The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-04

ny, who ever heard of such thing?"
twice"
The lady looked at Mr.. Dennis, who
gave an affirmative nod. How would he
go?" she asked.
'On my horse. behind me-
What do you think of it, father?"
Why, 1 think he will be perfectly safe
with Joe"
Let him go, by all means" said Mr.
Dennis, emphatieally. 1T will help to
make man of him."
But two on horse in a fox chase?
Why, it's ridiculous exclaimed the ladS.
THE horse would break down in half an
! hour"
How much does Buster John weigh?"
Joe Maxwell asked.
'Fifty-five, said Buster John, proudly
Then the horse would carry a hundred
and forty pounds. Mr.. Dennis weighs at
least thirty pounds more than that, and
| he's the smallest man ia the party"
| There was nothing for the mother 10 do
| but giyer her consent though she gave it
with many misgivings. as mothers. viii,
and with many admon.tions TO Joe Max
well to take care of the boy, which he
faithfully promised TO do.
To make sure that he would not be left
behind, Buster John begged to be allowed
to sleep in the room with Maxwell This
point was easily carried. and the young
ster went Off to bed triumphantFy an hour
earlier than usual. lie was asleep when
| the hounds were fed on warm corn bread,
especially prepared for them; and he was
! far in the land of dreams when, a little
later, Joe Maxwell carried Hodo his sup
per, which Jemimy (bribed with tobacco
| for her pipe had saved out" for him. 1t
was not large in amount, but carefully Sc
lected, and no doubt Hodo enjoyed it, for
he made no complaint about it,
Buster John, as has been said went to
bed happy and triumphant, and it seemed
| to him that he had been in bed but a few
! moments when he felt Joe Maxwell shak-
| ing and rolling him about in bed, and
| heard him crying out:
where's this famous fox hunter who
was to go along and take care of me
this morning? The horses are all ready
| breakfast is ready $50 Jemimy says, and
everybody is ready except the Great
North American Fox Hunter, known far
! and wide as Buster John. What can be
| the matter with him?"
In this way Buster John was aroused
to the realities, and he remembered with
a thrill of delight that this was to be
the day of days, SO far as he was CON
cerned. He leaped from the bed and was
dressed in a jiffy.
Don't wake the house, my SON." said
Joe Maxwell solemnly. There's your
overcoat your mother sent up last night;
the air is chilly this morning. There was
cold rain during the night"
but you have no overcoat," remarked
Buster John.
"Oh, I'm tough" replied Joe Maxwell.
I've been out to look after my horse and
dog. They are both prime, and the
weather is prime. If the fox we are 60
ing after is friend of yours, you may
as well bid him goodbye this morning"
Hes very cunning" explained Buster
John. A great many dogs have chased
him. He is called Scar Face"
I've heard of him many a time. replied
Joe Maxwell That's the reason I'm
here to-day. If he's in the neighborhood
this morning, and you get a good chance.
tell him goodbye"
Il think he knows all about this hunt"
Buster John ventured TO say.
oh, does he? Well. it viii be mighty
good thing for him if he has moved his
quarters; but Wen beat around and ahout
and see if he won't give US a dare"
II know where he used to stav'' saia
Buster John. He didn't know whether
ne was doing right or wrong. Aaron
showed me-"
Aaron? Well, Aaron knows all about
IT, and he knows good deal more than
that. Some of these days I'm going to
write a book about Aaron"
Sure enough?" cried Buster John. at
can tell you lots Of things to put in it.
can tell you things that nobody would be-
deve If they hadn't seen 'em"
well, I'll tell you what Wen do" saia
Joe Maxwell, wen made a bargain; You
shall tail the fox to-day if you'll tell me
all about Aaron"
Buster John agreed, and the two shook
hanas over the contract in the most sol
emn fashion. In a few moments thew
were eating breakfast, which was a very
good one for that part of the country, even
II me coffee was made of parched rye and
sweetened with honey. Shortly afterwar1
the hunters were ready to ride to the field
IL was still dark but dawn was begin
ming TO show itself. and by the time the
Ihal start was made-the children's grand
1ather having 10 give some directions RI
Aaron-dawn was fairly upon them ana
the chickens were fluttering from their
roostS to the ground, and walking dubio,,x
ly about in the half-nght.
NOW, old. Scar-Face, confident of his
powers had done very foolish thing
During the night, and while the rain was
stu falling, he had ventured to recon-
hotter the Abercombie place He cana
out of the sedge-feld through the bars
crossed the road and went sneaking as
far as the Clubhouse. Here he stopped and
listened The night was still, but his quick
ears heard noises that would have been
impereeDtible to human ears-the playful
squeak Of a rat somewhere in. the gin.
house, field mouse ski s,ing through the
weeds. the fluttering of wings of some
night bird. He heard the barking of dogs
too, but not strange voice among them
He heard the Spivey catch-dog, with his
gruff aud threatening bark. Far away
he heard hound bowling mournfully.
The hound was evidently tied Close az
hand barked the cur that had challenged
Hodo; he had not yet recovered his good
humor
But not strange voice came 10 his ears.
This was easily accounted for. The
hounds that were to pursue him had been
comfortably fed, and we're now fast
asleep, while Hodo was curled up In shay
ings, dreaming that he had mis- mouth right
on a fleeing fox, but couldn'tf seize him.
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