Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1877-12-28

the funniest looking wagon you ever
saw in your life.
All said Mr.. Wood, | understand
now; he wants to take some photo
graphs, suppose. Well, tell him /
don't want any, and Mr.. Wood went
on with his letter, while Jim proceed
ed across the front yard again. He
noticed his pony over in the orchard.
A thought struck him, and be wheel
ed sround and went back INTO the
sitting-room again in some haste.
Papa, said he, can't l have the po
ny taken?
She wont stand still long enough,
answered Mr.. Wood, sealing up his
letter.
But, papa, can't the man try ?
pleaded Jim.
Mr.. Wood thought for a minute;
then said: Yes; he may try.
Jim galloped across the front yard
in "A second.
Well ? said the curly-haired man,
raising his eyebrows.
Papa doesn't want the house taken
said jim, with some dignity. But
can you take my pony over there in
the orchard +?
The man looked at Baby, who was
calmly crunching harvest apples un-
der the trees.
Purity little beast, he said, getting
out I, f his wagon and leading his
horse up to the fence.
Can you take her? asked Jim
again, anxiously.
Course l kin, answered Mr. Leath-
erbee. He then tied his horse to
the fence and lifted his apparatus out
of his wagon, and arranged it IN the
orchard. The. pony Immediately
kicked up her heels and trotted off
to far-awav corner. Mr.. Wood
came out of the house and talked to
the photographer, while Jim, after
chasing around for some time trying
TO catch the pony, went to the stable
and put a quart of oats in a measure.
As soon as Baby spied that round,
yellow box under Jim's arm, she
trotted up. to him with gentle
neigh. He caught her by the fore
top aud led her to where Mr.. Lea h.
erbee was standing.
Jest put her there, said he, point
ing to place under big tree. Jim
led her to the place and held her
while Mr. Leatherbee made all his
arrangements.
Now we're ready, said he.
Baby looked pleased at this an
nouncement, but waved her tail wild
ly.
Mr.. Wood smiled.
Tell Baby to keep perfectly quiet,
said he to Jim, and ask her to lower
her chin little, cast a pleasant ex-
preston around her eyes, and breathe
gently.
Mr.. Leatherbee laughed at this.
So did Jim; for it was exactly what
the photographer always told him
when he had his picture taken.
The pony thought this all very
pleasant, but she wanted the oats,
and, consequently, was trying to
thrust her nose through Jim's back
in her efforts to get at the measure.
The photographer looked despair
ing.
Here, IN fix it, said Mr.. Wood,
stepping up TO the pony. Now, Jim,
stand back; Mr. Leatherbee, are you
ready
Yes, answered Mr.. Leatherbee,
with one hand on the velvet that
covered his camera.
Mr.. Wood poured the oats on the
ground and let go of the pony's head.
For while Baby grabbed the oats
up in great haste, but finally she
stood with her nose to the ground
quietly eating. Mr.. Leatherbee drew
away the velvet from the camera, and
looked at his watch for some breath
less minutes. Then he slipped the
velvet on again and said:
That's all right.
Jim drew long sigh.
Will it be good, do you think ? he
asked anxiously.
Not doubt of it, said Mr. Leath-
erbee, in such a cheerful tone that
Jim immediately made up his mind
that the pony should have an extra
quart of oats all winter for her fine
behavior. lie expected the picture
would be done right away, but Mr.
Leatherbee sand he would have to
send the plates to Poughkeepsie to-
his partner, and the pictures would
come soon by the mail. Mr.. Leath-
erbee then put all his apparatus in
his wagon aga n, and logged on as
he had come.
For the next four days Jimmie
went to the pOst-ofiice about every
two hours.
EApectin' a love letter? said Mr..
Halloway, the postmaster. At this
all the loafcrs who were sitting on
the counter laughed loudly. Jim
made up his mide that Mr.. Halloway
was very unpleasant old gentleman,
and vowed all sorts of threats against
hun. His revengeful plans melted |
away, however, when Mr.. Hailoway.
handed him a big envelope, and said:
Here, Bub, yer letters come.
Jim tore it open, aud six photo
graphs dropped out all alike, all rep
resentiug Baby eating under tree.
He privately showed one to her that
afternoon. She evidently thought it
very handsome, for she delicately |
chewed it up out of Jim's hand, to
his great amazement. He says moth
ing about this when telling how the |
pony's picture was taken.
q. b., st. NjchoLas for January.
why do We Laugh.
When boy appears on the street
with rat in a trap, with four or
i've terrier dogs aching to get hold.
I Il I l.