The biter bit, or, The sad end of a tail

UF00056235_00001.pdf

NEW" VOR FE. «& «J.-B. YOUNG. AND CO,
COOPER UNION, FOURTH AVENUE.



=



Ge eT ee TT te cae an i i

The Baldwin Library











eget

OR,

The Sad End of a Tail

VSN ND US RATED Be Wel av wos he.

NEW YORK: E.-& J. 3By YOUNG.AN Pc ©),
COOPER UNION, FOURTH AVENUE

1889,



He BiG e kh Pia.

OR,

THe Sap Enp oF aA TAIL.

“NX 7ES, my dear, it is a very long time since we had them to a party. You are
quite right, and we certainly have been to their Cornstack to tea again
and again, and ought to make them some return.” So said Mr Ficldmouse, as
he took his afternoon walk arm-in-arm with his faithful spouse
“Well, my dear,” said she, “I have often told you we ought to have them,
but you wouldn’t listen.” .
“That was in the winter, my love, and I had work enough to find food for



4 LR Leta 15 LATE) ea BLO

us all, without entertaining beyond our means, but now we have a nice ripe field



of corn, besides berries, fruits, and young nuts, and we certainly might ask them
to an evening party.”



z

CHE BILLER BLL.

“Shall I send out the invitations at once?” said she.





6 THE BITER BLS,



“Ves, do, and get that active little fellow, Harvest-mouse, to leave them; he
will be sure to do it quickly and well.”

“Whom are we to ask?”

“Well,” said Mr. Fieldmouse, “our cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Mouse and party,
from the Cornstack; Master Dormouse, although he is a sleepy fellow, and not
much good at a party; our Fieldmice brothers and sisters; the Voles, and the
Shrews. We can hire the blind fiddler, Mole, and Froggy to play the banjo, and
some bees to hum the tunes as well”

“But, my dear,” said Mrs Fieldmouse, “the bees will be above coming to play
at our party.”

“Oh, no, my love, they are only in a humble way, and will be glad to play
for a good supper.”

“Very well, my dear, that’s all settled.” And off that afternoon went
the invitations, each delivered by the sharp little Harvest-mouse at its proper
destination.

The Cornstack was a scene of great excitement when the invitation arrived,



TLASILA TS Le 7



and loud were the enquiries of the little mice. “What shall we wear?” “How
shall we get dresses in time?” “What is to be done?” “We must be well dressed,





8 THE BITER BIT.

for they don’t ask us often, and are very exclusive.” Well, that night, after visiting
the woods and the garden at the Manor House close by, Mrs. Mouse returned laden



with flowers, leaves, acorns, grasses, feathers and what not in which to array her
clamouring and excited offspring; articles of dress that for colour, taste and fit would



THE BITER BLT. 9



have made a West End draper envious. None of the little mice slept a wink that
day for thinking of the evening, which at last came. What a trying on of dresses
and hats and collars there was, and it was a long time before all were satisfied that
they looked well enough. At last they were able to set off, but had not gone far
when a prowling retriever sent them all into fits. They hid, however, behind leaves,
and the dog, even if he smelt them, stalked majestically past, and they breathed
again.

After rearranging their dresses, somewhat ruffled by their hasty scramble for
shelter, off they went again, and reached Mrs. Fieldmouse’s ball-room in safety,
thanks to her forethought in getting glow-worms to stand at some of the darkest
parts of the road to prevent accidents, as well as to look pretty. The ball-room
was a nice clear space at the side of the cornfield, and was beautifully scented with
wild flowers.

Mrs. Fieldmouse received her guests at the entrance, and directly all had
assembled dancing began with spirit. Mole, the blind fiddler, scraped away,
and Froggy twanged on his banjo; the bees on a stalk above humming the tunes



i THE BITER BIT.

vigorously, so that everything went off brilliantly ; quadrille followed quadrille, and







THE BITER BIT, II
round dances trod on cach others’ heels—every one danced so hard. Perhaps our
young readers have never seen mice dancing a quadrille or waltz, but who knows
what they are doing when all good children are tucked-up for the night, Between
the dances a little light refreshment, of seeds was provided, but soon it became
evident that something more substantial would be welcome; so supper was
announced, and Mrs. Fieldmouse and Mr. Mouse led the way arm-in-arm.

