I went home feeling that I could never be happy again, but a great
surprise was in store for me. When I had climbed up to my nest, there
sat Chippy, safe and sound.
"My dearest Chippy, how did you get out of the cage?" I asked.
"Frank let me out," said the joyful Chippy. "He was watching me this
morning, and at last he said, 'Chippy, I don't believe I should like
to run in a wheel if I had been used to running in trees. I think
those wires must make your feet sore. I am sure I should like my own
home better than this dull cage. Chippy, old fellow, I am going to
let you out.'
"Didn't I run! I forgot to say 'Thank you,' I was so happy, but I think
he knew how glad I was."
FORBEARANCE.
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
Loved the wood-rose, and left it on its stalk?
At rich men's tables eaten bread and pulse?
Unarmed, faced danger with a heart of trust?
And loved so well a high behavior,
In man or maid, that thou from speech refrained,
Nobility more nobly to repay?
O, be my friend, and teach me to be thine!
RALPH WALDO EMERSON.
THE STEEL TRAP.
In a little village in the northwestern part of America there once lived
a boy named Amos Hunt. In that part of the country the trade in furs is
extensively carried on, and Amos frequently caught some of the smaller
wild animals in his steel traps.
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