Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-26

forth time or two, but he kept his eyes riveted on the occupants of the touring car.
 Then I tried to explain to this man that 'The Sprite" was my friend; that he would allow no other man on earth to lay hand on him; that if he were confined in a strange place no words could picture his utter mis-. cry, and that his brave little heart would pound itself almost to pieces until it was stilled forever. But was wasting my time, for this man could not understand. might as easily have convinced his touring car. He wanted to buy the fox, and, as he had the money, why should he not do it? At last got rather tired of his per- sistence, and told him plainly that if he were to sell his last shirt. he wouldn't have money enough to buy the tip of the .fox's brush. I'm glad you didn't hear what he said
 For months had planned to give '"The Sprite,sshis liberty. He was so destructive to poultry that was obliged to keep him caged most of the time, but thought that If carried him some miles away from dwelling and turned him loose, he would get good living for himself without doing harm to my neighbors' hens. But it was awfully hard to make up my mind to this. Twice I took him out with the intention of losing" him, but when, as sat on the ground, he would come up and thrust his wet blackber- " of nose into my hand or under the collar of my shirt, would snap him up in my arms and carry him home again, lest by any chance I might lose him. But at last I made up my mind. took him miles away. to point where game is plentiful and where hunters are few. and I bade him good luck and good-by. As ran my fingers through his silky brush for the last time, there sounded from distant hill the clear yelp of . fox. "The Sprite" heard 1t and cooked his ears, and as gave him parting slap. he seemed to pour himself through the long grass and bushes. and I slipped away and went home, trying to make myself believe how glad was that he was gone.
 Next night but one. was sitting alone in my study. when heard the pattering of small feet on the piazza outside, and the next moment there was . scratching at the door. jumped to my feet and swung the door wide open. and there in the lamplight sat a little red fox. His beautiful brush waved back and forth. and when I put out my hand and spoke to him, thought he would go crazy with delight. He leaped at me with a pathetic little cry-something between a sob and a whine-but he was smiling as only a fox can smile. Then the other members of the household came trooping in. and the little wanderer was given 6 welcome which was worthy of him.
 .
 We should have been delighted to have had "The sprite" visit us thus. indefinitely. but it was not to be The last time we saw him was on New Years eve. We were toasting The Friends That's Ava" when there came a pattering of feet. scratching on the door. and as some one opened 1t. "The sprite" came in and circled the table. When he came to my chair he stopped. looked up in my face and wsgged his tail. I arose and gave them "The sranaest little fox on earth" and we drank it standing Then. later in the evening when he had eaten and slept. he vent to the door as usual. and I opened 1t and bade him good night" As he crossed the piazra. he turned once. smiled. and sloviy vaseed his tall and the eext instant he vas gone
 ERNEST HAROLD BANNER
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