The length of our nails!
These big mortal tyrants even grudge us
A place on the mat.
Do they think we enjoy for our music
Staccatos of "scat?"
What in the world were we made for?
Man, do you know?
By you to be petted, tormented?
Are _you_ friend or foe?
To be treated now, just as you treat us,
The question is pat,
To take just our chances in living,
Would _you_ be a cat?

_LUCY LARCOM_.

[Illustration: "ARE YOU FRIEND OR FOE?"]




"SCRAMBLE."


Doctor Schroeder was a quaint old German physician, who lived in a fine
old-fashioned house near a public play-ground. Connected with the
doctor's premises was an extensive peach orchard, and, sad to say,
naughty boys would sometimes climb over the orchard wall and pilfer his
peaches. To guard against this practice the doctor had the top of his
wall adorned with a row of very ugly iron spikes. Not far from Doctor