```In the shine of the merry morning
````Of the springtime glad and sweet,
```Went Totty and Tom together,
```In love with the balmy weather,
````As they trod with eager feet
```The road to Grandpa's orchard,
```Where the apple-blossoms grew
```(For dearly did they love them),
```And the bright, clear sky above them
````Was smooth and soft and blue.=
```Oh! the fragrant, dainty perfume
````Filling all the sweet spring air!
```From the trees with blossoms laden
```For the little man and maiden
````Who were hastening for a share.
```But what think you strangely happened?
```One great blossom, white and round,
```Stirred at sound of To tty's laughter,
```And, just a moment after,
````Tried to spring upon the ground.=
```Up, up the tree climbed Tommy,
````Mid the blossoms pink and white,
```And found a wee, lame kitty
```(Oh! it filled his heart with pity)
````All trembling with affright.
```In her foot a thorn was clinging,
````And she could not spring away.
```"Ah!" laughed Tom, "you 're good for
````showing
```What a blossom queer was growing
````On the apple-tree to-day."=
```Then to Totty's arms he bore her,
````Poor lame pussy, tenderly;
```And, as no one since has claimed her,
```"Apple-blossom" they have named
`````her,
````So soft and white is she.
```But when blossoms turn to apples,
````And the boughs are bending low,
```Gentle "Apple-blossom" kitty
```Will turn (ah, more's the pity!)
````To a full-grown cat, I know.=
--M. D. BRINE,
[Illustration: 0138]
```My name is Bessie, and I'm looking at you,
```As I sit here just like a marble statue.=