The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-09-21
A TRIP THROUGH THE KINGDOM
OF THELOWER ANIMALS.

we give you a story today contributed
to our column by one of our members.
Away back. years ago. when was not
much taller than knee high to a duck,
] Went to stay with my brother in law to
tend the baby, pick UP chips run errands
and do a thousand other things that go
to knock all the poetry and half the fun
out of a boys life.
Down on big creek my brother in law
had some fine bottoms, and he carried
me with him there one cold and windy
afternoon in March to help him drop corn
Finishing early my part of the work and
being cold and having no one to keep
ms company. l backed into a crocus
sack with rear part TO windward and went
sound to sleep. 1t must have been the
lonely hoot-hoot of a solitary owl In
neigh boring swamp that directed the cur
rent of my dream; anyway l dreamed
that I was in 4 big swamp and had
in my pocket paper from the king OF
the lower animal creation which gave
nc the power ana privilege Of going
among ana converting with each and
every member Of this wonderful king
dom
The first member Of this family whom
] approached was Mr.. Bull Frog. tound
him sitting III a cool, damp nook un-
derneath some rushcs, seemingly quits
happy. on being questioned as to mis- idea
or the correct mode Of making liveli-
hood. also his idea as to what conduct
most becomes a gentleman, he said
that as he was possessed Of a good voice
and enjoyed singing better than answer
ing fool questions for a foreigner he
would make his reply very brief and to
the point. THE graudest law of ma
ture. sir said Mr. Frog as he shifted
lis position and called for another glass
Of sugared rum. is seIf-preservation.
Another big law with us. sir, IS that the
weak must support the strong and the
unwarv and careless must ever feed the
wary and vigilant." Being very learn
ed frog having been mayor of Toadville
for a number Of years he disclosed II
me many other laws that govern in his
kingdom-ail. however Of the same spirit
as the above-m mentioned ones.
To prove to me that he was support
ed in his opinions and laws" by the
great force which brought him into ex-
fstence. he showed me his peculiar tongue.
Upon examination ! found that it was
attached to the extreme front part of
his upper jaw and lay To the rear thus
enabling him TO reach far out and hook
said that life to him was one continuous
day dream of perfect bliss; that all that
lie had 20 do was to get in some dark
secluded spot and rest perfectly easy,
until some Industrious bat careless bug
Or lizard comes along. then out would
go his swift tongue and in would go Mr..
Bug never to return But he said
A. ne looked cautiously to the rear 10
behold an immense RATHER steathily an
preaching. ''self-preservation is the FIRST
law with frogs. as wei with nature ="
and with a shrii squeak he plunged
headlong into the friendly pond below
After giving Colonel Rather friendly
greeting. 7 asked him Tor his views on
life, and on what conduct most becomes
q true gentlem H." With fendish gilt
ter of the eye ANA dart of his black
fcrked tongue, he said that h. had over
heard The conversation between me ana
Mt Frog and thai he most heartily in
dcrsed everything Nj. Frog had said. and
that his business there was 10 treat Mr.
frog just as Mr.. Frog always treated
Mr Bug and MI Lizard
Colonel Rather being hungry and IN an
usiy mood, hoisted his tail and gave me a
rafting farewell, and glided noiseleSsly
of into the Jungle in quest OF some
weaker member Of the animal family.