BAD PETER, BAD JOE.

I SUPPOSE you’ve heard tell of those frolicsome kittens Who covered their paws with some bright woolen mittens, And behaved so politely in every way. Well, we’ll never mind them, for they died long ago. And I now want to tell you of Peter and Joe, Two troublesome kittens who live at Herne Bay! They are always in mischief, and leave nothing alone! Run away with my knitting or dear doggie’s bone! Roll over and over the clean kitchen table, Climb up to the very tip top of the stairs, Then race to the bottom as mad as wild hares, Rush out to the garden and hide in the stable. You never can catch them unless they are sleeping, And e’en when they scratch you they don’t mind your weeping; But stare at you boldly and stiffen their tails, These very sad kittens, bad Peter! bad Joe! And the worst of it is, one never can know Any way to improve them, for every plan fails! There are two little boys just like Peter and Joe, For they’re always in mischief wherever they go. Till the people say, “O what a bother they are!” No! I won’t print their names, for perhaps they’ll be good; Perhaps behave, for the future, as gentlemen should; So instead of their names, why, I’ll put a big X. Yes! and if very soon they’re behaving no better, Why, their names must be printed—every letter.