Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-08-07
NO. 30.

Of the hotel smoking room gazod several as-
toniahed gentlemen.
WAS there ever such a modification +"
gtoaned Great aunt Katherine. Kathleen
can we not leave this animal and find a
| coach 2"
~ don't believe he'll let us get out" said
Kathleen.
Indeed he would not. He kept the light
carriage in perpetual motion. crowd be-
gan TO gather. Pepper tossed one hind-leg
over the dasher, drew II back, gave q little
oaper.
'Robinson's donkey" said voice from
the crowd.
"Oh, for PHYS sake, twitch his bride, Z"
implored Kathleen, Of q robust looking
| youth. Anything is better than standing
here"
Anything is better. oh ?" echoed Pepper.
viciOusly, and not waiting for the Jerk and
the kick he trotted smartly down the paved
business street, and turned his head toward
home.
"There is Broad Elm" said Kathleen
breathlessly. Nov cling 10 the carriage,
great aunt, while guide him through the
gate"
Yes, ''oling,o dol Turn in at the gate
Not Pepper. Tug away at the reins little
misiress. 1t pleases you and doesn't hurt
me- good road of and away past
Broad Elm :" on, on, on, veer to the right,
now to the left; jolt, jolt, jolt. There goes
another Of your stylish pufs, great aunt.
This is frolic. Here we go
MY dear my dear ~ gasped Madam
Siearns, seizing Kathleen's arm. Into
whose grounds is he taking us2 Who are all
these people in gorgeous raiment2 Kath-
leen, for the sake of your reputation stop the
beast"
II can't stop him." cried Kathleen in de-
spair "This is Mrs. De Peyster's house and
she is having a party"
Sure enough. Suppose we Join the festive
throng. Chatter, olattsr, in among the guests.
Kathleen's face was hot with shame
Great aunt Katherine sat up straight and
grim, though dishevelIed and disgraoed.
Pepper drew mp under the open drawing
room window, and pricked up his ears to
catch the notes of song which floated out
on the air. Higher and higher rose the
sweet voice within. Higher and higher went
those wicked ears.
AHA" quoth Pepper, 'let us join and
make the solo duet"
He opened that great mouth OF his. He
drew in a good, full breath. With heart and
voice he swelled the strain.
"Haw ! haw hawi"
Up the scale and down the scale.
"Haw ! haw hR-awl"
1t seemed as II the noise filed all space.
full brass band.
"Haw hAw ha-Awi"
Kathleen crept into the bottom of the
phaeton, and hid her burning face. Madam
Stearns sat bolt upright, with compressed
lips and commanding brows She was ma
jestic still though in despair.
Forth from the house issued q liveried
footman and laid his hand, by no means
gently, on Pepper.
tfHauf hau =
nous donkey then dropped his ears as he
was led in ignominy down the avenue past
the bewildered guests, out at the gate.
That's Robinson's donkey, sure" said
the footman, and the kicks Pepper had hith-
erto received were as love pats compared 10
the ones now bestowed upon his ribs
Kathleen picked up the reins once more.
Hes certainly brought TO his senses now"
she sobbed
Pepper trotted like a lamb. he obeyed
every motion of the reins. He was the most
oblging, most docile, donkey on earth, until
suddenly, with no warning in the middle OF
the dusty highway, under the full glare of
the blazing sun, far from human habitation,
once more he stopped, and planted his front
feet stubbornly
'"There is no one to jerk my bride. There
is no masculine foot to kick me- Here we
remain"
huu hoEo tnoy uiu I6nhln NO 6xnOrtR-
tion, no coaXing, no lashing with the whip,
made the slightest Impression.
81 must get out and see what can do"
said Kathleen.
She climbed down TO the ground, Pepper
watching her out of the corner Of his wick
ed eyes. She jerked his bit. That was Of
no use. She doubled up her little fist and
pounded him. Apparently he did not even
feel her blows. She ourled the whip lash
sharply round his legs. He did not move
hoof At last she was driven TO extreme
measures. She lifted her right foot, in it's
dainty French boot, and (speak It under your
breath -she-k kicked Pepper.
With firt Of his saucy tail, with an i'm
pudent toss Of his name, with q most insult
ing bray, Pepper took his revenge.
The reins we're twitohed from Kathleen's
hand, and in the dusty road she found her
self standing-alone. There, in the distance,
vanished phaeton, Great aunt Katherine,
Pepper, and all.
An hour later in at the gate of Broad Elm
limped disconsolate, foot-sore, exhausted
girl
"Haw haw ! haw" jeered Pepper, stick
ing his head out the stable window ''Great-
aunt and l arrived long, long ago. Hope
you enjoyed your walk. Hope You didn't
find the heat oppressive. Wouldn't you like
to kick me again Haw hAw haW I"
In the doorway oil the house stood MIS-
Reed, and by her side Madam Stearns, as
stately as composed, as il she had not spent
two mortal hours running from Dan 10 Beer
sheba. They received the wRnderer in open,
compassionate arms. 1t was Great aunt
Katherine herself who bathed Kathleen's
travelstained feet and soothed her wounded
spirits.
"YOu we're not to blame. But Robinson's
donkey"
shall return to Robinson this very day."
interrupted Reed, with emphAss.
And he did return, led by Jacob
"Didn't suit p-I want to know /" that is
what Robinson remarked.
And l declare, Mis- Reed" reported Ja-
cob, them twO-man and beast-is pdrd-
ners in villainy, and I'm blest II know
which of 'em is the biggest scoundrsl, Rob
inson or Robinson's donkey. "-Hdrper's
Young People.