l warm weather came, and it was time to
go into the country for the summer. Then she took the cage outside the
back-gate, and opened mousie's door. Mousie was very quiet at first; but
soon he peeped out, and, seeing nothing to hinder, he ran away as fast
as his little legs could carry him.

I am glad that he was set free; for I do not think he was happy in the
cage. I hope he will keep away from traps and cats, and live to a good
old age.

AUNTIE MAY.

[Illustration]

ALMOST LOST.

SOON after school had commenced, it began snowing so, that the mistress
dismissed all the scholars, and they started for their homes.

Among the girls were two little sisters, Julia and Emily Burns, who
lived a mile and a half from the schoolhouse, and had to cross a wide
field, and pass through a wood, before they could reach the well-known
road that led up to their own house.

They had an umbrella with them; and Julia, the elder sister, had a
leather bag on her arm, containing their luncheon. Soon the snow began
to fall with blinding force: the wind blew, and they could not see their
way.

They were by this time near the entrance to the wood. Emily began to cry
with alarm; but Julia said, "Do not be afraid. See! there is the little
old shanty where the wood-choppers used to go in winter to eat their
dinners. We will go in there, and stop till somebody comes for us."

So they went in; and, as good luck would have it, Julia found some
matches in an old box on the shelf. There were plenty of pine-chips,
too, lying in the corner of the one room, which was all that the shanty
afforded.

Soon Julia had a merry fire blazing on the hearth; then Emily began to
laugh. They sat down on a log, and warmed themselves; and Julia drew
forth their luncheon from the leather bag, and they ate a hearty meal.

What do you suppose the sisters did after that? Why, they began to sing
songs, and tell stories, and repeat riddles; and they were in the midst
of this, when they heard the sound of voices.

"Oh, dear! what's that?" cried Emily.

"It sounds very much like papa's voice," said Julia; "and that bow-wow
sounds like the voice of old Tiger. Yes, here they come."

And the next moment the children's father, with two big boys, sons of
one of their neighbors, burst into the room; and papa exclaimed, "Why,
you little rogues, how I have worried about you! And here you are as
comfortable as