The Duel

The Duel was written by Eugene Field ~ Illustrated by Rebecca Rutis.

For more poetry enhanced with emedia visit
www.antelope-ebooks.com/poetry/

The gingham dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat;
'Twas half past twelve, and, what do you think,
Neither of them had slept a wink!
And the old Dutch clock and Chinese plate
Seemed to know, as sure as fate,
There was going to be an awful spat.
(I wasn't there -- I simply state
What was told to me by the Chinese plate.)

The gingham dog went "bow-wow-wow!"
And the calico cat replied "me-ow?"
And the air was streaked for an hour or so
With fragments of gingham and calico,
While the old Dutch clock in the chimney place
Up with its hands before its face,
For it always dreaded a family row!
(Now mind, I'm simply telling you
What the old Dutch clock declares is true.)

The Chinese plate looked very blue
And wailed; "Oh, dear, what shall we do!"
But the gingham dog and the calico cat,
Wallowed this way and tumbled that,
And utilized every tooth and claw
In the awfulest way you ever saw - -
And Oh! how the gingham and calico flew!
(Don't think that I exaggerate - -
I got my news from the Chinese plate.)

Next morning where the two had sat,
They found no trace of dog or cat;
And some folks think unto this day,
That burglars stole that pair away;
But the truth about the cat and pup
Is that they ate each other up - -
Now, what do you really think of that?
(The old Dutch clock it told me so
And that is how I came to know.)

This poem may be read free on Ongoing Tales or purchased as part of a brower readable e-book on CD-ROM.

A Mixed Bag of Verse is a collection of original and old time poems, electronically enhanced for added enjoyment. Use this e-book to introduce children to the joy of poetry, or to kick back and relax with a few new, and familiar friends, with new faces.
View list of poems in A Mixed Bag of Verse
This browser readable e-book on CD-ROM comes with two books. One book with music to help set the mood for each poem, and one book without sound for times when you wish a quieter read.
Purchase this collection of poems as a browser readable e-book on CD-ROM from Antelope Publishing and introduce your children, or yourself, to this wonderful collection of electronically enhanced poems.

A Mixed Bag of Verse Price $9.95
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

Ongoing Tales Old Time Poetry

Well loved and lesser known poems for children (and older folks too) are brought to new life with electronic enhancement. New postings monthly by Antelope Publishing.

Ongoing Tales From the Past

Old time fairy tales, stories, and poetry for children of all ages, with new postings monthly by Antelope Publishing

Old Friends New Faces

Out of copyright books beautifully enhanced with electronic media, these browser readable electronic books come on CD-ROM to be viewed off-line on your web browser. They include both classic works and little known writings from the past.

For electronic books for the family visit ANTELOPE-EBOOKS.COM

Stories of action, adventure, mystery, romance, sci-fi, fantasy and children's old time literature; updated monthly by Antelope Publishing.

Editors Note: The old time illustrations, stories, poems and fairy tales found at this site come from old books that are out of copyright. The formatting, and electronic enhancement, however, is © copyrighted by Antelope Publishing and may be reproduced only with the publisher's permission.

10611