MOTHER GRAY AND HER CHILDREN.

1. In an old brick oven not far from here, All cuddled up in a heap, Are three little kittens so cunningly dear; Their story, I know, you would like to hear, While they are fast asleep. Two are spotted with white, one is soberly grey, Save the paws so soft and white Which with ashes and coals so frequently play, And into all mischief so constantly stray, And oft are as black as night! 2. Round and round they run, in the funniest style, After each little one’s grey tail; But the tail whirls the faster, and once in a while They fly round so swiftly that all in a pile They huddle like leaves in a gale. Then old Mother Gray, with a face quite demure, Sits winking at their droll play; And once in a while she says, with a purr: “My dear little kittens, you must ever prefer At home with mother to stay!”