The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1902-02-13

N0AANIt NttAIH R4A ANtAtAN NAVNNh AeA
tones and seductive the invitation,
iBlly, who was used to fox language,
ia which he had prabably been adj
dressed by name more euphonious
than Billy" evidently did not under
stand and refused to respond.
IL expect that he is hungry" put
In Clara's practical mother at this
point. Put some milk in saucer,
and see IL he will drink IT,"
The milk was brought and placed
before him, and Clara soon found to
her delight that Billy's stomach was
In the right place, even IL his heart
and intellect were little out Of Kill
ter. Like most of his sex of whatever
order of creation, Billy's affections
were easily won by catering to his ap-
petite, and as soon MS he realized the
sincerity of the intentions that had.
been lavished upon him that evening
his heart warmed with gratitude, and
he slgnited by many signs Of recon-
ciliation that be was anxious to put
their acquaintance on basis Of friend
ship.
Billy was fond Of Mr. and Mrs. Har-
ris in n way, but his attachment to
| Clara was most devoted. He would
answer no call but hers and would
eat from no hand but hers, Once when
she went to her grandmother's for
two days visit Billy tasted from the
time she went away until she came
! back, because he could not bring him
self to eat the food given him by any
one else
As the weeks passed by Billy proved
to be quite a clever little fellow. His
fame spread throughout the country
side, and people came for miles around
TO see him. But Billy was shy in the
presence OF strangers, and when called
upon to show Off his charming ways
ana perform the many little tricks
Clara had taught him he would run
ana hide under the barn, which was
his fav0rite retreat In time Of danger.
1t taxed Clara's persuasive powers TO
the utmost TO coax him out on such
occasions, but he always relented fin
ally, and crept forth in response to
her gentle Come Billy. Come, Billy"
Then he would cuddle down in her
arms and caress her with his little red
tongue, giving all the while his short,
quick barks Of anxiety, and altogether
would conduct himself so admirably
that visitors would go away charmed
with the exhibition. At such times
as these Clara thrilled with mortlhca-
ticn TO think that she had ever been
so base as to choose q zebra for a pet
FL preference to Billy.
And Billy was not only cunning he
vas good as well. He wisely RETAINED
from catching chickens, which is the
besetting sin Of his race, and he did
not bite people-as rule. Indeed, the
only person he ever fastened his sharp
white teeth upon with malevolent in
tentions was the county treasurer, who
drove all the way over from Batavia
to see him, and then dared to presume
SO far upon his importance as an Office
holder, as TO twist Billy's tail-a IA
miliarity which Billy very properly
resented.
For -four months or more after join
Ing the Harris family, Billy slept in
a bed made expressly for him in a
corner Of the sitting room. There came
n day, however when Mr.. Harris de-
clared that Billy was too big for SO
much coddling, and that he must sleep
in the barn with the other animals.
The first night Of his Punishment Billy
cried constantly, and Clara, hearing
him, wept and walled in sympathy
The second night he rested but little
better, nor yet on the third night nor
the fourth. A week passed, and Bill
ly's days and nights were one long
period of mourning. Clara pleaded,
but Mr., Harris was obdurate. "He
might as well be broken in now as any
time" he said, decisively.
Clara made plans of her own then.
You poor little darling" she muir
INJURED tenderly into Billy's ear, you're
dead for want OF sleep, that's what you
are, Ill fix you, I'd be afraid to go
clear down to the barn for you after
dark, but If you'll keep real still
can put you in the kitchen well curb.
Nobody will think Of looking for you
there. They'll think you've run away,
and when they've quit lokoing for
you and gone TO bed, can slip out and
get you and take you in, and then
you'll get one nights rest, anyway"
The kitchen well curb was n great
wooden frame about four feet high,
provided on the inside with q trap
door, which was always put down
when the work Of the evening was
oX'pT (1opa yta{tpd YYn4ii hndtt,,, 1so.x.