The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-08-21

Eides, everyone knows that brandy balls
are excellent nourishment for travellers
of they get lost in the woods. And if
they eat them before they get lost, they
make sur of them, and don't sticky"
their pockets. Thanks to such pruden-
tial measures, the young explorers
reached the plank across the ditch in
good spirits, and as happy as bold trav-
elers should always be.
The plank was not a long one; but the
water was so near Rexs feet when they
dangled, and it was such a good oppor-
tunity to shoot fish if they should APP
pear, that it took a good while to cross
over. Then they had to go the long
way round the lane, because the field
was full of cows; and, as Babs said:
Cows are drefful fings, cause zey
might be bulls" So the autumn after
noon was turning to evening when they
reached the fish pond where Uncle Jack
ought to be. But no jolly uncle ap-
peared-perhaps his mamma had put
him in the cupboard, because he was SO
naughty and made Auntie Jill cry. Rex
and Babs began to feel cold and tired.
Il wis-I wis we had a lot of tea"
lamented Babs.
perhaps we shall come TO a camp
said Rex consolingly, travellers always
do. Then they will give US some buff
falo cooked in a pot on three sticks over
the fire; and tell US where Uncle Jack
is"
So they trudged on, cheerfully, a lit
tie farther. But it got so dusk, and the
COWS looked 50 large and wild in the
fading light that they might almost
be real buffaloes-which are very diff
ferent from play ones, as everybody
knows. Bab's shoe stuck in the mud,
and couldn't be found, and Rex fell in
some singing n~ettles, and they both
got scratched scrambling through a
hedge. So poor little Golden-hair sat
down on 4 bank and cried, and Rex
stroked her head, and would lave cried
too, if crying hadn't been u of the
question for a big boy, who was nearly
a man, dada said.
Just then Farmer Burton came along
with his dog Rover. He found them
some apples out of his pocket, and
listened attentiyely whilst they eX-
planned matters. OF course, he ought
to take them straight home, but-a
wicked smile crossed the old mans lips
they had come out to find Uncle Jack,
and perhaps it would be a good thing
if they found him. He had seen him
walking distractedly about in Sleepy
! In11Ou- q fnN- - fp,,ra orO p,l ha L oayr,
something about lovers quarrels. Why,
when he was counting Dame Margery,
40 years ago, they parted forever once
a month! But he didn't tell the young
sters anything about this, only took up
Babs on his broad shoulders, and walked
along SO fast that Rex had to trot to
keep up with him.
why does you laugh, Misser Bur-
TOM" inquired Babs.
"Oh, because you're such a funny
little girl to go hunting buffaloes."
But it was Wex Eat was goin' TO
shoot zem," apologized she.
"Oh, l beg his pardon" said the jovial
old farmer. Perhaps he would like to
stop behind and shoot them now?"
But Rex thought they'd better be
getting home as it was SO late. Buff
faloes, he admitted, in his private mind,
were not so nice to hunt in the dark.
AS they were crossing the hollow, a
big gentleman came striding along.
Here's Uncle jack" they both eX-
claimed at once.
why, Babs-Rex!" cried he in amaze
ment. Whatever"
"Ga, they've come to look after you,
Mr.. Jack" said old Burton, solemnly.
They'll tell you all about it. Perhaps
you'll see EN- home as it is getting late"
So saying he disappeared over a stile
with remarkable agility for his years
and size. All the way home he laughed,
until Rover thought that he must be
going mad, like some Unbalanced dogs
in hot weather. All hat evening he
chuckled to himself, until his dame on
fded to the hired man that the master
had something on his mind for certain;
and the hired man thought that "meb-
be he'd had an offer for the heifer."
But not for many a long day did be tell
the story of the hunters.
well, you young pickles!" said Jack,
who used to be uncle, what the dickens
are you doing here? What the deuce
am 1 to do with your" he added, under
his breath, as he shouldered the grille.
Babs looked at Rex, and Rex looked
at Babs. "We were looking for you,"
said the hunter at length.
"'Cause we fort" said the huntress;
and then she, too, stopped.
Uncle Jack smiled dismally and
kissed them both. "Well?" he inquired.
I'VE 'spected you'd been naughty"
explained Rex.
ITO Auntie JILL" added Babs, "'cause
she's been cwyin'."
Awful" said Rex, solemnly.
San we 'spected you'd be solly,"
pleaded Babs, cuddling up to him.
ELISE no one wouldn't love you," put
in Rex, emphaticaliy, feeling that his
advancing years justified a judicial at
titude.
Jack hesitated and a queer lump came
up in his throat. Jill was a tlresome
little tease. It hadn't been altogether
his fault. But Jill crying! Dear little
Jill "Who told you to Gomez" said he,