Year: 1875

cautiously approached the opening and
looked through.


GA ham, indeed" he exclaimed, in a
TRANSPORT of delight. Now Pa Pink
Nose was very hungry, and, besides, he
was a scamp: so he did not hesitate
moment, but walked right in and began
to help himself to everything. ltwas now
morning, but he was too hungry to think
of that. Unfortunately, while he was so
busy, Betty came in upon him suddenly,
SO that he had only time to hide behind
a lug She saw the hole in the wall, and
quickly laid brick against it, so as to
close it entirely.
81 must tell Pathrick, or the rats will
be in me panthry,' said Betty, as she
went away.


Pa Pink -Nsse saw the brick with dis
may, and began to think he would have
to gnaw fresh hole in order to make his
escape But every time he moved he
seemed to hear some one coming, so he
decided at last to hide until night, and
then try his luck. In the course of the
day the cheese was carried away. This
was disappointment, as it was men
toned by Frisk as an especial attrac-
ton.


Later Patrick came with his bits of
brick and mortar, and filled the opening
so completely that Pa Pink-Nose was IN
despair.


"How shall ever get out?" said he to
himself. "There's a way through the
wash-room if l dared try it. l am glad
there's no cat around"


But it happened there was small dog
visiting the family by the name of Tip.


Tip knew the pantry and was fond OF
the pantry. He liked to go there to
sniff the nice viands. He went there for
that purpose in the afternoon, but the
instant he stepped inside the door
change came over him. He prlcked up
his ears, such as they were. He showed
his teeth, sharp and white. He said TO
himself, al smell rat!' and in the
twinkling of an eye Pa Pink-Nose was
stretched upon the pantry floor, dead
rat. Nothing more to be done but to bury
him in the ash-barrel.


On the other side of the wall all was
excitement The party-no one could
think of anything else. There was
poem to be read on the occasion, all
done but to find rhyme for ham, All
the whiskers were nicely combed and
the little silky ears rubbed till they
shone, and when the house was still and
it was quite dark any cat might nave
seen merry company scamperlng down
through the walls, led by Noble and
Frisk.


"This way" said Frisk, as he guided
the lovely Miss Silk-Ear.


"I think l smell the cheese said
young Pink-Nose.


There is an odd SMELL" said the
Widow Sharp!Tooth -


"Wait a moment" said Nibble. "Let
me see how it is"


As he turned the corner strange,
damp odor came to meet him. "Ihls IS
not cheese" said he to himself, "nor
ham. 1t is-mortar! Wet mortar!
Frisk," said he to his friend, who ap-
peared at that moment, it is all over.
They've filled up the hole"


Don't tell me sou said Frisk, as he
came forward to examine it.


whats the matter?" cried the merry
company. "Is the hole stopped?'


"Iwon't give it up!" said Nibble, and
he began to gnaw frantically at the wall;
but wet mortar and brick is bad gnaw-
ing and he was soon obliged to stop.


For moment all was silent.


"Never mind" said Papa oilk-Ear.
1T can't be helped. Come to my nest,
and will give you the best have"


ooh, Nibble," said Frisk, "there are
the squash seeds, and plenty of them,
too"


"pll gnaw a hole there yet and have
that ham, said Nibble, deeply cha
grined.


MAKE the best of it now anyway"
said Frisk.


"Oh, yes" said the guests. "Never
mind. Squash seeds make very good
feast"


Then they all seated themselves in the
warm place near the chimney, and ate
seeds to their hearts content, and
told frightful cat stories, and had a jolly
time of it.


Poor Pa Pink Nose was not a favorite,
so no one missed him.


"But Pm sorry about that cheese"
sighed Widow Sharptooth. Youths Com
pdnion.