The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-12

condition that Mrs. Morton thought
it best to take him from the cage.
She put her hand in, and the little
creature crawled into it, as into safe
shelter, and in this gentlest of little
cages he soon died. Perhaps it was
his willingness to go to the best
beloved of the family in his distress
(much as the human members of it
did, that made all feel specially
grieved when he died. But certain
it is that the absolute hilarity of
Heber Newton over the loss of his
comrade SO grated on their feelings
that the entire Morton family re-
solved to give this miserable migrate
the very thing he most coveted-his
liberty.
But where should they release
him7 They inquired of policeman
in Central Park what chance of life
a red squirrel had there. "None at
ALL" answered the man. 1.-THE gray
squirrels would kill him in no time"
Then came happy thought
Bronx Parkl This seemed an ideal
home for red squirrel, for never had
gray squirrel been seen there in all
the visits made to this lovely spot;
and the occasional picnic parties
might leave some scraps, if his natu-
raj, food hunting instinct had been
dulled by confinement. Surely no
better place than Bronx Park could
be found.
The day for this excursion soon ar
rived. A comfortable tin cracker box,
with perforated cover perforated
with an icepick and hammer and
several bruised fingers), was pro-
vided; but the reckoning was made
without the little host; for, in spite of
all arguments and persuas ions (nuts
and lead pencils variously placed
Heber Newton refused, point blank,
to leave his cagel
The only alternative was to take
him. cumbersome cage and all. OF
course this excited various remarks
and comments, until his journey
countryward almost degenerated into
a circus procession. The paper
which covered the cage had been
torn little to admit air. This hole
was promptly and effectively en-
larged by an inquisitive child in the
horsecar. At the Forty second Street
Station it was theattraction for every
child in the waiting room, and on
the train the jocose conductor said
something about baggage cars" and
Seattle trains;" but as soon as he had
finished his rounds he sat down by
the cage and asked as many ques-
tions as any of the children had.
After leaving the cars at Bedford
Park, short walk brought the little
procession to charming bit of wood
land. This was decided on as the
best place to set free the hard hearted
little pet.
Della cautiously removed the wire
flooring, set the cage on the ground,
opened the door, and withdrew sorae
twenty fe t,where she and Flo seated
themselves on a rock to watch the
squirrel.
For some minute, his circular
bounding about the cage was kept up
and then he came to halt. For the
first time he noticed that the floor
was not zinc or wire, but soft carpet
of pine needles.
He was puzzled; then he scratched
at the pine needles, just to satisfy his
curiosity. At that moment little
green weed blew against the cage.
He caught it, as Columbus picked up
the floating seaweed-it told of a new
world-more mystery!
He climbed the side of the cage
looked seriously at his new surround
ings, and shifted in the sweet, fresh
air in way that made his little own
ers glad that he would soon be free
After sitting like statues for perhaps
ten minutes, Della whispered to Flo
"Let's make him come out"
But just at that moment he discov'
cred the open door and ran out, while
the silent but excited spectators al
most feared to breathe, lest some
phase of this remarkable happening
should escape them. They had fell
that having been captive all his life
he would not know how to take care
of himself.
No fear of that! In another mo
ment he had turned and was scurry
ing to the nearest tree. He went uT
the rough trunk with the spasmodic
zigzag motion that all squirrels have
up. up, and at length out of sight
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