THE OUTING.

NOW, a stylish young cat and a little white pig, And a duck who was black, and a goat who was big, Were all playing around in some newly mown hay, When they paused in their sport as the duck she did say: “Come away to the woods for a nice sunny walk. There’s a stream on whose banks we can rest as we talk, For the day is so fine, ’tis a shame if we stay, So we’ll hurry and dress, then away, all away.” Now, the cat was so pleased that she bowed and she smiled, While the piggie he squealed till he nearly went wild. As for Billy, he did—why, a stunt that was fine, For he stood on his head with his heels up behind. They were proud and the pains they all took so each rig “It would suit the complexion,” remarked the white pig; And his hat it was pink, like the bow on his tail, And he marched with the cat ’cause she wore a blue veil. Now, gray Billy, the goat, wore a beard nearly white, And a new linen duster a trifle too tight; While a string with a bell on his neck he did twine, As he said, “Now, my suit it is stunning and fine.” As the duck was determined to dazzle them all, She selected a gown that was fit for a ball; Then she simpered and waddled in her silly way Till the rest were disgusted, tho’ tried to look gay. When the cat, with her paw on the pig, came the first, Why, the duck (who was jealous) with envy near burst, Still she walked with the goat, and they looked very trim, And the calf, how he laughed, as they nodded at him. When they reached the cool stream they sat down for a treat, And the goodies they brought, they were hungry to eat; And the cat was so dainty, the pig was so clean, While the goat was polite, but the duck, she was mean. For she gobbled the cake, and the berries so red; Till they saw at a glance, she was very ill bred; Then she told how she loved on the water to float, And she blinked and she winked at the poor Billy-goat, Who then told the white pig, how a pain in his back Came from stooping to hear all the duck’s foolish quack; While Miss Pussy she charmed with her sweet, modest air As she wore the pink bow of the pig in her hair. When they finished their lunch then all danced ’neath the trees And the duck at the last, I will say, tried to please; For she found a mistake in her greed she had made, When her friends told her how she at home had best stayed. When the stars were a-twinkling o’er each bright little head, “Why, it’s time,” said the cat, “we were home and in bed.” And the pig, to be friends with the duck, he walked back, While the goat led the way, with the nice pussy-cat.