He no weasel, stealing slily, May no cuckoo, wandering near thee, Little flutt'rer! swiftly flying, Here is none to harm thee near; THE DISOBEDIENT KITTEN. SAID an old Puss to one of her children, as she washed her face and paws, "I charge you, Kitty, not to go into the next yard, for the great dog Jowler lies there. He has horrid teeth and a terrible snarl, and he is always on the look out for stray cats. Mind you keep at home; we have a snug garden, a sweet hay-mow, kind friends, capital tit-bits, and work enough,-rats and mice are plenty. So, do not stroll off to places where you have no business to be, thus disgracing your bringing up; for you know better, Kitty, you do." But Kitty gave a saucy look; she boxed her mother's ears-in play, to be sure-hoisted her tail, and away she frisked after a dead leaf. Kit did not look at all like mind-ing-O no! not in the least. After her mother had gone to bed on the hay-mow, Kitty kept up her moon-light rambles, going about nobody knows where, and cutting all sorts of ca pers, like a silly litttle Kit as she was. Well, one night she went ca'pering across Jowler's yard. He was much disturbed by the noise, at an hour when he thought all honest folk ought to be in bed. So he started up and made after Kitty in a rage. Poor Kitty, in her fright, got entangled in some briar-bushes, and so fell into Jowler's jaws. He seized her by the neck with his terrible mouth, shook the breath out of her body, and tossed her dead on the ground. "Oh, oh!" cried Mary and Willie, when they found their little pet stiff and cold the next morning. "Oh!" cried their mother, pussey's mistress, "you little puss! she bid fair to be a capital mouser." "Oh, dear!" mewed the old cat. A GENTLEMAN once stopped his gig at the door of a shop in Lyme. He went into the shop and left his dog on the seat of the gig. The horse took fright at something and started off down the street, dragging the reins on the ground. The dog at once jumped down, and seized the reins in his teeth. Although he was dragged along for some distance, he held on till he succeeded in stopping the horse. What was wonderful in that? middle often boughs February raven rung THE FAITHFUL RAVEN. A PAIR of ravens built their nest for many years in an old oak-tree. No lads could get at it, though often they would try to climb the rough, thick trunk. It was very thick just in the middle, and no arms were able to stretch round it, or to grasp the strong boughs above. The hard task made each one proud to do his best; but the birds were quite safe, and year after year they came to the same nest in the old "Raven Tree." This came to an end when the tree was to be cut down in the month of June, while the hen bird was on her nest. The work of the saw began, and a wedge was driven into the trunk. Then the sound of the great hammer rung through the wood. The tree shook; but still the poor bird sat upon her nest, brave to the very last. When the tree gave way, she was flung down and beat by the twigs: she fell dead on the ground.* KEEPER AND HIS GUESTS. THERE was once a farmer who had a very good dog, and his name was Keeper. He was kept on the farm to watch the sheep, to keep them from harm. One day he was out in the fields to see that all was right, when he saw a wolf and a fox at the *TALES THAT ARE TRUE. corner of a wood. Keeper did not like the looks of the two as they sat there. He was just going to turn away from them, when the fox called out to him. He asked him to stay a moment, as he had one or two things to talk to him about. The fox spoke so kindly that Keeper went up to them, and then the fox told Keeper that they were all three of the same race, and it was odd that Keeper liked to live with men. Perhaps he liked to live with men, but the foxes and wolves liked to live free in the woods and fields. After more talk of this sort, they all set off for a walk over the fields. As they went along Keeper saw the sheep run off and get out of their way, but he made no remark. And when his guests left him, he asked them to call at his yard and see him there. Next day, about dusk, they came, and Keeper gave them some of his supper, and when it was quite dark they left. On the following morning, news was brought that a goose was gone and also a sheep; but Keeper did not think the wolf and fox had taken them. Soon after this the wolf and fox paid Keeper another visit, and the morning after two lambs and a hen with her chickens were missing. Now Keeper began to think he might have been the cause of this, for he suspected the wolf and fox had most likely done it. So he said to himself, that if they came again he would watch them home. Before long they came again, and when they left, Keeper went after them. Presently he saw the wolf pick up a young pig and run off with it. Keeper ran after the wolf and made him give up the pig and then drove them off the farm, saying, "Be off with you! I am ashamed if I belong to the same race as you. If I do, it is plain that you gain nothing by not mixing with men and learning good manners." The two thieves only gave a surly growl, and trotted off with their tails between their legs. PRAISE. How cheerful along the gay mead Shall man, the great master of all, Forbid it, devotion and love! My lips shall incessantly praise; My soul shall be wrapt in my God! * freed frightened animal servant knew tugged gateway A TRUSTFUL DOG. A LADY going to make a morning call, was passing the gate way of a house, when her gown was seized by a little dog. He tugged at her dress till he almost frightened her out of her mind. She at last freed herself, and made her call. On coming out of her friend's house, the dog was waiting for her. He again took her gown in his *Oratorio of Abel. |
