Chapter III: Part 3

Lucy Locket
Lost her pocket;
Kitty Fisher
Found it;
Nothing in it,
Nothing in it,
But the binding
Round it.

"Whoa!" cried Puss. "Can I help you, miss?"

"I'm so disappointed!" cried the little girl. "I thought there might be a bright penny inside."

"Are you sure there isn't?" asked Puss, sympathetically. "Do you want a penny very much?"

"Yes," replied the child.

"Well, here's one," replied Puss, thrusting his paw into his pocket and bringing out a bright penny. Leaning down from his horse, he handed it to the little maid.

"What are you going to buy with it?" he asked.

"Peppermint stick," she answered. "Peppermint stick with red rings all around it."

"That sounds pretty nice," said Puss. "Where's the candy shop?"

"Just over there," she replied, pointing to a small shop on the opposite side of the street.

"Let's go in," suggested Puss, dismounting and tying his Good Gray Horse to the hitching post.

The candy shop smelled very nice. Molasses candy in long yellow coils lay in the glass cases. Sticks of pink-and-white peppermint candy stood in big glass bowls with shiny glass stoppers. Chocolate drops were ranged in long glass dishes. There were gumdrops and marshmallows, and goodness knows what all. Puss thrust his paw deep into his pocket, for he knew that one little penny wouldn't go very far in this candy shop.

"What other kind do you like?" he asked.

"Why don't you call me Kitty?" laughed the little maid. "My name is Kitty Fisher."

Just then another little girl appeared.

"Hello, Lucy Locket!" cried Kitty.

"I've just lost my pocket," said Lucy. "Did you happen to find it?"

"Yes," replied Kitty, "but there was nothing in it. Just a ribbon round it."

"That's 'cause I took out my penny," answered Lucy, "and I'm going to spend it right here before I lose it."

Soon both little girls had eaten their peppermint-candy sticks. And after Puss had given his Good Gray Horse a big lump of sugar he mounted and rode away.

TOM, THE PIPER'S SON

"TOM was a piper's son,
He learned to play when he was young;
But all the tune that he could play
Was 'Over the hills and far away.'"

"Well, it's a pretty fine tune," said Puss, Junior, to himself, as the strains from Tom's pipe came clear and sweet across the meadow. "I wish I could play as well." Again the music came down the breeze, clear and sweet, and pretty soon Tom came capering toward him, followed by a crowd of boys and girls.

"Heigh-ho!" laughed Puss. "Here they come, dancing away, as if they had nothing to do but play all the day long."

"Over the hills and far away!" piped Tom.

"Good morning!" cried Puss.

"Come and dance," said the piper's son, taking the pipe from his mouth; "come and have a merry dance. Make those red-topped booties prance."

"Then play a merry jig," answered Puss, catching up a small pig and waltzing him around at a giddy rate.

"Hold on!" cried the pig. "I'm getting dizzy."

"I won't let you fall," replied Puss, with a grin.

"Let go!" squeaked the pig. "I tell you I'm getting dizzy!"

"Well, why didn't you say 'let go' at first," laughed Puss. "You said, 'hold on.'"

By this time the poor pig was so out of breath that he rolled over on his side and lay quite still until a small boy said:

"Your tail is all twisted from dancing around and around."

"Nonsense!" replied the pig, sitting up. "Pigs' tails are always twisted. Dancing makes your head go around, but it doesn't curl your tail."

Then all of a sudden Tom commenced to play again.

"Oh, please don't!" cried the breathless pig. "I don't want to dance any more."

Tom with his pipe did play with such skill
That those who heard him could never stand still;
Whenever they heard him they began to dance--
Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance.

And, goodness me! it was such wonderful music that even Puss couldn't keep still, but must needs dance with a little girl in a blue dress until Tom was out of breath and too tired to play any longer.

