NOTES FROM THE PRAIKIE 95 



punishment of those who deserved it. Chip 

 was a gentle, pretty squirrel, fond of being 

 petted, spent most of her time in my pocket or 

 around my neck, but she died young; probably 

 she was too good to live. 



"Dick, lazy and a glutton, also died young, 

 from over-eating. Chuck, the present pet, has 

 Satan's own temper — very ugly — but so in- 

 telligent that she is the plague of our lives, 

 though at the same time she is a constant 

 source of amusement. It is impossible to 

 remain long angry with her, however atrocious 

 her crimes are. AVe are obliged to let her run 

 loose through the house, for when shut up she 

 squeals and chatters and rattles her cage so we 

 can't endure it. From one piece of mischief 

 to another as fast as she can go, she requires 

 constant watching. She knows what is forbid- 

 den very well, for if I chance to look at her 

 after she has been up to mischief, she quickly 

 drops down flat, spreads her tail over her back, 

 looking all the time so very innocent that she 

 betrays herself. If I go towards her, she 

 springs on my back, where I cannot reach her 

 to whip her. She never bites me, but if others 

 tease her she is very vicious. When I tease 

 her she relieves her feelings by biting any one 

 else who happens to be in the room; and it is 

 no slight matter being bitten by a squirrel's 

 sharp teeth. Knowing that the other members 

 of the family are afraid of her, she amuses her- 

 self by putting nuts in their shoes, down their 

 necks, or in their hair, then standing guard, 



