Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-30

approaching contest; fully half their jour-
ney had been covered, when-whr-r-r-r a
covey of cartridges flashed like a gray
brown streak, across the road directly in
front of them.
Startled and excited, Bob's pom reared
and plunged while Patsey SHE'D so violent
ly that Tom, clinging to his precious bas-
ket, was thrown to the ground. None the
worse for the shake-up, he quickly regain
ed his feet; but relieved from the burden
he had patiently borne for three weary
miles, Patsey took advantage of his free
dom, and abandoned the enterprise
I guess it's all up. Tom.'' laughed Bob.
''Oh, I'll catch him in few minutes"
You'll not catch him this side of home, -
replied Bob. with conviction.
Tom gazed after the retreating animal.
Tell You what We'll do, he said; take
the basket and go ahead. If I catch that
plagued donkey I'll evertake you; IL not.
just take my place at the fair. and see the
thing through"
''All right; but I hope you can come"
Say Bob" called Tom, when his friend
had gone but a short distance.
Hello"
Bring that prize back
Don't worry about the prize was the
confident answer. Bob cantered Off
y Tom turned his steps In the direction the
donkey had taken. Not far away,-just
around bend of the road,-stood Patsey,
nfbbling the grass by the wayside.
L knew he would mt go far" and Toms
runaway. n
Patsey grazed on quietly. watching, out of
the corner of his eye, his masters APP
proach When the latter was hut few
yards away, up went the donkey's heels,
and down the road he ran at the top Of his
speed. Toms face lost its LOOK of conf
dence: shaking his fist at the fleeing fig
ure. he shouted: <"Just wait ,'til l catch
you. old fellow; you bet I'll lick you good
and hard"
But again the donkey had stopped, and
was looking back His dropping under lip
quiyered, and the corners of his mouth
twltched and puckered in a way that sug-
gested a smile. And he gazed upon the
angry figure trudging along the dusty road
there came into Patseys eyes a look of
wicked satisfaction. And thus, in solemn
procession, master and steed retraced their
steps homeward.
The afternoon was drawing to a close,
and long shadows stretched across the
lawn where, gathered about Tom number
of boys eagerly watched for the return of
Bob with news of the days doings. Conf
oence was plainly marked In the faces Of
all, and so sure were Sir Peters admirers
of his ability to outclass every competitor
that the winning of the prize seemed a
foregone conclusion. Finally a shout of
Here he comes, directed attention to the
approaching horseman, and threw the par
ty into a flutter of excitement. Bob came
riding up the street, with the basket on
his arm, waving his hand in greeting, but
there was an absence of elation in his bear
ing that BODIED i'll for the success of his
mission, and the spirits Of the waiting
group fell perceptibly,
What luck. Bob?' they called when he
came within hearing.
Bob only shook his head as II to dis
courage in advance hopes that could not be
realized Handing the basket to Tom, he
slowly dismounted and tied the pony.
Better let Pete out; he must be pretty
well jolted up
Acting upon the suggestion, Sir Peter was
M ha Oh flo I,;e
wings, evidently pleased to be at liberty
The boys gathered about Bob. who proceed
ed to enlighten them.
You see, the match took place In the
yard In front OF the poultry exhibit and
there were a good many people present
for nobody had ever seen rooster-crowing
contest, and they were curious to know
what 1t was like. The affair was managed
this way. Every basket was given a num-
Der. and man was put IN charge of each,
and told to keep a record of the times his
bird crowed At given signal they
brought out the baskets. and opened them;
of course Pete crowed; SO did. the other
roosters: but regretfuly, that ended the
match"
The surprise of the boys kept them silent,
and disappointment showed in every case.
Tom was the first to recover speech.
why. how was that? Wouldn't they
crow again.
II don't know whether they would or not,
IL left to themselves, but there was hitch
in the program just then" And Bob shook
with laughter at something that greatly
only to increase the boys impatienee TO
learn more, and to relieve their suspense
he went on a little faster.
you see. Pete took the Growing of those
as fash, he pitched into them. Jumping
Jupiterl The way he scattered the lot
would have done you good TO See That's