Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr.

<h2><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</SPAN></span> <SPAN name="wedding4" id="wedding4"></SPAN>PUSS IS WELCOMED AT THE WEDDING</h2> <p class="cap2">ALL the birds of the forest seemed to be at the wedding of Cock Robin and little Jenny Wren, as Puss, Jr., and his little friends sat down beneath a big tree. The little squirrel cuddled up to Puss, while the chipmunk sat close by. The muskrat and the beaver stood near at hand, while the rabbit and the old bullfrog, who had climbed off the squirrel's back, looked out from behind the tree trunk. They were the most timid of all, so they hid behind the tree.</p> <p>All the birds were singing as sweetly as could be. It was certainly very beautiful wedding music. Perhaps the most exquisite strains came from</p> <div class="block24"> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The Blackbird and the Thrush,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And charming Nightingale,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Whose soft note sweetly echoes<br/></span> <span class="i2">Through every grove and dale;<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">The Bullfinch walked by Robin,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And thus to him did say:<br/></span> <span class="i0">"Pray mark, friend Robin Redbreast,<br/></span> <span class="i2">That Goldfinch dressed so gay;<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</SPAN></span><br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">"What though her gay apparel<br/></span> <span class="i2">Becomes her very well,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Yet Jenny's modest dress and look<br/></span> <span class="i2">Must bear away the bell."<br/></span></div> </div></div> <p>Just then Parson Rook looked over at them. "Why, Puss in Boots, Junior!" he called out. "Come over here," and, turning to the wedding guests, he said: "There is the son of the famous Puss in Boots. We are honored to have so illustrious a person with us. And delighted, too, for he is a great traveler and a jolly good fellow."</p> <p>Puss, Jr., arose and bowed.</p> <p>"Bring your little friends with you, also," said Parson Rook, "for all the forest folk are welcome. Who is there more loved, I would like to know, than Robin Redbreast and little Jenny Wren?"</p> <p>"Nobody!" croaked the old bullfrog.</p> <p>"No one," said Puss, Jr.</p> <p>"We all love Robin and Jenny," cried the squirrel and the chipmunk.</p> <p>"And so do I," "And so do I," cried the beaver and the rabbit together. As they finished the birds began to sing the wedding-march.</p> <div class="block24"> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Then came the bride and bridegroom,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Quite plainly was she dressed,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And blushed so much, her cheeks were<br/></span> <span class="i2">As red as Robin's breast.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</SPAN></span><br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">But Robin cheered her up;<br/></span> <span class="i2">"My pretty Jen," said he,<br/></span> <span class="i0">"We're going to be married,<br/></span> <span class="i2">And happy we shall be."<br/></span></div> </div></div> <p>"I'm going to give her a gold piece for good luck," whispered Puss.</p> <p>"I've got a nut," said the little squirrel.</p> <p>"And so have I!" said the chipmunk. "We'll each give her a nut."</p> <p>"I'll give her a fresh-water pearl," said the old bullfrog.</p> <p>The rabbit and the beaver looked at each other. "We'll have to run home and get something," they cried.</p> <hr /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />