The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-07-09

and he nodded his head vigorously. Yes.
I am obliged to do it. Why, l could put
one of those poor creatures in my coat
pocket. They are not Rabbits. They are
Runts Yes Runts. That's what they are.
And to think, too that their great grand
parents might have come here when L did
But, no! They wouldn't hear TO it, NO
new country for them, they said And so
they stayed where they were, and the
breed has dwindled down toto nothing.
I'll be bound they have forgotten how to
talk" He turned to the children with a
look of inquiry.
why, of course, rabbits can't talk" said
Buster John.
}. Mr.. Rabbit shook his head sadly and out
his hand to his eyes. well, well, well!'
he exclaimed after awhile. Cant tax!
But l might have known it. The family
gone to seed. I'm glad I'm not there TO
see it all. A neighbor here and there does
no harm, but when people began to crowd
in l concluded to move and I'm glad
did. I'm old and getting feeble, but, thank
gracious, I'm not a Runt.'
Il don't see but you're as nimble as ever
YOU were" remarked Mrs. Meadows, sooth-
ingly.
81 know-I know" Mr.. Rabbit insisted;
~ may be as nimble, but I'm not as keen
for a frolic as l used to be- The chlmy
corner suits me better than a barbecue
r.
well wel--tverybody to his time, every
body to his taste
Mrs. Meadows nodded her head APPROX
ingly Eyes; between first one thing and
then another, there's lots of time and a
heap of tastes.
They tell me-" remarked Mr.. RABBIT
suddenly, that things have got to that
pass in the country we came from that
even Mr.. Billy Goat, who use to eat
Meat, has dwindled away in mind and body
till he hangs around the stable doors and
eats straw for living That's what Mr..
Thimblefingcr says, and he ought to know.
I suppose Billy is still bob-taied? l re-
member the very day he had his tail broken
off :"
Why Mr.. Billy Goats Tail Is Short.
"Oh, it doesn't amount to much" said
he. Its hardly worth talking about. l
think it was one Saturday. In those days,
you know, we used to have half holiday
every Saturday. We worked hard all the
week and we tried to crowd much fun
INTO a half holiday as possible. Well, one
Saturday afternoon Mr.. Billy Goat and
Mr. Dog were walking arm in arm along
the road, talking and laughing in a socl-
bile way, when all of a sudden big rain
came up. Mr.. Billy Goat said he was
mighty sorry he left his parasol at home,
because the rain was apt to make his horns
rust Mr.. Dog shook himself and said he
didn't mind water, because when he got
wet the fleas quit biting.
But Mr.. Billy Goat hurried on and Mr..
log kept up with him until they came to
Mr.. VOLTS house, and they ran into the
front porch for shelter. The door was shut
tight but MIR. Billy Goat had on his high
heel shoes that day, and he made so much
noise as he tramped about that Mr.. Wolf
opened his window and looked out When
he saw who it was, he cried out:
&c r,ioa 70
visits but since you are here, You may as
well come in out Of the wet"
but Mr.. Dog shook his head and firted
IN dirt by ratching on the ground with
his feet He had smelled blood. Mr.. Billy
Goat saw how Mr.. Dog did, and he
afraid to go in. So he shook his horns.
YOU'D just well come in and sit by
the fire. said Mr.. Wolf, unatching the
door.
But Mr. Dog and Mr.. Billy Goat thank
ed him kindly and said they didn't want to
carry mud into the house They said they
would just stand in the porch till the
shower passed over. Then Mr.. Wolf took
down his fiddle, tuned it up and began to
play. In his day and time few could beat
him playing the fiddle. And this time he
played his level best, for he knew that if
he could start Mr.. Billy Goat to dancing
he'd have him for dinner"
II don't see how" said Buster John.
"Well," explained Mr.. Rabbit, eff Mr..
Billy Goat began to dance he would be
likely to dance until he got tired, and
then it would be easy matter for Mr..
Wolf to outrun him.
'Of course" said Sweetest Susan.
WELL Mr.. Rabbit continued "Mr. Wolf
kept on playing the fiddle, but Mr.. Billy
Goat didn't dance. Not only that, he kept
so near the edge of the porch that the
rain drifted in on his horns and ran down
his long beard But he kept his eye on
Mr.. Wolf. After playing the fiddle till
he tired, Mr.. Wolf asked:
How do you get your meat, my young
friends?
"Mr. Dog said he depended on his teeth.
and Mr.. Billy Goat. thinking to be on the