Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-09-13

tons as time went on.
"They are, indeed, pretty and inter
esting," said Auntie Jane to a visitor,
but they are so mischlevous that |
should dispose of them in some way IL
jamie was not so fond of them"
"Their sense of smell is very acute,
or they are inquisitive," sad jamie,
coming in just then, and always ready
to talk about his pets. For to busy
myself one rainy day when I had
cold, raveled old stockings and wound
the yarn into balls with hickory nuts
for the centre, and the little midgets
found them and gnawed the yarn from
every nut"
THAT caused the INTO develop such
q fancy for my stocking basket" con.
tinued Auntie Jane, that was com.
PEELED to give II up to them, and now
they make II their headquarters.
have removed my work and replaced it
by quantity OF old yarn and worth.
less socks, and the yare busy and hap
Ply accommodating sweet apples, corn,
nuts or anything that strikes their
fancy about the premises"
/ Mr.. Grant was greatly interested In
, the little creatures.
J II have an amazing fondness for
squirrels" he said. and have endeav.
ored to tame those living about Hick.
DRY Lodge. With the red squirrels and
chipmunks / have succeeded fairly
well. They have learned that ! mean
them no harm and will stand gazing
ut me with their bright little eyes
chattering like monkeys over the nuts
! toss to them, but they have not con.
fdence enough In me to come within
reach Of my hand. Ho, there Ho! Hal"
as first Dickens and then Pip landed on
his shoulder, having made flying
spring from the top Of picture frame,
where they had been sitting side by
side, gnawing alternately at the same
English walnut-for they never quar-.
relied, but shared and divided and com
pared their treasures in the most cor.
dial and sociable way.
There are no gray squirrels In our
vicinity" he went on, laughing. as one
OF tn ebusy little fellows dove into his
handkerchief pocket after peanut
JAMES had asked leave to conceal
there. 1T is said that they used to
he numerous all about my Hickory
Lodge, but one autumn ! had some
young nephews staying with me who
hunted pretty closely, and the gathered
up the remnant Of the clans and
marched away, never to return"
u have heard of their meeting In .
similar manner in other locations"
said Uncle VIII. AN old farmer in
Lanesboro. among the Berkshire hills,
told me he witnessed their departure
from his woodland. They gathered
themselves together with as much sys.
ten as do the birds In autumn, large
stampeding army. and there had never
been gray squirrels enough to make a
sizeable pie on his property since that
time"
| They are among the most beautiful
and interesting of our native New Eng.
land, creatures" went on Mr.. Grant.
They seem to me to be worth coloniz.
Ing and cultivating. How much will
you take for Pip and Dick, the bounty
Jumpers, Jamie2"
The child shook his pets from his
folded arms where they had Just set.
tied themselves for nap. caught In his
breath with little shiver, set his teeth
hard together, and sprang up.
"Ill tell you what | will do said
Mr.. Grant, quickly. noting the expires.
sion of the child's face. "Your aunt
was Just now deploring the paucity of
the education privileges here. There
is an excellent school near my home,
and II you will you may come and live
You may bring your pretty pets with
You and employ your leisure time In
making them feel at home, and in
tanning the wild birds and animals now
on the premises. will, for your ser.
vice, care for you as II you were my
own son and make you as happy as |
can, for ! see that you have a gift for
getting on well with all the dumb crea.
lures that God has seen fit to place in
the world to be our neighbors. and our
friends also, II we are capabl eof max.
ing them so.'
This knack with animals is a nat.
ural gift" said Aunt Jane. 81 used to
feel tired out with him for wasting his
time, as called 1t, but after a little
became convinced that he had true
spontaneous love for all Gods beautiful
helpless little creatures, that gave him
true sympathy with them, which they
felt as well as he. Tabby put me to
shame when she adopted the squirrels,
that Jamie so reluctantly gave her In
obedience to my suggestion, and yet |
have always called myself an animal
lover had no idea. however. that
his liking for our little wild neighbors
would ever turn to his advantage"
jamie was very happy In his new
home, but no happier than were his lit. |
tie pets. The owner of Hickory Lodge
bought several more squirrels, none OF