The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-05

the l4awtcn pet. He had been an engaging
creature. with pert pink ears, and curly
white hair when the Lawtons adopted
him six months before. They did not
dream he could grow so-not even with
Teddy's constant feeding. Now he weigh
ed something less than two hundred, and
was so fat he quivered when he walked as
though nodded in jelly. Beatrix kicked
spitefully at the waving hoofs. Mister
Pinkey understood that as a signal for
some new play. He sat up on his haunch-
es, grunting lazily, and wlnking his little
slant eyes. After a minute he stood up.
caught a fold of Beauixs frock in his
mouth, grunted again, and made as
though he would lead her away.
You seei There is no driving him-not
even with switches. He takes everything
as part of the play" Beatrix said de-
spairingly. II won't stand it. 1 simply
can't put up with him day longer. Moth
err, dear, Teddy is away with father-do
let me cali in McSweeny's wagon as il
passes, and have 1t take that wretched pig
away"
He really ought to go--but don't
know" Mrs. Lawton said undecidedly.
Mister Pinkey cooked his eye knowingly
at her, then waddled to the yard gate,
stood upon his hind legs, ana with the
tip of his snout tipped up the latch. AS
the gate swung open he came down on
four feet turned and looked at Mrs. Law
ton with an air of triumphant achieve
ment. HE climbs the fence, too-when-
ever he is not too lazy" Beatrix added
energetically Mother, If you don't let
me get rid of him. in another month we
will find him sleeping In the parlor, or, at
least, in the spare ROOM
Yes, we must somehow get rid of him.
But, poor little Teddyv Mrs. Lawton said
again, signing. as she walked away.
Teddy. aged I, was the only boy in a
family of six. Naturally he was spoiled,
but nothing like so badly as he himself
had spoiled Mister Pinkey. Teddy was
rosy and stout and sunburned now--not a
bit like the ghost of a boy which had been
fetched to Barnstead In the early spring
As he rode home from the mill at his
fathers elbow, he laughed and chartered
like a maybe.
He was not dismayed when no welcom-
ing squeal came to him. "Old Pinkey
wants to pay me for leavin' his-he's HID
down under the sweet apple tree" ne said
to his father as he scrambled out of the
buggy. You ought to see him lie down
over the apples he just can't eat. AS If
l wanted 'em-when I can climb the tree
and shake EN- down."
But Mister Pinkey was not under the
sweet apple tree, nor in the shade of the
pokeberry bushes beside the potato patch;
neither was he snug in the watering
trough, nor luxuriously bedded beside the
new rick of Timothy. Teddy whistled and
called his loudest, but nothing came. Even
Beatrix felt sorry as she heard him. They
had all agreed to make it case of mys-
FERROUS disappearance-at least until Chris
mas. The Teddy should be told;
more, he should have the three bright new
dollars which Farmer McSweeny said were
Jest three dollars nlorv'n that pisen pig
was wuth.'
Beatrix was for calling Teddy, but her
mother said Let him run himself dead
tired hunting-then he will go to sleep at
once-and maybe partly forget before
morning" So Teddy ran unchecked until
he came 10 the fence betwixt the orchard
and the big woods. and clambered sorrow
fully over it. Il wouldn't do you this
way, old Pinkey," he said with a catch
in his throat; mot even if you had gone
and left me a little bit of a white.
wouldn't go get myself lost out in the
woods and most kill a little boy to find
me. But I will find yOu-so there now,
If I had thought you'd behave so badly
I never would have taught you to climb
the fence"
He dropped down himself, and ran a lit
tie way out in the woods. Tracks and
fresh rooted ground convinced him that he
was following Mister Plnkey. The tracks
ran deeper in the woods. He ran along
them, expecting every minute to come up
on his fat and lazy stray. Once or twice
he called, but after a little decided ii
would be better fun to surprise his va
grant.
BY and by 1t began to be dark Teddy
looked about him in sudden fright. He
was out of sight of home--out of sight of
everything, IL seemed to him, except tall
black tree trunks, with heavy boughs at
top and little patches of pale sky in be-
tween. He turned bewilderingly about
and tried to go home. The first tear welled
from his eye "I amt so real 'fraid," he
said, starting at the sound of his own
voice, "but o, to think Mister Plnkey is
good lostr'
Darkness brought panic to Barnstead.
a 3 quickly as possible Mr.. Lawton gath
cred his neighbors and began systematic
search for his boy Instinctively il was
felt he was in the big woods. Catamounts
were there also, and potential bears. More
than that, 1t was blowing up very cold.
There would certainly be frost, and per-
haps snow before morning. So 1t must be
a matter of life and death to find him, and
find him quickly.
The big woods divided into two winglike
parts. In threes, each with a lighted
torch, the searchers beat through the
nearer one, seeking, seeking, and never
finding. 1t was near midnight when they
turned into the second wing, which ran
above the edge of the valley farms All
felt the quest hopeless but were none the
less bent on making It. They had lads of
their own, and knew what threat Of such
loss meant.
When they had gone perhaps hundred
yards, there came to them out OF the dark
ness ahead, low unctuous grunting. fol-
lowed, by weak, happy cry: '1oappy,
Pappyv Teddy tried to shout, though il
was not much more than whisper mis-
ter Pinkey got lost-and found him
and then got lost, ard ne found me, and
brought us both home"
Instantly a great ringing shout went up
loud enough, happy enough to let Mrs
Lawton know her boy was safe. Some body
fired three shots from a revolver. the
signal agreed upon but they were per.
fectly needless. TEDDY and Mister Pinkey
came into the circle Of flttery torch lights.
very tired but very happy. As Mr. Law.
ton Rugged his boy hard Mister Pinkey
put his forefeet up against him, and nuz.
zled at his pocket. Farmer McSweeny |
who was among the searchers. laughed
Loudly, saying: TEDDY, man, l didn't |
think Won were so eharr,--fo train vans, |