The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-11-30
THE TRUTH OF THINGS.
By zrrrA MAReAREr WALTERS.

| Bx ZhLlA MAhoAhhl WALIEhos
Bobby travelled slowly across the
lawn Juggling a protesting bunny by
its ears. Bobby's will and muscle
prevailed, and the bunny was drag
ged into the playhouse. From thence
shortly arose the sounds of strug-
gle. Bobby's voice came in wrath
full commands, the bunny objected by
scratching furiously on the floor, and
at times wee Margie added to the con-
fusion 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?"
IT was trying to hitch the old thing
to my wagon, and he wouldn't.
"But you can't hitch bunnies to
wagons. Don't you know, they just
jump along. They won't do at all to
drag wagons.
why, yes, mother, did you for
get? There's picture in my book
where four bunnies are hitchcd to a
little coach, and they're taking an
other bunny for drive. And it says
SO in the story, too"
"Yes, remember that. But the
story and picture are just for fun.
Bunnies don't really do that"
"Isn't it true?" he demanded in
awful tones.
mo"
The answer plainly shook his little
world. He struggled for readjust-
ment.
"Isn't Beauty and the Beast true"
"Pm afraid not quite, said mother,
distressed but conscientious.
"And wasn't he a prince turned
into beast?"
Moo At least not the kind of
beast you see in the picture"
"And isn't Jack n the beanstalk
true, nor Hop O my thumb, nor
nor anything? 7"
"The stories in the fairy book all
mean something true,' she corsoled
him.
"I'll bet there amt anything true"
he stormed. II s'pose it's just
make-b'live 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 pres
emily he wandered away with the lag
ging footsteps that betoken heavy
heart. He could not go back to the
playhouse yet. Margie aud the puppy
were too mirthful for his present
mood. The small grove that the SUBJ
urbanites proudly called Highland
park seemed quite deserted, and thith-
er he turned his steps. But another
disquieted soul was pacing slowly
down the walk.
"Oh Mr.. Ellison" he cried, rum
ming forward with delight.
why, it's Bob, isn't it How are
you, old man?"
every well," said Bobby. Then
he stopped and shook his head dis
mally. Say, did you know Beauty
and the Beast amt true?"
why, no, I hadn't heard. When
did it happen 7"
Mother told me just now. Jack
m the beanstalk ain't-isn't true,
neither. And nothing isn't except
the angels, and they don't amount to
much for Stories"
TITS too bad, old man, but it's got
to come"
"What has p said Bobby, looking
about.
1.-The day of finding out how many
nice things aren't true"
"Oh . 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 it. What do they want to fool a
fellow for ?''
cit would be hard to make a pic
ture of the kind of beast some fellows
become" j"
There was pause as the two walk
ed on down the path side by side.
Each seemed to be busy with his own
thoughts, and apparently t b e
thoughts must have been about as
dismal in one case as in the other.
By and by Bobby said:
'Mr. Ellison, where are you 60
ing?
ooh, nowhere in particular" an
! swered the man.
"Are you just walkingf"
"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 clung to his
hand and trotted at his side.