The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1876-01-26

"
next morning to feed it. The little
creature was waiting for him, and put
its nose through the bars to nibbIe 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 caress 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 bedin order.
Cleaning i'll" exclaimed Charlie.
:" Wen I declare / forgot that.
1t ought to be done very often,
replied Harry; papa says that unless
rabbits are kept very clean they become
offensive, and / intend to clean mine
every day."
So will ], said Charlie: but / do
not think it viii matter if / leave mine
until tomorrow. Yes / win be sure to
clean out the hutch tomorrow"
g Better do it to-day" 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
oheyed that day-he fed the rabbit
three times, and gave it small quanti-
ties of food; but on the morrow be did
not do so. He was very late out Of
bed, and ran down in the garden tosee
his pet, just as the breakfast bell was
ringing. Hastily gathering a heap Of
food he opened the door and thrust it in.
II ought to clean the hutch he
thought but / have not time now.
Papa viii be angry if am late at the
breakfast table; I will do it by-and-by,
Or tomorrow.
But the by-and-by came, and he did
not clean the little creatures home. II
was hoiiday-time, and he went as usual
to Harry's house To play. His friend
had been up aud out very early, and
his pet had been well cared for. Char
lie looked at the trim hutch and we'll
arranged food and straw, and his con
science pricked him.
II an sorry, he thought, that I
was 80 late this morning; but | win 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.
"It i about feeding time, Charlie, :
he said.
Charlie did not want to 60 home es-
pecially to feed his rabbit, and again
found an excuse.
/ gaveit a great deal this morning,
he said, 'f.and [ do not think l ought to
give il more. Mr.. Thorn said that
over-feeding was bad for it,
But It ought not TO have the whole
days food ut one time" said Harry.
mo, 1 know it, replied Charlie /;
i" and / will be more particular to-mor-
row"
Il few days passed, and Charlie did
not improve. The slovenly way he at
tended upon and fed bis rabbit was
very wrong, and / am afraid the poor
little creature had bad time Of it,
The hutch was dirty, with stale, with
cred eabbage-leav strswn about it,
covering the saucer where bran had
once been put, but where, alasi none
was ever seen. The bran had to be
fetched from the house, and it was 50
much trouble to get il.
/ am sure, thought Charlie, " t'aat
the green food viii do for IL to-day
tomorrow | win bring out some bran
with me-
ksver thus, you see dear reader 81
m0Erow and rot to-day with him.
very sad, was ii not
One morning Charlie received an in
yitation to spend the day with another
school fellow Who lived d few miles of
to celebrate birthday There was to
Be cricket and football, and plenty Of
fun I'll tie open aiF, 4 tea Id 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 alter breakfast with q
very light heart dis friend had sent
the carTiage for him, and Charlie was
very fond of ride. He was sorry
that Harry was not going. bat Harry
was not invited.
The next morning he was very early
at MI. Th0rn's house, telling Harry all
about the capital game OF cricket he
had, and the races he had run. and
how BE had kicked the football home.
The recital of these amusements and
the discussion afterwards took q long
LllElE4 Hliil IL NStc At<elA - w ~ SsAsfst
when MI. Thorn came ii ta take the
lads d walk
They were otli very nearly two hours
in the feds, examining many 81 the
wonders VI natare--tfle beautiful
shapes of the wild flowers, the busy ants,
and the brilliant butterflies Mr.
Thorn kindly explaining many things
Ito them. At two o'clock they returned
home for luncheon.
Afier the meal Harry arose and
said that liz must feed his rabbit As
hs named his pet Charles tace became
very pale.
e YOU unwell2p asked NH. Thorn
regarding the eoy very aIaxiously.
stOh. Sir, cried Charlie. covering
BIS faee With lis hands. " | am atraid
I have been very cruel 10 my little Eab-
hit / forgot 70 feed il this morning,
and--and