The Washington times., 1903-12-06
''SPECS." THE ESCAPED RACCOON

lawn between his pursuers and hfrn.elf
and then sought q high tree In the ton
he discovered a hollow hole which rnads
him a nest 10 sleep IN
When the clear dawn Of another dsv
broke Specs came down from the tree in
search of breakfast Here, to be sure
was one side Of freedom he had not
thought Of. IN the cage he world have
had a nice breakfast OF milk and biscuit
with some fruit, but out here in the
woods Of the park he would have to ind
MS own food Poor Specsi He searched
long time. but found only a stray nut
or two, few buds and a drink Of water
Those sauirrelS= had eaten everything
up! Now you can imagine how hungry
Specs was toward evening when he
curled up for a nap.
It so happened in the afternoon that
the little girl Eleanor was on her way
home from a music lesson Eleanor al
ways walked home across the park
carrying her music roll and her violin
case. so It was not surprising that sha
came across the green lawn a little
while after Specs had gone to sleep In
the crotch Of a low tree.
'Oh-h!" cried Eleanor, standing psr-
-fectly motionless. It's a raccoonf
DO believe they did escape after aIIi7
men s sne came soitly up a little closer
There was just one left.
Come. Kitty, Kitty she began.
Specs opened one eye slightly.
Kitty, pretty Kitty, have a peanut.
I've only Just one left"
Specs sat up on the limb and stared
in momentary fright Then the sarns
He reached out and took the peanut
on, but he was hungry.
Why, you poor Kitty" cried
Eleanor. You must be just starved"
and she raced OF to find a. peanut stanI
leaving her violin case and music roll
on the grass
haired gentleman came along a nearby
path He saw the violin case with no
one near IL, and after looking in vain
for the owner concluded to examine
into the why and wherefore Of IFS
being there But upon coming closer,
you may judge his establishment to see
a raccoon sitting on top OF the black
leather case, playing with peanut
shell
We'll. bless my souIi' he exclaimed.
That must be one Of those 'coOns who
escaped last night He cautiously
opened "A newspaper and approached tina
little animal from the rear. The soft
grass prevented his being heard until
he was on the little coon. and in an
Specs was again q captive.
But just then Eleanor returned. tri-
umphantly holding out another bag Of
peanuts. When she discovered the tall
gentleman and the struggling little bum
die Of newspapers she prontly scream
ed in her disappointment
'Oh, don {, DON'T No. no. please don't
carry him back. Please. pIeasei''
The gentleman, perceiving the owner
Of the violin case was the little girl
with q bag Of peanuts. at once guessed
so you are giving this little rascal
his brea kfast-' he smiled at Eleanor
pleasantly.
Yes. sir; I went to get some more
peanuts for him. Oh, please let him go
again ] know he wants to so badly"
Iherei / should in duty have re-
turned him toto his cage again But
bIeSS me. he's been wise enough 70
make friends already with the children
/ cannot see the harm in letting him
run. Now lets exchange names and
perhaps by that time Master Coon viii
come down and have some breakfast" .
So the gentleman and the little girl
8 4cIitlseo names, ate peanuts and talk
ed about all sorts or things connected
with cons. Dummies, and kitties At
last Master Specs did come down far
enough 10 get some peanuts He wOulf
nor, to her great delight.
You see. sir. he knows me l."
then she stopped suddenly and redeemed.
Aha- cried the gentleman. looking
sterniy at her. "Soi 1 understand from
one of the keepers that a little girl-a
very pretty. brOWn-eyed. mischievous
little gtri-was last seen near the coons'
cage Are you that P1ughty little grip
Eleanor hung her head a moment.
Then she suddenly looked straight at
the gentleman and said. Yes. sir. You
see. this little coon didn't get tame ike
the others. and il wasn't fair It was
wicked and cruel. So I Just did it.
Please don't call a policeman" she add
ed, with tears of fright in he- eyes. ''r1
never do il again, sir
Ail right Perhaps you ought 70 be
arrested and tried in a big court room
before a stern judge and jury. but we
won't this time. And now you had best
run home, for it's most tea time. Good
by
Strange" he muttered That little
beast wouldn't even allow his keeper 20
handle him, yet he allows heri God
bless her"
That evening at supper Eleanor told OF
her adventures with the raccoon and tho.
gentleman. and when she told the gem
Lleman's name her fathers eyes danced
with fun.
DO you know, Ella, who that man
wasg'
mo: but he's dear, kind gentleman,
she answered
Why that was the man who has
charge Of all the animals-the director
II the menagerfei'
w. S WALLACE.