fox’s sake and theirs—­ That they be taken back to the old tree; But father—­for our wistful sakes, no doubt—­ Said we would keep them, and would try our best To raise them.  And at once he set about Building a snug home for the little things Out of an old big bushel-basket, with Its fractured handle and its stoven ribs:  So, lining and padding this all cosily, He snuggled in its little tenants, and Called in John Wesley Thomas, our hired man, And gave him in full charge, with much advice Regarding the just care and sustenance of Young foxes.—­“John,” he said, “you feed ’em milk—­ Warm milk, John Wesley!  Yes, and keep ’em by The stove—­and keep your stove a-roarin’, too, Both night and day!—­And keep ’em covered up—­ Not smothered, John, but snug and comfortable.—­

* * * * *

[Illustration:  “THE YOUNG FOXES IN IT, ON THE HEARTH BESIDE HER.”]

* * * * *

  And now, John Wesley Thomas, first and last,—­
  You feed ’em milk—­fresh milk—­and always warm—­
  Say five or six or seven times a day—­
  Of course we’ll grade that by the way they thrive.” 
  But, for all sanguine hope, and care, as well,
  The little fellows did not thrive at all.—­
  Indeed, with all our care and vigilance,
  By the third day of their captivity
  The last survivor of the fated five
  Squeaked, like some battered little rubber toy
  Just clean worn out.—­And that’s just what it was!

  And—­nights,—­the cry of the mother-fox for her young
  Was heard, with awe, for long weeks afterward. 
  And we boys, every night, would go to the door
  And, peering out in the darkness, listening,
  Could hear the poor fox in the black bleak woods
  Still calling for her little ones in vain. 
  As, all mutely, we returned to the warm fireside,
  Mother would say:  “How would you like for me
  To be out there, this dark night, in the cold woods,
  Calling for my children?”

[Illustration]

* * * * *

II

UNCLE BRIGHTENS UP—­

[Illustration]

  Uncle he says ’at ’way down in the sea
  Ever’thing’s ist like it used to be:—­
  He says they’s mermaids, an’ mermens, too,
  An’ little merchildern, like me an’ you—­
  Little merboys, with tops an’ balls,
  An’ little mergirls, with little merdolls.

[Illustration]

  Uncle Sidney’s vurry proud
    Of little Leslie-Janey,
  ‘Cause she’s so smart, an’ goes to school
    Clean ’way in Pennsylvany!

* * * * *

[Illustration:  “AN’ ALL BE POETS AN’ ALL RECITE.”]

* * * * *