THREE YEARS LATER 



company. They would come at my call, 

 and would have proved desirable pets, if it 

 had not been for the gnawing habit. 



I had made up my mind to kill them, for 

 I knew it would be only a matter of time 

 when they would destroy every book and paper 

 in the cabin. I got rid of them, however, 

 without resorting to violence. A young mar- 

 ried couple from the city saw and admired 

 the mice, and when I offered to give them 

 away, gladly accepted the offer. I do not 

 know what became of them, and do not care 

 to meet any of their race. 



In a short time the white-foots returned 

 to the cabin, and are with me now. The foster - 

 mother that was turned outdoors did not re- 

 turn. She was one of the missing, and so 

 sacrificed her life, after all her care of two 

 ungrateful imps. 



139 