They had only just reached the door of the supper-room when Mrs. Fieldmouse
gave a shrill scream and pointed to the table; all eyes were turned to see what
was the matter, and there, seated on one of the stools (toadstools, hired for the
occasion), was Master Dormouse quietly stuffing, and with his tail on the table, too.

He looked terribly fat and sleepy, and had hopelessly disarranged everything,
and the table, which had been set out so neatly, with little heaps of the season’s
dainties before each seat, was in confusion.

Yes, there he sat, a little greedy ball of fur as broad as long. While the rest
were dancing he had stolen quietly away, and had been eating for more than an
hour, selecting the best of everything from each place.



THE BILTER BIT.

Mrs. Ficldmouse was very much put out, but being well bred she did not say too





THE BITER BIT. 13



much about it, but soon had matters set right and more food brought. She did, how-





ee THE BITER BIT.



ever, say a few sarcastic words to Dormouse about his being still hungry, but they were
lost upon him, for he was by this time quite drowsy, and merely stared at her vacantly
with his big black eyes, which were starting out of his head, for all the world like
boot buttons. But he was soon forgotten, for there was a sumptuous spread of every
delicacy of the season: young nuts, with little tender juicy kernels ; corn, oats, barley,
and acorns; and last, but not least, some sweet pea seed which Mrs. Fieldmouse had
got at great risk and trouble from the gardener’s potting-shed at the Manor House.
It had been spread out to dry on a newspaper, and attracted her attention as she was
passing one night.

Every one was busy eating, and Froggy, who waited, was kept jumping about
to supply their numerous wants.

At last Mr. Mouse proposed the host and hostess’s health in a neat little speech,
thanking them for the great pleasure they had given them, and they all drank the
toast in dew out of the sweetest little cup moss goblets. All? No, not all, for
Dormouse had tumbled off his seat and was lying fast asleep—a shocking spectacle
of the result of intemperance. No one heeded him, and Mr. Fieldmouse was just



THE BITER BIT. US



about to return thanks for his wife and himself, when. crash! down came a paw



























































16 LHE BITER BLT.

bristling with claws, away in confusion scuttled everybody, and table and stools
were upset. It was a terrible moment, but all escaped except Dormouse, who was
so torpid he could not move. Some time later, when Mr. and Mrs. Fieldmouse
thought it safe to return home, they congratulated themselves that all was well
that ended well, and that they had all so narrowly escaped. They little knew that
they would never see Dormouse again.








