WHY CATS WASH AFTER EATING.

YOU may have noticed, little friends, That cats don’t wash their faces Before they eat, as children do, In all good Christian places. Well, years ago, a famous cat, The pangs of hunger feeling, Had chanced to catch a fine young mouse Who said, as he ceased squealing, “All genteel folks their faces wash Before they think of eating!” And, wishing to be thought well-bred, Puss heeded his entreating. But when she raised her paw to wash Chance for escape affording, The sly young mouse said his good-bye, Without respect to wording. A feline council met that day, And passed, in solemn meeting, A law forbidding any cat To wash till after eating.

A kitten looked up with a sanctified grin, Singing “Birdie, nice birdie, sweet birdie.” When the robin descended she gobbled him in, Singing “Birdie, nice birdie, sweet birdie.”