The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-06-05
OLD sKEESICKS.

held n royal place in every heart or
man or beast on the plantation, he
was forgotten. He had gone with the
nloughmen 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 overshadowed every
thing else Even at tea-time, when
the high chair was empty no ono
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. Jannert's fa-
nous turquoises She had been
! polishing them when the tramp pas
sed her window; and he was so
tforlorn and hungry-looking, that she
stepped out to the kitchen to give
orders for his refreshment. Once
out of doors. the lovely day had
/! tempted her into her rosegarden,
and 1t was several hours later when
she found that her jewels had gone
with the tramp and the refreshments.
! AS for Toots, he had eurled up In
/ a fence corner and gone TO sleep.
| The early stars were winking down
| at him when he walked, and whip
| por-will was singing very close and
loud, and the great pea-fallow field
| looked strangely dark
Toots jumped up and called, Mt
first with confidence. and then in a
piteous quayer, or each member of
his family He was putting up his
lip for howl OF dismay over their
silence, when a gruff 'Hullo," came
out of a neighboring fence corner and
changed the face of things. Toots
dashed towards the sound and enthu-
siastieally Rugged a pair Of shabby
legs.
OH" he cried with sob Of Joy.
Il thought was lost
The owner Of the legs lifted him
up and submitted to being Rugged
about the neck
Lost, Ell? What's your name2"
"Toots, mean" with dignity
James Jannert Junior, What's
yours?"
Well reckon I'm just Old Skee-
sieks.'
"Old Skeesicks," repeated Toots,
sweetly, and took another hug.
Supper'll be over" and he gave a
suggestive swing OF his little body |
Come on.
Old Skeesicks shuffled and grunt-
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
Il amt going nowhere in parti-
cular.'
"I1l go with YOU" said Toots.
I'm cold"
You'll catch yoar death Of the |
dew before they find You, growlei |
the man as he stared raofully down
on him, 4 If they do find yoa. an you
amt snake-bit meantime. Then, !
after an anxious pause: That dog
now suppose he's let loose O
nights?"
"Towser? Yes, he's unclaimed
about supper time. and | ride on his
back"
Well, young man, amt no mind
10 ride on his back"
"He bites awful" Toots added re-
1ectively, when he doesn't know
YOU"
Which is what I'd expect said
Did Skeesicks. from the look Of
aim"
but I'll hold his collar" graci-
ously, while YOU get in"
As Towser might carry off any six
If such boys without special lncon-
this offer was received with
in amused sniff,
"The mullins will all get cold
continued Toots, brayely choking
pack a 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,
srumpiIy it 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
iuch a 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
nat
II is a long tramp from the pea
ALLOW field to the house with the
pillars. but al last Toots was set
lpon his feet in view of the front
gate.
NOW cut in with you but I'll be
pound you can't open the gate
Course not. said Toots.
II was a gate with a jangling latch,
tut this man subdued it to swift and
silence.
Run. nov; scamperl"
Toots, heavy-hearted for his sup
peerless comrade. tiptoed past the
iennel and into the house, where a
emnaat OF his now distracted family |
we're assembled in the library. The
main body was out hunting him.
1Vhap tho dfzC~dar oF hfc trivial |