Aunt Kitty's Stories Part 18

Here's my baby's bread and milk, For her lip as soft as silk; Here's the basin, clean and neat; Here's the spoon of silver sweet; Here's the stool, and here's the chair For my little lady fair.

No, you must not spill it out, And drop the bread and milk about; But let it stand before you flat, And pray, remember p.u.s.s.y cat; Poor old p.u.s.s.y cat that purrs All so patiently for hers.

True she runs about the house, Catching, now and then, a mouse.

But, though she thinks it very nice, That only makes a _tiny_ slice; She don't forget, that you should stop, And leave poor puss a little drop.

Frightened by a Cow.

A very young lady, With Susan the maid, Who carried the baby, Were one day afraid.

They saw a cow feeding, Quite harmless and still, Yet screamed without heeding The man at the mill.

Who seeing their flutter, Said, "cows do no harm, But give you good b.u.t.ter And milk from the farm."

"So don't have the folly Of running at sight Of a gentle old Mooly, In terror and fright."

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THE DUNCE OF A KITTEN.

Come, p.u.s.s.y, will you learn to read.

I've got a pretty book?

Nay, turn this way, you must indeed.-- Fie, there's a sulky look.

Here is a pretty picture, see, An apple, and great A: How stupid you will ever be, If you do naught but play.

Come, A, B, C, an easy task, What any fool can do: I will do any thing you ask, For dearly I love you.

Now, how I'm vexed, you are so dull, You have not learnt it half: You will grow up a downright fool, And make all people laugh.

Mother so told me, I declare, And made me quite ashamed; So I resolved no pains to spare, Nor like a dunce be blamed.

Well, get along, you naughty Kit, And after mice go look; I'm glad that I have got more wit, I love my pretty book.

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SENSIBLE CHARLES.

When Charles was only ten years old, His uncle took him to the play; The night was bad, he caught a cold, And laid in bed the following day.

When Charles was well enough to rise, He gently ope'd his uncle's door; And, to his very great surprise, Begged he would take him there no more.

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PUT DOWN THE BABY.

"O dear Mama," said little Fred, "Put baby down--take me instead; Upon the carpet let her be Put baby down, and take up me."

No, that, my dear, I cannot do, You know I used to carry you; But you are now grown strong and stout, And you can run and play about.

When f.a.n.n.y is as old as you, No doubt but what she'll do so too; And when she grows a little stronger, I mean to carry her no longer.

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DIRTY HANDS.

O bless me, Mary, how is this?

Your hands are very dirty, Miss; I don't expect such hands to see When you come in to dine with me.

Mama, said little Mary, pray, Shall we have company to-day That I should be _so very_ clean?

By whom, pray, am I to be seen?

By whom, my girl? why, by Mama, By Brothers, Sisters, and Papa; Pray, do you not most love to see Your parents, and your family?

Be cleanly and polite at home, Then you're prepared if friends should come: Make it your habit to be clean, No matter then by whom you're seen.

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FRANCES AND HENRY.

Sister Frances is sad, Because Henry is ill; And she lets the dear lad Do whatever he will will.