The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-01

pants rs, an put Oh the insists that Maude
had b-' ugIt. tlrn dshed uD tie coal
scuttle. There was box about half way
between tie stairs and coal heap. 1t
was large box, and 1t appeared to be of
trustworthy character. | made jump for
it and lii there. bu- didn't renal The
box was floating lbs appearance of dignity
ard tirmness mad been a hollow sham.
v hen | STRUCK it, the further side sunk sud-
denly about foot, and slid right on over
it into the water. Then | climbed back
upon the box, and endeavored to reprove
Maude for her heartless mir b, but couldn't
quite reach her with the shovel. l then
turned my attention to the coal heap, and
discovered that it, too. was just out of
range. called Maudes attention to this,
and she remarked that the problem was
how to get it into toe range. This was
so bad that began to spatter Maude with
the coal shovel. but she threatened to take
the candle upstairs and leave me down there
in the dark, so desisted. In the course of
the discussion, however, fell Off the box
again.
"There: you're into it now, and you might
as well wade" said Maude.
! attempted the suggestion and filed the
scuttle with coal. Then l waded back to
the stairs.
did you catch any Of them" asked
Maude.
"No, didn't catch anything but cold, :"
said |.
Maude looked disappointed. 81 hoped
some of the crabs might catch hold of
your feet" said she. PLEASE walk round
some more, or we shan't have anything for
breakfast"
"Do you think I'm going to fish for break
fast in this internal cellar with nothing but
my toes for baitf' said |.
There's one right over by the box" ex-
claimed Maude. "Oh, Howdy, please run
out and catch him."
Sure enough there was a crab in sight. l
got on to the box again and reached out
after him. He saw me coming and walked
away. Then got mad and chased him.
Just as | grabbed him something grabbed
me with a grip that nearly took one of my
feet off. l howled.
"Have you got him" asked Maude.
YES, and one of them has got me by the
foot; OUGHT"
Maude clapped her hands.
"Oh, how nice,n she said. "See if you
can't get another one with the other foot y
Thanks, have plenty" said |, hobbling
back to the stairs. For heavens sake take
him off"
Maude looked at my foot, and she shed
tears, thought it was sympathy, but it
wasn't.
ooh, Howdy," she cried. show horrid of
you to disappoint me. That isn't a crab;
it's steel trap put down here to catch
rats
''Rats. Well you've caught me. Now
take the blamed thing off. l can't get at it
standing in this water"
I'm afraid you'll have to wait till Katy
gets back" said Maude. Il don't know
how the trap works. Never mind it, now,
Howdy; run out and catch some more
crabs
"With this thing on me? I guess not"
and climbed up on the stairs, and man
aged with difficulty to pry the traps mouth
open.
~ see another crab" said Maude.
Amy more traps out there?n | inquired.
II really can't remember whether l set
the other one or not, but think"
~ don't take any chances. Wen wait till
you're sure about it.
"Why don't you put that long board from
the steps here out ont the boxr said
Maude. "Then you could walk right out
and not get into the water"
1t looked like good idea. l took the long
board and placed it as Maude suggested.
Its middle rested on the box. / walked out
on it. The crab was some distance beyond
the box. 1 told Maude to stand on the
board to balance it while walked out on the
further end. She did SO. 1 was just stoop-
ing down to reach the crab when l heard
her exclaim:
ooh dear this ones running away 70