THE DUEL by Eugene Field

The gingham dog and the calico cat
 Side by side on the table sat;
 Was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)
 Nor one or the other had slept a wink!
The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate Appeared
to know as sure as fate There was going to be a spat.
 (I wasn't there; I simply stat What was told to me by the Chinese plate)

 The gingham dog went "bow-wow-wow"
 And the calico cat replied, "mee-ow"
The air was littered, an hour or so, With bit of gingham and calico,
 While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place
 Up with its hands before its face
For it always dreaded a family row!
 (Now mind; I'm only telling you What the old Dutch cock declares is true!)

 The Chinese plate looked very blue
 And wailed "Oh, dear! what shall we do!"
 But the gingham dog and the calico cat
 Wallowed this way and tumbled that,
 Employing every tooth and claw In the awfullest way you ever saw-
 And, oh! how the gingham and calico flew!
  (Don't fancy i exaggerate- I got my news from the Chinese plate!)

Next morning, where the two had sat
They found no trace of dog or cat;
 And some folk think unto this day
 That burglars stole that pair away!
 But the truth about the cat and pup Is this;
 they ate each other up!
Now what do you really think of that!
 (The old Dutch clock it told ma so, And that is how i came to know.)


-HOPE