WHISKER'S ESCAPE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 120, 22 May 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

WHISKER'S ESCAPE.

(Sent in by Patsy Croniai, Mercer.)

"Now, which one shall go for a holiday?" said David, as he fed his pet mice for the last time before he started off for the seaside. "I think it must be Whisker, because he is so clean and neat." So Whisker it was, who was put into the little box lined with wool, and. all the others had to stay behind in charge of the gardener. David took great care of Whisker's cage on the journey. He put it into the corner of the seat of the railway carriage and peeped into it every now and then to make sure that his little pet was quite comfortable. The journey was a long one, and David fell asleep in the corner by Whisker's little box.

Perhaps it was the jolting of the train that had done it, but when he awoke He found that the lid of the box was open and Whisker had disappeared.

"Well, he must be in the carriage, so don't worry; we shall soon find him," said David's mother.

They hunted and hunted, but no little white "mouse was to be found.

David was sorry, but there were so many jolly things to do and see the first day at the seaside—so many little friends to play with, and so many small dogs ready for a romp, that he soon cheered up.

He was surprised to see how tame the seagulls were. They flew close round while the children threw pieces of bread to them. Some brave ones would even take bits from David's fingers.

But there was still a greater surprise in store for him where he was staying — something that made up for his disappointment when he found the cage open. He was just going to take off his cap and coat in the hall, and put his hand in his pocket to get his handkerchief, but there was something else in his pocket; not tha handkerchief, but a little, warm, soft ball of fur.

"It's Whiskers!" shouted David joyfully. And there, sure enough, was that little rascal of a mouse, quite safe and sound. —Copied.