The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1902-03-22

than Billy, evidently did not under
stand and refused to respond.
Il expect that he is hungry" pu
in Clara's practical mother at this
point. Put some milk in 9 saucer
and see if he will drink it."
The milk was brought and placed
before him. and Clara soon found tc
her delight that Billy's stomach was
in the right place. even if 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 as he realized the
sincerity of the intentions that had
| been lavished upon him that evening
his heart warmed with gratitude. and
he signified by many signs of recon
ciliation that he was anxious to put
their acquaintance ON basis Of friend
ship.
Billy was fond Of Mr.. and Mrs. Har-
ris in a 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 a
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 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 OF his charming ways
and perform the many little tricks
Clara had taught him he would run
and hide under the barn, which was
his favorite 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 10 admirably
that visitors would go away charmed
with the exhibition. At such times
as these Clara thrilled with mortifica-
ticn to think that she had ever been
SO base as to choose a zebra for pet
in preference to Billy.
And Billy was not only cunning, he
was good as well. He wisely refrained
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 !
.ssee him, and then dared to presume |
20 far upon his Importance as an Office
holder, as to twist Billy's tail-a fa-
Aiiiarity which Billy very properly |
/. sed. e.
70. .oI, .,anths or more after join
bed made express' h,m Sn.y n1epr IN ~
corner of the sitting room. 1oa
= dav however, when Mr.. Harris u.s.,
c,,red that. Billy was too big for SO
much coddling, and that he must sleep
i, the barn with the other animals.
.The first night of his banisament Billy
cried constantly. and Clan. hearing
him. wept and walled In vmpathy.
The second night he rested Vut little
hotter nor vet OH the third light nor
tho fourth. A week passed, ad Bill
Tvs days and nights were ON long
ner;od Of mourning. Clara piaded'
hvt Mr. Harris was obdurate' fHe
MIGHT as well be broken in now aFny
time" he said, decisively. I
Clara made plans Of her own TN.
You poor little darling she mr-
| INJURED tendorly into Billy's ear you
dead for want OF sleep, that's VIVA, ~,
are. I'll fix you. I'd be afrala 10 q =
| clear down to the barn Tor you a., ae
1.rk but if you'll keep real sun
can mt YOU in the kitchen wen cui =
Nobody will think OF looking lol ~,
there. Iney IL tHiHN fo
and when they've quit lohois
vou and gone to bed, can sl'p ou' a., az,
rat Won and take you in, ana Tue
m you,il get one nights rest, anyway: sreo
The kitchen well curo was -. bio,
wooden ". frame about four feet mgr 4la
rrovided on the inside WIN ,on, r
llo 1aor which was always put 10"
when the work Of the ..;rns eseu dre,
OVER. Clara waited until bedtime .1a me- ote tw
near then she slipped out n,, ,n,o nv . rea
ueal' 1icht. and after giving Bhly ,a, a rea or,
! suring hug and kiss, she reaenso ",,rh 81 81
sa snd dropped him inside the I.ew;Oc eufO, hi hi
: waited a moment after TN 'nro" .of+ hoi
IN, fa,, on the trap door with ltfle 1em,u ahu
rne lH,t til thud seemed long t. time nee e0n'b not
n ana an1 , when it did come. it was asr'o%, no.
y anu ,n"d at all, but faint far'a"'
II splash. ,,;,dlv. st
II .o-o.ohw walled Clara w,,ois' % 80 !,
p g o-o,oo door was o-o-open. Hes les go Q
trap ,ad oo'sar aoor "t dow-ow-own. He-e-e
,e He-e-elp" p;,,r to sleep, I Z
u