  Farmer Green hadn't finished ploughing his first furrow before Mr. Blackbird and Grandfather Mole began breakfasting on the angleworms that the plough turned up. Very soon Mr. Blackbird began to regret his bargain with Grandfather Mole, for Grandfather was even a greater eater than Mr. Blackbird had supposed. Mr. Blackbird began to be afraid that there wouldn't be worms enough left for himself. "This is a fine place to dig," he remarked to Grandfather Mole in what And after that Grandfather Mole couldn't resist burrowing in the loose earth now and then. It pleased Mr. Blackbird to see him amuse himself in that fashion, because while he was digging Grandfather Mole lost his chance at a good many angleworms. They found their way quickly down Mr. Blackbird's throat. And it was not long before he was in the best of spirits. Day after day while the spring ploughing went on, the strange pair followed the plough together. And since Grandfather Mole spent more than half the time in digging, Mr. Blackbird felt that on the whole their bargain had proved a good one. When Farmer Green had finished the "And now"—he said—"now it's your turn to carry out your part of the bargain. I showed you where the food was plentiful; and it's time for you to begin furnishing me twenty fat angleworms a day." Grandfather Mole was amazed. There hadn't been a word said about the number of angleworms he was to supply Mr. Blackbird. "Twenty!" he exclaimed. "Nobody said 'twenty!'" "That's so," said Mr. Blackbird. "It was forty." Grandfather Mole was staggered. But he didn't dare object again, for fear Mr. Blackbird would double the number once more and make it eighty. "Agreed!" he cried. "And I'll have "Midnight!" Mr. Blackbird repeated after him, in great surprise. "Nothing was said about 'midnight!'" "That's so!" Grandfather Mole admitted. "It was one o'clock in the morning." And in spite of everything Mr. Blackbird said, Grandfather Mole wouldn't change the time. Everybody knew that he was very stubborn. "A hundred angleworms in the middle of the night wouldn't do me any good," Mr. Blackbird complained. "I'm always asleep at that time." "You'd better change your habits," Grandfather Mole replied. "You ought to be glad to change your hours for sleep, if it would make things easier for you." Now that was very like the sort of remark that Mr. Blackbird himself had But that speech did not trouble Grandfather Mole. "It's everybody else that's queer—and not I!" he declared.
SLEEPY-TIME TALES (Trademark Registered) By ARTHUR SCOTT BAILEY AUTHOR OF THE TUCK-ME-IN TALES and SLUMBER-TOWN TALES Colored Wrapper and Text Illustrations Drawn by HARRY L. SMITH This series of animal stories for children from three to eight years, tells of the adventures of the four-footed creatures of our American woods and fields in an amusing way, which delights small two-footed human beings. THE TALE OF CUFFY BEAR Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York TUCK-ME-IN TALES (Trademark Registered) By ARTHUR SCOTT BAILEY AUTHOR OF THE SLEEPY-TIME TALES and SLUMBER-TOWN TALES Colored Wrapper and Text Illustrations Drawn by HARRY L. SMITH A delightful and unusual series of bird and insect stories for boys and girls from three to eight years old, or thereabouts. THE TALE OF JOLLY ROBIN Jolly Robin spreads happiness everywhere with his merry song. THE TALE OF OLD MR. CROW A wise bird was Mr. Crow. He'd laugh when any one tried to catch him. THE TALE OF SOLOMON OWL Solomon Owl looked so solemn that many people thought he knew everything. THE TALE OF JASPER JAY Jasper Jay was very mischievous. But many of his neighbors liked him. THE TALE OF RUSTY WREN Rusty Wren fought bravely to keep all strangers out of his house. THE TALE OF DADDY LONG-LEGS Daddy Long-Legs could point in all directions at once—with his different legs. THE TALE OF KIDDIE KATYDID He was a musical person and chanted all night during the autumn. THE TALE OF BETSY BUTTERFLY Betsy spent most of her time among the flowers. THE TALE OF BUSTER BUMBLEBEE Buster was clumsy and blundering, but was known far and wide. THE TALE OF FREDDIE FIREFLY Freddie had great sport dancing in the meadow and flashing his light. THE TALE OF BOBBY BOBOLINK Bobby had a wonderful voice and loved to sing. THE TALE OF CHIRPY CRICKET Chirpy to stroll about after dark and "chirp." THE TALE OF MRS. LADYBUG Mrs. Ladybug loved to find out what her neighbors were doing and to give them advice. Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York Sleepy-Time Tales (Trademark Registered) By ARTHUR SCOTT BAILEY Wrappers and illustrations in color. These little books for little people tell of the adventures of the four-footed creatures of our American woods and fields in an amusing way which delights small two-footed human beings; and at the same time, in the shortcomings of Cuffy Bear and his neighbors, children are quick to recognize their own faults and to take home the obvious lessons. Tuck-Me-In Tales (Trademark Registered) By ARTHUR SCOTT BAILEY Wrappers and illustrations in color. The stories of Jolly Robin, Old Mr. Crow and the other birds are as unusual as they are delightful, since this is almost the first time these feathered friends of the kiddies have appeared in print. These bird stories, like the Sleepy-Time animal stories, are based upon actual natural history facts, but while the youngster eagerly listens to them, a moral foundation, of deeper importance than that in natural history, is being laid. Slumber-Town Tales (Trademark Registered) By ARTHUR SCOTT BAILEY Wrappers and illustrations in color. The kiddies will love these fascinating stories of Farmyard Folk, which tell of the daily doings of Muley Cow, Old Dog Spot, and their companions. These tales will show them that they have much in common with Henrietta Hen and the others, and will develop in them a wholesome respect for those good friends. Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will be renamed. |
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