The Hole Book

By PETER NEWELL HARPER & BROTHERS NEW YORK
Copyright, 1908, by Harper & Brothers. All rights reserved. Published October, 1908.
Tom Potts was fooling with a gun (Such follies should not be), When—bang! the pesky thing went off Most unexpectedly!
Tom didn’t know ’twas loaded, and It scared him ’most to death— He tumbled flat upon the floor And fairly gasped for breath.
Out in the kitchen Bridget Quinn Was busying about, When through the boiler crashed the shot And let the water out!
Out in the back yard Sister Sue, With “Sis” and Mabel Dunn, Was swinging underneath the trees, And having lots of fun,—
Just then an automobile passed, Its body painted green— The bullet struck its side and pierced The tank of gasolene.
An artist in a studio, Who had a medal won, Was painting on “A Laughing Boy,” Which work was all but done:
Old Granny Fink was sound asleep— As sound as one could wish; Beside her an aquarium Was standing, stocked with fish:
A lady came into a store Where animals were sold, To buy a parrot with a tongue That wouldn’t swear or scold;
Old Hagenschmit, behind his house, His new Dutch pipe was trying, When—bing! the bullet smashed the bowl And sent the pieces flying!