Part 18 (2/2)

”I wish I had a cat,” thought d.i.c.k, ”for she could eat up these rats and mice.”

[Ill.u.s.tration]

One day d.i.c.k earned a penny by blacking a man's shoes.

”I will try to buy a cat with this penny,” thought d.i.c.k.

So he started out and soon met a woman with a large cat.

”Will you sell me that cat?” said d.i.c.k. ”I will give you this penny for her.”

”You are a good boy,” said the woman, ”and you may have the cat for a penny, for I know you will treat her kindly.”

That night d.i.c.k's bed was free from rats, and Miss Puss had a good supper.

d.i.c.k began to love his cat dearly.

d.i.c.k WHITTINGTON--II

Now Mr. Fitzwarren had many s.h.i.+ps which sailed to distant lands.

When a s.h.i.+p sailed Mr. Fitzwarren let every one in his house send something on it.

The things were sold, and when the s.h.i.+p came back, each person had the money for what he had sent.

One of the s.h.i.+ps was ready to sail.

Every one in the house except d.i.c.k had sent something.

”What is d.i.c.k going to send in the s.h.i.+p?” said Mr. Fitzwarren.

”Oh, that boy has nothing to send,” said the cross cook.

”It is true,” said poor d.i.c.k; ”I have nothing but my dear cat.”

”Well, then you must send your cat,” said Mr. Fitzwarren.

How lonely poor d.i.c.k was without Puss!

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The cook made fun of him for sending a cat on the s.h.i.+p.

At last d.i.c.k became so unhappy that he made up his mind to run away.

He started early in the morning, before any one in the house was up.

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