The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-09-06

needs"
And then for a time there were no
sounds about the place but tho sharp
tap tap Of the hammer.
Il was dark when Mrs. Lennon and
Billy drove into the yard. Mr.. Lem
mon did not come out to take the
horse.
PA said he might have to 90 down
to the meadow before we got back"
said Billy
you and l will have to unharness
then. Quick nowl I'm going to make
you some wafIles for supper"
Can crate some maple sugar to
eat on EN-, MAJ"
Certainly. No, Billy, you don't
want TO undo all the straps, only just
what's necessary"
Il get mixed up, ma"
well, get unmixed, then" said his
stepmother good-naturedly.
1t was strange that Mr. Lennon
should leave the door wide open If he
was going down to the meadow. She
shut it, and laid her bundles on the
table. Just then they heard peculiar
sound: Rat-a-tat! Rat-a-tat!
What was that?" she exclaimed.
She and Billy looked at each other,
startled.
Rat-a-tat! Rat-a-tat-tat!
Mrs. Lennon flung open the cellar
door. Nathan, are you there?" she
called.
"Ma-al" came a feeble voice from the
distance.
IT'S outside" said Mrs. Lennon.
I'm afraid he's hurt. Take this can
die, Billy, and run on ahead"
Billy Hoped across the yard. She fol-
lowed with the lamp. Whats the
matter?" she called, alarmed, for Billy
was capering up and down beside some
whitish object, the candle lighting up
his round face like hobgoblin's.
Ma! Pas in the chicken coop!"
There could be no manner of doubt
Of it His hammer resounded on the
walls, and his mufFled voice called
Grossly; Let me out! let me out!"
Billy got on the ground and looked
through the door. 81 see him!" Re
cried, excited.
Nathan Hale Lennon, how come
you there?" cried his wife.
Il should think you could see for
YOURSELF"
She had seen in a flash, and leaning
against the partition, she laughed till
the tears came.
You've been-you've bench, oh!
you've been and nailed that front
on from the inside, and then-you
couldn't get out through the door I'M
less you was a chicken, which you're
notch, my! my, my!"
"He! he!" snickered Billy.
"But why don't you knock in board
and get out?"
Went the wrong way. Couldn't get
any purchase" said the mufled voice.
20 Nathan, l shall give up!"
well, when you get through laugh
ing, maybe you'll do something. I've
been hollerin' here most all the after
noon"
you poor man, you! Really, I feel
weak There, Billy, you stop! Run
and bring the Ratchet. Don't cut your
SELF"
1t took but few well directed blows
with the back of the Ratchet to loosen
a couple of boards. Through the mar
row opening Mr. Lennon squeezed
out He was one of the mildest of
men, but when you have been shut up
all the afternoon in a hen-coop of your
own making, you may be forgiven for
being little provoked.
1t was grand supper Mrs. Lennon
gave them, half an hour later, sup
per fit for the minister, and no allu-
sions made to late unpleasant expert
ences. Right in the midst of it, all
three happened to look up at once; and
then there was a fresh explosion. Mr.
Lennon helped himself to the last
waffle "Well, twas rather funny
when you come to think of it., he as
scented, with laugh
That was all; only nowadays, when
he worries over Billy's scatter-bra
his wife says, soothingly:
"Now, pa, you remember that chick
en-coop. youths Companion.