The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-11-20
C6e
Truth of Things.
BY Zelia Margaret Walters.


vailed, and the bunny was dragged in
to the playhouse. From thence short
ly arose the sounds Of struggle. Bob
by's voice came in wrathful COM
mands, the bunny objected by scratch
ing furiously on the floor and at times
wee Margie added to the confusion by
a hysteric Shrek. One louder than
the rest brought mother flying to the
playhouse. The bunny bolted when
she opened the door, and Bobby
stamped his foot in rage.
"Well, Bobby, what's the matter?'
81 was trying to hitch the old thing
to my wagon, and he wouldn't"
"But you can't hitch bunnies to wa
gons. Don't you know, they just
jump along. They won't do at all
to drag wagons"
"Why, yes, mother, did you forget?
There's a picture in my book where
four bunnies are hitched to little
coach, and they're taking another bun
ny for drive. And it says so in the
story, too"
L
story and picture are just for fun. Bun
nies don't really do that"
'Isn't it true?" he demanded in aw-
full tones
mo"
The answer plainly shook his little
world. He struggled for readjust-
ment.
isn't Beauty and the Beast true?"
I'm afraid not quite" said mother,
distressed but conscientious.
"And wasn't he prince turned into
a beast?"
MOO" At least not the kind of
beast you see in the picture"
"And isn't Jack he-beanstalk
true, nor Hop-o my-thumb, nor-nor
anyrhing?"
1.-THE stories in the fairy book all
mean something true" she consoled
him.
'T'll bet there amt anything true"
he stormed. 81 s'pose it's just make
b'lieve story about the angel dear that
keeps watch beside me while l Sleep"
"Oh, no, indeed! cried mother in
shocked tones. THAT is true. You must
believe about the angels"
He kicked at the wagon in gloomy
silence. The reality of the angels
seemed to afford him little comfort
In the general wreck of things.
"Guess I'll go see Aunt JEAN he
said at length. He was wondering If
all the jolly stories she had told him
were dust and ashes, too.
The interview with Aunt Jean must
have been unsatisfactory, for present
ly lie wandered away with the lag
ging footsteps that betoken heavy
heart. He could not go back to the
playhouse yet. Margie and the puppy
were too mirthful for his present
mood. The small grove that the sub
urbanites proudly called Highland park
seemed quite deserted, and thither he
turned his steps. But another dis
quieted soul was pacing slowly down
the walk.
"Oh! Mr.. Ellison" he cried, running
forward with delight.
"Why, it's Bob, isn't it! How are
you, old MANI"
VERY WELL" said Bobby. Then ne
stopped and shook his head dismally.
"Say, did you know Beauty and the
Beast amt true?"
why, no, hadn't heard. When did
It happen?"
Mother told me just now. Jacl1-'n'-
the .beanstalk ain't-isn't true, neith-
er. And nothing isn't except the an
gels, and they don't amount to much
for stories"
TITS too bad, old man, but it's got
to come"
'what has?" said Bobby, looking
about.
"The day of finding out how many
nice things aren't true"
ooh! Say, she said he didn't turn
into the kind of beast in the picture,
Now If he turned into any at all, why
couldn't they have made a picture like
1t. What do they want to try to fool a
fellow for?"
ut would be hard to make picture
OF the kind of beast some fellows be-
come"
There was pause as the two walked
on down the path side by side. Each
seemed to be busy with his own
thoughts, and apparently these
thoughts must have been about as dis
NAL in one case as in the other.
By and by Bobby said:
''Mr Ellison, where are you going?"
"Oh, nowhere in particular" an
swered the man.
"Are you just walking?"
"Why don't you come to see us any
more?"
Mr. Ellison seemed to be suddenly
recalled to his duty, for he increased
his pace. But Bobby cllng to his hand
and trotted at his side.
1--WE been very busy lately, Bob"
you used to come every day, and
now you've stayed away month,
guess. I'm lonesome without YOU"