The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1876-01-22

creature was waiting for him, and put
its nose through the bars to nibble the
food he brought. Charlie was de.
lighted; and when it had eaten its
breakfast he took it out of the hutch to
hold it in his arms to cares it. The
little creature was perfectly tame, and
nestled close to his bosom as if it loved
him. dare say it did.
After he had breakfasted himself,
Charlie ran off to see his friend to tell
him how happy he was with his pet.
He found Harry busy cleaning the
bottom of his hutch and putting the
rabbits bed in order.
Cleaning it," exclaimed Charlie.
"Well 1 declare forgot that"
at ought to be done very often,
replied Harry; "papa says that unless
rabbits are kept very clean they become
offensive, and l intend to clean mine
every day."
So will ], )" said Charlie; "but 1 do
not think it will matter if l leave mine
until tomorrow. Yes will be sure to
clean out the hutch tomorrow"
Better do it today" urged Harry /;
but Charlie said it was too far to go
home just then, and he would leave it
until tomorrow.
One injunction from Mr.. Thorn he
obeyed that day-he fed the rabbit
three times, and gave it small quanti-
ties of food; but on the morrow he did
not de 80. He was very late out of
bed, and ran down in the garden to see
his pet, just as the breakfast bell was
ringing. Hastily gathering heap of
food he opened the door and thrust it in.
al ought to clean the hutch" he
thought; "but 1 have not time now.
Papa will be angry if / am late at the
breakfast table; l will do it by-and-by,
But the by-and-by came, and he did
not clean the little creatures home. 1t
was hoiday-time, and he went as usual
to Harrys house to play. His friend
had been up and out very early, and
his pet had been well cared for. Char
lie looked at the trim hutch and we'll
food and straw, and his con-
science pricked him.
II am sorry" he thought, "that l
was so late this morning; but l will at
tend to my rabbit to-morrow-the
hutch cannot be very dirty YET
Thus he reasoned with himself, and
he was very wrong to do so; he was
smoothing over wicked neglect, as too
many of us do, alas! every day. He
stayed at Mr.. Thorn's house all that
day. In the afternoon Harry reminded
him of his rabbit.
at is about feeding time, Charlie, !"
he said.
Charlie did not want to 60 home es-
pecially to feed his rabbit, and again
found an excuse.
al gave it a great deal this morning"
he said, 'sand I do not think l ought to
give it more. Mr.. Thorn said that
overlooking was bad for it.
"But it ought not to have the whole
days food at one time," said Harry.
"No, / know it," replied Charlie /;
"and l will be more particular to-mor-
row."
A few days passed, and Charlie did
not improve. The slovenly way he at
tended upon and fed his rabbit was
very wrong, and 1 am afraid the poor
little creature had a bad time Of it.
The hutch was dirty, with stale, with
cred cabbage-leaves strewn about it,
covering the saucer where bran had
once been put, but where, alas! none
was ever seen. The bran had to be
fetched from the house, and it was so
much trouble to get it.
al am sure, thought Charlie, " that
the green food will do for it to-day
tomorrow will bring out some bran
with me-"
Ever thus, you see dear reader-to,
morrow and not to-day with him.
very sad, was it not?
One morning Charlie received an III
vitation to spend the day with another
school-fellow who lived few miles of
to celebrate a birthday. There was to
be cricket and football, and plenty OF
fun in the open air, a tea in the even.
ing under the lime trees, and alto.
gether it was to be an ENJOYABLE day.
Charlie was very much pleased, and
went away soon after breakfast with q
very light heart. His friend had sent
the carriage for him, and Charlie was
very fond of a ride. He was sorry
that Harry was not going, but Harry
was not invited.
The next morning he was very early
at Mr.. Thorn's house, telling Harry al
about. the capital game of cricket he
had, and the races he had run, and
how he had kicked the football home.
The recital of these amusements and
the discussion afterwards took long
time, and it was nearly twelve O'Clock
when Mr.. Thorn came in to take the
lads walk.
They were out very nearly two hour
in the feds, examining many of the
wonders of nature-the beautiful
shapes of the wild flowers, the busy ants
and the brilliant butter-hies-Mr
Thorn kindly explaining many thing,
to them. At two o'clock they returned
home for luncheon.
After the meal Harry arose and
said that he must feed his rabbit. A.
he named his pet Charles face became
very pale.
care you unwellY" asked Mr.. Thor
regarding the boy very anxiously.
"Oh, sir" cried Charlie, covering
his face with his hands, 81 am afraie
l have been very cruel to my little rab
bit / forgot to feed it this morning
md-and--'
He hesitated a moment-then tn,
whole truth burst from his lips.
"And oh / have been so cruel.
forgot it yesterday too"
This is very sad,." said Mr. Thorn
rising hastily; "but it may not be to-
late to save the poor little thing.
will go with you. Harry bring you
bag of bran with you
Harry hastened to fetch it, and the,
all went down to Charles garden
Soon they came within sight of thu
hutch, and the boys ran hastily forward