THE CAT.

Stop, naughty pussy! that's not fair!

Jump down this minute from the chair!

You've eaten my nice slice of bread.

And here are only crumbs instead.

I for a minute left the room

To listen to the "Buy a broom,"

And now I think it's quite too bad

That you my luncheon should have had.

Her mother said, "My dear, if you

Had done what you were told to do,

And put the plate upon the shelf,

You might have had the bread yourself.

"But if you have no thought nor care,

And leave your luncheon on a chair,

You must not blame poor pussy-cat;

She knows no better, dear, than that.

"The one who left her bread about

Upon the chair, while she went out,—

The one who hangs her head for shame,—

My little girl's the one to blame!"


STUDY FIRST.

No, Robbie! you can go away; I am not ready yet to play; For I must learn these words to spell, That I may say my lesson well. How sad our dear mamma would look, To find that I had left my book! And if I disobeyed her so, My play would not be gay, I know. I'll learn my lesson very soon, And then I'll run with you till noon; So, Robbie, you can go away, And presently I'll come and play.