The Monitor-register., 1896-03-13

WELL said l couldn't" replied his
COUSIN in tone of triumph. He was
winning the day in one way. at least.
But every one was laughing now in
nigh good humor. Even Ezekiel Joined
I'D tne merriment, and hoped that his
story would not be forgotten; but
presently Miss Mead asked, as tho she
expected great deal more of It.
Where did this man and his wife
live ?"
In the country"
There's lots of country" from Hugh.
what country?"
Africa" shouted the prosecuted story
teller, with a vague feeling of safety in
Locating the scene as far off as possible.
And what were they doing in Afrioap'
asked Miss Mead, BY way of helping the
story along. "How did the man get
living there ?"
"He shot things.''
Ezekiel began to feel that he was max.
ing progress.
"'Shot thinesp" repeated Hugh, with
great scorn. "Did he shoot the trees or
rocks or grass ? Much good that wonld
do him! Guess you mean he hunted
animals"
This was quite help, and Ezekiel
pushed on with some spirit.
THAT'S just what he did. So. one
day, he took his gun and kissed his wife
good-by, and went off to the woods
And she thought she'd make some cake.
but the sugar was out, and she had to
wait for him to come home and 90 to the
store for some. She didn't like to do
errands. So she looked up the chimney
and saw growl''-
At this point Hugh fairly exploded
with merriment, and Miss Mead laughed.
too. Ezekiel's face was brilliant red.
as he corrected himself.
well, she heard growl, and looked
up the chimney, and saw two awful ewes
staring right down at her. First she
screeched, and the lion was frightened"-
ut was not lion," said Hugh, indig.
nantly, "lions can't climb; they have to
wait at the bottom of trees for peonle to
come down to 'em."
ut was tiger, then," replied Ezekiel.
who was anxious to get to the end: "and
the woman got the gun and shot him
Dead"
But did you not tell us" asked Miss
Julianna, "that the man took the pun
with him when he went hunting?"
Then she broke down completely over
this remarkable narrative; and as the
others Joined in, there were such shouts
OF laughter from her apartment, that
Mrs. Allen ran upstairs to call the bows
off from worrying her.
YOU'RE SO uproarious, /" said she, 'stbat
you'll tire Miss Mead out when she has SO
much to do; and besides it's bedtime"
The boys idea of bedtime was that OF
dark fiend eager to clutch them away
from all enjoyment.
'I'm not bit tired now" said Miss
Julianna; sand l do not know when ]
have laughed so much. Let the bows
stay little longer, please-Ezekiel ii
telling us story"
This announcement was quite puzzle
to Mrs. Allen, and she accepted an Invita-
ton to join the party, whom she pro
nounced "a wild. looking SET" Hugh
had thrown himself about go in his merri
ment that he looked quite disjointed; ant
Miss Julianna's pretty hair was tumbliny
down on her shoulders. Ezekiel, th
most composed one Of the party, was still
warbling on about the woman and tn,
| tiger.
when he ca me home and saw it dead
in the FIREPLACE
"When who came home ?" from Hugh
"Why the man, of course. Who els,
was there to come? He said, 'You'v,
done we'll, and I'm glad wasn't here. -
This was the climax, and Mrs. Allel
laughed as heartily as any one.
Ezekiel looked like one with modest
L
sense of having deserved we'll of hi
country; but his cousin threw tn
unpleasant charge in his face of having
taken his story out of the "Fourtl
Reader"
"No, did not" was the quiet reply
cit was panther there, and they didn'
live in Africa. And I put in lots o
things that they didn't do at all. Ant
Miss Julianna said we might"
'Tbat story certainly isn't In tn
Fourth READER" and Miss Mead looke'
very smiling, as she remembered some O.
the items; "but there is one about a pan
Their that was shot up chimney, in th
settlement of our country. And Ezekie
has told it in his own words, and brough
in some entire ly original ideas-which i
quite allowable, and better than repeat
ing literally. Besides, he has thoroughly
amused us for half an hour-which i
more than some story.tellers can do.
have quite forgotten to think about beinl
tired. DENT