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GRAND-DADDY WHISKERS - M.D.
GRAND-DADDY WHISKERS - M.D. NELLIE M. LEONARD Illustrated By
CARLE MICHEL BOOG
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I A MESSAGE PROM THE WOODFOLK
CHAPTER II BACK TO THE LAKE
CHAPTER III GRAND-DADDY BEGINS HIS WORK
CHAPTER IV DOT SQUEAKY'S SUMMER SCHOOL
CHAPTER V A WOODS FIRE
CHAPTER VI DR. WHISKER'S BUSY DAY
CHAPTER VII TWIN TAILS
CHAPTER VIII WIGGLE BORROWS THE AUTOMOBILE
CHAPTER IX AUTUMN LEAVES
CHAPTER X SNOWED IN
ILLUSTRATIONS
Somebody stole softly up behind him; two paws blindfolded his eyes
"All aboard for Pond Lily Lake!" he cried gaily
The heavy furniture cart was pulled down the last hill
"Will you walk into my parlor Dr. Whiskers?"
Dr. Whiskers worked deftly away setting the broken limb
Webbie Spider raised his paw
They worked bravely with Uncle Squeaky for captain
The little band began to play Silvy's Waltz
Dr. Whiskers twisted and pulled upon the hook
It was long past midnight when tired old Grand-daddy pulled off his boots.
"Fetch that creoline bottle Silvy" repeated Grand-daddy sternly.
"Hold your breath now"
They had good fun picking the brown nuts from the soft silky linings of
the burrs.
Sure enough next morning poor Buster could hardly see out of his eyes.
"And so" explained Uncle Squeaky "he went on a hop skip and jump like
this"
He folded his paws as Mammy had taught him long ago tossed his head high
and sang merrily.
GRAND-DADDY WHISKERS M.D.
CHAPTER I
A MESSAGE FROM THE WOODFOLK
Nimble-toes Field-mouse trotted briskly along the dark subway and up the
steep attic stairway in Mr. Giant's house. He had travelled a long way
from his woodland home and it was getting late. The door of the cosy attic
where Cousin Graymouse lived was ajar. Nimble-toes paused to get his
breath and peep in at the busy happy family.
Mother Graymouse sat in her rocking-chair singing to little Squealer.
Tiny Teenty and Buster Graymouse were playing upon the floor near by with
their cousins Wink and Wiggle Squeaky. Aunt Squeaky and Uncle Hezekiah
were busy around the stove. Grand-daddy and Granny Whiskers sat in the
chimney corner waiting patiently for their supper.
From the pantry came Silver Ears Graymouse and Dot Squeaky bringing food
to the table.
"I hope Limpy-toes Graymouse and Scamper Squeaky have not gone away"
thought Nimble-toes.
Somebody stole softly up behind him; two paws blindfolded his eyes.
"It is Limpy-toes" he guessed trying to be brave in that dark strange
place.
"Right you are Nimble-toes" laughed Limpy-toes. "Scamper and I have been
over to the store to get some cheese. I thought you were a burglar just
at first. Push open the door and trot in."
"It is Cousin Nimble-toes!" cried a noisy chorus of little mice.
"It is Nimble-toes Field-Mouse sure as I'm a mouse!" declared Uncle
Squeaky. "Welcome to our attic my lad."
[Illustration: Somebody stole softly up behind him two paws blindfolded
his eyes.]
"You must be hungry after your long tramp Nimble-toes" said Mother
Graymouse. "Supper is all ready."
The little mice crowded around their cousin from the Pond Lily Lake
country. They all talked at once squealing excitedly and asking all sorts
of questions until poor Nimble-toes was bewildered.
At last he climbed upon a little red stool and shouted in Uncle Squeaky's
ear:
"I've a message for Grand-daddy Whiskers. Please make 'em be still a
minute Uncle Hezekiah."
Uncle Squeaky rapped smartly upon the floor with his cane. At once there
was silence.
"Fetch your little stools and sit down to supper every last mouse of
you!" he commanded. "Let your victuals fill your mouths and stop your
noise. Nimble-toes has brought a word for Grand-daddy."
In a twinkling they were all seated around the long table. Nimble-toes sat
beside Grand-daddy so he could talk with him easily for Grand-daddy's
left ear had been torn in a trap and he was somewhat deaf.
