When Harry came home, the mouse house was open, and not one of
his pets was to be seen. The poor fellow was almost heart-broken.
He asked every one in the house who had left his door open. The
maid told him she thought it must have been that boy he sent up
to his room.

She described the boy, and Harry knew in a moment that it was
Dick Taft.

"So that is the way he paid me for beating him at a game," cried
Harry. "Well, never again, so long as I live, will I play with a
boy who is mean enough to do such a trick as that."

And he kept his word.



A NAUGHTY PUMPKIN'S FATE.

A queer little pumpkin, a jolly fat fellow,
Stood close to his mother so rotund and yellow.
"What a stupid old place! how I long to aspire,"
Cried he, "I was destined for something much higher."

"My son," said the mother, "pray do be content,
There's great satisfaction in life that's well spent!"
But he shrugged up his shoulders, this pumpkin, 't is true,
And acted just like some bad children will do.