The San Francisco call., 1897-08-29

ters, content to let my mother depart
every day in search OF food, which she
sometimes failed to obtain.
But after awhile 1 grew tired of the
dusty, musty old trunk and decided to
seek better quarters. Before | left the
garret, however, nv mother warned me
to beware of all cats, suspicious-looking
wire houses, and all boxes on which were
pictured skulls and crossbones
l impatlently listened to her words OF
wisdom, as | was so eager TO be off, and
thought l could take care of myself.
OF course little girls and boys never feel
that way, for they are much wiser than
little mice, and never fail to obey their
parents.
1 was very daring and soon got into
trouble, as you will see.
The next few weeks l spent in the cup
boards of the kitchen and dining-room.
This life suited me exactly. and 1 had q
fine time all by myself. nibbling first one
dainty and then another.
But one dav, when ] was as full and as
happy as a mouse could be, l stuck nv
little head out OF the cupboard door,
which was slightly ajar, to look about the
kitchen. What did l see? Why, the old
fat cook, TO be sure, coming right straight
to the cupboard. She almost stepped on
me, but l managed to jump back in time
to save my little plump bouy from being
smashed by her great foot. unfortunately
though, l knocked over a teacup in my
fright, which fell to the floor with great
crashl
hi aAd a1 % T L.
about for hiding place. Near by stood q
large, deep bowl. Without stopping to
think of what it might contain. into it
jumped, glad to escape for the time being.
The bowl was partly filled with rich gravy,
which knew was to be served at dinner.
1t stuck to my feet, and l assure you this
was quite uncom Portable. All was silent
for moment. Then / heard the cook ex-
claim, saints pressrve usl shure an
that was mouse. Pll go fetch the cat
this blessed mint" Then off she went.
Horrorsl the cat.
Now was my time to escape. I leaped
from my hiding place, then through the
hole l had gnawed, into the dining room,
across tables and chairs; scampered down
the halls, up the stairs, through another
friendly hole, up another flight of stairs
and into the garret at last, the most for
lorn frightened little mouse in the world
The first thing l saw after l was able to
open my eyes was my mother sitting sad
and alone, weeping softly to herself, in
the midst of pool of tears.
She paid no attention to me at all, so I
crept up softly behind her and pulled her
tail as hard as l could. This made her
jump almost as high as the sky, and then
she fell down "kerfiop" right into nv
arms. Oh. how she and did cryl
asked her why she wept and she told
me pititul tale of how, one by one. my
beloved father, brothers and sisters had
gone from the garret. and of how she
never hoped TO see them again. l felt too
happy over my escape to mourn long, SO
l bade her dry her eyes and promised to
remain with her and be her comfort in her
old age. Then l rolled over and over with
glee as l thought of the grease spots l
must have left behind me in my fight,
and allowed my mother to assist me in
freeing my coat from the remains of the
gravy, aheml After which performance
we huddled together and had a fine sleep
L lived quietly along for few weeks
with my mother, but soon grew tired of