dry on the back of Miss Bluejay's fat poodle--having
squeezed through the railing which separated the two piazzas--with the
squirrel, which had come to the rescue of his friend, hanging on to his
tail! and all three setting up a squeal of remonstrance. Gipsey's plight
was so extremely well deserved, that we wouldn't go to his rescue; but
at last, with a tremendous twist, he snatched away his cork-screw tail,
and ran to hide himself and his injured feelings under the sofa in the
front room. How we laughed at him! and how Nelly tried to make him come
out and be lump-sugared into good humor, but he wouldn't; so, to make
up, we coaxed the fat poodle, which had been staring in at the
performance and sniffing satisfaction, to sit up and beg for us until we
gave him the lump of sugar. Then Mrs. Lawson sat down to the piano, and
began playing a funny little hornpipe tune that sounded just like a
banjo; and, to our astonishment, the fat poodle developed another
accomplishment; for, getting on his hind legs, he gravely hopped up and
down on the piazza, keeping time to the music, until we nearly died of
laughter.

You may fancy, after all these comical doings, that we managed to spend
a merry evening, and when I at last bid my neighbors good night, it was
no longer with the feeling that I was a lonely old bachelor.

I did find the street pretty lonely though, after they had gone, next
day, with two great big trunks strapped on behind the carriage, a
middling sized trunk hoisted up in front, and several small carpet bags,
and tiny tawny bundles and baskets in every place where room could be
found. I fancy Gipsey was in one of the baskets, by the way it bounced
and wriggled about in Neighbor Nelly's lap; but I don't know; I only saw
it from my window, whence I waved an adieu to them as they rolled away.

A few days after they had gone, I thought I would amuse myself, in their
absence, by trying to find out if any of the other neighbors knew
anything about my neighbor, Nelly. I succeeded in learning what two of
them knew, and they shall tell it for themselves in the stories that
follow, and which I have written out. And now, if any other dear little
children have been pleased with me, in what I have told of my walks and
talks with Neighbor Nelly, just let them come to No. 10, and meet the
hearty greeting and loving welcome of the

OLD BACHELOR!

THE BIG BOY'S STORY.

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