The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-28
CHAPTER Nr.
A LONG DISPUTE ENDED.

A LONG DISPUTE ENDED.
II was a oueer company, and 1t sat at
| a queer table. This table was long and
narrow, and the dishes were placed all
| on one side. steps led UP ITO the other
side for tho waters to ascend; Tor not
| one Of the coons was tall enough, even
when he stood on tptoes, to reach the
top OF the table from the floor.
The Great Huge Bear sat In the mid
| die, with Buddie on his right hand and
| the Donkey on his left: and. In order to
keep peace in the family" as the say
| ing goes, Doctor Fox had been seated at
| one end OF the table and Doctor Goose
| at the other. But, as we shall see, this
| arrangement did not keep them apart
| very long.
1t was strictly vegetarian dinner, and
| no two guests, except the Bears, had
| the Same thing to eat The Bears, OF
| bowl OF 1t for the Great Huge Bear, a
middle-sized bowl for the Middle Bear.
and a wee bowl for the Little Small
| Wee Bear. 'And I suppose" thought
Buddie "the Great HODGE Bears por-
| ridge would be too hot for me, and the
| Middle Bears too cold, and the Little
| Small Wee Bears just right. Goodness.
| Aren't they going to give me anything
| to eat7" She had suddenly discovered
that her plate was empty.
II didn't know what you liked" said
the Great Huge Bear; $50 thought I'd
| let you order"
| Buddie was much embarrassed. For
1 one thing. everybody stopped talking and
/ watched her curiously: and, for another,
! she hadn't the least idea what to ask for.
except porrdge and she didn't like that
very we'll.
"order anything you like" said the
4 Great Huge Bear:
some porrIdge. please Buddie at last
decided. Porrdge would be better than
| nothing.
,'sam!', called the Great Huge Bear.
"Yes, sr!" replied tho Oldest Coon. rum
| ming up on the table.
"a bowl or porridge for Just Buddle.
There amt no more porridge." said
the Oldest Coon.
Anything else?" inquired the Great
Huge Bear. anxiously.
| Buddic asked the Oldest Coon, who again
shook his head.
eve nebber have no meat and Eaters"
he said.
1 well, what have you got?" asked Bud
| die. The Great Huge Bear meant we'll.
no doubt, but evidently his pantry was
| not stocked with things little girls like.
Honey and blueberries?" suggested
Sam.
"GoodNe!' said Buddie, and the Oldest
/ Coon fetched big dishful. And you may
he sure they were good, Little One, for
bears are great judges of honey and blue
berries.
When every one had finished dinner,
the Donkey raped on the table and an
nounced that, by REQUEST. he wished 90
d make a short speech.
''Hear! heart. shreked the Loon. and
Buddie, who sat next ITO him. Jumped.
/. Birds and duadrupeds." began the
i Donkey tthls wasn't & exactly equivalent
for ladies and gentlemen. but 1t did very
weld. ~ propose a toast IN nonor 81. OF me
I charming young person whose birthday
4 we have gathered to celebrate. the Little
Small Wee Bel
"Iear! heart, slreked the Loon. and
Buddie jumped again.
I'VE can't hear#if you don't keep quiet"
4 she said, sharply.
"May she have many happy returns OF
this happy, happy day.. went on the
Donkey, land may the troubles she must
grin and bear be few and far between."s
\ This speech was received with loud
cheering. which ended in dispute between
1 the rival DOCTORS
Grin and bear!'' Doctor Goose shouted
down the table.
"Bear and Erln!" Doctor FOX shouted
back
~ leave 1t to my learned friend" said
/ Doctor Goose, appealing to the Donkey.
'Who shall decide when doctors dis
agree?" said the Donkey, wagglng his
| head.
suppose you decided" cried both the
DOCTORS IN breath.
"Hear! heart" shrieked the excited
/ Loon, and everybody leaned forward to
watch the Donkey,
He seemed to feel the Importance OF
Ills. position, He put on q very thoughtful
look. pursed out his lips. and wrinkled
| his brows. You would hardly believe.
| Little One. that n donkey could look SO
wise.
ut seems to me- he said at last, that
/ tho question, Which came first. the boar
or the grin? is very much the same as
| that other problem. Which came first.
| the hen or the egg?
\ "That's 1t! Which did?" cried the doc
"That" replied tho Donkey, us not
| to be answered Off hand, No question In
| metaphysics can be. Truth, as you know.
| lies at the bottom of we'll; and the
deeper the question. the deeper the we'll.
Such slmpla problems M why rabbit
! wabbles his nose. or why hair does not
| grow on the inside OF a skull instead OF
outside. or why a ny rubs his forelegs
| together, lie OH tho surface OF the We'll
| nf Truth and may be skinned of; but
| problema like the ono we are now con-
| sdering lie deep down. and long rope
"a uc hic hrckat a 10 needed tn fetch lin