y I shouldn't go
with him now out sailing;
So I had the pleasure of seeing the rockaway drive up to the door,
And pa and ma getting in, and sister Tilly, and brother Sam, and
ever so many more,
All looking so happy and gay, and not caring a bit for poor Bobby,
Just as if I _wanted_ to get into scrapes, and mischief and
bad conduct were quite my hobby!
Then off they whirled; and as I was left alone, I thought I might
as well be up and doing.
Oh, good gracious, why didn't I sit still? but how could I tell
what was brewing?
So I went to the stable to see our big dog Rover, and thought
I would take him out with me;
When, just as I had slipped his chain, he broke loose, and ran,
I don't know where! and, I'm sure, pa will never forgive me!
For he thought so much of Rover. Oh, dear me, what shall I do?
If it would be any use in the world, I really think I should begin
to boohoo!
The stable boy told me not to take him; but I should like to see
myself minding him _rather_;
And of course, out of revenge, he'll just go and make the worst
of it to father.
Well, one would think that was enough; but when I came back to
the house, oh jolly!
There was our big cat just making a spring at sister Tilda's
pretty polly!
And in my haste to save the bird I threw the poker at the cat
and killed her!
And got myself in for a scolding from ma, and no great thanks
from Tilda.
It's six o'clock now; so, I suppose, they'll soon be home as
cross as any Tartar,
To give it to me for being such a bad boy, though I'm sure
I'm a regular martyr;
Don't you think so now, after all that I've just been telling?
No breakfast, no geography, late at school, tore my trowsers,
kept at home, lost the dog, killed the cat, and didn't know
my spelling!
I think the best thing I can do is to go to bed, put my head
under the clothes,
And in a good, comfortable sleep try to forget all my sorrows
and my woes;
But you may be sure, after this, I shall not neglect to take
warning,
And begin to-morrow all right, without any sort of fail, by
getting up early in the morning!

"There!" said I, when I had finished, and it quite wore my tongue thin
to repeat such a long piece of poetry. "What do you think of _that_ for
a story?"

"I think it is real funny," said Nelly, laughing; "I wish I kne