The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-08

went. Drusilla bringing UP the rear anu
protesting.
The plum thicket grew on each side OF
a gully that had washed in the lower
part of the orchard. The plum trees were
small and grew very close together' anu
the gully was filled with season
growth OF weeds that had not been up
rooted by the rains. So that, taken al
together the plum thicket was a very
convenient hiding place for the White
Pig. or for any other creature not larger
than a horse.
Tho children approached II cautiously.
and hestated about entering. While they
were hating and considering what TO DO,
they heard a grunt from the mlddle OF
the thicket-a grunt as friendly ana as
familiar as 81 81 came from fat hog In
pen Reassured by this. Buster John
went into tho thicket. followed by Sweet
est Susan. They went in cautiously and
looked about them very cautiously, but
they could see nothing.
"Ooft- gooft." grunted the White Pig in
contonted manner. where am i!
Can't you find me?'
They looked about them with all the
eyes they had but failed 10 find him.
Their search became so interesting that
Sweetest Susan laughed There was moth
ing to laugh al. but she was so thrilled
White Pig-and he was not small pig
by any means-that she had 20 express
her feelings in some way, and so she
laughed.
At that moment Drusilla came 20 the
edge of the thicket. Hearing Sweetest
Susan laugh. she grew bold enough to
venture in
What you all dom like ter KNOW
she asked in a somewhat dubious tone.
"Oh, come and help US. Drusilla" cried
Sweetest Susan. as gleefuliy as II she
we're playing hide-the-switch. or kick-the-
can. I'VE are trying 10 find him. He's
hiding i'm here. and we can't find him.
Come onr'
Drusnla Joined the others, but not with
any degree Of enthusiasm. You all want
ter fin i'm lots wuss'n / does. I'm mo-
fear'd er ln'in' i'm dan / is or not hin'in'
i'm "
Lets go across the gully" said Buster
John. He ran down the bank through the
thick weeds and out on the other side.
followed by Sweetest Susan. Drusilla
would have followed. too. but just as
she had reached the bottom Of the gully
and started through the weeds the White
Pig rose by her side with a loud grunt.
Drusila was so terrified that she sank
in the weeds. unable TO utter a sound.
Sweetest Susan screamed and Buster
John was so taken by surprise and so
confused. that for an instant he was
undecided whether TO take to his heels.
dragging his sister after him, or whether
10 stand his ground.
"GOOf-ooftr Crunted the White Pig
what is the matter here?'
With this he walked out Of the gully.
went past Buster John and Drusllla. and
lay down where the shade was thickest.
Druslla recovered almost Immediately.
and, as sometimes happens with older
and more enlightened people, anger took
the place Of fear. TO the surprise Of her
companions, she came out OF the gully.
walked straight 10 the White Pig. ana
sat down by him. so close that she might
have touched him with her hand Without
unbending her arm.
"Humph" grunted the White Pig. i'm a
friendly way. THAT is better The Son
of Ben Ali brought some roasting ears
before the sun came out They were very
fne-sweet and juicy Gooft," The White
Pig smacked his mouth and blinked his
eyes as If to show how he had enioved
the feast. Buster John and Sweetest Su-
san seated themselves near Drusilla.
The first time ! saw the Son Of Ben
Al. said the White Pig. II was iust big
enough TO hide in the grass and run about
without squeallng for my NANNY. I
used TO slip out Of the swamp and run
into the woods after the acorns. The rcd
squirrel was my friend then. ana his
REORGANIZATION are my friends now