The Washington times., 1903-12-06

children around the raccoons'
cage in the menagerie, and there
were always. likewise. plenty Of
deep pockets for the Iitsle animals to
explore for peanuts. So it was quite
natural that Mr.. and Mrs. Coon should
be on familiar terms with their ad-
Inirers. But when Specs arrived from
somewhere in the great North woods.
he was so terrified at the strange faces.
the continual chatter. and the harsh
cries of the coyotes nearby that there
was no tanning him. He remained al
day in the back Of his cage, where a
box was placed for him. and aIb the gen.
tie explanations and persuasions Of his
mates did not lessen his fear. The Wis
itors saw at once how wild he was
and asked the keeper why, when the
other 'coons became tame so quickly,
the little fellow remained wild. The
keeper said that it was because he was
young and had been taken from the
depths Of a great. silent forest.
For Z long time no one, not even the
keeper, could pet or coddle away Specs
fears. His large. yellow eyes. surround
ed by two white and black rings of fur;
his pointed nose and little furry ears
remained persistently at the back Of the
cage. But one day he discovered a
friend Among the jabbering. joking,
pushing throng who stared at him that
afternoon there appeared a little girl
with a bagful of peanuts. But she didn't
hurl them at him. as he sat covering
in the dim light OF his box. Instead, she
began to talk to him IN a low, sweet
voice. He couldn't, really couldn't feel
afraid Of her deep brown eyes or that
small, shapely hand that held out
peanut to him. He had seldom tasted
a peanut. for Mr.. and Mrs Coon. bold
and forward. got them all Should he
try-did he dare try for that one?
Eleanor. the little girl. waited till the
policeman had walked away Then she
boldly climbed the railing and came
right close to the cage bars. Come.
kitty. kitty" she said. softly Come.
little coon; don't be afraid; come get a
peanut, dO.' And. to the surprise of
everyone and Eleanor herself, Specs
CTept forward and, lifting one tirnid
paw, grabbed the peanut Then ne ate
II on the spot. Eleanor delightedly
watching him. He felt quite happy and
unafraid near her. Eleanor saw the
Keeper coming. so she hastily held out
another peanut Specs accepted II as
before. and just then an idea. like a
fash of light, came TO Eleanor II was
just closing time: the people were going
away, and the cage door was fastened
only with "A bolt, Quick as a wink those
fingers had shot the bolt
and unfastened The door. Why should
a little coon, who was scared out OF its
Wis De Kept shut I'D In a hOrrid old
cage2 She never stopped TO think of the
other two 'coons, but Ieaped the fence
and ran away, the unsuspicious keeper
shaking his stock, gOOd-naturedly after
Now, Mr.. and Mrs. Coon always be-
gan TO trot zap and down In the evening.
after everyone had left for there was
no other way. of getting their limbs
stretched. And every time they passed
the door they would brush up against
II IN turning around. Thus on the
night when Eleanor had unfastened The /
aoor, the successive. pushes began 10 /
open it, little by little.
Specs, who enjoyed the quiet of the
evening better than any time followed
his companions in their trOt and he
presently discovered the opening in the
doorway. There was a bright moon
and cool breeze was blowing Well /
YOU can imagine Specs excitement He
Just gave a gentle push with his nose, /
and was on the grass in the twinkling /
OF star The keeper soon after came /
along and found that cage empty.
Whenever an animal escapes from a ]
Zoo the keepers all blow whistles. and 1
every keeper, policeman. park attend I
ant and Waterman starts at once
8-Sea rching fer the escaping animal Z
81 ~ rvas NOT lone afta- Sos 80 80 I
mates had left their cage that the whole 4
Df the gardens was being secured for ]
them.
But Specs didn't know that He had 4
meanwhile reached the big lawn, where I
The swings and merry gO-roGads are, 4
and was trotting over the grass. his lit /
lie heart throbbing with happiness. /
There was dew on the grass. sparkling I
Ike opals in a hundred colOrs, beneath I
he full moon; there were soft, whisper {
ng breeZes and the sound Of night birds 4
n the trees. The cry of the night hawks
sounded far overhead, and the chirrup-
ne Of crickets came from the bushes.
Over and under everything the firefiies
IL their mOmentary sparks. This was
rdeed. happiness.
Suddenly a gray streak flashed down
tree trunk and a squirrel stopped TO
ock with surprise on the odd little
coon
Master Spotted-coat," said the SPUR
'eI. jerking his tail nervOusly, you'd
,est run and hide rather than sit there
md be caught again
Saying this the squirrel flashed up his
rec again. A loud shout behind an
bounced that Specs was discovered. The
,ther 'coOns hao already been recap
ured being rather tame; but Specs was
lot so foolish. He soon placed a whole