Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-14

as the walk in front OF the porch inclined
gently to the gate It made a perfect place
for shedding. By lying fiat face downWards
on the sled and using his hands and feet
as propellers Papity-Pop was able to go
down to the gate at quite a. swift pace, ana
then there was the added pleasure of pull
ing the new sled back again to the porch
Not that Papity-Pop knew OF only one
way of playing with the sled. NO, lndeea;
he was acquainted with q great many diff
ferent ways, and when he was tired or
shedding in this charming manner ne de-
cided to make q snow fort, and to carry
the snow for 1t on his sled. -
This was very important enterprise, but
Papity-Pop knew a great deal about forts,
for he had seen a picture Of one IN book,
and had heard his uncle read about Indians
and cannon balls and soldiers and guns, So
he was positively quite we'll informed about
such subjects. -
II think" Papity-Pop said to himself
"that 1 had better make the cannon balls
first"
OF course 1t was easy to make cannon
balls with plenty Of fresh white snow on
the ground, so Papity-Pop set to work to
make some balls. He knew they were
round. for he had seen them once In a
picture, and they were piled up IN most
beautiful manner a great many at the bot
tom and getting less and less until there
was only one at the top.
Papity-Pop made his cannon balls very
large, as large indeed as his little hands
COulQ manage. w uSu uS u6iu uidOC QutSo
a number, nearly nine or ten, he put them
on his sled and dragged them carefully to
where he intended building his fort. AS
will be seen, Papity-Pop found his new
sled very useful.
He was an Industrious little fellow. and
hds heap of white cannon balls was growing
rapidly when his mother called him, saying
1t was getting SO late he had better come
in SO as to be ready for his supper
So Papity-Pop obediently took his new
sled and went into the house. Supper was
not quite ready. so he sat down in the
warm kitchen near the fire TO walt until
his mother baked the hot biscuit she was
going to have for supper, and naturally his
thoughts went back to the fort ana the can
non balls with which he was going to fill 1t.
ut Is ply" he reflected, that had
to come in so soon. could have made
ever SO many more cannon balls II 1 had
stayed out longer 1.5
''Well. Papity-Pop, come out again and
work until the biscuits are cooked. -,'.'
Papity-Pop turned in surprise, and saw
one of his cannon balls standing close be-.
side him. He knew 1t was one he had made
himself for its side was fat where he had
let 1t fall very hard on the sled. so he had
no difficulty In recognizing It.
win you come, Papity-Pop?" asked the
ball. ri y.
will let me- - p I
His mother made no objection. SO Papity-
Pop rose from hiss little chair before the
fire and promptly followed the BAH, which
rolled quickly to thedoor. Once outside the
door no time was lost tn reaching the heap
Of balls which PapatyxPop meant for the
beginning Of his fort though he was sur
prtsed to find that the fort was built, and
that 1t was made entirely Of cannon balls.
How 60 you likestt II asked the ball. =
II think 1t is beautiful" said Papity-Pop.
more. beautiful thanItlIe one In my picture
book. But why Is it made OF cannon balisr'
The cannon bali laughed. Il see you have
had little experiences with forts. Papity-
Pop, or you would know that when there
Is fight 1t Is hard to get enough cannon
balls to fire at the Indians but If the fort Is
made entirely of cannon balls there are AL
ways plenty art gesl 7si7' st7&-.. = ~
Papity Pop was much impressed with
this clear explanations and he decided he
would tell his uncle about 1t, for he re-
mempered that his uncle had read story
to him about some soldiers who had not
any balls to fire at the enemy.
Are many forts made of cannon balls?'
he asked
"Yes." said the ball.
There are none in my picture book"
said Papity-Poy.
mo" said the ball, "they don't know
how to put them In picture books yet But
hurry, Papity-Pop. there Is going to be a
battle, and we had better climb into the
fort" and the ball climbed up one side and
then rolled down the other, quickly follow
ed by Papity-Pop.
They were not in moment too soon. for
in q few minutes great crowds Of Indians
came running toward them. Papity-Pop
knew they were Indians because they had
great tall feathers sticking from their
heads. but he was not q bit frightened,
however, for he knew there were plenty of
cannon balls. SO he began picking them up
and throwing them out against the enemy.
The Indians on their part seemed to be
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