VIIJULYleo The July house was an old, old house, The July house
At first Amos and Ann stood a little in awe of the old man in the July house; but he looked so jolly and friendly, and J. M. seemed to know him so well, that they were soon set at ease. Little Ann made bold to ask him a question. “Do you remember the American Revolution?” she said. “My sakes alive, Ann!” cried Amos, a good deal embarrassed. But the old man did not seem at all offended. “Well,” he answered slowly, “I can tell you this much about it: “The little boys of ’76— “The little girls of ’76— Amos was inclined to think that maybe Ann’s question hadn’t been such a foolish one, after all. “Perhaps,” he ventured, “you knew my great-great-great-grandfather. Can you tell me anything about him, sir?” “I can tell you this,” the old man said:— “Your great-great-great-grandfather “He heard the tramp of horses “He watched how the townsfolk hurried “Your great-great-great-grandfather, “Why, I am the son of a soldier!” Amos cried, delighted. “Though I don’t know how you found it out, to be sure.” “Now, Amos,” the Journeying Man put in, “it’s only fair that you should give us your poem about a band.” Amos turned red. “My poem about a band!” he echoed. “I don’t know any poem about a band.” “One—two—three,” chimed an old grandfather clock on the stairs; and all at once the little boy, much to his astonishment, began to recite. This is what he recited:— “A band is such a brave, bright thing, “Sometimes it sounds for turning wheels,— “Sometimes it sounds for marching men, “I follow, follow on and on; The old man was plainly pleased with the verses; he told Amos that little boys had always felt that way about bands, and probably always would. “Wait a moment,” he said, as the Journeying Man made the move to go. “Did the June fellow tell them the story of Contrary Mary?” “Yes, he did,” the children answered in duet. “And oh, wasn’t she curious, sure enough?” “Well, she had a right to be queer,” the old man said meditatively. “She inherited queerness. Fact of the matter is, her family name was Queeribus. Let me tell you about her great-great-great-grandfather! “Old Quin Queeribus— “For each potato’s eyes he bought image “On every head of lettuce green— “Old Quin Queeribus— |