The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-08-30

In6y COulQ SWlm. AucSo IdDDlIS were
now some distance above the farm.
house. IF he ran and got boat and
oars, and particularly boat-hook, he
could row out and head them off before
they got very far down the river.
So away he went, as we have seen, tc
the farm house.
When he reached the boat, which was
tied to tree near the end of the high
point on which the farm house stood, he
found the boat-hook and the oars in it,
for some of the men had been out dur
ing the morning, picking up drift-wood.
Looking out over the river, he saw that
the floating rabbits had passed the farm
house, and, losing no time in pushing
off, he rowed vigorously after them.
In about ten minutes he was among
them, and, laying down his oars, he took
up his boat-hook and began to pull in
the branches with their odd little pas
sengers. To Peters surprise the rab-
bits did not attempt to Jump into the
water. Some of them ran from one end
of log to the other, when he attempted
to put his hands on them, but many of
them crouched down and allowed him to
take them up, and some even jumped
into the boat of their own accord.
They seemed to know that anything in
the way of big affair like boat would
| be better than the insecure branches on
which they were perched. So Peter had
very little trouble in catching every rab-
bit that he could see on the river. for
they were all quite near together, and he
did not have to row about very much
after he had reached the first of them.
When they were all in the boat he sat
down and took up the oars, while the
rabbits huddled themselves up together
in the stern. They kept very quiet, and
had a half-frightened appearance, as if
they were not quite certain that they
were free from danger, although they
were very glad indeed to get off those
floating logs and branches.
AS Peter rowed toward the farmhouse
he could not help feeling very much
pleased.
"What splendid lot of rabbits p he
said to himself. 1T don't believe any
body ever caught so many fine rabbits
at once, all alive. Nobody in this
country, am certain, nor in any part of
the world, so far as I have heard. I
wonder what the farm folks will have to
say now The laugh will be the other
way. I knew I should some day show
them that 7 was not the man they took
me for"
AS he approached the shore he saw a
number OF the farm people, who, having
finished their dinner, had come down to
the river to see what Peter was going to
do with his boat-hook.
They were astounded when they saw
him and his boat-load of rabbits, and
shouted to him, asking how he had
caught them. Peter rested on his oars
a short distance from shore and ex-
planned the whole affair. He was de-
lighted to have such an opportunity of
making a speech about himself.
"What are you going to dowith them
all, Peter?" called out one of the women.
"You will give us each one or two, won't
you?"
"No, indeed" said Peter. "I can't
afford to give my rabbits away. I am
going to be arabbit-merchant. I intend
to build pen, and keep them there I'M
til they are right fat. And then they
will be worth good deal of money.
But if any of you would like to buy a
few rabbits now, l will sell them to you. :"
Cali right" said one of the people.
"Let us take better look at them, and
perhaps some of us may buy few and
take care of them ourselves"
So Peter turned his boat around and
rowed to the shore.
"Stop, Peter p cried several of the
men. "Don't come too close" But
Peter did not hear this warning in time.
In moment the bow of his boat struck
the shore a short distance below where
the farm-people were standing.
And then strange thing happened
The rabbits had been huddled up very
quietly in the stern of the boat, not ap-
pearing to be disturbed in the least by
the loud talking, or by the noise and mo-
ton of the oars, SO that Peter was de-
lighted to see how tame and easily man
aged they were.
But the instant the boat touched the
land change came over them. They
twitched their ears, sprung to their feet,
and then, with one accord, they made a
wild rush for the shore!
Over the seats and over the oars, over
Peters feet and legs, and over the sides
and bow of the boat they went. Peter
had the oars in his hands, but dropping
them as soon as his surprise would let
him he grabbed at the flying legs and
tails, but never a one he caught.
In minute every rabbit had gone
! L. L.
boat, but they were up on high bank,
and before they could get down the rab-
bits were out of their reach, and all
rushing at the top of their speed for a
patch of woods and thicket near by.
Then the people laughed and shouted
at Peter more than they had ever done
before.
But Peter did not say word. He
just stood and looked after the rabbits,
until the last of their little tails had dis
appeared in the thicket, and then he
tied the boat to tree and walked away,
!