Nine little bantams were pecking at the shell;
One got free too soon, and fell down the well.
Eight little bantams nestled close at night;
A weasel snatched one, and fled out of sight.
Seven little bantams wandered in the lane;
A hawk pounced on one; it ne'er was seen again.
Six little bantams were eating crumbs of bread;
A greedy bantam took too much, and fell down dead.
Five little bantams were playing in the barn;
The horse stepped on one of them, but did the rest no harm.
Four little bantams watched the ducks swim;
One tumbled over the pond's grassy rim.
Three little bantams were in their mother's care;
A rooster pecked one, and then were left a pair.
Two little bantams trod the world together;
Cook killed one of them, and pulled out every feather.
One little bantam, brave in colors rare,
Won the very highest prize at the county fair.
L. G. R., Louisville, Ky.
Chelsea, Massachusetts.
I would like to tell the readers of Young People about a pretty pair of white mice which my father gave me. About a month ago, when I went to feed them, I found a very cunning little one in the nest. He has grown to be almost as large as the big ones. Last Friday I was away all day, and when I came home I went to play with my pets, when I found five more little ones.
The next evening I heard a noise in the kitchen, and when I went to see what it was, I saw my cat with the poor little mother mouse in her mouth. When she saw me coming she started to run, but I caught her by the tail, and got it away from her. Alas! it only lived a few seconds. Oh! I felt dreadfully.
I tried to feed the little ones, but they were so young they could not eat, and they grew so weak that my mother said it would be a mercy to drown them. I felt very sad about this, but I put them in a box, and that in a pail of water, and they were soon out of their misery. I buried them in my garden, under my plum-tree. I have only two left.
My father would not allow me to punish the cat, because he said it was her nature. I have, besides my mice, two cats and a canary. My brother has three rabbits. He has gone this afternoon to get me a turtle.
L. B. G.
Bay Ridge, Long Island.
We have two dogs, and we call them Tip and Becky. We have a Polly, and she is sick. I had a paroquet, but a cruel dog killed it. This is my first letter to any paper, although I am twelve years old.
Jennie B. F.