Well, dear, the Postmistress thinks those were very naughty hens. The
other day she was reading about a great man, named Bishop Thirlwall. The
good Bishop was very fond of animals, and very kind to them. In a pond
on his grounds were three pike, which are rather savage fish. One
morning when the Bishop went to look at them there were only two fish
there. Mr. P. had devoured his wife, and was swimming about with his
daughter. A day or two after, Miss P. shared her mother's fate. The
Bishop wrote sadly to a friend: "I shall never look at the pike again. I
can not endure a monster who would eat up his own family." Your dog must
be quite musical, but we fancy at times your papa would prefer somebody
else to sing to his accompaniment. The Postmistress hopes that you will
acquire the gentle ways of the Friends, and imitate their quietness and
patience, since you have them for teachers. Be sure and send the answers
you find to the puzzles next time.
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