OLD DAME TROT

AS soon as Tom, the piper's son, stopped playing everybody sat down to rest, even the little pig who had been waltzing about on his hind legs. He didn't try to run away. I guess he was too tired for that. Pretty soon he took out a yellow handkerchief and wiped the perspiration from his pink nose, and after that the little girl in blue asked Puss, Junior, where he had learned to dance.

"At Mademoiselle Feline's dancing school," replied Puss. "She taught twenty-one little kittens twice a week."

Just then, all of a sudden, Tom, the piper's son, jumped to his feet and started off, and before very long

He met Old Dame Trot with a basket of eggs;
He used his pipe and she used her legs;
She danced about till the eggs were all broke;
She began to fret, but he laughed at the joke.

"I think it very mean of you to break an old lady's eggs," cried Puss.

"I'm sorry your eggs are broken," cried Tom to Old Dame Trot. "If you'll come with me I'll show you where there's a nest full of eggs; it's in the dry grass under the raspberry bushes in yonder meadow."

But the old lady had gone only a few steps when

Tom saw a cross fellow beating an ass
Heavy laden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass;
He took out his pipe and played them a tune,
And the jackass's load was lightened full soon.

"It serves that fellow right," cried Puss. "His donkey had too heavy a load."

And while the tin pans were flying about and clattering on the stones the old lady climbed over the fence.

"There goes the hen to her nest now!" shouted the children.

"I'll play her a tune and while she's dancing you pick up the eggs and give them to Old Dame Trot," cried Tom.

Of course as soon as the music commenced the little hen began to dance. And when all the eggs were in the old lady's basket he stopped playing, but the little hen was so provoked that she went straight home to the barnyard.

BOBBY SHAFTO

AS Puss, Junior, rode along on his Good Gray Horse he passed a pretty cottage near the roadway. And the roses that climbed over the front porch were so fragrant and the voice of the girl floating through the open window was so sweet that he stopped to listen.

"Bobby Shafto roams the skies
With silver goggles on his eyes.
A lonely girl am I who sighs
For pretty Bobby Shafto.

"Bobby Shafto's bright and fair,
Very gay and debonair;
He's the king of all the air,
Bonny Bobby Shafto.

"His airship is the fastest one
That races with the golden sun,
And when his azure voyage is done,
Pretty Bobby Shafto.

"He's promised he will marry me,
And then how happy I shall be;
We two shall sail the starry sea,
I and Bobby Shafto!"

Pretty soon the owner of the lovely voice looked out of the window and when she saw Puss she asked him to come in and sit on the front porch while she went for some cream. So Puss tied his Good Gray Horse to the hitching post and, opening the little gate, sat down on the doorsteps. After he had finished drinking the cream she asked him to tell her where he was going with his lovely red-topped boots and long feather plume. And would he take out his sword and show it to her? All this made him very proud, and of course he thought she was a lovely little girl.

Well, after a while they spied an airship in the sky. Pretty soon it came nearer and nearer till finally it landed in a field close by. The little girl and Puss jumped up and ran as fast as they could across the road and through the fence.

Throwing her arms around Bobby Shafto, she cried, "He's the king of all the air."

Then he took off his silver goggles and shook hands with Puss, and soon they all came back to the little cottage and had ice cream and sponge cake, and Bobby Shafto fed the Good Gray Horse a quart of oats, and after that Puss said good-by and rode away.

LITTLE ROBIN REDBREAST

"WELL, well!" said Puss to himself as he left Bobby Shafto and the little girl. "To think I should see an airship in Mother Goose country!"

By and by he heard a little bird singing:

"Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,
Up went pussy cat, and down went he;
Down came pussy cat, away robin ran;
Said Little Robin Redbreast, 'Catch me if you can!'
Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall,
Pussy cat jumped after him, and almost got a fall;
Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did pussy say?
Pussy cat said, 'Mew,' and Robin flew away."

"What are you trying to do?" asked Puss, Junior, stopping under the tree and looking up at the pussy cat.

"I'm not trying to do anything," replied the pussy cat, crossly. "I was wishing I had wings."

