Max and Maurice (naught could awe them!) Took a saw, when no one saw them: Ritze-ratze! riddle-diddle! Sawed a gap across the middle. When this feat was finished well, Suddenly was heard a yell: [Illustration] "Hallo, there! Come out, you buck! Tailor, Tailor, muck! muck! muck!" Buck could bear all sorts of jeering, Jibes and jokes in silence hearing; But this insult roused such anger, Nature couldn't stand it longer. [Illustration] Wild with fury, up he started, With his yard-stick out he darted; For once more that frightful jeer, "Muck! muck! muck!" rang loud and clear. [Illustration] On the bridge one leap he makes; Crash! beneath his weight it breaks. [Illustration] Once more rings the cry, "Muck! muck!" _In_, headforemost, plumps poor Buck! While the scared boys were skedaddling, Down the brook two geese came paddling. [Illustration] On the legs of these two geese, With a death-clutch, Buck did seize; [Illustration] And, with both geese _well in hand_, Flutters out upon dry land. [Illustration] For the rest he did not find Things exactly to his mind. [Illustration] Soon it proved poor Buck had brought a Dreadful belly-ache from the water. [Illustration] Noble Mrs. Buck! She rises Fully equal to the crisis; With a hot flat-iron, she Draws the cold out famously. [Illustration] Soon 'twas in the mouths of men, All through town: "Buck's up again!" * * * * * This was the bad boys' third trick, But the fourth will follow quick. TRICK FOURTH. AN old saw runs somewhat so: Man must learn while here below.-- Not alone the A, B, C, Raises man in dignity; Not alone in reading, writing, Reason finds a work inviting; Not alone to solve the double Rule of Three shall man take trouble: But must hear with pleasure Sages Teach the wisdom of the ages. [Illustration]