St. Landry democrat., 1885-02-21

hole and corner, every secret hiding
place, and peered into all the old and
dusty and cobWebby trunks and boxes
that were slowed away in the large at
tic chamber; but nowhere could they
find papa or mamma. Then they crept
back to bed again, scarce knowing
what they did; for this was terrible
experience. No papa, no mamma.
What was going to become of them?
They looked sadly at each other; they.
felt ready to cry, in their despair. Sud-
denly Kinky started up. 81 know
where they are!'' he exclaimed. '.T
wasn't asleep. l just pretended I was.
/ heard papa last night. That's just
where they are!'
Where, whereof What what9'
'sDown below, and Kinky pointed,
and shook his head sagaciously. Down
there they've feast. I heard papa say
SO. | heard him say there'd be rare
pickings. Come on, Pinky! Come on.
Winky! I'll show you the way. I
shan't stay here and starve!"
sob! Kinky, you are SO bold!'
sNo, no, Kinky. You promised
mamma to stay at home" cried Winky.
s.And there's plenty of corn.
'.Corn? Who wants corn? Not I!'S
replied Kinky "Come on, Pinky, and
be quick about it, too
so, Pinky; don't go! o, Kinky, how
can youp Wait a little; they'll come
soon, +" urged Winky. Don't go and
leave me.
Don't be baby. Wen come back
as quick as we can. Come, know you
want some breakfast. I'll find you
some, and then we'll hurry back.
Come, Winky; come with us.
Poor, distressed Winky yielded. She
was hungry; she didn't want corn, if
there was anything nicer; perhaps
Kinky wouldn't 60 far, and she couldn't
stay behind all alone; so she yielded.
Slowly and softly the trio crept down
the familiar wall; down, down, till
and dark and still.
80, Kinky! do let us go back. What
is this dreadful place? I'm SO afraid!'
whispered Winky.
keep still, y replied Kinky, roughly,
and biting her, as he spoke; for he, too,
felt a sudden tremor of fear. What
are you afraid OPP
.'See Kinky!' said Pinky, who had
been cautiously smelling the ground.
''See! It's light over there. Let's go
over May be we can find some food =
"Come on! come on cried Kinky,
joyfully. I'll find you some breakfast
in no time"
On they crept-Pinky, Winky and
Kinky-oYer the cold stone, over piles
of rough rocks that blackened their
little feet, over soft, yielding masses OF
fine dust, on and on, till, all at once,
was the bright light of day.
s.Foodr' cried Kinky, merrily. Good!
food! | smell food!' And almost in
the same breath, with a sudden change
of tone, he whispered: "Look! look!
Quick! There they are!''
"Papa!'' Mammal burst from
Pinky and Winky, as the three made an
instantaneous rush for their parents
"Oh, dear! Why don't thepspeak to
usp'
'.What can the matter be?"
''Why don't they turn around and give
us something to eat?" cried Pinky,
Winky and Kinky, as they tried in vain
to attract their parents attention. In
vain they ran up to them and touched
them; in vain they called to them, and
frisked about them; all in vain. Papa
and mamma, who had always heard
their lowest cry, made no sign, took no
notice of them.
..Never mind, Winky, don't cry'' ex-
claimed Kinky. .'I'n get you some
thing to eat! Who'd have thought
they be so cross and selfishP Don't
20, Pinky. o, o. Winkyr' second
later he called. Come here, come
here! Breakfast, breakfast! Quick,
quickn' Pinky and Winky ran to his
side and then
"Well, well! Did iyer I see the
loikes" said Bridget to Ann. Its
but the night set the trap. I've been
afther hearing the nasthy thaves the
long time; and here they be! Five of
'em, sure? An it's the whole family,
I'm thinkin'n'
..Poor creatures!" said Ann "Poor
little creaturesr'. Mary a. Sawyer. t's
~ z. Independent.