The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-13


settled, there is certainly
much pleasure left for later years in
laughing at them.
1t was long ago that Tommy and |
were boys together on the old farm;
yet through all these years | have
never failed to have good laugh
when thinking of Tommy and his
two-legged rabbit.
If Tommy's name was ever Thomas,
it is not SO remembered by any living
body. He was short, pudgy, long
faced, and Irish clear through and
lengthwise. Tommy's legs had no
more idea of hanging down the sides
of horse when he rode one bareback,
than would the rockers of a cradle
have of turning any other way than
up.
One harvest day all were SO busy
housing the grain, that not man or
stable boy could be spared from the
work to go for the ever-important
tri-weekly mail, three miles away.
As last resort, Tommy was put upon
Old Barney-one of the farm horse
pensioners, whose back was as broad,
fat and slippery as good living could
make it-and was dispatched after it.
As he rode up the lane and disap-
peared in the woods, the men stopped
their work to shout their merriment
at the sight. His only stay on the
horse was by an earnest hold on the
short bridle-rain; for his bare toes
stuck heavenward at the end of little
legs that did not reach to where
Barneys sides began, and were as
rigidly horizontal as if they had been
nailed fast to keep him from rocking.
Nevertheless, in due time Barney's
huge form reappeared returning
through the sprout land; the mite of
boy was protruding from his back,
and about him the mail was tied,
sashwise, in a checkered handker-
chief.
"Well, Tommy" asked my father,
as he rode up wearing smile as big
as kite, ibid you have any trouble
finding the way?"
Not bit, sir. Sure, would have
had bad time O. it at the crossroads
where the big tree stands wild the
pointin' boards till it, if it hadn't
been for Barney. But Barney read
the reading on the boards, an that
tould him the way to go. An that's
the way we whit. | wish | was as
good scholar as Barney"
But about Tommys two legged
rabbit In those days | was the
proud possessor of gun, and Tommy
gloried in being loaded down with
shot-pouch, powder-horn and game
bag. as my humble follower and am
munition train, on many hunt over
the hills of old Springton Manor.
One evening, just in the dusk, acci
dent quite as much as aim increased
Tommy's load of game with couple
of pheasants that thought themselves
safe quite close to such juvenile
sportsmen, and got shot for their
over-confidence. pair of proud
boys we we're. We started home on
the dimly lighted lane through the
sprcut-land. Suddenly Tommy
grabbed me by the arm AMI excitedly
whispered, see! See! Lookit therel
There's rabbit sittin' on the tree
beyantl"
you're goose, Tommy" l said,
laughing. "Who ever saw a rabbit
sitting ON treeH
"Sure it is rabbit" he whispered.
"There it is, sittin' on the branch.
saw him move. It's a two-legged
one, an he's standin' up. See his
ears! Bang away at him before he
rims. There he is on the wee dog
wood forninst you. Och, you're blind
as dead fish! Can't you see himi
He's as plain as the pepper box on
the table"
Tommy was pointing with all the
( directness and certainty OF the cross
road signboards he had declared
old Barney's ability to read. Sure
enough, there was something, looking
in the deep shadow marvelously like
a rabbit, perched on a limb many
feet from the ground. Two legs