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Runaway Donkey and Other Rhymes for Children

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[Pg 74] <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/074.jpg" alt="Stood Barney, groomed and fed" style="width: 50%" /></div> <h2>OLD BARNEY'S LATEST PRANK</h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> One sunny winter morning The air was crisp and still, And snow on snow lay drifted deep On every road and hill. </div> <div class="stanza"> In cosy stable comfort Stood Barney, groomed and fed: But wistful thoughts of out-of-doors Were in his long-eared head. [Pg 75]</div> <div class="stanza"> "To be a beast of leisure Is elegant, no doubt," Thought Barney, "but it's very dull." Just then he heard a shout, </div> <div class="stanza"> A battering and banging,— Then doors were opened wide, And madcap Helen and her chum Rushed noisily inside. </div> <div class="stanza"> "Where's Barney? Where's the harness? And where's the Barney sleigh? See, Minna, here's our donkey dear, We'll have some fun to-day." </div> <div class="stanza"> The donkey soon was harnessed, And loud their laughter rang, As up into the outgrown sleigh The jolly comrades sprang. </div> <div class="stanza"> The sleigh-bells jingled gayly, And many a compliment Did Barney get as o'er the snow At steady pace he went. </div> <div class="stanza"> "How very good and docile," Said Minna, "Barney is! I never thought he'd settle down, [Pg 76] To be as staid as this!" </div> <div class="stanza"> "He does seem tame," said Helen, "It's very strange to think That he's too old for playing jokes." (Here Barney gave a wink.) </div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/076.jpg" alt="The sleigh-bells jingled gayly" style="width: 50%" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> "But what a day for coasting! And isn't this a climb? Just think how we'll spin down the hill— We'll have the gayest time." [Pg 77]</div> <div class="stanza"> Up, up the hill toiled Barney, The long, steep, slipp'ry road; The sleigh with those substantial girls Was not an easy load. </div> <div class="stanza"> At last with tugs and straining He reached the very top, And Barney to his great delight Was here allowed to stop. </div> <div class="stanza"> Here, too, he was unharnessed, As if to have a rest; What work the girls had planned for him Old Barney never guessed. </div> <div class="stanza"> "He'll follow," said his mistress, "He loves to follow so. He'll chase right on behind the sleigh, As coasting down we go. </div> <div class="stanza"> "Then when we're at the bottom—" No more did Barney hear. They'd let him follow as he liked, Enough that this was clear. </div> <div class="stanza"> A push—the sleigh went speeding Adown the coasting place. "Come, Barney! Good old fellow! Come! [Pg 78] Come on! You like to chase." </div> <div class="stanza"> Then nothing loth, old Barney Behind the coasters ran. Thought he, "For girls and donkey too. This is a jolly plan." </div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/078.jpg" alt="Come, Barney! Good old fellow! Come!" style="width: 50%" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> "They knew I'd like this scamper; They're kind, I do declare. Some children would have coasted down And left me tied up there." [Pg 79]</div> <div class="stanza"> Full soon they reached the bottom, The girls and Barney too; And Barney learned to his dismay, What now he had to do. </div> <div class="stanza"> For speedily they hitched him Into the sleigh, and then "Aha! old Barney," shouted they, "Now drag us up again." </div> <div class="stanza"> In meekness puzzled Barney Submitted to their will. Perhaps this time the girls would drive Right on beyond the hill. </div> <div class="stanza"> With pulling, tugging, straining, Once more he reached the top, But scarcely long enough to breathe Was he allowed to stop. </div> <div class="stanza"> The girls with nimble fingers Unhitched him from the sleigh; "Come, Barney! Follow us again," He heard his mistress say. </div> <div class="stanza"> Well, following was pleasant, So, when they made a start, He scampered after, gay and free, [Pg 80] With mischief in his heart. </div> <div class="stanza"> Yet when they reached the bottom, So staid he looked and meek, That naught seemed farther from his mind Than joke or prank or freak. </div> <div class="stanza"> "Oh, this is fun!" said Helen, "I'll always coast this way; I hate to trudge back up the hill, And drag the sled or sleigh." </div> <div class="stanza"> "Yes, that's the worst of coasting, That tedious uphill climb; But Barney saves us all that tug, Let's coast a long, long time." </div> <div class="stanza"> They meant to harness Barney, And start at once uphill; But Barney thought the time had come His own plan to fulfil. </div> <div class="stanza"> So, just before his mistress The flying rein could seize, Old Barney gave a sudden leap, Escaping her with ease. <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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