Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-04-21

| MISS llltty SpISdu Hei shd"I oNSi 'ue
younger woman's feet and sat down
on a wooden box in the corner. THE
poor dear!" she soiloquized, and this
is the first night she ever spent away
from home!"
The giraffe had been busily eating his
hay, with no eye for such lowly beings
as his visitors, but now he had emptied
the crib and turned his soft eyes on
Miss Kitty.
"If those amt the lcveliest eyesl"
said Miss Kitty, admir,ngly, but
kinder wish he'd look al me straight on.
Nice graft, handsome fellow! If only
| knew his name; seems foolish to talk
baby talk to a great big thing like that.
might call him Spotty, though il don't 1
suit as we'll as it might. VISIT he'd let
me feel him."
She spoke coaXingly, but quietly, so
as not to wake Nina. The great timid
creature regarded her with curiosity.
turning its head and viewing her from
the most impossible angles. lie craned
and twisted his neck till Miss FIFTY
feared he would get stitch" 1t was
quite dark, though the twilight had not
ended. But Miss Kitty had become ac-
customed to the dusk. The giraffe came
gradually nearer, apparently puzzled
by the unusual voice.
~ hope I'm not keeping him awake.
should think he'd want to go to sleep,
but perhaps he's like horse and don't
like TO lie down before folks. Land.
I'm glad he amt horse. | should be
scared to death. 1t always makes me
nervous just to hitch up a team, but
Spotty-rll have to call him that till
I get something better-he's so gentle
sr;sst I couldn't he scared leastways."
"Spotty" seemed to ignore Jemma's
presence, though he rolled his eyes
once or twice in her direction. His GU
riosity in Miss Kitty was absorbing. lie
gradually came as near her as his tether
would allow and bent his great neck
towards her.
Now call that real friendly of HIM"
exclaimed Miss Kitty in delight. May
be he remembers me. should almost
think lie might, I've been here so often.
1t does seem a shame he should have
to have that halter on all night. They |
oughter take it off. declare If could |
only reach I've mind to take it OF
myself. lie couldn't come TO no harm
while I'm here to look out for things.
There, dear, couldn't you get your head
down n mite lower?" She rose cautious,
~, not to startle him. I'm such
sawed-olf, never could reach any
where's, and even this box amt high |
eEyugh." She CROPPED around the room
in the dusk till she stumbled against
barrel, and with much painting mounted |
it, Then she reached down for the box
and placed that on top OF the barrel. BY |
this time the giraffe had become sus- |
picious and had retreated. 1t took some |
time to coax him back but finally he
came near enough for her to pat him.
He rubbed his neck against her caress-
ingly and nearly caused Miss Kitty to
lose her balance.
There, there, easy, dear. Just hold
still Il bit till unbuclile this strap.
There you are-my, guess it's re-
lief!"
The giraffe appreciated his freedom
and became more friendly than ever.
81 declare, I wish had something FOR
him to eat Not that | suppose he's
hungry, after all that hay, but he'd
relish morsel of something green. If
Nina were awake she'd give NE 4 spray
out Of that bunch O. flowers she's tax
ing to Sister Jane. don't see why
Spotty shouldn't get the coed of them;
they'll be all withered before we get
there. I don't believe she'd say Il
word"
Miss Fifty slid off the barrel and took
the bunch of old-fashioned posies out
of Jemimas bag. One by one she held
>the flowers out TO Spotty, and he curled
his long tongue about them and carried
them up to his mouth. It was while
she was feeding him that there came
footsteps along the gravely walk out
side.
81 clean forgot to slip old Long-nec!l's
halter" one voice was saying.
well, you'd better step in and do il
now" replied the other. "If the in
spcctor should come round"
There was a click in the lock- and
lantern flashed into the room.
GOSH" gasped one of the men.
What on earth!" They both stood
speechess, regarding the little old lady
on the box who was patting the 81,
raffe's pretty head.
She looked up and smiled.
Coed evening, sir. guess you
didn't expect to see me here. We got
locked in, and Nina Johnson she's gone
TO sleep in the corner there; she was
clean tuclered out so thought I'd be
friendly with Spotty. I'm real fond OF
him. took his halter off, SOS he'd feel
more freedom. hope you don't mind
thought I would be all right so long
us didn't leave him alone" She smiled
so pleasantly that the men gradually
recovered their speech.
Much obliged, ma'am," the keeper
stammered. 81 Was just coming to do
it myself. Lucky forgot, though" he
added, with a smile, 'or you wouldn't
have got out tonight"
"Why, sure enough" said Miss FIFTY.
81 do declare if hadn't forgotten we
was prisoners"
Jemima, Weakened by the sound ofthe
mems voices, had hastily risen and
seized her bag.
I'm sure we're much obliged" she
FASTENED to say, land glad enough to
get out"
"Why, Nina. you had splendid nap:
you oughtn't to complain"
Then. turning to her delverers and
shaking each cordially by the hand
Miss Kitty added: Eyes, I've alters
liked the graft. and somehow seen
to think more of him now tiian ever
I've had a real pleasant tire. Good
n