4 NATURAL HISTORY OF AMERICA. 



my room, but it looked so piteous at me that I could not kill 

 it, and so let it go again. I soon afterwards caught another 

 in my hand, but he had lost part of his tail, so I let him go 

 too. There is one so tame as to come into the house. He 

 came to me a few days ago as I was sitting in the porch, and 

 ran over my boots, examining them very attentively ; then he 

 disappeared through a grating into the dairy, where he goes to 

 drink the milk; then he ran up the piazza and round the 

 house : he often steals almonds, &c. from our dining-room. 

 The little Song Sparrows and Snow-birds come to the door 

 for the broken pieces of biscuit we give them. Now they have 

 young ones, and bring them too, feeding them before the door. 

 How I love to watch them ! 



Do not forget me at the meetings of the Club. I do not 

 forget you. 



" And still on that evening, when pleasure fills up, ' 



To the highest top sparkle each heart and each cup, 

 Where'er my path lies, be it gloomy or bright. 

 My soul, happy friends, shall be with you tliat night, 

 Shall join in your revels, your sports, and your wiles, 

 And return to me beaming all o'er with your smiles, 

 Too blest if it tell me, that, 'mid the gay cheer, 

 Some kind voice had murmured, — I wish he were here," 



