Abroad

by Unknown

Where shall we go to next? they still would say, And still they found new pleasures every day. At times Miss Earle took Bertie for a ride, With little Rose and Mabel side by side; And then their father took the elder two To see the picture galleries, and view Historic buildings, where they sometimes rested, And many a bit of history was suggested. They saw a wedding at the Madeleine, Then went to "Notre Dame," close by the Seine, And climbed the lofty tower, to see the view Which cannot be surpassed the whole world through. One day their father took them all to see A great museum, full as full could be Of rare old furniture, of every kind The artists of the "Middle Age" designed;— And precious things in silver and in gold, Made by the best artificers of old. Now while another way the party's eyes Are turned, "King Henry's Staircase" Bertie spies, And climbing up, with help from sister May, He calls to Dennis, when he gets half-way, "Come catch me quick!"—and then runs off, with peals Of merry laughter,—Dennis at his heels.

Where shall we go to next? they still would say,

And still they found new pleasures every day.

At times Miss Earle took Bertie for a ride,

With little Rose and Mabel side by side;

And then their father took the elder two

To see the picture galleries, and view

Historic buildings, where they sometimes rested,

And many a bit of history was suggested.

They saw a wedding at the Madeleine,

Then went to "Notre Dame," close by the Seine,

And climbed the lofty tower, to see the view

Which cannot be surpassed the whole world through.

One day their father took them all to see

A great museum, full as full could be

Of rare old furniture, of every kind

The artists of the "Middle Age" designed;—

And precious things in silver and in gold,

Made by the best artificers of old.

Now while another way the party's eyes

Are turned, "King Henry's Staircase" Bertie spies,

And climbing up, with help from sister May,

He calls to Dennis, when he gets half-way,

"Come catch me quick!"—and then runs off, with peals

Of merry laughter,—Dennis at his heels.

Bertie was first. "I've won the race," he cried; But soon upon his lips the triumph died, And Bertie back in fear to Dennis ran:— "Oh Dennis, look! I ran against that man! He shook and rattled so, and wagged his head, And gave me such a fright!" "Pooh!" Dennis said, "He will not hurt!" And then he made a bow:— Good-bye, old soldier, we must leave you now. Next afternoon, while at the Zoo', a little tale they heard Of the elephant that's there, and you shall hear it word for word.

Mumbo and Jumbo, two elephants great, From India travelled, and lived in state, In Paris the one, and in London the other: Now Mumbo and Jumbo were sister and brother. A warm invitation to Jumbo came, To cross the Atlantic and spread his fame. Said he, "I really don't want to go— But then, they're so pressing!—I can't say No!"

So away to America Jumbo went, But his sister Mumbo is quite content To stay with the children of Paris, for she Is as happy an elephant as could be: "I've a capital house, quite large and airy, Close by live the Ostrich and Dromedary, And we see our young friends every day," said she: "Oh, where is the Zoo' that would better suit me?"