7








L(g
iy iy




xml version 1.0 encoding UTF-8 standalone no
TEI xmlns http:www.tei-c.orgns1.0
teiHeader
fileDesc
titleStmt
title The biter bit, or, The sad end of a tail
author The biter bit, or, The sad end of a tail
publicationStmt
date 2015
distributor University of Florida Digital Collections
email ufdc@uflib.ufl.edu
idno http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00056235/00001
availability status restricted
p This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions may require permission of the copyright holder. The Smathers Libraries would like to learn more about this item and invite individuals or organizations to contact The Department of Special and Area Studies Collections (special@uflib.ufl.edu) with any additional information they can provide.
sourceDesc
biblFull
The biter bit, or, The sad end of a tail
Foster, William, 1853-1924
role Engraver Evans, Edmund, 1826-1905
Publisher E. & J.B. Young & Co
extent 16 p., [1] leaf of plates : col. ill. ; 13 x 20 cm.
publisher E. & J.B. Young and Co
pubPlace New York (Cooper Union Fourth Avenue)
1889
type ALEPH 002229907
NOTIS ALH0247
OCLC 31884935
This item is presumed to be in the public domain. The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries respect the intellectual property rights of others and do not claim any copyright interest in this item. Users of this work have responsibility for determining copyright status prior to reusing, publishing or reproducing this item for purposes other than what is allowed by fair use or other copyright exemptions. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions may require permission of the copyright holder. The Smathers Libraries would like to learn more about this item and invite individuals or organizations to contact The Department of Special and Area Studies Collections (special@uflib.ufl.edu) with any additional information they can provide.
notesStmt
note anchored true Title text "the biter bit" printed in red on title-page and on caption and running titles.
Chromoxylographs: frontispiece, text illustrations.
Preservation and Access for American and British Children's Literature, 1870-1889 (NEH PA-50860-00).
written and illustrated by William Foster ; engraved and printed by Edmund Evans.
encodingDesc
classDecl
taxonomy xml:id LCSH bibl Library of Congress Subject Headings
profileDesc
langUsage
language ident eng English
textClass
keywords scheme #LCSH
list
item Children -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
Mice -- Juvenile fiction
Entertaining -- Juvenile fiction
Parties -- Juvenile fiction
Gluttony -- Juvenile fiction
Dormice -- Juvenile fiction
Death -- Juvenile fiction
United States -- New York -- New York
Bldn -- 1889
revisionDesc
change when 2015-07-07 TEI auto-generated from digital resource
text
body
div Cover
head Front Cover
pb n 1 facs 00001.jpg
NEW YORK E. & J. B. YOUNG AND CO.,
COCl'I1k UNION, FOURTH AH\ENUL.
2 00002.jpg
1n BM U1 Llar
Frontispiece
3 00004.jpg
~r.
..t '~ ---ci-
ri-p ~~
~i~~-~~af iS~r j
~ ?ti-
-. -\suaLr
i~iBB~c;yg~! ~ks~~s~ ~F~lk~;~?~:rc~;';~i98Cii~'' ~g~ ~~--
~url
~. ~;~iE%~;~F4~1Lr~;i~yf~;~;~.~~ r~lsEPIC~;r~;-t-~p~j.Ta 3djl~9lsT~~Yk~3PJ-~,r
r.
i'B .Y,
i;
.I :I
;z
~~(I!
:*~f~p ~d~ ~
Title
Title Page
4 00005.jpg
THE BITER BIT;
OR,
The Sad End of a Tail.
WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY WILLIAM FOSTER.
ENGRAVED AND I'INTT I) BYD EDMUND EVA'S.
NEW YORK: E. & J. B. YOUNG AND CO,
COOPER UNION, FOURTH AVENUE
i889.
Chapter
Content
5 00006.jpg
THE BITER BIT;
OR,
THE SAD END OF A TAIL.
"Y ES, my dear, it is a very long time since we had them to a party. You are
quite right, and we certainly have been to their Cornstack to tea again
and again, and ought to make them some return." So said Mr Ficldmouse, as
he took his afternoon walk arm-in-arm with his faithful spouse
"Well, my dear," said she, I have often told you we ought to have them,
but you wouldn't listen."
"That was in the winter, my love, and I had work enough to find food for
6 00007.jpg
4 TiA f/TER BIT.
us all, without entertaining beyond our means, but now we have a nice ripe field
of corn, besides berries, fruits, and young nuts, and we certainly might ask them
to an evening party."
7 00008.jpg
THE BITER BIfT.
"Shall I send out the invitations at once?" said she.
fr _
', ,i -. 1
8 00009.jpg
6 THE BITER BIT.
"Yes, do, and get that active little fellow, Harvest-mouse, to leave them; he
will be sure to do it quickly and well."
"Whom are we to ask ?"
"Well," said Mr. Fieldmouse, "our cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Mouse and party,
from the Cornstack; Master Dormouse, although he is a sleepy fellow, and not
much good at a party; our Fieldmice brothers and sisters; the Voles, and the
Shrews. We can hire the blind fiddler, Mole, and Froggy to play the banjo, and
some bees to hum the tunes as well"
But, my dear," said Mrs Fieldmouse, "the bees will be above coming to play
at our party."
"Oh, no, my love, they are only in a humble way, and will be glad to play
for a good supper."
"Very well, my dear, that's all settled." And off that afternoon went
the invitations, each delivered by the sharp little Harvest-mouse at its proper
destination.
The Cornstack was a scene of great excitement when the invitation arrived,
9 00010.jpg
