The Monmouth inquirer., 1865-06-22


for long time he could not find any Z
them, though he looked for them in ever
direction. At last he went to the othe
side of the oak tree, where You remembe
Spotty had gone to see what the man wa
doing. Poor little fellow! he had foun,
out to his cost, for there he was, caugh
in trap; and in his struggles to get ou
he had hurt himself so badly that be wa
breathing his last when Tiny found him
He had only time to send his love to Bun
fny, and to say how sorry he was that b
had not taken his advice, when he fel
over on his side and died.
Tiny knew that it would make Bum,
still more unhappy than he was already t
hear of Spotty's fate, so he thought ths
ne would go and find Frisky and Fatt
first, so that he might have some goot
news to carry; but when he did fnc
Fatty, she was lying dead, too, at the
foot of the tree on which grew the vine
whose leaves she had been eating. 1t wa
a poisonous vine, and she had paid tht
great penalty of her gluttony with hel
life.
This was too much for Tiny, so he raj
back to Bunny, without waiting to look
for Frisky, and told him how badly hi
poor little sister and brother had Jared
Bunny cried again when he heard it, ane
I'ipy sat down beside him and howled il
the most dismal manner.
At last Tiny told Bunny that he woult
go and look for Frisky.
" Where did you see her last ~ he ask
ed Bunny
9 In that long grass yonder," answer
ed Bunny, pointing out the place.
!" Very well; | will do my best to fine
her." said Tiny g If l do not, it will mo-
be for want Of looking. Good-bye!" anc
off he ran, leaving Bunny alone again.
"BunnyW said little voice overhead
Bunny looked up and saw little robin
sitting and swinging on branch Of the
oak tree.
Did you speak to me ~ asked Bunny
4es," said the robin, putting his head
on one side.
" What have you TO tell me n asked
Bunny. 4.
Tiny will never find Frisky," said the
robin. i saw great ugly wildcat who
VI, was proving around. kill her and carry
Bunny would not believe the fobin, at
first, for he coald not bear to think that
all four of his brothers and sisters were
dead through their own faults; but when
after waiting a long time for Tiny, he
saw him come back alone, be ran into the
house without waiting to hear the news,
for he could tell by the way his tail was
hanging between his legs that be had been
unsuccessful.
When Bunny's father and mother came
heme, they found him sitting by himself
in corner, and looking very disconso
late.
Where are your brothers and sisters!'
asked his mother, who had been looking
round anxiously for them ever since she
came in
Poor Bunny could only answer with
his sobs
" Is geKtbing the matter with them p
she c0ntl. acOming more alarmed
every momeno.
"They have been disobedient, and
have got into trouble, have they not 2"
asked his father.
But still poor Bunny could not an
swer, and his father and mother were
growing more and more anxious and i'm
patient every moment, when they heard
a gentle bark at the door, and when the
father went to see who it was, there
stood Tiny.
g | beg your pardon, Mr.. Rabt ?
said he, g for intruding upon you; but !
know that poor Bunny would not like to
tell you how good he was himself, and
how naughty his brother and sisters were
while you were away"
So then he told the whole story him
self, and Mrs. Rabbit came and listened
too. When be had ,,laae Athe1n -. u
Bunny, and told him not tSl(gfieea %
more, and said they had rather have one
good child like him than twenty naughty
ones, and so, as it is not the nature 0
rabbits to fret long about anything, they
were soon all very happy again. TIM
stayed to tea with them, and Bunny wa
glad to find that his father and mothe
approved Of the friendship between them
After this, Tiny used to come. ever.
day and play with Bunny, always taking
the greatest care not to hurt him; ant
by-and-by, when some more little broth
ers and sisters were born. their parent
used to tell them to mind Bunny, and fol
low his example in everything; and yo
may guess how happy this proof of thei
confidence made him, and how careful b
always was to try and deserve it.
CLASSIFICATION OF READERS -Reac
ers may be divided, says Coleridge, int
four classes
Cnonnnc xrbo ,dcorh oil fhnu 20 4