Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-03
IX-Buster John Sees HodO.

John opportunity to see the fox hunt was
both curious and interesting. The date was
fixed upon, and the children's grandfather
invited the hunters to spend the night with
him, so as to have an early start the next
morning. So, one Friday afternoon-the
hunt was to take place on Saturday-the
hunters began to arrive, some singly and
some in couples, until all had arrived eX-
cept young Maxwell and his hound Hodo
Mr. Fitzpatrick came, bringing Music, and
Whalebone, and Tip, with others. Mr.. Col
lingsworth brought Fanny, and Rocket, and
Barlow, with their chorus; and Mr.. Dennis
brought Rowan, and Ruth, and Top, and
Flrt. There were other hunters with their
dogs and one or two gentlemen who had
no dogs, but who wanted to see the sport
But these hunters, their friends and their
dogs, Were not the ones Buster John want
ed to see. So he continued to watch the Dig
gate at the head of the avenue. Sweetest
Susan watched with him, Drusilla being
busy helping their mother, who as a good
housekeeper. looked after her dining room
and was not afraid to go into the Kitchen.
Buster John was anxious lest young Max
well would fail to come, and said so many
times. He had once heard his grandfather
reading something that Maxwell had writ
ten in the county paper, and he had also
heard the negroes talking about the young
man, how clever and kind he was. And
then his horse, Butterfly and his hound,
Hodo! What wonderful tales old Fountain
and Johnny Bapter had told about these
animals.
But when the sun was about an hour
high, and just as Buster John had given up
all hope, he saw the big gate swing open
A large dog came through, and after him
rider on a sorrel horse. Without ailghtlnS
from his horse, the rider pulled the gate TO,
and, leaning down until Buster John coula
see nothing but one of his feet pressing
against the saddle, fastened the eaten.
Buster John had never seen the gate open
ed and shut in this fashion before, for the
latch had been purposely fixed low so that
the little negroes could open the gate Tor
vehicles going out and coming in. The dog
waited with much dignity for the gate to
be shut, and then came trotting along the
avenue close at the heels of the cantering
horse
That's him. cried Buster John, clapping
his hands How often had Johnny Bapter
and old Fountain described the horse and
rider, Pale little Teller, look like he bout
twelve year OF. Rangy sorrel horse, WIZ
long name, an a tail dat drag de groun;
The tail tied up, owing to the muddy
roads, but the name was loose, and gave
the horse very attractive and picturesque
appearance.
Both Buster John and Sweetest Susan
ran to meet young Maxwell, but Johnny
Bapter was before them. "Howdy, Marse
Joe?" cried Johnny Bapter joyously.
why, howdy, Johnny Bapter?" Then
as the children came up Maxwell shut
both eyes tight and said: wait! Johnny
Bapter I'll bet you a twist of tobacco that
the young man over here is Buster John,
and that this beautiful young lady over
here is Sweetest Susan While he was
speaking, Johnny Bapter pushed the chill
dren around deity that they exchanged
positions
Then: IN take de bet.' exclaimed John
ny Bapter.
"You'y We lost" said young Maxwell; look
at my hand 1t was open; the foretinger
was pointing at Buster John and the little
finger at Sweetest Susan.
This sort of an introduction charmed the
children, who were SHY, and put them at
their ease at once.
Here's your tobacco, Johnny Bapter.
Now don't feed my horse till 1 come out to-
night, and do put him in dry place where
the wind can't strike him, and If you have
Hang my saddle and blanket on the side
fence yonder. I'll go in and tell EN- howdy,
and then I'll come out and look after
them
He went In the house with each of the
children holding him by hand lie seem
ed to be a child with them. He shook
hands with the host and with the other
guests, and excused himself on the plea
that he wanted to have a frolic with the
children. He was seventeen, but mad lone
of the characteristics of that age. He was
even more Juvenile in his actions than
Sweetest Susan. He made the children call
him Joe, and asked them where there was
a shelter where he could put his saddle to
keep it out of the dew.
Make Johnny Bapter hang 1t up with
the rest in the carriage house." suggested
Buster John.
No" said young Maxwell. This is
peculiar saddle. 1t has dog tied to it by
an invisible string" Sure enough! When
they reached the side fence, there was
Hodo lying directly under the saddle and
blanket, which Johnny Bapter had placed
on the fence. You can see the dog and
saddle" remarked Maxwell, but you can't
see the string
RnSter Holm SUGGESTED the old
shop, which was long shed room, the en-
trance to which had no door. There was a
pile Of shaVings in the shop, and Joe Max
well said it was the very place of all others
So he placed his saddle on the work bench.
kicked the shavings together, and told
Hodo he could go to bed and pull the cover
over his head when he got ready.
VIII he stay?" Buster John asked. The
other dogs were all fastened up in the
blacksmith shop to keep them from going
home
Young Maxwell laughed. Hell stay there
till l come after the saddle, unless l call
him OUT
He was for returning to the house, but
just then the children saw their grand
father and his other guests coming in their
direction.
Maxwell" said Mr.. Colingsworth, 1--WE
heard a heap of loose talk about this Won
derful dog of yours I lay you 1 have two
can outfoot him; Dennis has another, and
Fitzpatrick another. Where've you hid
him? l don't mind dark horses in politics
but 1 don't like dark dogs in fox chases''
Then you'll not like Hodo," remarked
Joe Maxwell, 'for he's very dark, almost
black. Come, Hodo."
The hound instantly came from the shed,
and stood looking at his master, his head
turned expectantly to one side This ges-
ture, as you may call 1t. was somewhat
comical, but it was impressive, too Hodo
was large for hound; but very compa CITY
built. His breast bone and fore shoulders
were very prominent, his chest was deep
and full, his hams We're almost abnormalIy