"Now we are as still as mice" chuckled Grand-daddy. "Speak out
Nimble-toes."
"I have a message from our woodfolk Grand-daddy" began Nimble-toes. "No
one could write a letter so they told me what to say. I've said it
forty-'leven times lest I forget. The message is from Pa Field-Mouse
Squire Cricket Sir Spider Daddy Grasshopper Mr. Hop Toad and Mr. Jack
Rabbit. They bade me say this:
"Dr. Grand-daddy Whiskers--
"We woodfolk are sometimes sick; we need a doctor. We wish our children to
have a teacher. They must learn to read and write. Our wives must learn to
cook and sew. We wish to be civilized. We miss Uncle Squeaky's band.
Please come to Pond Lily Lake and help us."
"We'll come all right Nimble-toes" interrupted Wiggle.
"We'll surely come" promised Wink. "Hurrah for another summer at Pond
Lily Lake!"
"Hush! hush!" cried Mother Graymouse.
"You will put your noses in a dark corner instead of eating supper if you
interrupt again" warned Uncle Squeaky scowling at his excited twins.
"Are there many sick ones?" asked Grand-daddy.
"Squire Cricket has a sore throat Lady Spider is ailing and almost
everyone is sneezing" replied Nimble-toes.
"They really need you Grand-daddy" advised Aunt Belindy Squeaky.
"Our kiddies need the country sunshine after being shut up all winter in
this attic" added Mother Graymouse.
"Limpy-toes shall help Grand-daddy I'll be his nurse and Dot will make a
lovely school teacher" planned Silver Ears.
"I'd love to teach the little Spider Cricket and Grasshopper kiddies"
smiled Dot Squeaky.
"Ah there's lots of goodies down by the Lake!" reminded Buster. "There's
strawberries blueberries apples potatoes sweet corn--let's go right
away Grand-daddy."
Granny Whiskers sat silently rocking while the others chattered eagerly.
Grand-daddy watched her as she wiped away a tear and sighed wearily.
"What do you say Granny? You enjoyed last summer's vacation at the Lake
didn't you?" he asked.
"Ah Zenas it was pleasant enough; pleasant enough to be sure! But I
cannot bear to think of leaving our dear attic home. You went away last
winter with Hezekiah and Scamper. And what happened? Why we nearly
fretted our hearts out waiting for your return. Something was always
happening at the Lake. Baby Squealer got lost Wiggle 'most got drowned
Limpy-toes came near burning to death and the barn burned to the ground.
If you listen to me Zenas Whiskers you'll tell Pa Field-Mouse and his
neighbors that you cannot be their doctor. Let us stay safely in our attic
where there is nothing to harm us."
Grand-daddy looked sadly disappointed.
"I always wanted to live in the country and be a doctor Granny" he
sighed.
"Bless my stars Granny" laughed Uncle Squeaky "we found Squealer
without much fuss; Nimble-toes fished Wiggle out of the pond and
Limpy-toes didn't get even the patch on his trouser's knee scorched. To be
sure the barn did burn down. Lucky we were at the Lake I'm thinking.
Just take a nap Granny and forget your notion that this attic is the
safest spot in the world. Nimble-toes' coming has stirred up my Gipsy
blood. It is summertime again and the country is the place for your Uncle
Hezekiah. We'll start for the Lake as soon as we can pack our belongings
Nimble-toes. Let me give you some more pudding."
"I really feel called to go Granny" argued Grand-daddy earnestly. "Just
think of those kiddies who cannot read or write. You can help Betsey and
Belindy teach their mothers how to make these delicious puddings and
cookies. You can help me brew medicines. Think of those poor kiddies as
sweet and good as our own pretty ones and they may be having the colic
or the tooth-ache the whooping-cough or the measles and never a doctor
to dose 'em with peppermint and cure-all salve. I see that you and I are
needed at the Lake."
Granny began to look interested.
"I suppose so Zenas I suppose so. I know you are a good doctor a grand
doctor indeed. But it's a big risk to leave our cosy attic home and
travel amid dangers."
"We will go Granny" decided Grand-daddy. "I promise you solemnly that
Hezekiah and I will take good care of our big family and bring you all
back safe and sound before snow flies."