THE BITER BIT 7
and loud were the enquiries of the little mice. "What shall we wear?" How
shall we get dresses in time?" "What is to be done?" "We must be well dressed,
10 00011.jpg
8 71111, ]l/TI'R I/T.
for they don't ask us often, and are very exclusive." Well, that night, after visiting
the woods and the garden at the Manor House close by, Mrs. Mouse returned laden
with flowers, leaves, acorns, grasses, feathers and what not in which to array her
clamouring and excited offspring; articles of dress that for colour, taste and fit would
11 00012.jpg
77[/7' PfIYR IN T. 9
have made a West End draper envious. None of the little mice slept a wink that
day for thinking of the evening, which at last came. What a trying on of dresses
and hats and collars there was, and it was a long time before all were satisfied that
they looked well enough. At last they were able to set off, but had not gone far
when a prowling retriever sent them all into fits. They hid, however, behind leaves,
and the dog, even if he smelt them, stalked majestically past, and they breathed
again.
After rearranging their dresses, somewhat ruffled by their hasty scramble for
shelter, off they went again, and reached Mrs. Fieldmouse's ball-room in safety,
thanks to her forethought in getting glow-worms to stand at some of the darkest
parts of the road to prevent accidents, as well as to look pretty. The ball-room
was a nice clear space at the side of the cornfield, and was beautifully scented with
wild flowers.
Mrs. Fieldmouse received her guests at the entrance, and directly all had
assembled dancing began with spirit. Mole, the blind fiddler, scraped away,
and Froggy twanged on his banjo; the bees on a stalk above humming the tunes
12 00013.jpg
10 THE BITER B3IT
vigorously, so that everything went off brilliantly; quadrille followed quadrille, and
r*TfS^ \ .. A/ ,.
"~.~ ,4 '
Y7 ;.. .. >, -. -
,,< <:+_ ..:_
.
il'l
I.,,,,t /+
13 00014.jpg
THE BITER BIT. If
round dances trod on each others' heels-every one danced so hard. Perhaps our
young readers have never seen mice dancing a quadrille or waltz, but who knows
what they are doing when all good children are tucked-up for the night. Between
the dances a little light refreshment, of seeds was provided, but soon it became
evident that something more substantial would be welcome; so supper was
announced, and Mrs. Fieldmouse and Mr. Mouse led the way arm-in-arm.
They had only just reached the door of the supper-room when Mrs. Fieldmouse
gave a shrill scream and pointed to the table; all eyes were turned to see what
was the matter, and there, seated on one of the stools (toadstools, hired for the
occasion), was Master Dormouse quietly stuffing, and with his tail on the table, too.
He looked terribly fat and sleepy, and had hopelessly disarranged everything,
and the table, which had been set out so neatly, with little heaps of the season's
dainties before each seat, was in confusion.
Yes, there he sat, a little greedy ball of fur as broad as long. While the rest
were dancing he had stolen quietly away, and had been eating for more than an
hour, selecting the best of everything from each place.
14 00015.jpg
12 THE BITER BIT.
Mrs. Fieldmouse was very much put out, but being well bred she did not say too
V.* ,-
15 00016.jpg
THE BIITER BIT. 13
much about it, but soon had matters set right and more food brought. She did, how-
/ ,//- ...
1/k
16 00017.jpg
14 THE BITER BIT.
ever, say a few sarcastic words to Dormouse about his being still hungry, but they were
lost upon him, for he was by this time quite drowsy, and merely stared at her vacantly
with his big black eyes, which were starting out of his head, for all the world like
boot buttons. But he was soon forgotten, for there was a sumptuous spread of every
delicacy of the season: young nuts, with little tender juicy kernels; corn, oats, barley,
and acorns; and last, but not least, some sweet pea seed which Mrs. Fieldmouse had
got at great risk and trouble from the gardener's potting-shed at the Manor House.
It had been spread out to dry on a newspaper, and attracted her attention as she was
passing one night.
Every one was busy eating, and Froggy, who waited, was kept jumping about
to supply their numerous wants.
At last Mr. Mouse proposed the host and hostess's health in a neat little speech,
thanking them for the great pleasure they had given them, and they all drank the
toast in dew out of the sweetest little cup moss goblets. All? No, not all, for
Dormouse had tumbled off his seat and was lying fast asleep-a shocking spectacle
of the result of intemperance. No one heeded him, and Mr. Fieldmouse was just
17 00018.jpg
THE BITER BIT. I5
about to return thanks for his wife and himself, when crash! down came a paw
. ...>
g"
.. ~ ~I -- -i
18 00019.jpg
16 THE B/'IT'R BIT.
bristling with claws, away in confusion scuttled everybody, and table and stools
were upset. It was a terrible moment, but all escaped except Dormouse, who was
so torpid he could not move. Some time later, when Mr. and Mrs. Ficldmouse
thought it safe to return home, they congratulated themselves that all was well
that ended well, and that they had all so narrowly escaped. They little knew that
they would never see Dormouse again.
S ',2
Back Cover
19 00022.jpg
20 00023.jpg
My
r9'
p~- .E-. _






