42 Random Rkcoi.i.kctions of the 



mischievous and troublesome, so I determined 

 to set her at liberty in a neighbouring wood. 

 Taking her under my arm, I released her 

 gently at the mouth of some earths, where, 

 I doubted not, she would meet with congenial 

 company. After sniffing for a moment she 

 crept cautiously into the cavernous recesses, 

 and was soon out of sight, and I listened quietly 

 for a few minutes, when all being silent, I 

 thought my object was accomplished and went 

 my way out of the wood. In this, however, I 

 was mistaken, for I had scarcely got more than 

 a hundred yards away before '' Topsy " was at 

 my heels, evidently dissatisfied with the lot I 

 had sought to impose upon her, and giving me 

 a look of reproach. The appeal was not in 

 vain, for she was again taken in my arms and 

 brought back to her old quarters, at which she 

 seemed highly delighted, and capered round 

 her box in the greatest glee. I eventually 

 passed " Topsy " over to an old gentleman in 

 our village, who had been an ardent fox hunter, 

 and was devoted to animals, who also made a 

 great pet of her, and under whose tender care 

 she ended her days. By the way, it has been 

 a matter of surprise to me that showmen, 

 animal trainers, and proprietors of ^' happy 



