There was a great battle at sea. One could hear nothing but the roar of the big guns. The air was filled with black smoke. The water was strewn with broken masts and pieces of timber which the cannon balls had knocked from the ships. Many ... Read more of CASABIANCA at Stories Poetry.com

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A Philosophic Cat

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A young cat, which sometimes was permitted the indulgence of taking her
place in the domestic circle, upon the carpet before the fire in the
parlour, one day came in when one of the party was spinning upon a line
wheel. Having never seen such a thing before, she became extremely alarmed
by its appearance and motion. She couched down in an attitude of fear and
of investigation; and yet at such a distance as would admit of a speedy
retreat if it should prove to be alive, and an enemy. She crept slowly all
along the wheel, with her eyes steadily fixed on it, and with a very
singular expression of countenance, till at length, not being able to
satisfy herself, she retreated towards the door, impatiently waiting to
make her escape; which she did the moment it was in her power, with great
precipitation.

The next morning, when she came into the room, the wheel then standing
still, she advanced courageously towards it, and after an apparently
careful examination, walking all round, ventured upon the further
experiment of endeavouring to ascertain with her paw whether there was
really anything to be apprehended from it. Still not finding any motion,
our philosopher of the Newtonian school, satisfied that she had nothing to
fear, seated herself quietly by the fire; and the next time she saw it in
motion, she sprang gaily forward, and enjoyed her triumph, by playing with
the object of her former terror.

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A Philosophic Cat