[Illustration: 9078]
MAN who took charge of the park was very kind to Toots and allowed him
to feed the parrots, birds, and rabbits. The rabbit-house was a favorite
place with the children. They never tired of watching them, and the
family was so large that the good keeper who cared for them called the
old rabbit "Mr. Smith."
"You see he has so many children, his name must be Smith," said he.
The children fed them grass and clover, and many of the little creatures
had pet names, but it was impossible to name them all, for the family
increased so fast. One morning when the gardener went into the park to
look at some plants he had set out the day before, he found them all out
of the ground and the earth thrown about in every direction. "Ah!" said
he, "those puppies must be shut up; they did all this mischief last
night; I heard them barking."
Then the gardener took the three puppies and shut them in a cellar,
while he hurried his garden-making, in order to get more plants in place
before the superintendent came that way. He was so anxious to get the
plants cared for before the sun was hot that he quite neglected the
other pets.
While he was hard at work Toots ran to him crying, "Oh, Mr. Snyder, they
are all out, the whole of Mr. Smith's family, and there is a big hole
dug down under their house."
Sure enough, the house was empty and the family nowhere to be seen.
Toots and the boys found them at last hiding under some steps. After
some trouble and much chasing about over the grounds they were put into
their cage and the big hole was securely fastened.
Toots released the puppies and fed them well, while Mr. Smith's family
seemed tired out with their travels and were glad to lie down and rest.
That evening while the family sat on the piazza watching the moonlight
on the water, something ran up the steps and hid in one corner.
"It must be one of those ugly rats," said Aunt Bell.
"No, indeed, it is some poor hunted thing seeking refuge," said mamma.
"Bring me a lamp, Bridget, and let us see."
The lamp was brought and there in one corner of the piazza was a poor,
lonely little rabbit. He had strayed from the rest, and now when it was
dark he sought shelter where he heard familiar voices.
[Illustration: 0080]