The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1884-06-12
Youths Department.
TIE CATs' Law CASE.


vERsIFIED FRox EsoP's FABLES.
Old Grey sat by his FIRE:
He was somewhat dun and blue:
he stroked the whiSker on his chin
And twisted his mustache, 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. rMt-1at-tat--tatl
He lazily winkeS his eyes, and called
Out gleapily: "Who is thatY"
When the door flew open wide.
And with hasty stride
In came Neighbor Cat.
Good evening, Comrade Tom!
So you re abroad Tonight
Like hearth when days grow chill.
The embers are so bright
Take on your Oyershoes,
And your coat, too, IL you choose,
And sit in my firelight."
Said Tom: 1--WE little time
For Ia xuries like these:
But get your lantern, Pussy Grey,
And curry about IL, please,
For L W found a door ajaF,
And think our chances are
Good for bit of cheese"
'' All, Tom" cried Pussy Grey,
% fear you re n wicked one!
But wait I'll light my lantern quick
And put my ulster onP'
The twIrl OF a furry paw
Was all the firelight saw,
Not the sound of one football
Was made by their twice four
As they sped along in silent stealth
And reached the dairy door.
1t was open the meFest crack,
And they puShe the hinges back,
And crept along the foOr
They found a huge round cheese.
And they carved a generous slice,
Whispering gleefully the while:
HOW very, very nicel
Wen take ii between us-soi
And never a soul viii know,
They II think it was the mice"
But when they reached their den
They began to disagree
As to which deserved the larger part,
And both growled anRrily.
SAID Tom, with greedy boast:
I've right to claim the most
For ms discovery"
With furious wish to scratch,
Cried selfish Pussy Grey:
g carried at the heaviest end,
Is all have to say"
Then shook violent paw
And threatened to go to law
If he couldn't have his way.
a monkey lived next door;
He heard the foolish jar,
He laughed ut each new threat, then said:
What simpletons they are
So very brave to buster,
While neither one could muster
Courage for genuine war.
So he stepped upon the scale,
Suave aud dignifed:
+" Neighbors" he said, with stately bow,
!" i do not wish TO chide,
But pray show common sense,
And in this difference
Let some third friend decide"
Both Grey and Tom knew well
They never could agree:
So both exclaimed, with common breath:
= If you will umpire be
Your ruling wen obey:
Go get your sc Ties and weigh
Aud divide 1t equally"
Joeko to be the judgel
The greatest rogue in townl
But he gravely brought his balances
And gravely set them down,
And TO make himself look wise
Put glasses on his eyes,
And wore wig and gown.
He cut the cheese in twain.
And q lovely slice was laid
= On either scae; but, 10, the right
The other far outweighed.
So Jocko from the. right
Demurely took n bite,
Which quite difference made.
For then the balance dipped
To the left decidedly;
So he took 81 mOuthful out of that
TO right lido you seeS
But the whole thing seemed perYerse,-
That made the matter worse,
And he took bite number three.
Tom turned 10 stare at Greyl
So this was their boasted going to law,
And this was the lawyers way
At least for minute s space
Into each others face
They gazed in dumb dismay.
Then with despairing howl
Grey smote his breast and cried:
:" The Judge gives justice. but there Il be
No cheese left to divide!"
And Tom unused wildly: Please
Give me the smallest p zee,
will be satisfied"
Judge Jooko found the cheese
A most delicious one.
So he nibbled, nfbbed from either scale
And quite enjoyed the fun.
1t made it douhly sweet
To have them watch him eat.
And to hear frequent groan.
Meanwhile he moralized:
" My friends iL Is a fact,
Some, rather than be generous,
Prefer to be exact.
And when difficulties rise
1t usually is wise
To have lawyer act"
Now of their prize they could
But the veriest mOrsel see:
'' Give that TO me-" cried Grey.
Shrieked Tom: Give that to mel'
'' Nay, nay" said the Judge, may, nay"
In his most judicial way,
4" Tins is the lawyers fee"
So, home 10 his faded FIRE,
Hungry and sad, Grey went;
And 20 the lonesome stars, and the dark
Tom made his loud lament;
While JockO, his wig and gown
Laid by curlcd snuRly down
In grattficd content.