St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-11-01
Gnr he Children.
About Catching a Squirrel.
FROM A LITTLE BOY, BY HIS MAMMA

thOM Little bO1, b1 HID MAMmA'
There was the squirrel cage-a "de-
scended cage" 1t must have been "de-
scended," because sister Belle calls all
her sacks "descended Sacks" that have
come to her from grown-up sisters.
My cage was once brother Eds per-
sonal property. He is big man now,
and goes over the country, sending me
nice letters about hotels, where good
natured walters bring to small boys
large saucers full of ice-cream and sweet
cakes for their dinner. That cage was a
precious gift, and its owner wished the
squirrel still lived, that turned the wheel
so fast that the whole room seemed to
whirl to its music.
talked as little boys do talk when
they are very much interested. Of
course papa was interested. There
were squirrels ON the wall, in the trees,
such tame squirrels, too, they were like
little kittens, everywhere. But not so
willing to be caught as kittens. If you
walked very softly near little "Striped
Brownie" he was off to the wall, or up
the big tree. But papa made Il trap,
put it just where the squirrels went, put
the most tempting nuts over the string,
and fastened the door, so it would shut
one squirrel inside if he went in for his
nuts. After many half hours the door
was shut, and one squirrel was quite in
side.
Papa and l took the trap very gently
into the house, brought out the cage,
put the cage door beside the trap, and
waited for our squirrel to run in the
cage. All the hOusehold-bi sisters
and mamma-waited without speaking
word. l kept quiet because papa said
if talked very loud the squirrel would
be frightened and would not turn the
wheel when he ran into his cage.
We waited ten minutes, then ten
minutes mole before peeping cautiously
into the cage. Papa took the last Adj
vance paper, saying that he couldn't
wait for Mr.. Striped Brown Squirrel.
An impatient little boy was patient for
sixty minutes and then-there came
out, not a squirrel, but a small chicken
walked from Il quiet nap.
Everybody laughed but papa and !;
even the cook laughed every time she
looked at the cage. Papa said he felt
Cheap but didn't think it was very
nice for little boy to he quiet sixty
minutes, just fol- chicken. Papa didn't
care to try to catch another squirrel.
This is the reason why my squirrel
didn't whirl the wheel of my cage.
Because we caught chicken, instead
of squirrel.-AdUance.
HOLD ON, BoYs.-HOld on to your
tongue when you are just ready to
swear, lie, or speak harshly.
Hold on to your hands when you are
about to punch. scratch, steal, OF do any
improper act.
Hold on to your feet when you are on
the point of kicking, running off from
study, or pursuing the path of error,
shame or crime.
Hold on to your temper when you are
angry, excited, or imposed upon, OF
when Others are angry with you.
Hold on to your heart when evil asso-
ciates seek your company, and invite
you to join in their mirth, games, and
revelry.
Hold on to yOur good name at all
times, for it is of more value than gold,
high places, or fashionable attire.
Hold on to truth, for it will serve you
well and do you good throughout eter-
nifty.
Hold on to virtue; it is above all price
to you, at all times and places.
Hold on to your good character, for
it is, and ever will be, your best wealth
The Messenger.