The Portland daily press., 1898-12-29

in 'em; they re a waste of time according
to my thinking, but Heoh he happened to
read it OUT
II don't care much about 'em, either, .
returned Mr.. Luyster; might better be
reading hist'ry or doing sums. That'd
give him a bigger heft toward earning his
living. But what's it all about, anyhow"
Zech read the lines once more.
ssWell, we'll. that beats my recollection.
did leetie in conundfums when was
q boy, but that takes me. What do you
think, zech?'
II don't think anything. can't make
it out
Suppose IT was whale?"
CHATS so.'' cried zech "a whale
hasn't any feet nor wings.
Eyes but how under the san could
whale go along the street when it can only
move in water?" Mr.. Duryea said scorn-
fully; faint likely, faint likely. Be-
sides, who'd ever see a whale in the street,
That amt it or miss my guess
"Well, now that think ont, remark
ed Mr. Luyster, "ny Sar' Ann is a Won
derful hand at conundrums I'll fetch her
over.
''Let Zech CO." said Mrs. Duryea.
Accordingly, Zech went down to Luy-
ster's place and soon returned with Sar'
Ann
ssNow, take of your things and stay to
tea both of you, p urged Mrs Duryea
Having removed her wraps, Sar' Ann
sat down and read the lines herself, but
even her penetration was not sufficient to
fathom the mystery.
'tWhy, Sar' Ann, knowed you to guess
q conundrum once, . her father said re-
proachfully.
s'Well, I was lucky that time, . replied
the girl; tput can't find out this one
Then the matter was discussed by them
ell many conjectures were made; the lines
were taken singly, by twos and altogether,
but nothing could be made of them. FL
nally Zech weht to attend TO his chores,
Mrs. Duryea began preparations for sup
per, and the company settled down with
Mr.. Duryea to talk of other things. But
somehow the three appeared to be absent
minded, conversation tagged, and Mr..
Duryea had to keep arousing himself to
the fact that he was forgetting to be
amiable The truth was the lines of the
conundrum kept running in his head, and
he couldn't think of anything else. The
wild thing without foot or wing was up
permost in his mind, and put it down as
he would 1t bobbed up serenely every time.
"What are you thinking of, Sar' Ann2"
he asked, after silence of several min
utes.
"Oh, I'm thinking of that wild animal,
she confessed; II have the words by heart
now, and can't rest until I make out
what they mean"
Sing lar, but they're kinder bothering
me, too," said Mr.. Luyster. "All can
see is a wild animal without no feet nor
wings running down street and soaring
folks half to death"
Aunt Sophia, who by this time was
mending instead of darning, made no adj
mission, but there was puzzled look on
her face, and now and then her lips
moved as Ii she we're repeating something
to herself.
Presently Zeoh ran in and anxiously in
quired: "Did anybody find it out? Iwish
some one would, for can't rest until
get the answer
'Chores all donep" asked his father.
eyes, pa.
"How many eggs9"
81 don't know. forgot to count them.
was thinking of that wild animal all the
time
Afterward zeoh declared that this was
the first time in his life that his father
failed to scold him for negleoting duty.
When Mrs. Duryea announced that tea
was ready she added penitently: You
really will have to excuse the biscuits, for
them lines in the conundrum bothered
me SO forgot 'em, and They're burned
little. -
After the meal was over Mr.. Duryea
said to Zech: 81 think you'd better set
down and write to that editor and send
him money for the next paper. Then we
can get the answer.
ssWell, I wouldn't be so Smaller as to
send for one paper. Might as well pay for
the hull year while you're about it. =
81 think SO, too, ma, exclaimed zech.
GAN right; here's the money. 'Tain't
bad idee to have 'em around.
'tBut how about the harness, PAP"
''That can wait"
"And, Zech,'' said Aunt Sophia, in
whose eyes there was now an expectant
look, if you amt got paper and ink
handy you'll find 'em in my writing box
on the table over there. IS. Jennie Smith
in Springfield Republican.
n~~.~aaasou xUa&apsnp T1Iacas