The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-06-03
YOUTHS DEPARTMENT.
THE PUSSY AND THE SPARROW.

Long, long ago, one summer day-I think
twas In the month Of May
pussy cat beneath n tree walked back and
forward mewsingly
Around about, the flowers fair exhaled their
hearts upon the mir;
Above her head, and all about, the glad birds
I" shook their carols out"
The sunshine's glow, the shadows grace,
made that same SPOT a pleasant place,
As back and forth beneath the tree that pussy
cat walked mewsingly.
But not for any flower that grew, nor yet for
any breeze that blew,
Nor yet for grace OF sun or shade, &C music
that the glad birds made,
Did that same cat beneath the tree walk back
and forward mewslngly.
Her heart, as back and forth she went, ragged
with q savage discomfort.
songs are more than can bear;
Each wretched little singing sinner would
make some cat q splendid dinner.
Now. there is one, 30 sleek and plumpl Just
see the creature hop and jump!
II could get within my clutch that bird, or
any other such,
I'd show" these were her very words, "the
proper use to make of birds"
Thus said that pussy cut Us she walked back
and forth beneath that tree.
She watched, with eager, hungry eyes; when
t 10! within her reach, there flies
Asparrow. All the bird was rashl A little
spring u little flash
OF wings that spread too late, alasl And So,
you see II came to pass
The pretty bird, us quick as thought within
tho old cats claws was caught
"My chances" thought the reckless sparrow,
"are certainly extremely narrow.
And yet, I'll do the best can; no more than
that can bird or man."
30, as the cat tried to begin her long-delayed,
long wished-for dinner,
The sparrow cried: Dear Madam Cat you
RurplV have fOrQOttan that
Every one should wash his face, or hers, Just
as may be the case,
Before he eats Tor she). I've heard, upon my
honor as a bird,
This is rule that far and wide, no high.
toned circle sets aside.
The very manner OF ones feeding Is such q
test Of ones good breeding
And you, dear, lovely Madam, are too ele-
giant, Iknow, by far,
For cen a moment TO. forget the smallest
claim OF etiquette"
The pussy cat, alas!-but she had her own
share of vanity;
And, in all courtesy refined, she did not wish
TO be behind
She said, quito TO herself: "If that's the rule
I'll be TO future cats
A bright example. l will be model for pos
terity."
So she prepared, with not doubt, this new
resolve to carry out.
She lDd the bird which, be II said, was look
iug less alive than dead,
Down in fitly chosen place, while she pre-
pared to wash her face.
o, foolish catl D, willy birdl Was ever such
deception heard2 ..
Quick us tho flight of any arrow, away went
that doceitful sparrow,
While meath that spreading treo taoro sat O
most detected looking cat.
Then back and forth beneath tho tree again
she wandered mewsingly.
SThat rule" she said, ''is too absurd. Twill
never work 'twixt cat and bird"
Waving disappointed paw, sho said again:
I'm make a law
That shall not such a chasm set 'twixt appo-
tite and etiquette.
That shall not leave my hapless kind prey to
every guileful mind.
So now publish this decree, that all the cats
that yet shall be,
OF all degrees and times and places, shall eat
their bird, then wash their faces,
Thus is the cruel law reversed Of dinner lasi
and manners first"
Thus spoke that cat rs meath the treo she
wandered most deJectedly.
And this since then has been the law; and
every cat you ever saw
Adds 20 the maxim, firm and fast, Of dinner
first and manners last.
And If you read with half an eye, OF course
you see the reason why.
-CdrIottd PERU, IN n. T. Independent.