THE ROCKET BOOK

[Illustration]

THE BASEMENT

  When Fritz, the Janitor’s bad kid,
    Went snooping in the basement,
  He found a rocket snugly hid
    Beneath the window casement.

  He struck a match with one fell swoop;
    Then, on the concrete kneeling,
  He lit the rocket and—­she—­oop! 
    It shot up through the ceiling.

[Illustration:  The basement]

FIRST FLAT

  The Steiners on the floor above
    Of breakfast were partaking;
  Crash! came the rocket, unannounced,
    And set them all a-quaking!

  It smote a catsup bottle, fair,
    And bang! the thing exploded! 
  And now these people all declare
    That catsup flask was loaded.

[Illustration:  FIRST FLAT]

SECOND FLAT

  Before the fire old Grandpa Hopp
    Dozed in his arm-chair big,
  When from a trunk the rocket burst
    And carried off his wig!

  It passed so near his ancient head
    He roused up with a start,
  And, turning to his grandsons, said,
    “You fellows think you’re smart!”

[Illustration:  Second flat]

THIRD FLAT

  Algernon Bracket, somewhat rash,
    Had blown a monster bubble,
  When, oh! there came a blinding flash,
    Precipitating trouble!

  But Algy turned in mild disgust,
    And called to Mama Bracket,
  “Say, did you hear that bubble bu’st? 
    It made an awful racket!”

[Illustration:  THIRD FLAT]

FOURTH FLAT

  Jo Budd, who’d bought a potted plant,
    Was dousing it with water. 
  He fancied this would make it grow,
    And Joseph loved to potter.

  Then through the pot the rocket shot
    And made the scene look sickly! 
  “Well, now,” said Jo, “I never thought
    That plant would shoot so quickly!”

[Illustration:  Fourth flat]

FIFTH FLAT

  Right here ’tis needful to remark
    That Dick and “Little Son”
  Were playing with a Noah’s ark
    And having loads of fun,

  When all at once that rocket, stout,
    Up through the ark came blazing! 
  The animals were tossed about
    And did some stunts amazing.

[Illustration:  FIFTH FLAT]

SIXTH FLAT

  A Burglar on the next floor up
    The sideboard was exploring. 
  (The family, with the brindled pup,
    Were still asleep and snoring.)