The Cairo bulletin., 1907-06-05
OLD sKEEsICKs.

Toots was forgotten. Though he
held a royal place in every heart Of
man or beast on the plantation, he
was forgotten. He had gone with the
ploughmen to the big pea-fallow
field had made merry with them
over their lunch; and that was the
last anyone remembered; for when
news came Of the robbery, with orders
to search for the thief, that one excit-
Ing topic had oyershadowed every
thing else, Even at tea-time. when
the high chair was empty, no one
thought of associating Toots with the
disaster, he was supposed to be with
one Of the searching parties.
Meanwhile, there was great talk
about the jewels, Mrs Jannerts fa-
+, nous turquoises She had been
! polishing them when the tramp pas
sed her window: and he was 50
Iforlorn and hungry-looking. that she
stepped out to the kitchen to give
orders for his refreshment Once
out Of doors, the lovely day hal
tempted her into her rosegarden,
land IL was several hours later when
she found that her jewels had gone
with the tramp and the refreshments.
| As for Toots, he had curled up In
liz fence corner and gone to sleep,
The early stars We're winking down
1 at him when he walked, and a whip
| por-will was singing very close and
loud, and the great pea-fallow field
looked strangely dark,
Toots jumped mp and called at
first with confidence, and then In
piieous quaver. or each member OF
his family He was putting up his
lip for howl Of dismay over their
silence, when a gruif "Hullo!" came
out Of a neighboring fence corner and
changed the face OF things Toots
dashed towards the sound and enthu-
siastically Rugged pair of shabby
legs.
OH" he cried with sob of joy.
II thought ! was lost"
The owner OF the legs lifted him
up and submitted to being Rugged
about the neck.
Lost, eh? What's your name?"
''roots / mean with dignity
james Jannert, Junior. What's
yours2"
We'll. reckon I'm just Old skee-
sieks.
"Old sleesicks,' repeated Toots,
sweetly. and took another hug.
slipper'll be over" and he gave a
suggestive swing Of his little body.
Come on"
Old Skeeslcks shuffied and grGnt-
ed, and showed other signs Of discom-
future, but he stood his ground.
Where are YOU going them"
asked Toots finally, drying his eyes
In great wrath,
y amt going nowhere In parti
cular
"In 20 with YOU" said Toots.
"Im cold"
You'll catch yoar death Of the
dew before they find yoa. groWled
the man as he stared raofully down
on him, 4 n they do find yad. an yon
aint snake-bit meantime" Then,
after an anxious pause. THAT dog
now suppose he's let loose q
lights?"
'Towser? Yes, he's unclaimed |
about supper time. and ride on his
back.
Well, young man, amt no mind /
% ride on his back"
''He bites awful Toots added re-
leetively. when he doesn't know
you"
Which Is what I'd expect" said
DID Skeesicks. from the look OF
him"
But I'll hold his collar" graci-
)usly, while you get in.
AS Towser might carry off any six
If such boys without special incon
fenience, this offer was received with
IA amused sniff,
,'The mullins will all get cold,
continued Toots. bravely choking
back sob, and I'm hungry: but
IN go with you"
AS this sort of compromise did not
II allsuit Old Skeesicks he finally
picked the boy up and set out,
il must be confessed, tow
lAis the house with the big pillars 10
he porch and the big dog loose in
he yard Toots had never enjoyed
,ueh night ride. The sky was
'lear, and beautiful with stars; the
mist hung about in silyery wreaths.
he great silence filled his little soul
With pleasant awe. He drew a sigh
If content as he costly settled him
,elf upon Old Skeesick's shoulder |
md rested an elbow on the top of his
tat
II is a long tramp from the pea
allow field to the house with the
,iilars; but at last Toots was set
lpon his feet in view of the front
gate.
NOW cut In with you-but I'll be
,ound you cant open the gate"
Course not. said Toots.
1t was a gate with a iangling latch,
,ut this man subdued 1t to swift and
marvellous silence.
Run, nov: scamperl"
ToOts. heavy hearted for his sup
peerless comrade. tiptoed past the
-pnnel and into the house where "A J