Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-09-15
The Prince Of the Zoo.
By Msbls Hay Bsrows

| so cute l can't most tear my sell away
| I'd 1otted more on seem them than
anything at the Zoo"
sWel, Nina, it's getting late, and
do want you should see the gyrafft, and
if we don't go right along they'll have
his house locked up"
The visitors who still fingered before
the monkey cages glanced smilingly at
the two women from up country way
as they hurried, the little one with
eager step, and the tall one with back
ward chances, along the path to the
giraffe house. It was early summer.
land the sun was not set. though IL was
nearly closing time. The gardens were
quite deserted, and the guards stood ex-
pectantly by the gates.
Miss Kitty Pearson and her guest
found the giraffe alone. but not socially
inclined.
"He looks so naughty that ] kinder
hate 10 offer him a cookie" said the tall
woman. "and I don't s'Pose he'd so
much as look at peanut. dunno as
'twould be worth while TO swaller lit
lie thing like that when II had such a
long ways to go down. Seems kinder
wasteful. having such an awful tenth
o. neck, an his head don't amount to
anything after you get there"
Miss Kitty was clearly disappointed.
"Why, Nina Johnson, think he's ele-
CANT. come to see him every time I'm
In town. Ny brothers folks say ]
spend more time here than do with
them. You just come up here close and
see his soft fur, If that's what you call
II, and his handsome polka dots. He's
got real nice face. too-gentle, but not
TO be put upon"
They wandered about in the great
glass-roofed room where the giraffe
lived. His halter rope was fastened TO
the roof. and high up on the wall was
his crib. which the keeper had just
filed with hay. He thrust it down
through the skylight, and so did not see
Miss Kitty and Jemima in the gathering
shadows below.
As they talked and coaxed the great
creatures attention they lost track OF
the time. In fact they were so absorbed
that they did not hear the great gong
that announced the closing of the Zoo.
Neither did they notice the click of the
door 10 the giraffe house. II is sur
prising how much there is to see and
admire in a giraffe II you set aboutit.
"Miss Kitty, you haven't got your
watch on, have ycu?" asked Jemima,
after she had exhausted the CRATES
charms. "'Twouldn't be polite il we
was late 10 supper, long as am at your
brothers, and seem to feel it supper
time"
"Sakes, what a child you arel"-Alima
was past 30--"I feel s If I'd only done
dinner" replied the reluctant Miss Hit
ty. But sister Jane win want to hear
all about our shopping before tea. John
says it takes his mind of his vietuals II
we talk about bargains at the table. so
we'd better step along"
They turned TO the door at one end,
but IL was fastened. They walked the
length of the room to the other door.
but that too. was locked.
''Sakes alive. Nina johnson, what are
you gigglng at?" demanded Miss Hit
ty with some asperity.
why. don't you see we're locked in,
and have TO stay all night with your
lovely gyrafft?" and Mima's giggle be-
came hysterical.
I'D rather spend 1t here than with
those monkeys you took such shine
to-" retorted Miss Kitty, with great
presence of mind. "But don't intend
to stay with either. Here, you! Herel"
She began to call and pound on the
door with the end of her umbrella. Je-
NINA joiped in the cry, but there was
no response. The usually noisy Zoo was
quiet as dawn. The animals were left
In peace. and the guards had gone to
supper. Fortunately 1t was not yet
dark, and plenty of air came in at the
open skylight.
Whatever shall we do?" gasped
Nina
do? ! rather guess we stay where
we are, for the present" Miss Kitty re-
piled. you jest sit down on that box
while think"
Miss Hitty thought at some length.
coe ~ HedS purpose. ~ was clear tnaf Il
nothing could be done till the guards
finished their supper. At the mention
OF supper Jemima caught her breath.
Ever since II o'clock she had been sight
seeing. and her first day Of the city had
been quite enough for her.
There. child. know you're hungry.
Never knew young one who wasn't.
Amt 1t a mercy we didn't give all
our sweeties to the elephant? Here's
three seed cookies and a bun, and
yuess you got an orange aud the bag
. peanuts. amt you? Come, now.
hats famous. Wen eat right awav.
hen Il won't seem so long waiting.
III spreading clean pocket handk'cher
or a tablecloth and wen play we was
o Sunday school picnic.-
The timid Iemima soon recovered her
ipirlts. and they had quite merry
neal. While they ate darkness set