Granny still looked worried.
"Ah well Zenas we shall see! Ah yes we shall see!" she sighed as she
sipped her tea.
After supper the little mice had to show Nimble-toes all the wonderful
toys that Uncle and Grand-daddy had brought from the city.
Uncle Squeaky began to pull out boxes and bags in which to pack his shirts
and neckties.
"Hurrah Grand-daddy!" he cried. "I'm as excited as the kiddies. Bless my
stars but they are giving Nimble-toes a jolly good time! Pond Lily Lake
until snow flies ah but it's a great country down there!"
"I'm a-thinking if I do much doctoring and we fetch greedy Buster little
Squealer and those mischievous twinnies of yours home safe and sound
that it will not be all vacation fun between now and snow-time" said
Grand-daddy. "Better tuck the kiddies into the blankets early Hezekiah.
We have a busy day ahead of us on the morrow."
CHAPTER II
BACK TO THE LAKE
Their attic home was a bare-looking place by the next evening. All day
long the little mice had trotted down the dark subway carrying their
treasures to the entrance near Mr. Giant's back doorstep. Here was hidden
the cart which Grand-daddy had made from a stout box and four big spools.
It was piled high with furniture boxes of food and clothing and all
sorts of supplies.
Dot and Silver Ears had rummaged in Mrs. Giant's trunk and chosen pretty
pieces of cloth from which they could make dainty summer gowns. Aunt
Squeaky and Mother Graymouse had spent the day baking ginger cookies
jelly tarts and other goodies. Granny Whiskers had helped Grand-daddy
make a stout bag and packed it with his precious medicines.
Near their furniture cart stood the wonderful automobile which Limpy-toes
had invented and built in the long winter evenings. He had taken the
wheels and springs from an old clock in the attic. The whole family was
quite proud of Limpy-toes' automobile. Early the next morning he meant to
make a trial trip and take Dr. Grand-daddy to the Lake.
"Please let me ride with you and Grand-daddy Limpy-toes?" begged Buster.
"Better not Buster Boy" grinned Uncle Squeaky. "There's a whole load of
goodies on our cart. Mammy and Aunt Belindy baked lots of good stuff to
eat."
"Mammy will give me some cakes in my pocket. I want to ride in the
automobile. Please let me Limpy?"
"All right" agreed Limpy-toes good-naturedly. "Cousin Nimble-toes may
ride also."
Nimble-toes opened his eyes wide.
"Excuse me if you please Limpy-toes" he said quickly. "I will help
Uncle Squeaky pull the cart. I'm sort of scared of a cart that'll go
without pulling or pushing. It may run away with you."
"And it may have to be pushed or pulled" teased Uncle Squeaky.
"It is every bit as good as Mr. Giant's automobile" insisted Buster. "I'm
not the leastest bit scared. I know it will go whizzing. Ah what sport we
will have!"
"Grand-daddy will start very early for he must find a house near his
patients. If you wish to ride with Limpy-toes you must trot off to bed
right now Buster" decided Mother Graymouse. "Aunt Belindy and I are
going down cellar to say good-by to Polly Scrabble and her babies."
Next morning while the Giant family were sound asleep Grand-daddy
Limpy-toes and Buster tip-toed softly down to the entrance.
"Do not make too much noise cranking your automobile Limpy-toes"
whispered Grand-daddy. "We do not wish to disturb Mr. Giant." Limpy-toes
pushed in the key and began to wind the stiff spring.
"See if you can turn it any more Grand-daddy. Perhaps your paws are
stronger than mine."
Grand-daddy gave it several twists. Then Limpy-toes hopped upon the seat
and grasped the wheel.
"All aboard for Pond Lily Lake!" he called gaily. Grand-daddy and Buster
scrambled in. The automobile made a dash through the chrysanthemum bushes
into the driveway. On and on they sped past the new barn by the poultry
houses and the sweet apple tree. Grand-daddy pulled his cap closer.
"Ah!" cried Buster "this is fun. But is it running away Limpy-toes?"
"Oh no I am steering it and can stop any minute" answered Limpy-toes.
