CAT AND MOUSE.

A MOUSE was chased, and in its haste Away from claws to fly, In use an empty bottle placed That happened to be nigh. Then pussy, peeping through the neck, Could scarce suppress a grin To see how calm it met her gaze As safe it sat within. She turned the bottle upside down And shook it freely there; But nothing could induce the mouse To seek the open air. Then lying down upon the floor She reached a paw to take her, But still the mouse had room enough And blessed the bottle-maker. She raised the bottle overhead With all the strength she knew, And in a thousand pieces small The port of safety flew. But while the fragments filled the air The mouse with action spry Quick reached another hiding-place And squeaked a glad good-bye.