<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>PRECIOUS MOTHER GOOSE</h2>
<div class='cap'>AS the last animal came on deck and the
Noah boys hauled in the gang-plank,
the ark began rolling heavily, for the wind
was high and the water rough. "Are we
sure every one is aboard?" asked Captain
Noah,</div>
<div class='poem'>
"But best of all, my little dears,<br/>
<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">'Twill most delight your listening ears,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">So give with me three mighty cheers,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">To hear that sheltered by that truce,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Loved more than Monkey, Owl or Moose,</span><br/>
<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">In walked Your Precious Mother Goose!"</span><br/></div>
<p>If there was anyone more delighted than
Puss, Junior, he could not be found aboard
the Ark. To once more see Mother Goose
who had so kindly carried him on her Gander
many miles filled him with delight. He ran
forward to greet her as she alighted from her
faithful Gander.</p>
<p>"Mother Goose! Mother Goose!" cried
Puss, "I'm so glad to see you again."</p>
<p>"Let us go in. It's getting dreadfully wet
outside," she replied giving him a big hug.</p>
<p>Inside the cabin all was dry and cheerful.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</SPAN></span>
Mrs. Noah had the stove burning brightly
and her three daughter-in-laws were busy;
getting supper.</p>
<p>"Let me take your bonnet," said Mrs.
Noah and before that dear old lady could
remove her headgear, Mrs. Noah had taken
out the big pin and undone the strings.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/gs08.png" width-obs="270" height-obs="350" alt="Mother Goose and goose" title="" /></div>
<p>"There, make yourself comfortable," she
cried, pushing forward a rocking-chair.
"And have you found your father?" asked
the Gander, for he and Puss were having a
fine time talking over old times.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>"No, not yet," answered Puss sadly, "But
I hear he is Seneschal at the castle of my
Lord of Carabas."</p>
<p>"You must be patient," answered the Gander.
"And go in search of more adventures."</p>
<p>"Yes," answered Puss, "and I have with
me my good comrade, Tom Thumb."</p>
<p>"All ashore that's going ashore," shouted
the hoarse voice of Captain Noah. Then
came the tinkle-jingle of the bell and the Ark
quivered from bow to stern, and in another
moment was off on the dark waters.</p>
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