"A wonderful invention" praised Grand-daddy. "Now if any creature is
sick Dr. Whiskers will be there in a jiffy. Ah! What is the trouble
Limpy-toes?"
The automobile had come to a sudden stop at the edge of Mr. Giant's
orchard.
"It has stopped" explained Limpy-toes.
"So I see" chuckled Grand-daddy.
[Illustration: _"All aboard for Pond Lily Lake!" he called gaily._]
"I'll crank it up." So Limpy-toes pushed in the key and wound and wound
and wound. Then they started on again.
"Runs fine" said Grand-daddy.
"'Most takes my breath away" gasped Buster. "Say Limpy-toes why are we
stopping?"
"Run down again I guess" sighed Limpy-toes.
"Must we stop every few minutes and wear our paws out cranking it up
forty-'leven times?" grumbled Grand-daddy.
Again they were off--and again they stopped. This time they were in the
middle of Mr. Giant's clover field.
"Sakes alive Limpy-toes! Suppose I was on my way to see a sick mouse?
He'd die maybe or else be all cured before I could ever get there."
"Automobiles need lots of twistity" argued Buster. "Mr. Giant has to
twist his automobile. I heard Robert Giant say there was twistity in the
batteries."
"Why doesn't it go this time?" demanded Grand-daddy.
"The key must have bounced out when we struck that big stone near the ash
heap" said Limpy-toes. "I will trot back and find it."
"And I'll take my stout cane and my own strong legs and trot toward the
Lake if you don't mind" decided Grand-daddy. "You and Buster can finish
your pleasure trip a little at a time but I have business to look after
and a house to hire before the rest of the family catch up with us."
He started off at a brisk pace. Buster sat on the front seat and nibbled
ginger cookies while Limpy-toes limped back to find the lost key.
By-and-by Buster's cookies were all eaten so he strolled off to help
Limpy-toes.
"Never mind Limpy" he said looking up into his big brother's sad face.
"It is a fine automobile if you do have to twist it often. We can have
nice rides around the Lake."
But Limpy-toes would not be comforted.
"I wanted an automobile that would fetch Dr. Grand-daddy to his patients
very quickly. I must study until I make better power than this clock
spring. Ah here is the key! We must hurry or Uncle Squeaky will catch up
and laugh to find us by the roadside."
Grand-daddy and Pa Field-Mouse were standing on the bungalow steps talking
earnestly together when Limpy-toes drove up.
"A fine automobile Pa Field-Mouse" said Grand-daddy waving his paw. "My
grandson is a great inventor; he will be famous some day."
"Ah!" cried Buster "how good our Gray Rock Bungalow looks! See the pretty
hemlocks and sweet ferns Limpy."
"Wait until you see the fine house the neighbors have built for me!"
exclaimed Grand-daddy. "They felt sure that I would come. Silvy would call
it Wild Rose Cottage. It is a real bower of roses. Here come our folk
now. Wait and I'll tell you all about it."
The heavy furniture cart was pulled down the last hill and stopped at the
door of Gray Rock Bungalow. Grand-daddy held up his paw and hushed the
merry chatter of the travellers.
[Illustration: _The heavy furniture cart was pulled down the last
hill._]
"Listen!" he cried. "Do not unload my belongings. These kind woodfolk have
made me a splendid house right at the center of their village. I want
Limpy-toes to be my helper and stay with me. If Dot teaches school she
must come with us for her scholars live near by. Granny needs Silvy to
help with the housework. She and Dot can be together and when I need a
nurse Silvy will be right handy."
"A fine plan" agreed Uncle Squeaky "only our family at the Gray Rock
will be rather small."
"Limpy-toes will fetch us all over in the automobile every evening"
smiled Silver Ears. "I shall love to help Granny and be with Dot. May
Limpy-toes and I go Mammy? You will not mind?"
"Surely you may go dearie" smiled Mother Graymouse bravely. "You will be
happiest where you can do the most good and Granny needs you just now."
"With such a small family Betsey and I can manage the work nicely" said
Aunt Squeaky.
"Ah it is good to get back to our woodland home!" cried Uncle Squeaky.
"Many paws will soon set our rooms in order. Then we will trot over to
Wild Rose Cottage and help Dr. Whiskers get his pine-needle beds ready
before moon-rise."
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