Thomas County cat., 1890-11-20
THE LITTLE FOLKS.
A Grierous Complain.


said Tommy one day. with pout;
SIN every one of the suits wear
The pockets are most worn out.
They're bout as big as the ear Of a mole,
And / never have more than three;
And there's always coming a mean little
hole
That loses my knife for me.
Il can't make 'em hold but a few little
things
Some cookies, an apple or two.
A knife and pencil and bunch Of strings,
Some nails, and maybe screw,
And marbles, Of course, and a top and ball,
And shells and pebbles and such,
And some odds and ends. yes, honest, that's
all;
You may see for yourself 'tisnt much.
"I'd like suit of some patent kind,
With pockets made wide and long;
Above and below and before and behind,
Sewed extra heavy and strong.
I'd want about a dozen or so,
All easy and quick to get at:
And l shall be perfectly happy, know,
With handy rig like that
st. Nicholas.
Birgalie.
He is a saucy little red-Eird, who
finds his chief pleasure in eating, sing
ing, fighting his mistress and tearing
whatever paper he may chance to get
hold of into pieces-in fact, he is never
SO happy as when in mischief. His
personal appearance is not much in his
favor. His head with his black face,
pink beak, two sharp little eyes, and
short "toppy" or topknot, is stuck on a
little round, red body about the shape
of an apple-dumpling; and this body
is supported by pair of delicate-look
ing feet, which are continually carry
ing their owner to places where he has
no business to be. A stubby and bat
tered tail, with wings to match, COM
plete the description.
But he is not ashamed Of his looks;
oh, no: not bit of it On the con-
trary, he appears to think that no one
has as fine coat or as pretty top
knot as Master Birgalie, and, conse-
quently, is very vain of them, making
his toilet three or four times a day. and
more frequently if he gets the chance.
And it is fortunate for his mistress that
he does so, for it takes up some of his
time, and when not engaged in that, or
the equally pleasant occupation of eat
ing and singing, he is certain to be do
ing something that he should not do.
He is very fond of bathing, and this
fondness has not been acquired lately,
either, for when Birgalie was young
ster-which was but one short year
ago-he thought nothing greater fun
than to hop into dish of water, and
there kick and splash until not only he
himself but also everything about him
was completely drenched.
But not being cilowed to battle as
often as he wished, he frequently got
into trouble by attempting to steal a
bath in liquids that were not intended
for that purpose.
One day, aunty came in and found
him seated in CIR of oatmeal and
water lone Of his favorite dishes) and
just having a glorious time But
aunty brought his enjoyment to
speedy end, and it took many a wash
ing in pure water to make Birgalie's
feathers as soft and smooth as they
were before he starched them in oat-
meal starch.
Another time he hoped into big
cup of warm coffee, but lost no time
in scrambling out again.
After bathing, Birgalie often took it
into his little head to try and fly up to
the stove pipe, for the purpose of dry
ing himself there. So he would nerve
himself for the attempt, spread his
wings, and give grand hop; but that
was all he did do, for as his wings were
wet he always landed on the floor in q
very humiliating manner. Then he
would graciously permit us to pack
him up in little basket, and set him
out in the sun or under the stove to
dry.
All this sort of thing happened while
Birgalie was youngster, and, OF
course, not as wise and well-behaved
as he is at present. Now when fresh
water is given to him in his bath-tuh
he first sticks in one little foot and
draws it out again, and then repeats
the operation with the other, after
which he hops in with both feet and
proceeds to business.
But, as I've no doubt there are
number of you waiting to tell about
your clever cats and dogs, chickens,
horses, goats, and other animals, will
stop here and reserve the account Of
the remainder of Birgalie's cunning
tricks for some future time.-Detroi.
Free Press.
HONORING A GREAT POET.
a nrs NJ