THE CONCEITED MOUSE.

Manawatu Herald, 30 July 1898, Page 4

THE CONCEITED MOUSE.

A Wvely Tale From St. Nicholas, In Which a Moral May He Fonncl, if Wanted. Once upon a time there was ft very small mouse with a very, very large opinion of himself. What ho didn't know his grandmother couldn't toll him. "You'd better keop a bright eye in your head those days," said sho ouo chilly afternoon. "Your gran'ther has Bmelled a trap." "Scat!" answered tho small mouse, " 'a If I don't know a trap when I sen it!" And that was all the thanks sho got for her good advice. "Go your own way, for you will go no other," the wise old mouse said tojierself,

and she scratched her noso slowly and sadly a3 sho watched her grandson scmnper tip tho collar stairs. "Ah," sniffed ho, poking Ma -whiskers Into a crack of tho dining room clipboard, "checso, as I'm .ilivr>!" Scuttle, uouttJo. "I'll be squizzloil if it isn't that cunning little housel I know what that Is — a cheesehouso, of course! What a very snug balll That'a the way with checschousos. I know, 'cause I've heard the dairymaid talk about 'em. It must be rather inconvenient, though, to carry milk up that step and through an iron door. I know why it's bo open — to let in fresh air. I tell you that cheeso is good! Kind of a reception room in there. I guess I know a reception room from a holo in tho wall. No troublo at all about getting in either. Wouldn't grandmothor open her eyes to gee me herel Guess I'll take nnother nibble at that cheese and go out. What's that noise? What in squeaks i 3 tho matter with the door? This is a cheesehouso, I know it Is, but what if it should turn out to be a — O-o-o-eeeel" And that'a Just what it did turn out to be.