The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-03-12
THE zoo MAN
tcopyright)
By ELIZABETH MICHELS

the latest improvements" ventured
the man.
Il know" nodded the girl. He was
a taxameter."
"of course, the tortoise won." de,
clared the J.
No." confessed the man. The race
had to be declared on because the
kangaroo skidded.'
1T must have been a very expensive
ride" commented the girl.
Il think II was only n trial run. =
said the man.
In the Elephant house he must have
made up something more than usually
grotesaue. because the discussion that
ensued between the children was par
ticularly lively. But there. as well as
In the Lion house, on account OF the
people and the noise, could catch 1T.
tie of their talk. When, again. had
the opportunity OF listening Il was 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-
scriptive notice that Is affixed to the
fence. From South Afriea." she ek.
claimed, Where they In the war;"
Yes. in the transport department,
rejoined the man. 1T happened near
the vaai"
Please go on" was urged.
"A Quagga who wasn't afraid" mar,
on parade, but when fighting began
he got into a van. which he drove a
long distance for aid"
All a turning movement. Good
mani remarked the boy.
so he got the ID. c. NJ" augmented
the man.
The boy began thinking. Yea" said
he. presently. The Distinguished
Conduct Medal or course,"
'No-District Court Marshal" cor
rected the man.
Poor thing" murmured the girl
And now he's in lager"
"Oh. no." objected the man. "Thi,
is the Lower House. you know. II,
was elected to II by Het Volk. and
The Quagga raised his unmusica
voice.
He's speaking now. Hush,' ad
monished the man.
Politics." whispered the boy.
girl.
Then she said something abou
Home" and they went OFF at brisl
pace, AS ! strolied In their wake
felt grateful for the glimpse had has
OF the devotion which childhood car
inspire in the heart OF a grown man
OF the magic sensibllity that enables
the adult mind 10 see things with tn,
eyes of youth.
The afternoon was drawing in, anc
| the people were streaming through ths
| gateway when ! reached H. As I min
gled with them on my way out Their,
was touch upon my arm and. turn
ing. ] looked down into the uplifteC
eyes OF the girl. Such pleading eyes
each with tear trembling on the lon.
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 I,
obey her. and. putting her hand II
mine. led me away while she poures
| out her fears for her fathers safety
OF personal anxiety there was no,
/ trace. The reason followed quickly
| A blow on the head from Boer riff,
J while he was defending a wounde,
comrade had destroyed his reason
/ Once Withdrawn from their protection
be was irresponslble-help as
1 child.
All day had been laboring under
delusion. The man was their charge
not they his. II was they who hAi
been endeayoring to stimulate his far
ciful imagination. and no provide hin
with entertainment. and had bee
deceived by his unconscious humor.
When we found him wanderInl
about aimlessly. as We did within nv
minutes. the girls relief was intenR.
My darling" she sobbed. trying q
get her small arms round him. M
poor deari"
He showed no feeling at the r.
union. made no remark; merely fel
into step between his small protectors
and left the gardens with one of then
on either side guarding him tenderly