The Youth's Coronal Part 8

A lady, they called her Miss Mouse, In a slate-colored dress, like a Quaker, Once lived in a snug little house, Of which she herself was the maker.

There lived in another close by, A dame, whom they called Lady Kitty; But that she was stationed so nigh, Miss Mouse often thought a great pity.

For she, though so soberly clad, And never inclined to ill-speaking, Had often a fancy to gad, Or more than her own might be seeking.

She did not then like to be scanned, Or questioned respecting her duty, When some little theft she had planned, Or seen coming home with her booty.

So modest she was, and so shy, Although an inveterate sinner, She'd nip out her part of the pie Before it was brought up to dinner.

She held that 'twas folly to ask For what her own wits would allow her; And, making her way through the cask, She helped herself well to the flour.

The candles she sc.r.a.ped to their wicks; And, mischievous in her invention, Would do many more naughty tricks, Which I, as her friend, cannot mention.

Kit, too, had her living to make, And yet, she was so above toiling, She'd sooner attack the beef-steak, When the cook had prepared it for broiling.

And so, near a dish of warm toast, She often most patiently lingered, To seize her first chance; yet, could boast That none ever called her _light-fingered_.

But mending, or minding herself, She thought would be quite too much labor, And so peeped about on the shelf, To spy out the faults of her neighbor.

For Mouse loved to promenade there, While Kit would watch close to waylay her; And once, in the midst of her fare, Up bounded Miss Kitty to slay her!

But this was as luckless a jump As ever Kit made, with the clatter Of knife, skimmer, spoon, and a thump, Which she got, as she threw down the platter.

While Mouse glided under a dish.

Escaping the mortal disaster, Miss Kitty turned off to a fish, The breakfast elect for her master.

Said she to herself, "Tis clear gain,-- This rarity, fresh from the water, Will save my white mittens the stain-- And me from the trouble of slaughter!"

But her racket, she found to her cost, The plot had most fatally thickened; And all hope of mercy was lost, As Jack's coming footstep was quickened.

He seized her, and binding her fast.

Declared he could never forgive her; So Kitty was sentenced and cast, With a stone at her neck, in the river!

But Mouse still continued to thieve; And often, alone in her dwelling, Would silently laugh in her sleeve, At the scene in the tale I've been telling--

Till once, by a fatal mishap, The little unfortunate rover Perceived herself close in a trap, And felt that her race was now over.

She knew she must leave all behind; And thus, in the midst of her terrors, As every thing rushed to her mind, Began her confession of errors:--

"You'll find, on the word of a Mouse, Whom hope has for ever forsaken, The following things in my house, Which I have unlawfully taken:

"A cork, that was soaked in the beer, Which I nibbled until I was merry; Some kernels of corn from the ear, The skin and the stone of a cherry:--

"Some hemp-seed I took from the bird, And found most deliriously tasted, While safe in my covert, I heard Its owner complain that 'twas wasted:--

"You'll find a few cuc.u.mber seeds, Which I thought, if they could but be hollowed, Would answer to string out for beads; So the inside of all I have swallowed:--

"A few crumbs of biscuit and cheese, Which I thought might a long time supply me With luncheon--some rice and split peas, Which seemed well prepared to keep by me:--

"A cl.u.s.ter of curls which I stole At night from a young lady's toilet, And made me a bed of it whole, As tearing it open would spoil it;--

"And as, in a long summer day I'd time both or reading and spelling, I gnawed up the whole of a play, And carried it home to my dwelling.

"I wish you'd set fire to my place; And pray you at once to despatch me, That none of my enemy's race, In the form of Miss Kitty, may catch me!"

Disgrace thus will follow on vice, Although for a while it be hidden; When children, or kittens, or mice, Will do what they know is forbidden.

=Jemmy String=

I knew a little heedless boy, A child that seldom cared, If he could get his cake and toy, How other matters fared.

He always bore upon his foot A signal of the thing, For which, on him his playmates put The name of Jemmy String.

No malice in his heart was there; He had no fault beside, So great as that of wanting care.

To keep his shoe-strings tied.

You'd often see him on the run, To chase the geese about, While both his shoe-ties were undone, With one end slipping out.

He'd tread on one, then down he'd go, And all around would ring With bitter cries, and sounds of woe, That came from Jemmy String.

And oft, by such a sad mishap, Would Jemmy catch a hurt; The muddy pool would catch his cap, His clothes would catch the dirt!

Then home he'd hasten through the street, To tell about his fall; While, on his little sloven feet, The cause was plain to all.

For while he shook his aching hand, Complaining of the bruise, The strings were trailing through the sand From both his loosened shoes.

One day, his father thought a ride Would do his children good; But Jemmy's shoe-strings were untied, And on the stairs he stood.

In hastening down to take his place Upon the carriage seat, Poor Jemmy lost his joyous face; Nor could he keep his feet.

The dragging string had made him trip, And b.u.mp! b.u.mp! went his head;-- The teeth had struck and cut his lip, And tears and blood were shed.

His aching wounds he meekly bore; But with a swelling heart He heard the carriage from the door, With all but him, depart.

This grievous lesson taught him care, And gave his mind a spring; For he resolved no more to bear The name of JEMMY STRING!

=The Caterpillar=

"Don't kill me!" Caterpillar said, As Charles had raised his heel Upon the humble worm to tread, As though it could not feel.

"Don't kill me! and I'll crawl away To hide awhile, and try To come and look, another day, More pleasing to your eye.