Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1902-02-06

co. e, Billy" But gentle though her
tones and seductive the invitation.
bliiy, who was used to fox language,
IN Which he had prabably been ad-
dressed by name more euphonious
tnan 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 q saucer,
and see if 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 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 signiied by many signs Of recon
ciliation that he was anxious to put
their acquaintance OF basis of friend
ship.
Billy was fond of Mr.. and Mrs. Har-
ris in 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 grandmothers 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 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 admira bly,
that visitors would go away charmed
with the exhibition. At such times
as these Clara thrilled with mortifica-
ton to think that she had ever been
SO base as to choose 4 zebra for pet
in preference to Billy.
And Billy was not only cunning, he
was good as we'll. He wisely refrained
from catching chickens, which is the
besetting sin Of his race, and he did
not bite people-aS a 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 il
a bed made expressly for him in 9
corner Of the sitting room. There came
a day, however, when Mr.. Harris de
clared that Billy was too big for ST
much coddling, and that he must sleel
in the barn with the other animals
The first night of his punishment Billy
cried constantly, and Clara, hearin:
him, wept and walled in sympathy
The second night he rested but littl
better, nor yet ON the third night no
the fourth. A week passed, and Bill
ly's days and nights were cne lon,
period of mourning. Clara plead-d
but MIR. Harris was obdurate. III
might as we'll be broken in now as an.
time," he said, decisively.
Clara made plans of her own then
"You poor little darling" she mul
INJURED tenderly into Billy's ear, your
dead for want Of sleep, that's what yo
are. I'll fix you. I'd be afraid to g
clear down to the barn for you afte
dark, but if you'll keep real still
can put you in the kitchen we'll curl
Nobody will think Of looking for 70
there. They'll think you've run away
and when they've quit lokoing fo
you and gone to bed, can slip out an
get you and take you in, and the
you'll get one nights rest, anyway"
The kitchen we'll curb was gres
woodel. frame about four feet higl
pro7::552d on the inside with ira
;. door, which was always put dow
+ when the work Of the evening VIZ
:. over. Clara waited until bedtime DIRE
}. near. then she slipped out into the tw
u light, and after giving Billy rea
e suring hug and kiss, she reached oy
I, and dropped him inside the curb. 81
O waited a moment after throwing hi
$ in, expecting to hear his soft boe
IS fall Oh the trap door with little thu
n The thud seemed long time comm
" and when it did come, it was not
n thud at all, but a faint, far-aW;
II splash.