The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-03-01

people he was good for something be-
sides mimschief.
But how? That was the question.
or course he could offer to run err
rands and sell tickets, or even squeeze
lemons. but all was commonplace.
Bertie had spent a great deal of his
life performing just such thankless
jobs Besides that was all we'll enough
for the little "shavers." but now he
was twelve, and father was beginning
to refer to the time when "Bertie goes
to college," showing that he appre-
ciated the fact that his son was grow
ing up.
Berthe was out In the yard, with his
pets playing around him. They we're
many and various There was Bully,
the English bull; Scamp, the terrier;
an opossum with three young ones
Maltese cat, Easter, ard tortoise
shell cat Christmas rooster and
hen; dozen pigeons ard six rabbits.
Berthe could not help smiling as he
saw the pigeons and cats eating out Of
the same dish, and two of the rabbits
cuddled down close between Bully's
paws. Just at that moment boy
passed, threw poster over the fence.
which blew directly to Berte's feet
Berthe picked II up and read that
Barnum's circus was going to show In
x, a town twenty miles away
Berthe read every line with eagerness,
until he came to a picture Of large
cage over which was written "A Hap
py Family" In this case was every
variety Of beast, many commonly
known to prey on the other, but owing
to their training, all living In the one
house.
"Pshawl" said BERTHE. That's moth
Ing! I've got q happy family right
here, only mine are more wonderful,
for they live all together out OF doors
in the most natural way"
Just then furious barking made
BERTHE look up, to see a neighbor's,
dog chasing his rabbits Bully and
Scamp were quickly on their feet, pur-
suing the intruder and protecting the
rabbits In the most approved fashion,
at the same time rejecting credit upon
their young master and trainer.
All of sudden, Bertie's eyes bright
ened, and he exclaimed: "I'll do 1t.
If Mr.. Barnum can charge money for
seeing his happy family, why can't |
do the same for mine?"
At dinner time BERTHE unfolded his
plan to his mother and father, who
warmly approved of 1t. Mother sug-
gested that the big box in which the
square piano had been moved would
be just the thing to make a capital
cage. BERTHE was enthusiastic over
this 1t was just the thing, he de-
clared, with some enlargements
BERTHE began at once on his work.
He sawed and hammered all after.
noon, with the result that before even
Ing he had splendid cage construct
ed. He stood the big box on its long
side, and with boards pieced out the
short sides until the depth of the box
was doubled. Some lathes nailed per-
pendicularly across the front made a
good imitation of the iron bars of an
animal cage
On the eyentful day Of the festival
father conveyed the blk box over to
the churchyard in the wagon He
placed it fat up against the back Of
the building Uprights placed on
either side made good supports for the
sheets. which Bertie's mother sewed
together. These were to form kind
of tent, shutting out the ~iew from
those who did not pay admission
money. All that now remained to do
was to convey the animals thither
and this BERTHE easily accomplished an
They were all there-the dogs. the
cats, the pigeons. the chickens, the
'possums and the rabbits-and on
their best behavior too. sThe Happy
Family" was pasted over the entrance.
and Admission 10 cents"
Bertie was very proud boy as he
sat outside taking in the money The
dimes simply few into his box, for the
idea was novel and different from
what was usually offered at church
festivals. The tent was crowded;
nearly every man. woman and child
who came to the festival laughed and
admired the peaceful and amiable
members of Bertle's family. One old
gentleman on coming out gave BERTHE
a s5 bill, saying: Lad, your happy
family did me good. 1t sort of shad-
ows the time when we are told the
lion and the lamb shall lie down to-
gether"
At the close of the evening BERTHE
handed over $50 to the treasurer, half
enough to pay for the new roof. Ber-
tie father was delighted, and patting
his son on the head, said to those
around him:
well, it's not a surprise to me, for
ever since Berties been born he's been
his mother and me how many
different ways he knows of raising
the roof"
Curate v. Wife.
The Right Rev. Edwyn Hoskyns, the
new hiShOn Of Snuthwpli and our