I shall pass over a few days, which I spent very comfortably, and give you her brother's answer; for she took me out of my cage so often, (seeing I was tame,) that I had frequent opportunities of seeing and reading every thing I chose. It was as follows. "Dear Sister, "I am very glad my last present met with your approbation. I endeavoured to find who brought it into the school, as soon as I had read your letter. It appears to be young Eaton: I believe you know him. I bought it of him, and after several escapes from losing it, I resolved to send it you, which succeeded just as I could have wished. Present my duty to my papa and mamma, and I remain, dear sister, "Your's, affectionately, "Benjamin Bentley." Miss Bentley. Well! I wrote to my brother, to enquire about the squirrel, and here is his answer: read it. Miss Huntley. (having read it.) My dear Louisa I am shocked. I did not think William Eaton could have been guilty of an action so mean. You know I told you, when I was here last, he opened the cage and said the squirrel had jumped out of the window. Now he went to school the next day, therefore he must have taken it. I always thought he loved a little mischief, but had not an idea he could do such a thing as this. Miss Bentley. And very likely all this was for the gain of a couple of shillings, or some such trifle. But, however, the squirrel is your's, Miss Huntley, so I beg you will accept of it. Miss Huntley. I think, Miss Bentley, I had better not take it, as it will cause questions which may discover young Miss Bentley. My dear Miss Huntley, you will act nobly; and much kinder, I am sure, than he deserves. Suppose you write it now, here is every thing necessary. Miss Huntley then wrote the letter, and when she had finished, she read it aloud. "Sir, "When you favoured us with your company, the night before you went to school, had any body told me you had the least thought of doing what I have lately found you did, I should have thought it an impossibility. Believe me, the loss of the squirrel does not grieve me half so much as the manner in which I have lately heard I lost it. Miss "Isabella Huntley." This letter was then sent, and Miss Huntley look her leave. I am now coming to that part of my life which I look back upon with horror. Nothing particular happened till the time arrived when young gentlemen leave school, to go and be merry by the fireside for six weeks. William Eaton had not lost any of his malice; and therefore, I suppose, thought me as proper an object to vent it on as he could find. Owner. Yes, after you have emptied your sacks. So empty them this minute. The men then turned every thing out of their sacks. Owner. Well, have you caught the squirrel? Hey-day! were you going to catch the squirrel with two sacks full of fruit? Now, gentlemen, you will both be kind enough to march out of this orchard: and if ever you are caught in here again you shall certainly go to gaol. The men then went away, which recovered I then descended, and ran out of the orchard as fast as I could, till I found myself so hungry, I determined to trust myself once more to somebody that looked good-natured, if I could see any body I thought looked so. While I was thinking, a stage came by, so (at random) I gave a leap into the basket, where I found a few crumbs of bread. I remained very quiet till the stage suddenly broke down. I thought it high time to quit my seat, so jumped out, and crept into an old lady's pocket, who was lying amongst the rest on the road. Fortunately, nobody was hurt, and the coachman sent somebody for a post chaise, which soon arrived. We all crowded in, till it was full. My mistress happened to get an inside place, and we went off laughing at the disaster. At last we came to London, where I did not dare stir from the pocket of the lady, so kept my place with Now, my dear Anne, I presume it will be unnecessary for me to inform you, that the foregoing history is only an imaginary one of my own invention; but such as we may suppose a squirrel might relate, if he were endowed with reason and speech. Your good sense will suggest to you that the amiable characters herein depicted are meant as examples for imitation; and that the conduct of the vicious is to be disapproved of and avoided. I remain your affectionate friend, R.S.S. Printed by Darton and Harvey, Gracechurch-street. I ventured to creep into your Pocket. |
Page 6: | Removed duplicate word 'he' (he took off the chain) |
Page 22: | Removed duplicate word 'and' (and singed me sadly) |
Page 23: | Added missing period (thing Mrs.Dixon did) |
Page 26: | Changed 'happenned' to 'happened' (happened to enter) |
Page 28: | Changed 'Bummble' to 'Bumble' (Mrs.Bumble) |
Page 33: | Changed 'beeen' to 'been' (had been peeling) |
Page 33: | Removed duplicate word 'the' (The young ladies) |
Page 34: | Added missing period (by tormenting me.) |
Page 37: | Added missing end quotes (new bells put on.") |
Page 42: | Added missing word 'I' (who, I afterwards learnt,) |
Page 51: | Removed duplicate word 'to' (is easier to talk) |
Page 56: | Changed 'runing' to 'running' (I continued running) |