The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-18
Pegasus.

Aunt Polly Ruggies lived on little farm
in the town or Carlton, Knox county her
husband, poor man, dying number OF
years previous 10 my story, had left
mortgage mar the worth OF the farm
upon IT'S sterile acres, ana II was Ohly
with the utmost economy That Aunt PoIly
was enable to support herself and her
nephew Louie, whom she had brought up
from babyhood, from the small, rocky
reids and scruDby pasture lands, besides
keeping the interest from eating her out
Of possession altogether.
She had two cows and large Hook OF
hens. from which she sold fabulous guam
titles of butter and eggs, addldS not
little to what could be got from her share
OF the produce, Tor she had always been
obliged 10 let her tiliage at the halves
However this year she was determines
to have the whole, be IL mucn or nttle.
for Louie was now fourteen, and her sis
ters son, Billy Goodenough, a year Older
than Louie had come to spend the sum-
mer with him.
RlIly's father was a sea captain and
consequently, Billy had been left mostly
10 his own devices. and when II was
found that he had been lnduiginS IN small
iniquities peculiar to boys who frequent
ALLEYS. he was posted off to Aunt Polly,
hoping that "a few months of country air
and Aunt POly's discipline would bring
about the desired result.
1t was the last Of May, and the boys,
with a little extra help. had progressed
SO well under the management OF Aunt
Polly that they had now only to plant
the beans to finish their springs labor
Aunt Polly had gone to a Sewing circle
In the neighbOrhOOi and Louie and Billy
repaired u the cornfield near the barn.
where they industriously set about their
bean planting.
1t was warm afternoon. Soft. heecy
clouds foated slowly overhead and the
air was heavy with the scent of great
beds Of volets in the run Of apple
blossom and lilac in the orchard. and the
fedthery white blossoms of the wild cher
ry and bird pear. which grew in great pro
fusion in wood near by.
The boys worked on. only stopping
now and then to wipe the hot perspira-
tion from their hot faces or to replenish
their bean pockets for they had planned
to go trouting an hour before shutdown
In the pasture brook.
They had been eXhorted by Aunt Pol
~ before departing to keep watch over the
onion bed. for her flock of hens took par
ticular delight in unearthing the angle
worms, with which the rich garden soil
abounded. and did a good deal OF damage
to the big bed Of silver skins" which
tho old lady had counted on for money
to pay the obligation which never fails
The flock was led by a great Brahma
rooster nan ed Pegasus. the pride of Aunt
POlly's heart.
He. with a number Of hens. had been
routed from the garden several times,
and the boys had already reset nearly
one-ralf the onion bulbs. when. going to
the well Tor a dip from the cool bucket.
they again espled Pegasus burrowing
deep into the middle of the precious bed.
the dirt flying up from his big, clumsy
feet as II from the pawings Of an infu-
rated young bull. and half a dozen mat
ron'v hens emulating his vigorous eX-
ample.
You miserable. old, big-footed nus-
ance" yelled Louie. out of all patience
with his persistency.
And, catching up a stone. he hurled it
among
Down dropped Pegasus among the spin
ach. Louie looked wildly at Billie a mo-
ment, then they both ran to pick up the
fallen bird He lay limp and breath
less.
of with his feathers. quickr advised
Billy Hell be just as good to eat If
we dress him now"
Louie caught up the rooster and. run
ming TO the woodshed, they stripped him
OF his wings and tail-feathers in less
than minute.
Hasn't he a tough old skin. though"
said Billy. nipping out few pin feathers
ing way
We'll, / reckon he isn't a chicken"
replied Louie. 1T viii be three-days'
job to cook him. But won't Aunt Polly
be madden than a hatter?"
They threw him down on the chips.
Louie going for sharp knife and Billy