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J. H. Stickney

The Cat and the Martins

A CAT, hearing that some Birds who lived in a martin box near by were ill, put on his spectacles and his overcoat, and made himself look as much as possible like a doctor, and went and knocked at their door.

"I hear that you are all sick," said he, "and have come to call on you. Let me in, and I will give you some medicine and cure you."

"No, thank you," said the Birds, who saw his whiskers and knew he was their enemy the Cat; "we are well enough — much better than if we should open our door and let you in."