mean?”

“Why, I want to come into the cellar whenever I like, and eat whatever scraps I can find, besides taking away a little for my poor, lame sister. Now, if you will let me do so, and promise not to hurt me, I will do anything in the world that you ask me to do—that is right—and that I am able to do.”

The Old Rat Stealing Cheese.

This was a big speech for a little mouse, but Grandmother Puss only thought how Cooky could help her in the matter of catching the old gray rat. She turned it over in her mind for some time, keeping one eye on Cooky, who, in his eagerness, had come outside his hole, and at last said: “Do you know Mr. Gray Rat, Cooky?” “Yes, Madame,” said Cooky, with great politeness. “Do you know where he is now?” pursued Pussy. “Yes, Madame, I think I do,” replied Cooky, growing bolder every minute. “Well,” said Grandmother Puss, solemnly, “that rat has caused my good mistress a great deal of trouble, and if you can in any way tempt him within my reach, so that I can catch him, I promise never to harm you, or to allow my grandson, Peter, to do so.” “It’s a bargain,” said Cooky, “you hide here behind this box, and when you see me run by, with the rat after me, you can give one spring, and catch the rogue; but please be quick about it, or he may catch me.”

Death of the Old Rat.

So Puss hid behind the box; Cooky went as near old Gray Rat’s hole as he dared, then, giving a frightened squeak, as though he had just caught sight of his enemy, turned and ran with all his speed toward the place where Puss lay concealed. The old rat heard Cooky’s squeak, and was after him in a moment squealing out, “I’ll have you now, master Cooky, and you’ll make me a nice supper.” But long before he could reach Cooky, Grandmother Puss pounced upon the gray old rascal, and tore him to pieces in a trice, though I fear she found her prize too tough for dinner! Then Puss told Cooky to come and drink milk from her dish, which he did, and then ran off, well pleased, to his hole, taking some bread with him to feed his poor, lame sister.

Although Grandmother Puss thought her grandson. Peter, much too lazy to try and catch Cooky, still she thought it safer to forbid him to go near him, or to disturb him in any way. Now Peter didn’t want to catch Cooky, or any other mouse, so long as he was free to do so.

But as soon as Grandmother Puss told him to let little Cooky alone, and never to go near her, or frighten her; Peter was at once seized with a violent wish to do that very thing. I am sorry to say, that many little children who should know how to behave much better than Peter; very often feel the same desire to do what they know is wrong. So Peter now thought that Cooky must be the sweetest and tenderest mouse alive. The more he thought of him, the more his mouth watered for him. He did not believe his Grandma would punish him much, even if she found him out.

He even tried to persuade himself that his Grandma was merely fattening Cooky up for her own use; and intended to eat him herself as soon as he was in good condition!

This went on for some time, until at last Peter’s desire to taste Cooky grew too strong for him. So one day, he went softly down the stairs and hid himself, to wait for Cooky’s daily visit to the box. He