166 THE OLD MAID, THE CAT, 
This guest, thus mounting by the bark, 
The startled tree receives, 
And all the darks, at pussy’s lark, 
Astonish’d leave the leaves. 
The dog, who just arrived too late, 
Was left to growl and chafe ; 
For dogs, like man, must yield to fate ; 
He saw that puss was safe. 
She would not leave her seat, but sat 
Secure from danger now ; 
And in the tree was grinning at 
The bow-wow, from the bough. 
The good old lady by this time 
Arrived all out of breath, 
Too late aware of Towser’s crime, 
And fearing pussy’s death ! 
And folks who came to crowd their fill, 
Now gaping /i//’d the crowd, 
And many stood with wonder still, 
And many spoke aloud. 
A horrid woman came with a 
Tobacco-pipe in mouth, 
And smelling like—what shall I say P— 
Why not like the “ sweet south.” 
She stood with shoulders broad and bare, 
And arms stuck out a kimbo ; 
Diverted to see pussy there 
Stuck up in leafy limbo. 
