For the Children.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2069, 21 December 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

For the Children.

THE ADOPTED FAMIL.Y A TRUE STORY OF A REAL CAT. Lady Jane and Muffy lived in two opposite corners in tho dry cellar; that is to say, they lived 1-liero when they were not in. tho kitchen or the nursery or enjoying the sunshine in the hack yard. Lady Jane was white, with black spots in her fur. Mulfy wore a gray coat of soft, silky hair, and the children loved them both very much. 'When one day they found Lady Jane lying in her cozy corner in the cellar with six little wliite-and-black spotted kittens cuddled around her, they were delighted, and when the very next morning Muffy was found in the corner with six gray "kittens snuggled up closo to her and taking their breakfast, their joy know no bounds. For a day or two tho children spoilt most of their time visiting the kittens and their mothers, and it was Agnes who noticed first that Muffy would not eat, and looked quite ill. On the third morning they found tho gray kittens alone in their corner, and later iu the day, Nora, the cook, found poor Muffy dead under the lilac bushes in Hie garden. A wail went up from the children: “Mamma! Wluit will Muffy’s kittens do now?” “We’ll- feed them with some nice warm milk,” said Mamma; “that’s all wo can do.” .But the gray kittens wore hard to manage. They just sprawled all over tho dish of milk and spattered it over the floor nstead of drinking it. The children’s mamma was quite troubled, not-know-ing what to do about, the hungry kittens, but that night the matter was settled in an odd sort of way. Hearing, a slight noise, Mrs Martin looked up from her sewing and saw Lady Jane tripping upstairs with one of her own kittens in her mouth. Six tripe were made in this way, and then Mrs Martin followed Lady Jane at last to -seo where she had moved her family. At the top of the house in a sunny little empty attic room she found the six spotted kittens comfortably settled. Then Lady Jane disappeared again. In a fow minutes her little tread was again heard, and this time she hold tho head of a. limp gray kitten in her mouth. Sho dropped the gray kitten down on the old piece of carpet beside her children and went- below stairs -again. This she did until all of tlio six motherless kittens were safely brought to their new home. Then she stretched herself out and let the starved little things suckle her until they were satisfied I Twice a day Lady Jane fed first her own and then, the gray kittens, and every day the children and their mother came to visit the adopted family. “I’ll tell you,” said Mamma, “we will help Lady Jane take care of her family, shall we not?” “Yes, yes, yes,” said tho children all at once. “Who will give Lady Jane her second cup of milk?” “11” “IT” “I!”-And so Nora used to take a big, shiny, fiat-bottomed pan of milk up to the attic room every day and Lady Jane and her 1 ntiro family would all crowd around in a circle and lap the milk. “Well,” said Agnes, “I thing Lady Jane is a very good stepmothor, don’t you, Mamma?” “Yes,” answered Mamma, “Lady Jane lias taught us all’a lesson.” BEFORE CHRISTMAS. A CHILD’S DREAM-PICTURE. My eyes make pictures when they’re "shut — such pretty things I see. That when the morning conies I wish It would not waken me. For my shut eyes can pictures make That never Mine when I’m awake.

So all night long I dream, and first, Just you guess what 1 see? You can’t—why, then. I’ll tell you. It’s a great, tall Christmas tree, With branches like green feathers curled, Tho loveliest picture iu the world. And as I watch, some little stars Come twinkling in and out With roguish look, as if to say “Is anyone about?” And' when they find there’s only mo They settle on that Christmas tree.

And by their light such pictures fine Upon my shut eyes fall Of lady-dolls with lovely gowns And babes with nono at all. And dolls that speak when down is pressed. A littlo bone within their breast.

They sit -among tho branches, And they all just -stare at me, As if each doll was wond’ring Whoso “Mummie” I should be. With my shut eyes, they’re all my own; -But morning comes—and I’m alone.

Porhaps ’tis kind old Santa Claus Who sends these pictures here, To show mo that he’s coming soon With all these dollies dear. Perhaps lie’s heard my old doll’s head Came off one day—and so she’s dead.

So mv shut eyes will pictijresjnake Till Christmas Eve conies'"round, And every night I’ll go to bed Without a word or sound, And dream of that big Christmas tree And Santa’s dollies —all for me!