There was once a Lord Mayor of London, whose name was Sir Richard
Whittington. He rose to that office from being a poor orphan, living
in a distant village. Dick was a sharp boy, and was always picking up
knowledge from some of the villagers. Dick heard of the great City of
London; he often heard it said that the streets were paved all over
with gold.
One day seeing a waggon and team of horses on the road to London; he
took courage and asked the waggoner to let him walk by his side.
Having gained permission, they set off together. When Dick got to
London, he was very eager to see the fine streets paved all over with
gold, but the poor boy saw nothing but dirt instead of gold, so he
crouched down at the door of one Mr. Fitzwarren, a great merchant.
Here he was soon found by an ill-tempered cook, who ordered him to go
about his business. But just at this moment Mr. Fitzwarren himself
came home, and finding that the poor boy was willing to work, he took
him into his house, and said that he should be kept to do what dirty
work he was able for the cook. The cook was always scolding him from
morning till night, and was very cruel to him. Poor Dick had another
hardship. His bed was places in a garret where there were great
numbers of rats and mice, which ran over his face, and made a great
noise. Dick at last bought a cat which was famous for being an
excellent mouser.
Soon after this, the merchant, who had a ship ready to sail, asked
his servants if they would send any goods abroad. All the servants
mentioned something they were willing to venture but poor
Whittington, who said he had nothing but a cat which was his
companion.
"Fetch thy cat, boy," said Mr. Fitzwarren, "and let her go." Dick
hesitated for some time; at last he brought poor Puss, and delivered
her to the captain with tears in his eyes. The cook continued to be
so cruel to him that the unhappy fellow determined to leave his
place. He accordingly packed up his few things, and travelled as far
as Holloway, and there sat down on a stone. While he was there
musing, Bow-bells began to ring; and it seemed to him that their
sound said:
_"Turn again, Whittington,_
_Lord Mayor of London."_
So back went Dick, and got into the house before the cook came down
stairs.
The ship with Dick's cat on board happened to be driven by contrary
winds on a part of the coast of Barbary, inhabited by Moors, who
showed great eagerness to purchase the things with which the ship was
laden. The captain seeing this, took patterns of the choicest
articles he had to the King of the Moors. While he was showing them
to him, dinner was brought in, and at once lots of rats and mice came
in and ate up all the dainties. The captain was astonished when the
King told him that this often happened. The captain rushed off at
once to the ship, and brought Puss to the palace. The second dinner
had been brought in, and, as usual, in came the rats and mice; Pussy
at the sight of them sprang out of the captain's arms and killed lots
of them, and the rest ran off to their holes. The King was greatly
pleased with the wonderful Puss, and gave two sackfuls of gold for
the cat, and the captain at once sailed for London. When Mr.
Fitzwarren heard the news, he ordered Dick Whittington to be called,
and showed him all the riches which the captain had brought in
exchange for his cat. Dick was now a rich man, and soon after married
the merchant's daughter, at the very church whose bells seemed to
call him back to London. He grew richer and richer, became Sheriff,
and at length Lord Mayor of London.
[Page 156--More Pussy Land]
[Illustration: Our Kate Washing our Kitties.]
[Illustration: Burying our poor dead Bird, Pussy looking very
suspicious.]
[Illustration: Our Pussies driving their Rabbit Sleigh.]
[Illustration: Our very lazy Pussy.]
[Illustration: Our careless Pussy caught in a trap by the Mice.]
[Page 157--More Pussy Land]
[Illustration: Our Toby giving our Tabby a Ride.]
[Illustration: Weighing our Pussy against our Doggy.]