KITTY.

HERE, and there, and everywhere, Climbing, running, frisking; On the table, in the chair, Round the parlor whisking, Kitty seems forever flitting. Maids and mistress scold and laugh; Now she’s in the basket sitting; Let me take her photograph. Most important person, Kitty! Equal to a baby—nearly! Full of mischief—more’s the pity, Everybody sees that clearly! See! She’s on the parlor table, Breakfasting on milk and cream— Steals as much as she is able, Of the rest she makes a stream. Scrambling up the window curtain, To the mantel-piece she leaps; Down go ornaments, that’s certain! Broken fragments lie in heaps. Kitty never feels she’s sorry— Never has the slightest shock; So she dozes, free from worry, Sitting calmly on the clock! Mrs. Pussy, her dear mother, Watches her in mute delight; Wondering at so much bother With her kit from morn till night. Kitty plumps on mother’s back, Bites her ears, and pulls her tail, Gets a scolding and a smack, But it’s all of no avail. Here, and there, and everywhere, Kitty scampers through the house; Mother shows her how to scare, How to kill a captured mouse. Up the trees, and on the wall, Heedless she of all reproof; Deaf to the maternal squall, She is playing on the roof. Oh, Miss Kitty! of to-morrow Little know you, little care; Never dream of coming sorrow, How you may in future fare. Happy now, and full of frolic, Only eat and drink and play, Never suffer gout or colic, Or meet misery half way.