The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1908-02-28

" bbg nua ol'Ihhtht'
when he sits up like that he looks
like Il hanson cab"
That reminds me-" rojoincd the
man. "A very large male kangaroo
had a pouch that was licensed for
two and, once, for fare, he'd q
tortoise and hare. This really once
happened-its truc!"
The boy pondcred the circumstance
for awhile.
Il thought It was only the mothers
who had pouches" he hazarded.
The one I'm speaking Of had ali
the latest improvements ycntured
the man,
Il know" nodded the girl "He was
a taXametcr.'
"Of course, the tortoise won" de
clarcd the boy.
NO." confessed the man. The race
had to be declared OF because the
kangaroo slddded."
1T must have been a very expensive
ride" commented the girl.
Il think il was only a trial run,
said the man
In the Elephant house he must have
made up something more than usually
grotesQue, because the discussion that
ensucd between the children was par.
tlcularly lively. But there. as well as
in the Lion house, on account Of the
people and the noise, could catch lit.
tie OF their talk. When, again, / bad
the opportunity OF listening it wa1 in
the comparative solitude Of the Zebra
yards. They were manifesting ex.
IRENE Interest in the Quaggas.
They were soldiers once" the man
was saying.
"Of course; look at their stripes. ="
quoth the boy
The girl began spelling out the de-
scrptive notice that is affixed TO the
fence. From South Africa" she eX.
claimed. Where they in the war;"
Yes. in the transport department, "
rcjolned the man. 1T happened near
tho VaaI"
Please go on" was urged.
"A Quagga who wasn't afraid" mar.
rated the man, was always the first
on parade. but when fighting began
he got into a van, which he drove a
long distance for aid"
"Ah, n turning movement. Good
man" remarked the boy.
so he got the d. c. NJ" augmented
the man.
The boy began thinking, Yes, said
he, presently. The Distinguished
Conduct Medal. OF course"
"No-District Court Marshal" cor.
rocted the man.
Poor thing" murmured the girl
And now he's In lager"
"Oh, no." objected the man. This
is the Lower House. you know. He
was elected TO 1t by Hct NOlk, and
The Quagga raised his unmusical
voice.
Hes speaking now. Hush!" ad
monishcd the man.
Politics." whispered the boy.
Yes--sufrragettes!" adventured The
girl.
Then she said something about
Home" and they went of at a brisk
pace AS ! strolled in their wake
felt grateful for the glimpse had had
OF the devotion which childhood can
inspire In the heart o. a grown man
of the magic sensibility that enables
| the adult mind to see things with the
eyes Of youth.
The afternoon was drawing in. and
the people were streaming through the
gateway when | reached II. AS | min
| gled with them on my way out there
was a touch upon my arm and. turn
I ing, | looked down into the upllfted
eyes of the girl. Such pleading eyes
each with n tear trembling on the long
lashes. BY her side was the boy look
ing deeply concerned.
Please, please help us to find ia
ther!" she implored. We've los
him!"
She saw at once that was ready e
obey her, and, putting her hand II
mine, led me away while she poured
out her fears for her fathers safety
OF personal anxiety there was not {
trace. The reason followed quickly
A blow on the head from q Boer rife
while he was defending a wounded
comrade had destroyed his reason
Once withdrawn from their protection
he was ponsible-helpless as I
child.
All day had been laboring under I
dclusion. The man was their charge
not they his. 1t was they who hat
been endeavoring to stimulate his fan
ciful Imagination, and so provide hin
with entertainment; aud | had beef
deceived by his unconscious humor.
When we found him wanderin,
about aimlessly. as We did within fiv,
minutes, the girls relief was intense
MY darlIng!" she sobbed trying t,
get her small arms round him. M,
poor dear!"
He showed no feeling at the re
union, made no remark; merely fel
into step between his small protectors
and left the gardens with one of then