Catching, now and then, a mouse.
But, though she thinks it very nice,
That only makes a _tiny_ slice;
She don't forget, that you should stop,
And leave poor puss a little drop.

Frightened by a Cow.

A very young lady,
With Susan the maid,
Who carried the baby,
Were one day afraid.

They saw a cow feeding,
Quite harmless and still,
Yet screamed without heeding
The man at the mill.

Who seeing their flutter,
Said, "cows do no harm,
But give you good butter
And milk from the farm."

"So don't have the folly
Of running at sight
Of a gentle old Mooly,
In terror and fright."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

THE DUNCE OF A KITTEN.

Come, pussy, will you learn to read.
I've got a pretty book?
Nay, turn this way, you must indeed.--
Fie, there's a sulky look.

Here is a pretty picture, see,
An apple, and great A:
How stupid you will ever be,
If you do naught but play.

Come, A, B, C, an easy task,
What any fool can do:
I will do any thing you ask,
For dearly I love you.

Now, how I'm vexed, you are so dull,
You have not learnt it half:
You will grow up a downright fool,
And make all people laugh.

Mother so told me, I declare,
And made me quite ashamed;
So I resolved no pains to spare,
Nor like a dunce be blamed.

Well, get along, you naughty Kit,
And after mice go look;
I'm glad that I have got more wit,
I love my pretty book.

[Illustration]

SENSIBLE CHARLES.

When Charles was only ten years old,
His uncle took him to the play;
The night was bad, he caught a cold,
And laid in bed the following day.

When Charles was well enough to rise,
He gently ope'd his uncle's door;
And, to his very great surprise,
Begged he would take him there no more.

[Illustration]

PUT DOWN THE BABY.

"O dear Mama," said little Fred,
"Put baby down--take me instead;
Upon the carpet let her be
Put baby down, and take up me."

No, that, my dear, I cannot do,
You know I used to carry you;
But you are now grown strong and stout,
And you can run and play about.

When Fanny is as old as you,
No doubt but what she'll do so too;
And when she grows a little stronger,
I mean to carry her no longer.

[Illustration]

DIRTY HANDS.

O bless me, Mary, how is this?
Your hands are very dirty, Miss;
I don't expect such hands to see
When you come in to dine with me.

Mama, said little Mary, pray,
Shall we have company to-day