The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-10-28
A LESSON LEARNED.
BY GoplN.

- 4epss W W. SsSS
Once upon a time there lived on the
big steppes of Russia a hunter who had
two dogs which he loved more than
anything in the world.
One day he went hunting with them
across the steppes for many, many
miles. but did not bag as much as a
single hare or even d wild dove. To-
ward evening he saw faraway what
looked like a campfire, and when he
went closer he saw that it was an old
stump all atire, and in the center was
a snake, which cried to him:
"Oh, little father help me out OF
this and | will make you happy for life.
l will teach YOU to know every Lam
guage spoken on earth. and even to
understand what the animals say"
II should willingly help you." replied
the hunter. but l do not know how"
That l shall tell you. Put your
ramrod across the fire and then 1 can
crawl u on It,"
The hunter did as he was taught and
the snake made its escape.
Il thank you very much. little father,
and from now on you will understand
the language of every living being. u
you must not tell anybody thai you
understand 1t or o will drop dead i'm
mediately."
The hunter went on his way. but no
was far away from home and it soon
became SO dark that he decided to
camp on overnight under a clump Of
trees. He lit a campfire INC laid down
to sleep. And then he heard how his
two dogs began to talk to each other.
II tell you, little brother said the
one u think you had better stay here
and keep watch over our master and
l will run home and keep thieves away
from the house."
AT sunrise the dog returned from the
hunters home and said to his comrade,
VINO had silent lnHar tho froac.
Good morning. brother. 1 hope you
had a quiet night"
II have slept dne," said the other.
and how did your night pass?'
"Miserably! When I came home the
mistress began to scold me that I dared
threw an old crust at me. l Just looked
at 1t, but never touched it. but then she
got mad and gave me a terrible th-ash-
ing with the broomstick. so that she
nearly broke my ribs. And in the
night. whein l had just fallen asleep,
thieves came around and | went after
them and chased them away and got a
good bite out of one fellows leg"
The hunter was listening and prom
ised himself that he would Civ his
Wife a good SOUND scolding for the way
she had treated his faithful dog.
re returned home and greeted her:
"Good morning. little mother" And
voice:
Good morning. little father"
Did the dog come home last night?"
And did you feed htm?"
"Oh. yes. gave him plenty of
bread and milk"
Now hat is not true. You Just
threw ar old crust at him and after
ward you beat him because he would
not touch it."
The wife confessed everything and
began to ask her husband chow he
knew.
Il cannot tell you. have promised
"Ah, do tell me. saschinka. 1 am
dying to know, my little dove"
NO. ! never can tell you"
oh. you must tell. love of my heart"
But II l tell you, l must die"
ON. never mind. only tell me-"
n hunter did not know what to do,
but as he did know that he would
never have an hours peace IL he did
not tell her, he said:
We'll. then, give me at least q clean
shirt. that | may prepare to die"
He put on the clean shirt and knelt
down to pray before the ikon In the
corner Of the room. Just then the
chickens came running past the open
window. and he saw how the rooster
chastised one hen after the other, all
the while talking to them. II Will
such a fool as our master, who cannot
even manage one wife. I have thirty
of you n you all know who is the
master"
When the hunter heard this he
jumped up and gave his wife such a
laying u that she never again tried
to make his life sour by her inquis-