Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-11-24

Limpy was the most unfortunate
little mousie that ever lived. His
grandmother said that all his troubles
came from putting too much faith in
animals and people. Limpy was sure
the great gray cat had kind heart
and ne would not believe there were
sharp claws under her velvety paws
and teeth inside her smiling mouth
that would only too willingly ievour
a poor little trusting mousie.
He also believed that Jane, the
cook, was generous and charitable
and that little Bessie, with her long
brown curls and big dark eyes, would
care for all the mice under the back
porch if they only asked ner.
One day he ventured to say Good
morning" to Madam Kitty, and if
stray dog had not come into the yard
at that moment poor Limpy would
have learned all about those sharp
teeth and claws.
At another time he crept through
hole that grandparents had made in
the pantry wall and wanted to take
walk around the nice, clean kitchen.
To his horror and establishment the
servant girl struck him with the
broom and hurt inim so that he always
dragged one leg. That was why he
was called Limpy.
The day before Christmas heavy
rain fell, freezing almost before it
reached the ground. very twig on the
trees was a glittering icicle. and the
ground was SO sleek that the boys
and girls could skate from one end
of the town to the other.
Now the mice who lived under the
back porch of the great stone house
had pantry of their own, a little
nook in the cellar wall where they
stored many good things for the win
ter. On Christmas morning, the very
day of all the year when they most
wanted a good breakfast, the door to
their little pantry was locked and
barred with ice and the path that
led to it from the back porch was so
sleek that even old Greybeard, the
king of the rats, tumbled over and
over when he ventured outside his
hole.
Dinner time came and still there
was no break in the frozen path
not even rough place where q little
mousie could gain foothold The
wall of ice in front of the little mouse
pantry glittered strong and cold in
the pale sunlight. When evening
came all the mice were so hungry and
cold that Iimpy resolved to go boldly
up through the wall into tho pantry
and tell little Miss Bessie of his
troubles. He was sure she would
send plenty of food to his hungry
little cousins. for they were having
a great Christmas dinner upstairs.
AS he crept through the hole what
was his surprise to find right on the
shelf a great chunk of meat and
slice of cheese. If there is anything
that will tempt the appetite of
hungry mousie it is a piece of de-
licious yellow cheese, but Limpy was
not thinking of himself. He was
eager to do good to those who only
made fun of him. Dragging the meat
close to the hole. he gave It a push
and down it went. Then he took the
cheese in his jaws and climbed down
the rough boards with it, He was 60
ing to divide it and then call all the
other mice to supper but they had al
ready smelled both meat and cheese
Before he reached the ground old Fuz-
~ had crept through the hole in the
foundation wall and pulled the chunk
of meat out under the porch. Just as
Limpy appeared the hungry mice we're
finishing the last scrap of it. Then
they pounced on him and devoured the
cheese before he had a chance even
to taste it.
But alas for the greedy mice. Jane,
fearing that the mice would come and
nibble the good things in the pantry
that night had laid poisoned meat and
cheese near their hole.
One after another the mice began to
feel sharp pains in their little stom-
achs. Wildly they ran about for water
for it felt as if they were on fire. at
last they crept off in the dark under
the steps and died. Poor Limpy was
left alone, and trembling with grief,
hunger and cold he crept up the dark
passage to the pantry again. Just as
he crawled out on the shelf little Bes-
sic entered. 'Ch, mamma" she
cried, here is the dearest little gray
mouse. Can't put him with the white
one that Uncle Ben gave me?"
So Limpy as n reward for his good
Intentions found a warm. cozy home
with plenty to eat and a dear little
sister for a companion Rec.
ord-Herald.