The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-07-21

Dear me. HOW very funny YOU arc"
murmured the little white hen. sBut, tell
me- so9 sha TT. ting black cook find my eggs
Let her try itr' said the yellow cat,
with another broad smile.
PARTII.
One morning the yellow cat ,sail to
found nest somewhere to lay her egVs
where the big black, cook cannot Hid
t them isr / , t s5} win hunt her Up and
He went softly under the BORN; and,
Art after t aSnt,hhK |t rev minutes he found
"Well, you have found d fine PLACED" he
,'; re 1 ';;t|s T tSs hen lifted UP YER,
II i'm SO glad to see you!' she said.
with little gasp. II have not. been off
my nest for three days and nights. Oh,
'Why don't YOU go?" asked the yellow
Because" whispered the little white
hen, there is an. old gray rat that comes
here every day, just watching to get my
eggs if leave them. Oh, if should lose
ny {{,t ee cStfsns eggs should not have any
AOt . oO TIT yCAOW Sil(. Dut
you go and get something to eat, and l
will watch the nest while you are gone.
If Mr.. Rat calls while you are away,
l will give him jolly SURPRISE"
How very good you are! l believe 1
will CO." said the little white hen; and
she limped off, thankful to stretch her.
self and get something to eat and to
drink.
The old rat was coming back just as
the little white hen went off, and he
chuckled as he saw her 60. Dear me!
How she does hurry to get back before
| eat those fine eggs!' he said. and ran
as fast as he could go under the barn.
When he came to the nest, he saw the
eggs all uncovered; and he stood there
a moment to admire them mot seeing the
yellow cat that was waiting for him
under the wide board).
The next moment he jumped softly into
the nest, and was just going to begin
his feast when the yellow cat came 81
lently out from his hiding place.
1T would be just as we'll not to touch
those eggs" said the yellow cat, gently.
When the old rat heard the yellow
cats voice, he did not dare to lay paw
upon the eggs.
But he pretended not to be afraid, and
said: ',They are not your eggs"
Are they yours?" the yellow cat
asked, politely.
No; they are not mine," replied the
old rat. But no one was here, and
found them first"
you touch them if you dare" said the
yellow cat, coming nearer, and sitting
down and bringing his long tail around
his legs in front of him.
''Sce, am right on the nest" said the
will break the eggs. might as we'll eat
them as to have You break them.'
''.That's very true" said the yellow
cat. But if you eat or make me break
the little white hens eggs. will eat
you"
How unpleasant" said the old rat
Then he thought Il moment. Then he
said: But If eat the eggs, and you
eat mo, why won't you be just as bad as
eggs yourself?'
True again." admitted the yellow cat.
But don't want to eat those eggs,
and if eat YOU, and with you the eggs,
it will be done from d SENSE of duty
You are a very good cat"' the old rat
observed tlrSlS.
"You mean / have the best of you,''
said the yellow cat.
''Tn, be honest. it does look as if you
had the best Of me- said the old rat.
And If you will let ME drop out of this
AiltAS "tV-StuSls Viii NC WHY
careful not to crack ain egg as l CO."
"What else will YOU promise?' asked
the yellow cat, calmly.
1T seems to mr you expect me to prom
Use a great deal for a very little,'' the old
rat murnured sadly.
Come, be lively!'' said the yellow cat
II don't want the little white hen to
We'll" said the the old rat, ii will prom.
leo navel. IN c,,ma near tboso ooys o9a;n ,,
BY your whiskers!!' said the yellow
cat, sterhly.
by my whiskers!!" repeated the old
rat, solemnly.
'Be off, cried the yellow cat. And
the old rat ran away as fast as ever his
foMr. legs could carry, hint,
"hen the b t 1s Wh e, hen f,s s'm asb back
her nest, with every egg safe under him.
Christian RpsyiSter