The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-06-21
For Young Readers.
TIE CATS AT Law.

: vERsrrrEp FROM Esor's rApLEs.
Old Grey sat by hts fire;
He was somewhat dun and blue;
He stroked the whsker on his chin
And twisted his mustNche, too.
They were trim when he begun,
But something must be done,
And he'd nothing else to do.
There suddenly came knock;
Rat-tat. rat-tat-tat-tatl
he sn .yyc wHnoa M NJ sy !. sSs sna oaod
When tho door flew open wide.
And with hasty stride
In camo q Ncighbor Cat.
I. Good evening, Comrade Toni
So you re abroad tonight
like hearth when days grow chill,
The embcrs are so bright
Take OF your overshoes,
And your coat, Too. n yoy choose.
Aud sit In my nrciight."
Said Tom: "rvc little timo
For luxuries like these;
But get your lantern, Pussy Grcy,
And hurry about IL, please,
For I've found door njar,
And think our chances arc
Good for bit OF cheese"
"Ah, Tom" cried Pussy Grey,
. fctr you're q wicked onel
but walt, Ill light my lantern quick
And put my ulster onI'
The twirl OF a furry paw
Was all tho fireight saw.
And tho thieving friends wore COMO.
Rot the sound of one football
Was made by thcir twice four.
As they sped along In silent stealth
And reached tho dairy door.
II was open the mercst crack,
And thcy pushe tho hinges back.
And crcpt along the floor.
They found .S a huge round CHEESE Sc,
Whispering gleeful!y the while:
Won take IL between us--soi
And never a soul will know,
They'll think II was the MICE
nut whom they reached their den
They began TO disagree
As to which deserved the larger part,
And both Rrowled angriy.
Sn Il Tom, with greedy boast;
I've right to claim the most
For my discovery"
With furious wish to scratch,
Cried selfish Pussy Grey:
! carried at the heaviest end.
Is all have to say"
Then shook violent paw
And threatened TO go to law
IL he couldn't have his way.
A monkey lived next door;
He heard the foolish Jar,
lie laughed at each now throat. then said
What simpletons they arol
So very brave to bluster,
While mother one could muster
Courage for genuine war;"
so he stepped upon the scale,
suave and dignlned;
Nelghbors," he said, with stately bow,
q ! do not wish to chide,
Hut pray show common sense,
Aud in this difference
Let some third friend decide"
Beth Grey and Tom knew well
J hey never could agree.
SO both exclaimed. with common breath:
:. II you will umpire be
Your ruling we'll obey:
Go get your scales ana weigh
And divide 1t equally.
Joclxo TO be the judged
4 he greatest rogue In townl
but he grarcly brought his balances
And graycly set them down,
And to make himself look WHO
Put glasses on his eyes,
And wore wig and gown.
He cut the choose IN twain,
And u lovely slice was laid
On either scale; but. 10, the right
The other far outweighcd.
SO Jocko from the right
Dcmurcly took bite,
Which quite difference madc.
For then the balance dippoI
To the left decidedly:
SO be took monthful out OF that
10 right lido you seer
But the whole thing seemed pcrverse--
That made the matter worse.
And he took bite number three. -
Grey turned to look at Toni
Tom turned TO stare at Grcyl
So this was their Toasted going to law,
And this was the lawyer'S way!
At least for a minutes space
Into each others face
They gazed In dumb dismay.
Then with despalrIna howl.
"The Judge gives Justice, but there'll DO
No cheese left to divided"
AMI Tom unused wildly: "Pleass
Give me the smallest piccc.
will be satisfied"
Judge Jocko found the cheese
a most delicious one.
20 he nibbied, nibbled from either scale
And quito enjoyed the fun.
IL made II doubly sweet
10 have them watch him eat,
And to hear frequent groan.
Meanwhile he moralized:
:. My friends, IL Is fact,
Zone, rather than be generous,
Prefer to bc exact
And when difficulties rise
Ii usually Ia wise
10 have lawyer act
Now OF their prize they could
But the veriest morsel see;
"Give that to me-" cried Grey.
Shricked Tom "Give that TO mel"
Nay, nay" said the Judge, may, nay"
In his most judicial way,
This is the lawyers fec.''
So home to his faded IRE,
Hungry and sad. Grey went;
And to the lonesome stars, and the dark
Tom made his loud lament;
While Jocko, his wig AMI gown
Laid by. curlcd snuRly down
In gratihcd content
HRS. Clara D0.v Hates, IN Vide AU1kc.