Page 38 - The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr.

Just then the beaver came panting up. "Whew!" he cried. "I'd rather travel by water than by land; but, anyhow,
I'm here. How do you think she will like my present?" and he held up a little gold ring.

"Just the thing!" cried Puss. "But where did you get it?"

"Oh, I found it on the bottom of the brook one day," replied the beaver, "so I picked it up and hung it on a
nail; I thought it might come in handy some day."

"When shall we give her the present?" asked the squirrel.

"Wait, wait," said Puss; "they are not yet married. Listen to Parson Rook:

"And will you have her, Robin, To be your wedded wife?" "Yes, I will," says Robin, "And love her all my
life."

"And will you have him, Jenny, Your husband now to be?" "Yes, I will," says Jenny, "And love him heartily!"

Then on her finger fair Cock Robin put the ring; "You're married now," says Parson Rook, While loud the lark
did sing:

"Happy be the bridegroom, And happy be the bride, And may not man, nor bird, nor beast, This happy pair
divide."

PUSS MAKES A NEW FRIEND AND GAINS A STEED

"Heigh-ho!" cried Puss, Jr., swinging his cane, as he marched merrily along--"heigh-ho for a short journey and
a happy ending!"

"Well said, my merrie Lord Cat," cried a voice. A tinker by the roadside looked up as Puss was about to pass
him by.

"If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. If turnips were watches, I'd wear one at my side. And if 'ifs' and
'ands' Were pots and pans, There'd be no work for tinkers!"

"I guess you are right, my good sir," said Puss, pausing and looking at the old tins that the tinker had set down
on the ground. "If wishes were horses, I'd have one at once, for four legs are better than two, and horses' legs
are meant to travel, while a cat's are not made especially for that purpose."

"You are an observing cat," said the tinker, with a twinkle in his eye.

"I speak from experience, my good man," said Puss, "for I have used my legs for traveling these many miles,
and when I look at a horse, I cannot help thinking he has the better of me as far as legs go."

"And when I look at my legs," said the tinker, "I think how well they would look astride of a good gray
horse."

"Let us both make a wish," suggested Puss, half in fun and half in earnest. "Wishes do come true at times, you
know."

"Very good," replied the tinker, "I'm wishing."

"And so am I," said Puss.