Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-03


a man of him."
But two on a horse in fox chase Why.
1T ridiculous" exclaimed the lady. The
horse would break down in half an hour
How much does Buster John weigh?'
Joe Maxwell asked.
"Fifty-fve," said Buster John proudly.
Then the horse would carry a hundred
and forty pounds. MIR. Dennis weighs at
least thirty pounds more than that. and
he's the smallest man in the party"
There was nothing for the mother to do
but give her consent, though she gave Ii
with many msglVlnSs, as mothers Will, and
with many admonit.ons to Joe Maxwell to
take care of the boy, which he faithfully
promised to do.
behind Buster John begged to be allowed to
sleep in the room with Maxwell. This point
was easily carried, and the youngster went
off to bed triumphantly hour earlier
than usual. He was asleep when the
hounds We're fed on warm corn bread.
pecialiy prepared for them, and he was far
in the land of dreams when. a little later
Joe Maxwell carried Todo his SUPPER. which
Jemimy (bribed with tobacco for her pipe)
had saved out for him. 1t was not large
| in amount, but carefully selected, and 10
doubt Hodo enjoyed it. for he made no com
plant about il.
Buster John, as has been said, went to
bed happy and triumphant. and it seemed to
| rim that he had been in bed but a few mo-
ments when he felt Joe Maxwell shaking
and rolling him about in bed, and heard
| him crying cut:
w mere : THIS famous IC& hunter VINO was
| TO 60 along and take care of me this morn
ing? The horses are all ready, breakfast is
ready $50 Jemimy saNs) and everybody is
| ready except the Great North American
Fox Hunter. know far and wide Buster
John. What be the matter with him?"
In this way Buster John was aroused TO
| the realities, and he remembered with
! thrill of delight that this was to be the day
| of days, so far as he was concerned. He
| leaped from the bed and was dressed in
| jiffy.
| a
| Joe Navel soleQny. There's your over
coat 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 prme If the fox we are going after is
a 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 time replied
Joe Maxwell. That's the reason I'm here
| today. If he's in the neighborhood the
morning. and you get good chance, tell
him goodbye
Il think he knows all about this hunt"
Buster John ventured to say.
''Oh, does he? Well 1t will be a mighty
good thing for him If he has moved his
quarters; but we'll beat around and about,
and see If he won't give US a dare"
Il know where he used to stay" said
Buster John. He didn't know whether he
was doing right wrong. Aaron showed
me-
Aaron? Well, Aaron knows all about
it, and he knows a good deal more than
that. Some of these days I'm going to
write book about Aaron"
Sure enough?' cried Buster John. at
can tell you lots OF things to put in II. l
can tell you things that nobody would be-
lieve if they hadn't seen EN-
Well, III tell you what Wen do" said
Joe Maxwell, well make bargain You
| shall tail the fox today if you'll tell me
all about Aaron
Buster John agreed, and the two shook
hands over the contract in the most sol
emn fashion. In a few moments they were
eating breakfast, which was a very good
one for that part Of the country, even If
the coffee was made of parched rye and
sweetened with honey Shortly afterward
1t was still dark. but dawn was beginning
to show itself, and by the time the final
start was made-the cflildren's grandfather
having to give some directions to Aaron
dawn was fairly upon them, and the chick
ems were fiutteriug from their roosts to the
ground. and walking obviously about in
the half light.
Now. old Scar-Face, confident of his
powers, had done a very foolish thing.
still falling, he had ventured to reconnoiter
the Abercrombie place. He came out of the
Sedge-field through the bars. crossed the
read, and went SLeaking far as the gin
house. Here he stopped and listened. The
night was still, but his quick ears heard
noises that would have been imperceptibe
to human ears-the playful squeak of