The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-02-14

Billy, who was used to fox language,
In which be had prabably been ad-
dressed by a name more euphonious
than BILLY" evidently did not under
stand and refused 10 respond
Il expect that he IA hungry" put
In Clara's practical mother az this
point Put some milk In a saucer,
and see II ho Will drink A."
The milk was brought and placed
before him. and Clara soon found to
her delight that Bllly's stomach was
In the right place, even II his heart
and intellect were a little out Of XII
ter. Like most Of his sex of whatever
order OF creation, Billys affections
were easily won by catering to his ap-
petite, and az soon as he realized the
sincerity Of the intentions that had
been lavished upon him that evening
his heart warmed with gratitude, and
he slgnifed by many signs OF recon
Citation that he was anxious to put
their acquaintance on basis OK friend
ship
Billy was fond Of Mr.. and Mrs. Har-
ris In way, but his attachment 10
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
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 so admirably
that visitors would go away charmed
with the exhibition. At such times
as these Clara thrilled with mortlfica-
ton to think that she had ever been
so base as to choose a zebra for a 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
besettlng sin Of his raca, and he did
not bite DeOple-as a rule. Indeed, the
only person he ever fastened hie 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 20 presume
so far upon his Importance az an Office
holder. as to twist BHEys tafl-A fa-
miiiarfty which Billy very properly
resented.
For four months or mOTe after Join
ing the Harris family, Bfliy slept IN
a bed made expressly for him in
corner Of the sitting room. There came
a 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 ale
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. TIL 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 we'll 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 a great
wooden frame about four feet high
provided on the inside with a traT
door, which was always put dOwr
when the work of the evening was
| Ovpr Clara Uvaitpd unti1 bpdtimp drew