Book of Cheerful Cats and Other Animated Animals Read online

  The Donkey and his Company.]

  A desultory Dog once met a discontented Donkey who could form noplans for his summer vacation. "Why not go with me to Bayreuth?"said the Dog. "We'll hear some music there, besides meeting allour friends." "Agreed," cried the Donkey; "'t is a happy thought."And they shook hands on it.

  On the way they met a fashionable Cat, and also a proud andsensitive young Fowl, who both declared they had long desired togo to Bayreuth. And so the four walked on in company.

  About noon the second day they suddenly stopped to listen, forthey heard distant music. "That must be the ending of an overture,"said the Dog. "I should judge by the sound we were now about threemiles from the Opera House."

  Arriving at the Opera House, they found all the seats were sold,and that they could gain no admittance; and this so disappointedthe sensitive Fowl that the others kindly assisted him to look inat an upper window.

  The music which poured from the building now so stirred them thatthey simultaneously burst into song.

  After the opera they all went to the Inn, where they had an excellentdinner, and then spent the evening in happy festivity.

  Their musical sensibilities were now so quickened that they resolvedto give a concert themselves, which was a great success and arousedimmense enthusiasm.

  Late!]

  Pictures with a Moral for Boys and Dogs. I.]

  II.]

  III.]

  Y^e JOYFUL OWL.]

  An Owl, with a Visage of Joy, Once Chassed a Kate Greenaway Boy. "'T will Break In my New Shoes, And my Children Amuse;"-- And it Did:--but Alas! for y^e Boy.

  A Queer Barber-Shop.]

  Scene I.]

  Scene II.]

  Story of the Catnip Ball. The Beginning.]

  The End.]

  The Prickly Pig, the Pug and Pard Try to surprise the Nubian Bard. He only smiles, with gesture kind,-- Wild flights do not disturb his mind.

  MATERNAL COUNSEL]

  Said a Sheep to her child, "My dear Ruth, Such precipitate haste is uncouth. When you come down a stair Use more caution and care, And restrain this wild impulse of youth."

  O, coasting Cats! my nerves you thrill As in your box you bounce and fly! If Jack and Jill are down this hill,

  I think you'll meet them presently. And they may feel constrained to say That yours is quite a sudden way.

  An Elephant sat on some kegs And juggled glass bottles and eggs. And he said. "I surmise This occasions surprise,-- But, oh dear, how it tires one's legs!"

  A Sea Change]

  They strolled at sunset down the beach and perched upon some piles, And sang about the Summer Sea--which then was out for miles. By eight o'clock the Summer Sea was flowing towards the shore, And then, I think, they all got down and sang of it no more.

  A Medical Opinion]

  The Infant Camel felt depressed,-- A case of doleful dumps. The Doctor said, "It seems to me His back has got the mumps."

  This diagnosis did divert The Nurse, a Kangaroo, And she did tell it to the Cat, And he smiled somewhat, too.

  A Needless Apprehension.]

  A shipwrecked Spoonbill always has a shock When he sees a Wigbird wading towards his rock.

  It makes a Cat-o'-Nine-Tails simply smile, When a Peacock tries the Neighbors to beguile.

  A HAPPY NEW YEAR!]