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Read Ebook: The Story of a Pumpkin Pie by Barton William E William Eleazar Willard Archibald M Illustrator
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Ebook has 86 lines and 7431 words, and 2 pages
Behold the pumpkin borne in state Adown the field and toward the gate, With Helen perched upon its crest, And Towser doing quite his best!
No queen upon a gilded throne More royally than Helen shone; No steed more proud than Towser bore A princess to the palace door.
The cart wheels rumbled o'er the road, And creaked beneath their heavy load. The boys cried loudly, "Here we come! We're going to haul our pumpkin home!"
"Let dogs delight to bark and bite," So Towser thought he had a right To chase a neighbor's cur away Who came intruding that high day.
He barked, he growled, laid back his ears, 'Spite Carl's rebuke and Helen's fears. Nell tugged the lines; the boys cried, "Whoa!" But fiercely on did Towser go!
The neighbor dog fled like the wind, And Towser followed hard behind They struck a stone; out tumbled Nell, And out the precious pumpkin fell!
O Doctor Watts, thou didst not right In telling dogs to bark and bite! O Towser, thou didst little know How great the wreck thy wrath would show!
The man who says that childhood's woes Are small, but little childhood knows. The children wept and scolded sore, And Towser they would love no more!
But through their tears like summer rain, The sun of hope shone out again. One glad discovery came to light, "The pumpkin isn't hurt a mite!"
What did it matter after that If Helen's head and Helen's hat Were badly damaged by the fall? The pumpkin was not harmed at all!
"Cheer up!" cried Carl. "Nell, do not cry! It still will make a monstrous pie. Your hat's all right. 'Twas pretty old, And mother, I am sure, won't scold!"
They dried their tears and soon did start To seek their steed and broken cart. Towser, who waited them hard by, But wagged his tail and winked his eye!
The cart was broken, harness, too, But these young folks knew what to do. The saw and hammer quick they brought, And all their skill and wisdom sought.
The wagon was in such a plight, To mend it took till almost night. The boys their anger soon forgot, And Helen, too, the aching spot.
Towser so penitent appeared, They did not chide, because they feared To grieve him. So repose he sought While they repaired the ill he'd wrought.
At last 'twas done, and Towser stood Harnessed and vowing to be good. They rolled it in, and to the door The pumpkin now with joy they bore!
Yet Charlie held to Towser's rein, Lest he should chase a dog again. But never horse more faithful proved Than Towser to the lads he loved.
And mother met them at the door: "I never saw the like before!" Was what she said; and her surprise Was better than a hundred pies!
Thanksgiving Day was drawing near With memories of a happy year. The children to the woodshed went And to the axe their backs they bent,
In golden crescents cut their prize To make it into pumpkin pies; Yet saved the seeds to plant next spring, That these might other pumpkins bring.
A smaller pumpkin had they still, And carved it out with wondrous skill. Made eyes and mouth, put in a light, A funny lantern 'twas at night!
Then mother cooked each golden slice, And seasoned it with sweet and spice, And rolled the crust so crisp and thin To bake the precious pumpkin in.
The children pressed the table nigh, Until the oven claimed the pie, And then with appetites most keen They scraped the pan and licked it clean.
Old Towser, who was always there, Looked up and seemed to want a share. When their share ended his began, For after them he licked the pan.
And so Thanksgiving Day came round, And at the church our children found. They sat quite still, and did no wrong, But, oh, that sermon seemed so long!
The minister to the people read The words the governor had said, And told the reasons why, thought he, They all should very thankful be.
The children homeward took their way, Thankful for pumpkin pie that day. Old Towser shared their homeward pace With solemn look and Sunday face.
When half the turkey disappeared, And all the table had been cleared, Father and mother said that they Had had enough to eat that day.
But all the children said, "Not I! We're ready now for pumpkin pie!" So mother cut them each a slice, And, bless my heart, but it was nice!
Fred took a great delicious bite, And Carl one larger had in sight. But Helen said, "Towser, come here! I'll give you half of mine, you dear!"
CONCLUSION
Now you who've read this story through Will know next spring just what to do. For patience and hard work, you know, Are needed to make pumpkins grow.
To raise a pumpkin pie, you need Some other things than pumpkin seed. But patience seeds take long to grow, And now's the time of year to sow!
If all you children do your best, Mother will gladly do the rest. And when Thanksgiving Day draws nigh I hope you'll get your pumpkin pie.
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