Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/579

 Notes and Queries. 231

When Johnny was dead and laid in his grave,

(Hem, haw, laid in his grave) The Devil came after him, but could n't him have,

(Hem, haw, he couldn't him have.)

And out of his grave there sprang up a tree,

(Hem, haw, there sprang up a tree) Which bore the best apples that ever you see,

(Hem, haw, that ever you see.)

When the apples were ripe and beginning to fall,

(Hem, haw, beginning to fall) Old Mother Pinkleton picked them up all,

(Hem, haw, she picked them up all).

Her apron was blue and her bonnet was straw,

(Hem, haw, her bonnet was straw) And she was the worst woman that ever you saw,

(Hem, haw, that ever you saw.)

She carried home the apples and put them on the shelf,

(Hem, haw, she put them on the shelf) If you want any more, you must sing it yourself,

(Hem, haw, you must sing it yourself.)

Pamela Mc Arthur Cole. East Bridgewater, Mass.

The Golden Bird. — In reply to inquiries concerning a fairy tale of this name, once familiar in my family, I have received the following reply from a correspondent (Mrs. Amanda M. Thrush, Plymouth, O.), who only imperfectly recollects the story : —

" Once there was a rich gentleman who had three daughters. The two oldest were gay and frivolous. They cared for nothing but grand dresses, and gay parties, and disliked their youngest sister very much, as she was very beautiful, and entirely different from them, caring nothing for their pleasures, but was devoted to, and a companion for her father. At last he thought he would travel ; so he called them together, and asked what he should bring them when he came back The two said a silk, and a new bonnet. The youngest said a ' Gold bird.' ' But what will I bring if I can't find one ? ' ' Not anything,' she replied. After travelling a long time, their father came back, and brought the presents the oldest ones had wanted, but nothing for the youngest. They laughed at her for her choice, but she was just as amiable as ever. After staying at home for a while, he wanted to travel again, and asked them as before what he should bring them. The two, as before wanted some finery, and the youngest said a gold bird. But again he came home, bringing presents the oldest ones wanted, but no gold bird. Well, the third time he went away, and they all made the same reply. This time he thought he would find the gold bird, for he loved his beautiful daughter more than the others, as they cared nothing for him, only for the money he had. This time he stayed so long

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