"They'd be very convenient at times," said Puss, with a grin.

"Indeed they would," answered the pussy cat. "I'd rather have them than red-topped boots."

"Perhaps," answered Puss. "But I have found my boots most helpful. Do you know," he continued, "if people would be a little more contented with what they have I think they'd get more."

The pussy cat looked ashamed of herself. "What you say is very true. I suppose I ought to be thankful that I have such strong claws. It's not hard work climbing trees, and as for running, my legs carry me very well. Perhaps I don't need wings, after all."

"Well, I never saw a flying cat," admitted Puss, Junior, "although I've seen some remarkable things since I started out to find my father, Puss in Boots."

"So you are a traveler," said the pussy cat, jumping down from the wall and walking up to Puss. "How long have you been looking for your father?"

"A long, long time," replied Puss, Junior. "Do you know, sometimes I almost get discouraged, for this is a big world and at times I feel so very, very small."

"Well, you come home with me," said the pussy cat. "You need a good rest. I think you're tired out."

THE ELF CHILD

LITTLE Miss Pussy Cat had a house
That was very trim and neat.
But, oh, dear me! there wasn't a mouse
For little Miss Pussy to eat.

"There's a nice, soft cushion on the window seat," she said to Puss, Junior. "Why don't you take a nap?"

And as he was very tired with his long journey, he curled up and was soon fast asleep. But, oh, dear me! all of a sudden there came a loud knocking on the door, and when Miss Pussy opened it there stood a little dog with a very loud bark. And then, of course, Puss woke up with a start.

"Please make him go away," said Miss Pussy Cat. "I'm dreadfully afraid of dogs."

So Puss picked up his big stick and the little dog ran away as fast as he could, never again to bother little Miss Pussy Cat. And shall I tell you why? It was because when he finally stopped running he found himself in the woods where the fairies lived.

And when they saw him they said to one another, "This little dog has been up to mischief, for if not, why should he run so fast?" And then the king of the fairies said, "I will see that he makes no further mischief," and he waved his silver wand, and the little dog turned into a dogwood flower that blooms every year in the same spot under the great shady trees.

Of course little Miss Pussy wondered for a long time why she never saw him, until, one day, Jennie Wren, who lived in the woods, told her what the fairies had done.

Well, pretty soon Puss, Junior, set out once more to find his father, and as he went along he whistled a tune to keep up his spirits, when, all of a sudden, he heard a little low whistle. And there in the road, a few feet ahead, was a tiny little man dressed in green with a high-peaked hat on his head.

"I've never heard a whistling cat,
So come to the wood with me,
And whistle a tune to my elfin child
Under the greenwood tree."

Then little Puss, Junior, followed the queer little dwarf and by and by, after a while, they came to a glen in the wood where, under a great oak tree, sat the prettiest little elf you ever saw. He was playing with a gray squirrel and a striped chipmunk, but when he saw Puss he gave a glad shout and away went the squirrel and the chipmunk. But he didn't care, for a cat with boots was something he had never seen.

"Teach him to whistle, Sir Cat," said the dwarf.

So Puss sat down by the elf child and by and by, just as the stars began to twinkle from the sky, he had taught him to whistle. And, would you believe it? it sounded like a bird, it was so sweet and clear. And after that Puss went on his way to find his father, happy to think that he had proved so good a music master.

And some day, in another book, I will tell you how little Puss, Junior, finds his dear father.

THE END

THE PUSS-IN-BOOTS, Jr. SERIES

By DAVID CORY

Author of "The Little Jack Rabbit Stories" and "Little
Journeys to Happyland"

* * * * *

Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated.
Each Volume Complete in Itself.

* * * * *

To know Puss Junior once is to love him forever. That's the way all the little people feel about this young, adventurous cat, son of a very famous father.

