556 NURSERY RHYMES.

 

upon them that Tom’s mother was afraid to trust him any longer
in theircompany. She accordingly kept him at home, and made
him assist her in any light work suitable for so small a child.
One day, while she was making a batter pudding, Tom stood on
the edge of the bowl, with a lighted candle in his hand, so that
she might see it was properly made. Unfortunately, however,
when her back was turned, Tom accidentally fell in the bowl, and
his mother not missing him, stirred him up in the pudding “ instead
of minced fat,” and put the pudding in the kettle with Tom in it!

The poor woman paid dearly for her mistake, for Tom had no
sooner felt the warm water, than he danced about like mad, and
the pudding jumped about till she was nearly frightened out of
her wits, and was glad to give it to a tinker who happened to be
passing that way. He was thankful for a present so acceptable,
and anticipated the pleasure of eating a better dinner than he
had enjoyed for many a long day. But his joy was of short
duration, for as he was getting over a stile, he happened to
sneeze very hard, and Tom, who had hitherto remained silent,
cried out, “ Hollo, Pickens!” which so terrified the tinker, that
he threw the pudding into the field, and scampered away as fast
as ever he could go, The pudding tumbled to pieces with the
fall, and Tom, creeping out, went home to his mother, who had
been in great affliction on account-of his absence.

A few days after this adventure, Tom accompanied his mother
when she went into the fields to milk the cows, and for fear he
should be blown away by the wind, she tied him to a thistle with
a small piece of thread. While in this position a cow came by,
and swallowed him up!