THE STB IKE AT SHANE'S. 37 



"I do, and Cora Tracy does, and so does mamma. 

 Cora and I watched them building that nest day before 

 yesterday. They didn't come back to-day ; and I 

 believe you have done something to them. I'll tell 

 Cora if you tear it down," she said, as Tom made 

 another vigorous punch at the nest. 



"Don't care if you do," said Tom, as he gave an- 

 other punch at the tree with his pole ; but- he was care- 

 ful, however, not to strike the nest, and laid down his 

 pole and walked away. Tom was just at the age when 

 the influence of the gentler sex was most powerful 

 over him, and he hesitated to do anything that might 

 bring him into disfavor with Cora Tracy. 



"Oh ! mamma, do come here and see," cried Edith, 

 the next day, as she was walking around in the yard. 

 "The moles have eaten up all the tulips." 



Mrs. Shane came out to see the wreck of her beauti- 

 ful tulip bed. 



" Here, Towser ! come and hunt the moles," called 

 Mrs. Shane to Towser, who lay on the porch. He came 

 down slowly and walked up to Mrs. Shane, and licked 

 her hand. He then started down the path, barking as 

 though he saw some one, • 



"Here, Towser! come back now, and hunt the 

 moles." Towser came back, and Mrs. Shane pointed 

 to the burrow and told him to hunt, but he hung his 

 head and walked away. 



"Why, what ails the dog?" said Mrs. Shane, "I 

 never saw him act so." 



"Towser, you naughty dog," cried Edith, "why 



