The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-27
THE B0x-BUSH.
Another story of Clara and Her Mis-.
chievous PIaymates.
BY CALLY RYLAND.

There were five of them-but one did
not count. She was just beginning to
take an interest in her own toes, and
the rest of the world had not yet
SWAN within her ken"
The Boy was the oldest. He was
nine, though his counsin. Clara, press
ed him hard for the honor of birthdays.
Then came his two sisters, Julia and
Nancy. respectively eight and six.
1t was wonderful old house they
lived in, a house so celebrated in it's
younger days for hospitality and good
company, that for years it had borne
the name of Bright Corner"
Thanking it spread a huge old-fash-
icned garden, of the kind our grand
mothers used to thrill our imaginations
with in our childhood, a garden filled
with old-fashioned flowers, bridal
wreath and springa; pirus japonica
and snowballs.
Laid off in squares, it was bordered
with stiff hedges of box, and at the
corner of each square a sentinel box
bush stood, close clipped and state
ly.
Grandmama was i'll and the children
had been sent into the garden to in
sure her a much-needed sleep.
well now, what shall we do" de-
manded the Boy. We've got the whole
day ahead of US, so it must be some
thing thatll take long time and be
frightfully jolly"
1--WE might play mnagarie," suggest
ed Nancy, circling around on her toes.
DO you want another paddy whack-
ing" demanded the Boy roughly. You,
perhaps, forget what Mama did to you
the last time we played m'nagarie and
you were a blue-tailed lizzard, and
dragged that sash of yours in the dust.
My eye! What a sight it was!" Nam
cy's lip curled contemptuously.
How bout Mama's best silk stock
ing that you filed with gravel and tied
on for trunk when you were a lie
plant. smarty,' she said stormily
we might play keeping"
ventured Julia, the gentle, timidiy.
House keeping! If that isn't more
like girl. Why don't you say doll
babies at once and be done with it?
Now, it's just this, if somebody can't
think of something right away. I'll cut
out of this and go and play in Fred
dy's yard"
There was an aggrieved silence. It
was somewhat of an honor to have a
boy play with you when you are only
three girls, although a carefully con-
cealed honor. Each felt that a crisis
had come. and just as the Boy turned
on his heels and started whistling
down the graveled walk, Clara spoke
up and saved the day: I've got an
idea"
The Boy stopped impatiently, well,
out with 1t them he said. You've
kept it to yourself long enough.
never knew you so stupid"
81 was thinkin'," returned Clara,
with dignity. IF you'll help me bring
up the bench I'll show you something"
The bench was carefully brought and
boX-buShes. Now, then" said Clara,
this is our ship-get aboard. al of you.
It's terrible storm and the thunders
just a-roarin,' and the lightnin' has
struck the mast and carried it off,"
That's bully" said the Boy excited
ly. That rake'll do for the mast.
What else?" And. we're holdin' to the
side of the ship to keep from being
knocked overheard and drownded. And
we've got to wave and shout boat
ahoy!' loud as ever we can. The box
bush is the big ship that's comm to
save us: don't you see?"
How'll we get on board" shouted
the others with delight, as they jump
ed up and down and waved their bon.
nets.
20, we've got to jump There's the
brave Cap'n on deck and he says:
Trust your lives to me, my fine fell
lows, and jump at the word OF CON-
mand.' One, two three-good- bye, my
friends" and with a wild leap into the
air Clark landed in the very heart of
the box bush, which trembled and
swayed and snapped it's twigs vicious
ly at her.
80 come on; it's fine!-I mean
Thank heavens! 1 am saved Jump,
comrades, jump" and the Boy, with
a shout sprang into the air and landed
beside her, scratched and painting
among the swaying boughs.
Nancy's impetuosity brought her
aboard next, with the war cry of a CO.
manche brave, and the timid Julia,
following, just grazed the ship and
with scruffed and bleeding legs fell
to the ground.
"Oh, I say. this is jolly" said the
Boy, Indifferent to the fate of his COM
rade-in- misfortune. Lets try anoth-
er box bush; this is all broken up, and
next time, jump clear you idiot" to
Julia, "or I'll wait behind and stick
pins in your fat legs
Julia hastily promised, and the bench