Маленькие женщины

           Thislovelyandbelovedcatwasthepetofalargecircleofwarmandadmiringfriends;forherbeautyattractedalleyes,hergracesandvirtuesendearedhertoallhearts,andherlossisdeeplyfeltbythewholecommunity.

           Whenlastseen,shewassittingatthegate,watchingthebutcher’scart,anditisfearedthatsomevillain,temptedbyhercharms,baselystoleher.Weekshavepassed,butnotraceofherhasbeendiscovered,andwerelinquishallhope,tieablackribbontoherbasket,setasideherdish,andweepforherasonelosttousforever.

           Asympathizingfriendsendsthefollowinggem:

           ALament

           (ForS.B.PatPaw)

           Wemournthelossofourlittlepet,

           Andsigho’erherhaplessfate,

           Fornevermorebythefireshe’llsit,

           Norplaybytheoldgreengate.

           Thelittlegravewhereherinfantsleeps

           Is‘neaththechestnuttree.

           Buto’erhergravewemaynotweep,

           Weknownotwhereitmaybe.

           Heremptybed,heridleball,

           Willneverseehermore;

           Nogentletap,nolovingpurr

           Isheardattheparlordoor.

           Anothercatcomesafterhermice,

           Acatwithadirtyface,

           Butshedoesnothuntasourdarlingdid,

           Norplaywithherairygrace.

           Herstealthypawstreadtheveryhall

           WhereSnowballusedtoplay,

           Butsheonlyspitsatthedogsourpet

           Sogallantlydroveaway.

           Sheisusefulandmild,anddoesherbest,

           Butsheisnotfairtosee,

           Andwecannotgiveheryourplacedear,

           Norworshipherasweworshipthee.

           A.S.