The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-10-04

II VIII not go away, and leave Miss
Daisy to love us as she used to do"
Come on! come on" cried Rufus
and Tyrrell. Dick said nothing, but
he trembled. and followed.
So all together they waddled across
the yard, and scrambled up the steps
to the scullery; and there, on the edge
OF barrel, with her gloved hands and
her booted feet sprawling, lay the
guilty Rosaline who had stolen Miss
Daisy's love from them.
Very softly and slowly they crept
across the stone floor until they
reached the stool which stood beside
the barrel; then for moment they
sat quite still and looked at their
enemy, and Humpty raised himself ON
the stool to get a better look. 1t was
very solemn moment, and Dick drew
back little in fear.
We must be brave" whispered
Humpty. Il expect she bites very
hard; but l will go first, if you like"
Very WE'LL agreed Dumpty. 81
will stand close behind to save YOU.
if she fights"
Il will stand next cried Rufus. "to
catch her if she tries to run away
and l next cried Tyrrell.
II will stand at the end" said Dick.
in very shaky voice; then 1 shall be
able to protect you ALL
So they formed into line, and
Humpty put on a very bold look,
stepped forward softly, and poked his
little black nose towards the enemy's
nearest boot. But the enemy did not
move or speak; she only lay there
sprawling, just as Miss Daisy had left
her. Humpty grew holder and holder
still when he found she did not growl.
Now, brothers." he whispered, 81
am going to attack her!"
| And the four trembled with excite
ment, as they watched the noble
Humpty; then, with very fierce bark.
the brave pup jumped forward, waved.
his stumpy tail in the air, and gavs
one big snap at the enemy's boot,
which hung so near his nose.
There was crash; a yell from
Humpty! and the new doll was upon
ing with the fall.
Dumpty shrieked-Rufus barked-
Tyrrell yapped-and little Dick, quite
believing that the enemy was kicking
poor Humpty to death, ran crying to
the door. But he trembled so much
that he could not climb down the
steps; so he stood whining at the, top
of his voice, while his brothers barked
and yelled, and Rufus tumbled over
Tyrrel1; and they all left poor Humpty
struggling on the floor. with the new
doll on top of him.
Such fright they were in! Such a
noise they made, you would have
thought there were twenty puppies
all fighting together.
dtt4st , and ) Z 81
ing the screa ms, came running to see
what had happened
There now, Miss Daisy" cried
Jane; first you forgot the puppies.
and then YOU forgot your doll: and
it's a wonder Humpty didn't tear her
in bits. Puppies never learn good
manners If they are neglected You
had better teach them to take care of,
Rosaline, instead of eating her; but
it's my belief they have grown quite
Jealous of her.
Il believe they have agreed Miss
Daisy, and in her heart she felt very
guilty. II have scarcely looked at
them since my birthday; Rosaline
took so much Of my time. Poor pup
pies! how they are shaking. But now
they shall be Rosaline's brothers, and
will love all alike, and will never
forget them again."
So she sat on the stool and took
them into her lap, and she kissed them
| and cuddled them as she used to do
before Rosaline came, and the puppies
grew happy again. Then after little
while Miss Daisy lifted Rosaline into
| her lap too, and laid one of her hands
on Humpty's paw. Poor Humpty trem-
| b1ed and his heart thumped very hard.
but he did not wish to be a coward
| again, so he bore it bravely, and he
| found that this terrible new puppy,
| for that was what he and his brothers
considered the doll, did not bite after
| all.
| And when they had forgotten their
fright they grew quite fond of Rosa
line for Daisy's sake, and were as
anxious to protect her as they had
| once been to kill her.
| Lillian QUILLER COUCH.
| A Novel Agricrlturist.
| Among the many curious insects
found in Texas is the agricultural
! ant" 1t is truly an agriculturist,
planting, tending and harvesting crops
as regularly as any farmer in the land.
When getting ready to do its planting,
this queer little farmer makes cir
cular clearing, from ten to twelve feet
in diameter, sometimes in the very
heart of cotton field, sometimes in
rough, wild pasture land. The work
it accomplishes, considering its size.
is really marvellous, for with its teeth
1t cuts through tough, thick stems and
by twisting, pulling and biting, finally
1 Ill 49, a.