Red Riding Hood

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1863, by L. Prang & Co. in Clerk’s office of the district court of Mass.
There was a lonely cabin Within a dark, old wood, And in it, with her mother There dwelt Red Riding Hood.
The tall old trees above them Their winter fire supplied When Autumn’s flaming sunsets From their red leaves had died.
The rippling brook, their water From far off mountains brought; And prattled of their summits In icy statues wrought.
For them, the squirrels hoarded Their nuts in hollow trees; And pounds of sweetest honey Were made them by the bees;
To gather these together Was work enough to do; Little Red Riding Hood thought so, An so, no doubt, would you.
Blushing beneath her fingers Looked up the berries red; The flowers seemed to know her And listened for her tread.
For she was good and loving And beautiful as good, With daily acts of kindness, Little Red Riding Hood.
Afar off, in the forest, There lived her grandam old; And she was poor and needy, And often sick and cold.
And once a week, her grandchild Would walk the lonely wood, And carry little bundles Of faggots and of food.
One morn the mother started The maid upon her way, And said, “now you must carry To grandmamma to day.”
“This little pot of butter I’ve churned so nice and sweet; And mind not stop and prattle With any one you meet!”