THE ADVENTURES OF PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR.
FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR.
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR. IN FAIRYLAND
TRAVELS OF PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR.
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND OLD MOTHER GOOSE
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., IN NEW MOTHER GOOSE LAND
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND THE GOOD GRAY HORSE
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND TOM THUMB
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND ROBINSON CRUSOE
PUSS-IN-BOOTS, JR., AND THE MAN IN THE MOON

* * * * *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK

Little Jack Rabbit Books

(Trademark Registered)

By DAVID CORY

Author of "Little Journeys to Happyland"

* * * * *

=Colored Wrappers With Text Illustrations.=

* * * * *

A new and unique series about the furred and feathered little people of the wood and meadow.

Children will eagerly follow the doings of little Jack Rabbit, and the clever way in which he escapes from his three enemies, Danny Fox, Mr. Wicked Wolf and Hungry Hawk will delight the youngsters.

LITTLE JACK RABBIT'S ADVENTURES
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND DANNY FOX
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE SQUIRREL BROTHERS
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND CHIPPY CHIPMUNK
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE BIG BROWN BEAR
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND UNCLE JOHN HARE
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND PROFESSOR CROW
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND OLD MAN WEASEL
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND MR. WICKED WOLF
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND HUNGRY HAWK
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE POLICEMAN DOG
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND MISS MOUSIE
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND UNCLE LUCKY
LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE YELLOW DOG TRAMP

* * * * *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK

LITTLE JOURNEYS TO HAPPYLAND

By DAVID CORY

* * * * *

=Profusely Illustrated. Individual Colored Wrappers.=

* * * * *

Printed in large type--easy to read.
For children from 6 to 8 years.

* * * * *

A new series of exciting adventures by the author of the LITTLE JACK RABBIT books. This series is unique in that it deals with unusual and exciting adventures on land and sea and in the air.

THE CRUISE OF THE NOAH'S ARK

This is a good rainy day story. On just such a day
Mr. Noah invites Marjorie to go for a trip in
Noah's Ark. She gets aboard just in time and away
it floats out into the big wide world.

THE MAGIC SOAP BUBBLE

The king of the gnomes has a magic pipe with which
he blows a wonderful bubble and taking Ed. with
him they both have a delightful time in Gnomeland.

THE ICEBERG EXPRESS

The Mermaid's magic comb changes little Mary
Louise into a mermaid. The Polar Bear Porter on
the Iceberg Express invites her to take a trip
with him and away they go.

THE WIND WAGON

Little Hero stepped aboard the Wind Wagon and
started on a journey to many wonderful places and
had a delightful time.

THE MAGIC UMBRELLA

A little old man gave Jimmy the Magic Umbrella
which took him to Happyland, where he had many
adventures.

* * * * *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK

THE FLYAWAYS STORIES

By ALICE DALE HARDY

Author of The Riddle Club Books

* * * * *

=Individual Colored Jackets and Colored Illustrations by
WALTER S. ROGERS=

* * * * *

A splendid new line of interesting tales for the little ones, introducing many of the well known characters of fairyland in a series of novel adventures. The Flyaways are a happy family and every little girl and boy will want to know all about them.

THE FLYAWAYS AND CINDERELLA

How the Flyaways went to visit Cinderella only to
find that Cinderella's Prince had been carried off
by the Three Robbers, Rumbo, Hibo and Jobo. "I'll
rescue him!" cried Pa Flyaway and then set out for
the stronghold of the robbers. A splendid
continuation of the original story of Cinderella.

THE FLYAWAYS AND LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

On their way to visit Little Red Riding Hood the
Flyaways fell in with Tommy Tucker and The Old
Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. They told Tommy about
the Magic Button on Red Riding Hood's cloak. How
the wicked Wolf stole the Magic Button and how the
wolves plotted to eat up Little Red Riding Hood
and all her family, and how the Flyaways and King
Cole sent the wolves flying, makes a story no
children will want to miss.