NEW" VOR FE. «& «J.-B. YOUNG. AND CO,
COOPER UNION, FOURTH AVENUE.
=



Ge eT ee TT te cae an i i

The Baldwin Library





eget

OR,

The Sad End of a Tail

VSN ND US RATED Be Wel av wos he.

NEW YORK: E.-& J. 3By YOUNG.AN Pc ©),
COOPER UNION, FOURTH AVENUE

1889,
He BiG e kh Pia.

OR,

THe Sap Enp oF aA TAIL.

“NX 7ES, my dear, it is a very long time since we had them to a party. You are
quite right, and we certainly have been to their Cornstack to tea again
and again, and ought to make them some return.” So said Mr Ficldmouse, as
he took his afternoon walk arm-in-arm with his faithful spouse
“Well, my dear,” said she, “I have often told you we ought to have them,
but you wouldn’t listen.” .
“That was in the winter, my love, and I had work enough to find food for
4 LR Leta 15 LATE) ea BLO

us all, without entertaining beyond our means, but now we have a nice ripe field



of corn, besides berries, fruits, and young nuts, and we certainly might ask them
to an evening party.”
z

CHE BILLER BLL.

“Shall I send out the invitations at once?” said she.


6 THE BITER BLS,



“Ves, do, and get that active little fellow, Harvest-mouse, to leave them; he
will be sure to do it quickly and well.”

“Whom are we to ask?”

“Well,” said Mr. Fieldmouse, “our cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Mouse and party,
from the Cornstack; Master Dormouse, although he is a sleepy fellow, and not
much good at a party; our Fieldmice brothers and sisters; the Voles, and the
Shrews. We can hire the blind fiddler, Mole, and Froggy to play the banjo, and
some bees to hum the tunes as well”

“But, my dear,” said Mrs Fieldmouse, “the bees will be above coming to play
at our party.”

“Oh, no, my love, they are only in a humble way, and will be glad to play
for a good supper.”

“Very well, my dear, that’s all settled.” And off that afternoon went
the invitations, each delivered by the sharp little Harvest-mouse at its proper
destination.

The Cornstack was a scene of great excitement when the invitation arrived,
TLASILA TS Le 7



and loud were the enquiries of the little mice. “What shall we wear?” “How
shall we get dresses in time?” “What is to be done?” “We must be well dressed,


8 THE BITER BIT.

for they don’t ask us often, and are very exclusive.” Well, that night, after visiting
the woods and the garden at the Manor House close by, Mrs. Mouse returned laden



with flowers, leaves, acorns, grasses, feathers and what not in which to array her
clamouring and excited offspring; articles of dress that for colour, taste and fit would
THE BITER BLT. 9



have made a West End draper envious. None of the little mice slept a wink that
day for thinking of the evening, which at last came. What a trying on of dresses
and hats and collars there was, and it was a long time before all were satisfied that
they looked well enough. At last they were able to set off, but had not gone far
when a prowling retriever sent them all into fits. They hid, however, behind leaves,
and the dog, even if he smelt them, stalked majestically past, and they breathed
again.

