A QUEER BLOSSOM.
In the shine of the merry morning
Of the springtime glad and sweet,
Went Totty and Tom together,
In love with the balmy weather,
As they trod with eager feet
The road to Grandpa's orchard,
Where the apple-blossoms grew
(For dearly did they love them),
And the bright, clear sky above them
Was smooth and soft and blue.
Oh! the fragrant, dainty perfume
Filling all the sweet spring air!
From the trees with blossoms laden
For the little man and maiden
Who were hastening for a share.
But what think you strangely happened?
One great blossom, white and round,
Stirred at sound of To tty's laughter,
And, just a moment after,
Tried to spring upon the ground.
Up, up the tree climbed Tommy,
Mid the blossoms pink and white,
And found a wee, lame kitty
(Oh! it filled his heart with pity)
All trembling with affright.
In her foot a thorn was clinging,
And she could not spring away.
"Ah!" laughed Tom, "you 're good for
showing
What a blossom queer was growing
On the apple-tree to-day."
Then to Totty's arms he bore her,
Poor lame pussy, tenderly;
And, as no one since has claimed her,
"Apple-blossom" they have named
her,
So soft and white is she.
But when blossoms turn to apples,
And the boughs are bending low,
Gentle "Apple-blossom" kitty
Will turn (ah, more's the pity!)
To a full-grown cat, I know.