I'm sure I shall be deafened!" My bath is always empty now, My cage is quite untidy, But Kitty heeds it not; And I call her, oh! how vainly. I've trilled my sweetest melodies; I'll fold my head beneath my wing When Kitty heard the mournful strain Her heart was full of grief. She left her Dollies then in haste, And ran to his relief. She put fresh paper on the floor, And seed within the cup, And water in the tiny bath, Then took poor Birdie up, And gently stroked his yellow wings, And whispered words so low, I think he must have understood, For this I surely know: He opened wide his bright, black eye, And poured such tide of melody As mortal never knew. — E. V. S. THE LITTLE KITTENS. WO little kittens, one stormy night, Two Began to quarrel and then to fight; One had a mouse, the other had none, And that was the way the quarrel begun. "I'll have that mouse," said the bigger cat. "You'll have that mouse? We'll see about that." "I will have that mouse," said the elder son. "You won't have that mouse!" said the little one. I told you before 'twas a stormy night The ground was covered with frost and snow, And then they crept in as quiet as mice, For they found it was better, that stormy night, - Selected THEY DIDN'T THINK. NCE a trap was baited ONCE With a piece of cheese; It tickled so a little mouse It almost made him sneeze; First he took a nibble, Then he took a bite; Close the trap together Snapped as quick as wink, Once a little turkey, Fond of her own way, Where to go or stay; Here I am half-grown; To run about alone!" Off she went, but somebody So she made a supper Once there was a robin Lived outside the door, Who wanted to go inside "I don't care," said Robin, Know quite everything." Down he flew, and Kitty seized him, Now, my little children, You who read this song, Don't you see what trouble Comes of thinking wrong? And can't you take a warning From their dreadful fate Who began their thinking When it was too late? Don't think there's always safety Don't suppose you know more But when you're warned of ruin, Pause upon the brink, And don't go under headlong, 'Cause you didn't think. - Phabe Cary. THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF CEYLON. H, this beautiful island of Ceylon With the cocoanut-trees on the shore, It is shaped like a pear with the peel on, And Kandy lies in at the core. And Kandy is sweet (you ask Gertie) Here comes a particular dandy, With two ear-rings and half of a shirt; He's considered the swell of all Kandy, And the rest of him's covered with dirt. And here comes the belle of the city, With rings on her delicate toes, And eyes that are painted and pretty, And a jewel that shakes in her nose. |