THE FLYAWAYS AND GOLDILOCKS

The Flyaways wanted to see not only Goldilocks but
also the Three Bears and they took a remarkable
journey through the air to do so. Tommy even rode
on a Rocket and met the monstrous Blue Frog. When
they arrived at Goldilocks' house they found that
the Three Bears had been there before them and
mussed everything up, much to Goldilocks' despair.
"We must drive those bears out of the country!"
said Pa Flyaway. Then they journeyed underground
to the Yellow Palace, and oh! so many things
happened after that!

* * * * *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK

THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS

For Little Men and Women

By LAURA LEE HOPE

Author of "The Bunny Brown Series," Etc.

* * * * *

=Durably Bound. Illustrated. Uniform Style of Binding.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.=

* * * * *

These books for boys and girls between the ages of three and ten stand among children and their parents of this generation where the books of Louisa May Alcott stood in former days. The haps and mishaps of this inimitable pair of twins, their many adventures and experiences are a source of keen delight to imaginative children everywhere.

THE BOBBSEY TWINS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CEDAR CAMP
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE COUNTY FAIR
THE BOBBSEY TWINS CAMPING OUT
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AND BABY MAY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS KEEPING HOUSE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT CLOVERBANK

* * * * *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK

THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS SERIES

By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY

* * * * *

=Handsomely Bound. Colored Wrappers. Illustrated.
For Children 6 to 12 Years=

* * * * *

This series presents early American history in a manner that impresses the young readers. Because of George and Martha Washington Parke, two young descendants of the famous General Washington, these stories follow exactly the life of the great American, by means of playing they act the life of the Washingtons, both in battles and in society.

THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS

Their thrilling battles and expeditions generally
end in "punishment" lessons read by Mrs. Parke
from the "Life of Washington." The culprits listen
intently, for this reading generally gives them
new ideas for further games of Indian warfare and
Colonists' battles.

THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS RELATIVES

The Davis children visit the Parke home and join
zealously in the games of playing General
Washington. So zealously, in fact, that little Jim
almost loses his scalp.

THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS' TRAVELS

The children wage a fierce battle upon the roof of
a hotel in New York City. Then, visiting the Davis
home in Philadelphia, the patriotic Washingtons
vanquish the Hessians on a battle-field in the
empty lot back of the Davis property.

THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS AT SCHOOL

After the school-house battle the Washingtons
discover a band of gypsies camping near the back
road to their homes and incidentally they secure
the stolen horse which the gypsies had taken from
the "butter and egg farmer" of the Parkes.

THE LITTLE WASHINGTONS' HOLIDAYS

They spend a pleasant summer on two adjoining
farms in Vermont. During the voyage they try to
capture a "frigate" but little Jim is caught and
about to be punished by the Captain when his
confederates hasten in and save him.

* * * * *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK

GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK

THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS

By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE

* * * * *

=Individual Colored Wrappers and Text Illustrations Drawn by
WALTER S. ROGERS=

* * * * *

Honey Bunch is a dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to take her to your heart at once.

Little girls everywhere will want to discover what interesting experiences she is having wherever she goes.

HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST AUTO TOUR
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST TRIP ON THE OCEAN

* * * * *

GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK

_"Faster, faster, Good Gray Horse,
Hasten swiftly on your course,
'Till I see the stately towers
Where my father spends his hours."_

_Little Puss Boots, hat in paw
Bowed as Miss Pussy opened the door.
"Glad to see you," she purred. "Come in!
My little house is as neat as a pin!"_

_"Robinson Crusoe, how do you do!"
As a strangely dressed man came into view,
Cried little Puss Junior, raising his paw,
As he stood 'neath a palm tree by the shore._

_"Grandmother Goose your trusty broom
Makes spick and span each cottage room,"
Said little Puss Boots, doffing his hat,
For he was a most polite little cat._

* * * * *

Transcriber's note:

Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.

Page 54, "sing" changed to "song" (SING a song of sixpence)

Page 71, "humpety" changed to "bumpety" to match rest of usage (Bumpety, bumpety, bump!)

Page 134, "stands" changed to "stand" (and ten stand)