Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-08-11

coulun Keep his eyes off from him, and
II he had been an artist he would have
painted lovely picture.of him; but being
only a squirrel, he couldn't you know.
tie did. though, what think was great
deal better-he said to himself, I" | want
to sec my mamma dreadfully, but was
bad Brownie and did not mind her, and
here am. III can do any good to that
dear little boy by staying here, | will"
Just then Phil opened bis eyes and looked
straight ut Brownie. oh" he cried,
good morning, SO you are awake, are
you? How do you do, and what is your
name?' Brownie made his best bow, and
said his name was Brownie Whisktail.
Phil did not seem to understand very we'll.
Pretty soon Dick came in and took up
little Phil and washed him, and combed
out his curls, fixed his bed all nice, and
laid him down again. Then he went away
Tor lew minutes, and came in bringing
his breakfast.
Dick, said Phil, "do you suppose
the little squirrel would run away ii we
should let him out?n
" No don't think he would" said Dick,
"'cause he's so lame he can't 60 far"
Brownie said to himself he wouldn't if
he were not lame. if Phil wanted him to
stay. Dick opened the door of the cage,
and Brownie hoped down on the bed.
"Oh, see!" said Phil, " how lame he is {;
he goes just as do when | walk"
oh, dear!" thought Brownie, '' | won
der If it hurts him so every step he takes"
Dick rubbed the back of his hand across
his eyes and said nothing.
g." Poor little BrOwnjp he wants soma
breakfast" said Phil; "he shall have some
of mine "
:" guess hid rather have walnuts," said
Dick, laying handful on the stand.
Good by"
Good-by,' replied Phil. "Oh, Dick
what good brother you are TO bring me
this little darling; see how he cuddles
down in my hand. | shan't be lonesome
today one Bit" Dick went down stairs
with less noise than usual. and when he
got where nobody could see him he took
out his handkerchief and wiped II good
many tears away, for h, knew he was
going to lose little Phil, and that in a few
days or weeks he would never see him
any more.
After Dick had gone, Phil said, IL don I
want this porridgc. Bunnie, won't you
eat some?'
"Oh, dear" thought Brownie. II dc
wish he hadn't understood me Bunnie."
But he was too hungry to care much what
he was called. So he took mouthful OF
the porridge, and it tasted so good that he
took another till it was all gone. Then he
nestled down close to Phil, and before long
they both were fast asleep. By-and-by
Aunt Jane came in and took away the
bowl that had contained the porridgc, say
ing as she did so. Why, little Phil has
eaten all his breakfast this morning.
guess he is better"
When Phil and Brownie woke up they
got quite acquainted. Phil told Brownie
how lonesome he had been, and showed
him some pictures lady had given him
to look at; and Brownie told Phil all about
his home IN the woods, and his mamma
and Moonbeam; so by night they felt as il
they had known each other for year.
Every day passed about the same way
for two weeks, only little Phil grew
weaker and weeker every every day, and
finally Dick did not 60 away at all.
One evening just as the sun was setting
little Phil, who had been lying very quiet
looking at the shadows which the leaves
made on the wall, suddenly put out his
hand and stroked Brownie. Dick" said
he, you will let Bunnie go back to his
home tomorrow, won't you?" Yes, v
said Dick, choking back sob; and then
little Phil stretched out his arms towards
Dick and said, Good-by, Dickie." Then
he lay back on the pillow and closed his
eyes. Little Phil would never be tired any
more.
Brownie crcpt awe struck into the cage
the next morning little Phil's bed was all
smooth and white, but little Phil was gone.
By-and-by Dick came, looking very sad,
and took Brownie out of his cage. lie
carried him long distance. After Il
while the trees began to look more famil-
lar; and when at last Dick put him down
at the very spot where Brownie had been
drinking when Dick shot him, 1t did not
take him long to run up the tree and into
his old home, can tell you.
His mother and Moonbeam were glad
enough to see him, for they had given him
up us dead and he had 50 much to tell
them that they sat up all night listening to
him.
Brownie is now Hon. B. Whisktail, Esq,
and has gray whiskers and a great many
grandchildren but he has never forgotten
the time he dsobeyed his mother, and the
two weeks he spent with little Phil
Church Union.