DAME TROT AND HER CAT.

By Anonymous

Dame Trot once went to a neighboring fair,

And what do you think that she bought herself there?

A Pussy! the prettiest ever was seen;

No cat was so gentle, so clever, and clean.

Each dear little paw was as black as a sloe,

The rest of her fur was as white as the snow;

Her eyes were bright green, and her sweet little face

Was pretty and meek, full of innocent grace.

Dame Trot hurried home with this beautiful cat;

Went up stairs to take off her cloak and her hat;

And when she came down was astonished to see

That Pussy was busy preparing the tea.

"Oh, what a strange cat! thought poor little Dame Trot,

"She'll break my best china and upset the pot;"

But no harm befel them—the velvety paws

Were quite sure; the Dame for alarm had no cause.

Next morning when little Dame Trot came down stairs,

To attend, as usual, to household affairs,

She found that the kitchen was swept up as clean

As if Puss, a regular servant had been.

The tea stood to draw, and the toast was done brown,

The Dame, very pleased, to her breakfast sat down;

While Puss by her side on an arm-chair sat up,

And lapp'd her warm milk from a nice china cup.

Now Spot, the old house-dog, looked on in amaze,

He'd never been used to such queer cattish ways;

But Puss mew'd so sweetly, and moved with such grace,

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