KITTEN THAT NEVER GREW OLD.

THERE once was a kitten who wished that he Might never grow older, for “Don’t you see,” Said Pussy, “I’m told That when a cat’s old He curls himself up on the hearth to sleep!” Why, just the mere thought made this Pussy-cat weep, “Meow—ow—ow—ow, Meow—ow—ow—ow!” And so, as he lay in his snug little bed, He thought of the kittens’ good fairy, and said, In a kittenish way— Or a purr, I should say— “Oh, fairy, dear fairy, just as I am now I wish to be always, meow! meow!” Now, wasn’t it queer! The fairy was near, And then and there took Mr. Puss at his word, And said to him, “Pussy” (or so I have heard), “With play you are smitten! Be always a kitten!” And so ever after, by night and by day, That poor little kitten did nothing but play. Just ask him for me, Should ever you see A playful old cat of diminutive size, Whose friends have grown older and ever so wise, If being the only Puss left isn’t lonely? He’ll tell you that fairies should never allow A cat to be always a kitten, meow!