St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1888-02-04
look Of such CONSERVATION and slismsy
that Hal stared at him in amazcment
'.What's the mattcr?'' he asked.

''What's the mattcr? he asked.
%, Hal. must go home; must 60
home at once" answered. Hugh.
when you spoke Of the tool-house
remembered that have wild canary
shut up in our tool-house at home, and
unless go back at once it will starvc
to DEATH.
lie. it starve. then. said Hal. "You
surely wouldn't miss all the fun to- NOR
row Just for the sake OF bird! You
can catch another. and. il YOU don't, it
won't be much of a loss.''
But I promised mother woulln't I
neglect it. You know let my rabbits
starve to death. and mother said then
did not deserve to ever have another
pet. must 60 back, Hal. OF course
it is hard for me to give up the fun: but
there is no help for it as far rs ! can
see"
Il don't I see. But there s father: let's
ask him about it." said Hal. as Mr..
Nelson appeared in the doorway Of the
stable. II know he will say you would
be foolish To 90.
That was exactly what Mr.. Nelson
did say. and. he added. Il will give you
what you expected 10 get for the bird.
Hugh. and that will make it all right.
and save you the trouble Of taking il to
the fair
That's not it. Uncle. don't care
ca ,,,u.h f,,r tha ,,,nnnv lint I s1nnst
want to let the bird de"
But have no way of sending YOU
home. Hugh. can no. 81 to Barclay
again until Friday. and rs it is twelve
miles from the railroad and three from
your father farm. there would be no al.
vantage in your going by rail. No. YOU
must give up this idea, my boy, and try
TO forget it. And. after all. the life Of
a bird is very small affair and not
worth SO mnch worry"
VERY likely it will live until Fri
day." said Ha! cheeriully. land If it
don't it wont matter much. as father
says. Conlc oa. let's set up the tar
get"
But it was with very sober face and
tagging steps that Hugh followed his
cousin to the Toulouse to get the nec-
essary nail. and he showed no enthu-
siasm when his arrow pierced the mark.
His mind was dwelling on that poor
little canary twenty miles away. and
the promise he had made regarding it.
When several of the neighborhood
boys called to see Hal and take psrs in
the sport. Hugh slipped away. and rum
ming into the barn. threw himself on a
pile Of hay in the loft to think over his
position. ---.-----'--,---'
The question he had to decide was a
very difficult one. He wanted SO much
I" stay for the picnic and the fireworks.
1t would be terribly hard To give up all
the promised enjoyment and as his
uncle had said the life Of bird was not
Of much consequence. anyway. and his
mother would surely excuse him. under
all the circumstances. for breaking his
promise. And il he went home he
would anger aud disappoint Hal. 1t
was long walk. too. Twenty miles.
and the road was dusty aud unshaded.
He could not reach home until dark.
even il lie started at once. No; it was
certainly better that he should stay At
his uncle's. There was chance. too
though q very slim onc-that Ralph
would 70 into the tool-house and see
the bird. or that his mother would re.
member it.
Then the recollection Of the rabbits
he had allowed to starve to death came
to disturb him. Would his mother ex-
cnse him for breaking his promise
when he had assured her 50 earnestly
that the bird should not be neglected?
No, he was sure she would not. Aud
she would never trust him again.
But can't. l can't co. he NUT
tered. with a choking sound in his
throat that was almost sob Its &
little too much To expect = fellow ia
give up erery Thing"
But, after all. his sonse of right con.
quered, and when Hal went into the
house half an hour later. to inquire fol
his cousin, he found note on the bu.
reau of the room they had occupied the
night previous. which ran - follows:
..Dear Hal: I'm awful sorry; but
think l ought to go. Don't he put Out
about it.
But Hal ,Cas put out," and declared
over and over again that he would
never forgive Hugh for having tceatei
him so shabbily. and that he would
never again ask him to pay him visit
Perhaps he would have felt more
kindly toward his cousin had he seer
him toilink along the hot. dusty road.
weary and footsorc before he had gon'
ten miles. But he kept bravely on. ant
at dusk was only three miles from home
Then he was 50 tired it seemed to hin
. il he could not walk another step
and he sat down by the roadside. hop
ing some wagon would pass. and b
could get . ride.
1t was not long before he heard tn
sound Of horses hOOfs. and ligh
buggy aud two chestnut horses drive'
by an elderly man. came in sight. Husl
rose to hi. feet and made his request
which was grant.d at once. and b
gave . sigh Of relief as he seated h'mse'
in the buggy and the horses starte'
briskly forward.
who are you. and where are yo
going?" asked the gentleman. who ha
! prompt, decisive way Of speaking
Hugh gave his name. and said he ".
on his way home from Seafora; but thi
did not satisfy his interroyator. who