THE DISHONEST CAT.
Reading edition
Mrs. Frederick W. Pender.
Written expressly for this book.
A CAT whose name, I’ve heard, was Tab, Was known for being very bad. Her home was good, her mistress kind, But thieving seemed to fill her mind. Her looks were rough, she was not neat, From tip of nose to dirty feet; And all her ways, they were so sly, One could not bear to have her nigh. Her greatest crime was from some dish To steal the meat, or often fish; And milk, if left in pan to cream, If Tab was ’round she’d skim it clean. One time she got herself in plight, This naughty cat (it serv’d her right!) She stuck her nose in soup so hot, She ran out doors like she was shot. And from the house, she stayed for days, Though never mended her bad ways. For she did steal from neighbors’ cats, Their food left out upon the mat. And often was she in disgrace, And couldn’t look you in the face, And came to grief at last, I’m told, For thieving and from being bold. MORAL. Now boys and girls, a lesson learn, From your nice ways, oh, never turn; For if you do, perhaps like Tab, Your fate may be—why, twice as bad.