After rearranging their dresses, somewhat ruffled by their hasty scramble for
shelter, off they went again, and reached Mrs. Fieldmouse’s ball-room in safety,
thanks to her forethought in getting glow-worms to stand at some of the darkest
parts of the road to prevent accidents, as well as to look pretty. The ball-room
was a nice clear space at the side of the cornfield, and was beautifully scented with
wild flowers.

Mrs. Fieldmouse received her guests at the entrance, and directly all had
assembled dancing began with spirit. Mole, the blind fiddler, scraped away,
and Froggy twanged on his banjo; the bees on a stalk above humming the tunes
i THE BITER BIT.

vigorously, so that everything went off brilliantly ; quadrille followed quadrille, and




THE BITER BIT, II
round dances trod on cach others’ heels—every one danced so hard. Perhaps our
young readers have never seen mice dancing a quadrille or waltz, but who knows
what they are doing when all good children are tucked-up for the night, Between
the dances a little light refreshment, of seeds was provided, but soon it became
evident that something more substantial would be welcome; so supper was
announced, and Mrs. Fieldmouse and Mr. Mouse led the way arm-in-arm.

They had only just reached the door of the supper-room when Mrs. Fieldmouse
gave a shrill scream and pointed to the table; all eyes were turned to see what
was the matter, and there, seated on one of the stools (toadstools, hired for the
occasion), was Master Dormouse quietly stuffing, and with his tail on the table, too.

He looked terribly fat and sleepy, and had hopelessly disarranged everything,
and the table, which had been set out so neatly, with little heaps of the season’s
dainties before each seat, was in confusion.

Yes, there he sat, a little greedy ball of fur as broad as long. While the rest
were dancing he had stolen quietly away, and had been eating for more than an
hour, selecting the best of everything from each place.
THE BILTER BIT.

Mrs. Ficldmouse was very much put out, but being well bred she did not say too


THE BITER BIT. 13



much about it, but soon had matters set right and more food brought. She did, how-


ee THE BITER BIT.



ever, say a few sarcastic words to Dormouse about his being still hungry, but they were
lost upon him, for he was by this time quite drowsy, and merely stared at her vacantly
with his big black eyes, which were starting out of his head, for all the world like
boot buttons. But he was soon forgotten, for there was a sumptuous spread of every
delicacy of the season: young nuts, with little tender juicy kernels ; corn, oats, barley,
and acorns; and last, but not least, some sweet pea seed which Mrs. Fieldmouse had
got at great risk and trouble from the gardener’s potting-shed at the Manor House.
It had been spread out to dry on a newspaper, and attracted her attention as she was
passing one night.

Every one was busy eating, and Froggy, who waited, was kept jumping about
to supply their numerous wants.

At last Mr. Mouse proposed the host and hostess’s health in a neat little speech,
thanking them for the great pleasure they had given them, and they all drank the
toast in dew out of the sweetest little cup moss goblets. All? No, not all, for
Dormouse had tumbled off his seat and was lying fast asleep—a shocking spectacle
of the result of intemperance. No one heeded him, and Mr. Fieldmouse was just
THE BITER BIT. US



about to return thanks for his wife and himself, when. crash! down came a paw
























































16 LHE BITER BLT.

bristling with claws, away in confusion scuttled everybody, and table and stools
were upset. It was a terrible moment, but all escaped except Dormouse, who was
so torpid he could not move. Some time later, when Mr. and Mrs. Fieldmouse
thought it safe to return home, they congratulated themselves that all was well
that ended well, and that they had all so narrowly escaped. They little knew that
they would never see Dormouse again.


7








L(g
iy iy