Part 4 (1/2)

But Puss awoke. 'Hullo,' said he, 'You think to play your tricks on me?

I know I'm old, I'm glad I'm fat-- My dear, kind mistress sees to that; I scare the birds while lying here-- They dare not come when I am near, To steal my mistress's nice fruit; My time to some good use is put.

'But you! what have you done to-day, Except to romp and run and play?'

The Kittens, looking quite subdued, Said, 'We are sorry we were rude.'

'Well then, this time I let you go,'

Old Puss replied, 'for now you know That older folk are wiser far Than silly little kittens are.'

With this remark Puss walked away And left the Kittens to their play.

I'm glad to say they ne'er forgot The lesson that they had been taught, And from that day tried hard to be From naughty, idle ways quite free; In fact they now behave so well That I have nothing more to tell.

C. D. B.

THE BEST LESSON.

A good man once had a serious illness, during which his life was several times despaired of. On his becoming convalescent, a friend said to him, 'It will be a long time before you are able to collect your thoughts to preach again, or to think of material for your sermons.'

'You are mistaken, friend,' was the answer. 'This illness has taught me more than all the books and learning I have studied in the whole of my life before.'

He had been not far from death, and had learnt more fully than any books could teach him, that there is something greater than mere human wisdom.

A MONKEY'S MEMORY.

A French lady on one occasion saw an organ-grinder ill-treating his monkey. She was moved with pity, and bought it. It became her chief pet, and used to follow her about everywhere. Once she invited a party of guests to a concert. The monkey was allowed to watch; but instead of staying where she had put it, it took the hat of one of the guests, and made a collection, much to the delight of the audience, and then emptied the contents into the player's lap. It had not forgotten its old habits.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A Monkey's Memory.]

THE BOY TRAMP.

(_Continued from page 7._)

CHAPTER II.

'Jack,' said Captain Knowlton, who had come to see me at Castlemore for a few hours, 'I have brought some news. Your aunt is going to be married.'

'Aunt Marion?' I cried.

'You haven't another aunt, have you?' he asked.

'No, of course not,' I answered; 'but I thought she was too old.'

'Anyhow,' he said, 'she is going to marry Major Ruston, and in about a month I shall come to fetch you to the wedding.'