Chapter 3

When Charlotte is playing croquet, The neighbors come over to see, The grocer is tempted to stay, The butcher's boy gives advice free, The doctor, forgetting his care, Will linger a bit on his way. There are partners enough and to spare, When Charlotte is playing croquet.

HANNAH G. FERNALD.

THE SCARECROW

He doesn't wander up and down And hoarsely call all day, "O' clo'! O' clo'!" This old-clothes man Has not a word to say.

He stands so stiff among the corn, His one stiff arm stuck out, And points a musket at the crows That circle all about.

He doesn't tramp the dusty streets, Nor travel, ankle-deep, Through mush and slush, but quiet stands Where baby corn-cobs sleep.

He's such a funny old-clothes man! I wonder if it's hard To stand amid the growing corn All summer long on guard.