The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-11-30
AFTER APULK.

playthings in the forenoon; at dinner
they were bemOaning the fact that they
had played everything; they wanted
new worlds to conquer. 1t was nc
more fun winding up the cars and send.
ing them off; the winking dolls only
gave their father and mother a sensa.
ton of e1a1aWi; even the perambulatine
French maid could not raise smile
save on the face of Aunt Lou, who, tc
the surprise of the children, seemed
still amused at the maids pedestrian.
ism, and made some remarks as if she
would be willing to stake money on he1
powers.
even tableauX are no fun now,''
said Role, leaning back in his HIGH
chair, very much swathed about the
neck with napkin, and looking at Der.
tina with pleading air, as if she, any
way, could make things brighter-and
she generally could. Now, however,
shook her head gravely as she held out
her plate for more jelly.
"We've had tableaux until I'm tired
to death of themn' she said, with en-
phasis.
If everything is really exhausted
suggest the pulk-hole,'' said Aunt Lou.
Both children looked up with spark
ling eyes, though they had not the least
idea what was meant by her remark.
Can we have it this afternoon-be-
fore l go home?" asked Bertha eagerly.
"Of course, of courser cried Role,
tearing off his napkin; ''we'll have il
before you go. Is it in the house, Aunt
Lou?"
"The pulk-hole is not at present I'M
der this roof" was the reply, "but
We'll 90 to it. It's up the lane, in the
rocky pasture. Well all 90 this after
noon, and | think we d better 90 armed,
in case we see a pulk.o
90, what is a pulk?" exclaimed both
of them.
sit is a semi-amphibious animal,
subsisting chiefly"
There goes Aunt Lou off on hel
big words" interrupted Role screwine
his napkin into his ring in very
! strange state, and looking up with COM
ical depreciation. Aunt Lou had dis.
covered that the sound of big words
rather amused hernephew, even though
they made him impatient sometimes.
81 was about to tell you, Roland
she said, that a pulk is second cousin
to shark"
"All right" said Bertha; "now
what shall we takeP"
Bertha shall have the potato pop
gun, and six slices of large potato fol
ammunition. Roland shall take that
new leather sling which was given to
him by friend this morning, and q
bag of shot"
"And what shall we take to put the
pulks imp questioned Bertha.
Aunt Lou unused.
There's nothing big enough to hold
the number we shall probably get
was the answer at length. 'We'll
pile them up in the pasture, and Bertha
may ask her father to send Dennis with
a cart for them
By this time you may be sure the
children were eager for the play.
The boy and girl were soon armed,
and while they were discussing theil
equipments Aunt Lou disappeared for
a few moments.
A little later they were all on their
way, the little ones chirping in their
blithe young voices, and caroling as
they went; then falling for moment
into grave discussion concerning the
size and appearance of the animal they
were going to see, the general look OF
the pulk-hole and kindred topics.
So they went across the pasture until
they came to the opposite slope of the
hill, and to a deep depression in the
ground, which was nearly grown up
with pines and cedars. Now it was
dry, but only in midsummer did the
pools of water leave the place so il
could be explored.
"This is the place." announced Aunt
Lou, land now I'm going to station
you outside, while | go in and beat
about the bushes and see if can scare
any pulks out. If | do you must fire
at them and give chase, and try not to
lose sight of them-so much depends
or your keeping them all the while in
sight"
The eager intentness of the little
faces was a sight to see.
"But, Aunt LOU" called out Role
in a shrill. excited voice as she was
about to push through the bushes,
chow shall we know it is pulk when
we see itp'
Easy enough. When you see some
thing that dosn't look in the least like
anything you ever saw before in your
life, you may be sure it is pulk. You
need not be at all afraid of it; it's en-
tirely harmless"
Then she went cracking down among
the cedars and pines, their aromatic
odor filling the hot air, and seeming
like balm that should heal all ills.
There was II particularly tall pine
near the center of the place, and to
this she made her way. She was
startled and for moment con-
founded by what she saw Tied to the
slender stem of birch close to the tree
was an animal of so nondescript an APP
pearance that for a breath she almost
believed she had really found pulk.
Her orders had been obeyed and en-
bellished. This visit to the pulk-hofe
was really more curious than she had
expected. The animal writhed and
squealed at sight of her, and was
evidently already frightened enough to