The Ordway new era., 1908-01-17


at the hands of your Uncle Jedekiah
Bitters will be able to make life in.
teresting for the most blase of wolves
THE next time Jedekiah went to
the city he had a couple Of small bal
looms made. They were about tho
size Of ordinary toy balloons. but
made In the shape OF sausages. When
he returned he filled the balloons with
gas and put them on Bitters. placing
them around his body near the fore
and hind legs. At first Bitters didn't
take kindly to the game. But after
little he noticed how much lighter
they made him and how much easier
1t was for him to walk and run. and
he went tiptoing around like a dog
that has recovered his lost doghood.
'JedekIah was a pleased and proud
man. It's intellect. not smokeless
powder. that makes great hunter In
this century, he said complacently.
"As soon as Jedekiah judged Bit
ters' education was complete he took
him to the woods and turned him
loose on the trail OF wolf
"'Go forth he said impressively, as
II Bitters could understand him. to
the woods and earn glory for yourself
and bounties for your owner by ex-
tending the blessings of civilization to
benighted wolves. But be sure you
| bring the bodies back home. For
need the money he added. feelingly.
After a few months 1t got so that
| the wolves in that part OF the state ap-
preciated Bitters' abilities and began
to make themselves scarce. There
| was one old wolf though. who had
| lived in the woods all his life and
painly hadn't any intention of being
driven out. even by balloon.assisted
dog. Bitters having done his duty in
clearing out the other wolves.
thought 1t was about time for Jede-
kiah to take a hand in the game with
his rife.
"'Btters and his balloons are won.
| ders in their way, | told Jedekiah.
But he is only dog after all. That
wolf means to stay here until he is
killed. II you help your noble dog
you can soon corner the furry ma
rauder. But II you leave the job to
the unassisted intelligence OF Bitters
you will be mourning the down.
fall and disgrace ond the noble crea-
ture.'
AT first Jedekiah was inclined to
listen to my words OF kindly warn
ing. He got out his rife and started
to accompany Bitters on a hunting ex.
pedition after the old wolf. Then he
noticed that there had been quite a
fall Of snow. making the walking bad,
and Jedekiah changed his mind.
at would hurt the feelings OF my
esteemed Bitters.' he said decidedly,
putting up his rifle and returning to
his seat in front of the fire. If l
should go with him. He would think
| was casting reflections on his ability
to kill any wolf in the North Woods
so Jedekiah sent Bitters after the
wolf. Bitters. having unlimited con-
fidence in his own ability. was perfect
ly willing to undertake the job.
But the old wolf had been taking
a whirl at the thinking game on his
own account. He evidently appreciat-
ed that 1t was the balloons which
enabled Bitters to make such speed.
aud somehow he also appreciated the
|
destroy the balloons. And the sly old
animal laid his plans accordingly.
THE wolf showed himself as soon
as Bitters was clear OF the house. Bit
ters gave chase. The wolf ran up the
side Of the mountain, heading to
where a party of lumbermen had left
a camp fire burning. He made a dash
| over the fire, which was only blazing
slightly. Bitters was close behind him
and went over the fire, too. Then
there was a little puff. a blaze of
flame as the balloons took fire. and
Bitters seemed to lose interest in the
chase after the wolf. Instead he roll
ed over on the snow and howled. Then
he looked at the charred shreds Of
what had been the covers of the bal
| looms. He was the most astonished