the
plum-cake. All the townsfolk stood by watching them. When the circus-men
arrived on the scene they were too surprised for the moment to do a
thing. They just stood still and watched the two animals eat the cake,
even waiting until the lion had picked up the last crumb and the unicorn
the last raisin. Then they came forward very quietly and threw a rope
first over the lion's head and then over the unicorn's, and led them
back to their cages. Puss, Jr., who had by this time arrived on the
scene, turned to the people and said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, it was very kind of you to give plum-cake to our
animals. It only goes to show what kindness will do. I hope you will
appreciate how much we thank you for what you have done, and also that
you will come to our show to-night. I can assure you we will give you a
double bill to show you how much we appreciate what you have done for
us."

"Hurrah!" cried the crowd. "Three cheers for Sir Cat!"

That night there was a tremendous attendance. The tent was crowded.
Everybody was in a jolly frame of mind. All the circus people did their
best. Puss, Jr., jumped through three hoops without touching the back of
the big white horse, and the clown was funnier than he had ever been in
all his life. The circus-lady never looked so pretty, nor did she ever
ride so well before. And it took the ticket-seller all night to count
the money.

PUSS, JR., MEETS ANOTHER CAT AND MORALIZES ON CONTENTMENT

For some time Puss, Jr., traveled with the circus, but at last, finding
that he could make better time if he traveled alone, he said good-by and
started off by himself. Perhaps he remembered the old saying, "He
travels faster who travels alone." At any rate, he made up his mind on
this point and set bravely out by himself.

But he was not lonely, for he was continually seeing new sights and new
people.

One morning as he trudged along a road bordered by green meadows he saw
at some little distance ahead a large apple-tree. As he drew near a
pussy-cat ran up the trunk.

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,
Up went Pussy-Cat, and down went he;
Down came Pussy-Cat, away Robin ran;
Said Little Robin Redbreast, "Catch me if you can!"
Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall,
Pussy-Cat jumped after him, and almost got a fall;
Little Robin chirp'd and sang, and what did Pussy say?
Pussy-Cat said, "Mew," and Robin flew away.

"What are you trying to