement. "Are you a fairy cat? Do your wishes always come true?"
"That is a nice question to answer," replied Puss, "but in this case,you can see for yourself."
"Well," said the tinker, "let us not refuse this stroke of good luck. I,for one, shall mount one of yonder steeds."
"I GUESS YOU ARE RIGHT, MY GOOD SIR," SAID PUSS]
"And I will ride the other," cried Puss, nimbly springing over thefence. Thrusting his foot into the stirrup, he sprang into the saddleand waited for his friend the tinker. Alas for the clumsy tinker! As heattempted to mount, the bundle of old tins made such a rattle that bothhorses jumped in fright, and in another moment ran off at a great rate.Puss clung tightly to the reins, and, on looking back, saw thebewildered tinker still standing by the fence, while his horse careeredacross the meadow, kicking up his heels and snorting at a great rate.
PUSS MEETS A HUNTER AND THEY BOTH LEARN THAT THE OWL IS A USEFUL BIRD
"Well, that was a clumsy tinker," said Puss to himself, as he guided hisgood gray horse into the highway. "But I suppose he is no rider, andtherefore is safer upon his own two legs. At any rate, I cannot stop toinquire, nor would I be of any assistance. So I shall ride away,thankful at my good luck in having a steed for a mere wish. As wishesare horses, pussy-cats may ride," he said, with a laugh.
The gray horse proved a good roadster and covered many a mile beforemidday. Presently, on coming to a crossway, Puss decided to take theroad that led through the woods. He had hardly entered when he saw afunny little man dressed like a huntsman. In his right hand he carried abow and on his back was a quiver full of arrows.
A small dog ran along at his heels, snuffing about continually, as ifexpecting to find a rabbit or a squirrel. Before Puss had gone muchfarther, the funny little huntsman paused under a large tree, from ahole in which an old owl looked out, winking and blinking his eyes.
There was an owl lived in an oak, Whiskey, Whaskey, Weedle; And all the words he ever spoke Were Fiddle, Faddle, Feedle.
A sportsman chanced to come that way, Whiskey, Whaskey, Weedle; Said he, "I'll shoot you, silly bird!" So Fiddle, Faddle, Feedle.
"Bow-wow!" yelped the little dog, suddenly catching sight of the oldowl.
"There now, you've gone and done it!" cried the funny little hunter, asthe owl quickly drew in his head. "You're a fine hunting-dog, you are!"
The little dog hung his tail and walked away. In another moment, oncatching sight of Puss on his big gray horse, he set up another wildbarking.
"What's the matter now?" inquired the little huntsman. "Oh, it's you, isit?" he exclaimed, suddenly seeing Puss.
"Your little dog is a better watchman than a hunter," said Puss, with agrin; "that is, he's a good old scout."
"Well, I'm glad to find out he's good for something," said the littlehunter, "for he made me just now lose a good shot at an old owl that hasbeen hooting and tooting around my house for many nights. I would haveliked to put an arrow through his old head."
"You would, eh?" screamed the owl, suddenly poking his head through thehole. "Let me tell you, my good sir, that I have caught more rats andmice in your old barn than your cat has. Is this the way that you repaya useful friend like me?"
The little hunter dropped his bow. "I never thought of that," he said,apologetically.
"Well, next time think before you shoot," cried the owl; "it may saveyou many a miss!"
PUSS GOES ON A SHOPPING TRIP TO MAKE A LITTLE MAID HAPPY
"The rose is red, the violet blue; The gillyflower's sweet, and so are you. These are the words you bade me say For a pair of new gloves on Easter Day."
; Puss, Jr., looked down from his horse at a little girl who was swingingon the front gate. He pulled up his good gray horse:
"A pair of new gloves on Easter Day? Is that what you want the most?"
"Yes, indeed," cried the little girl. "I've got a new bonnet with redribbons on it, and also a gown of yellow and brown; a pair of silk hoseof the color of rose, and a lovely new pin with a big diamond in. Aparasol, too, of purple and blue."
"Wait a minute," said Puss, "you talk so fast, and your words all rhyme,and you've got so many things, of so many different colors that--that Ireally don't remember whether you said you had a pair of gloves, afterall."
"No, my dear pussy-cat," said the little maid, with a pout. "I have newshoes, and new _everything_ but gloves. Now won't you bring me a pairfor Easter Day?"
"Where shall I buy them?" asked Puss. "I don't see any shops about, andif I must go all the way to London for them you'll never receive them intime for this Easter."
"Not far from here," cried the little maid, "is a tiny shop where theymake beautiful gloves. Take the first road to your right and then turnto your left, and then turn to your right, and then you'll see it."