-THE YOUTH’S CABINET.

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those words, little boys and girls,) than,
as I verily believe, were ever imagined
by any French dancing-master. He
continued this performance with infinite
zeal during several minutes ; after which
his exertions gradually became less vio-
lent. He seemed greatly wearied, yet
unable to compose himself to perfect
rest, as long as Annie continued sing-
ing ; but when she paused, he also be-
came entirely quiet. He had evidently
taxed his strength to its utmost limits,

and was now suffering fatigue on ac-
count of it. Annie placed some crumbs
of bread and sugar near him, of which, in
a few moments, he roused himself to
partake; and, after eating and resting as
long as he chose, he withdrew slowly—
not at allas if frightened away—and dis-
appeared in the same corner from which

he had entered.
“Was not that worth seeing ?” asked

Annie, breaking the silence, which, her
Song excepted, had prevailed during

Mousey’s visit.

“Indeed it was” I answered. “How

have you contrived to tame the little fel-
low, and teach him so many antics ?”
“T have neither contrived nor taught
him,” she replied ; « though, as to taming
him, I believe I may as well allow my-
self the merit of that, as far, at least, as
it has been done. I was at work here,
one morning, some weeks ago, as I am
now, and singing. A slight noise caused
me to look around, and I saw a mouse
near me on the shelf, frisking about so
stfangely, that I stopped singing to
laugh. Mousey immediately scampered
off, as fast as his feet could carry him. I
commenced my song again, and he soon
came back, but advanced slowly, and as
if not quite certain that he was prudent

 

in doing so. I kept on singing, taking
no notice of my visitor. When about
as near me as he had been at first, he
began showing off in the same ludicrous
performance ; continuing it until he had
completely worn out his strength, and
seemed ready to die of fatigue. I of-
fered him some crumbs, but he had not
courage to eat, though he had no power
to oppose my taking him in my hand,
which I did, and could plainly feel his
little heart beating, probably with fear,
against my fingers. When-I saw that
he was reviving, I placed him on the
shelf again; in a few minutes more he
began moving about; then he pleased ,
me greatly by tasting some milk which I
had sprinkled on purpose to tempt him,
and at last, gathered sufficient strength
to creep back to his corner. Since that
time, whenever I am here and singing,
he comes out. If I have company, he
does not seem to mind it, unless we
speak to each other, when he beats a re-
treat at once; though I believe he knows
my voice, for I often talk to him when
we are alone together, and he never ob-
jects to hearing me. I have become
much attached to him, and should be
very sorry were any accident to befall
him. Othello, my favorite cat, used
often to come here with me, ‘but now I
am careful never to bring him ; he is by
no means pleased with being excluded,
and often follows me to the door, I
have dreaded my new pet’s being caught
by some of the traps or poisons which
doom so many of his race to destruction
about the premises, but, so far, he has
escaped them all.”

You may be sure, sir, that I did not
fail to accompany Annie to the dairy for
several mornings after that. « But this