Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-01-24

only the diameter of a telegraph pole,
and already higher than he could see,
was sticking up through a hole which
exactly fitted it.
rs this the moon?" gasped Ray
mond.
my. no." rasped his conductor. ITS
the Milky Way. Well have to catch
train. Come on"
But what will that do?" asked Ray
mond, confused, pointing to the yeast
column
ooh, never mind" answered the otn-
er. Probably it will be cut into
Northern Light poles, and the bottom
part will contract with the cold until
nothing is left. Come on" and he set
out briskly along the road to the left.
Presently they heard faint rever-
beration, which rapidly increased in
loudness and resolved into a mixture
of snorting and gratings.
stand clear, Out of the way!"
squeaked the moon man, tremendously
excited to Raymond and boiling to one
side. Raymond now alarmed followed
him with alacrity.
An immense cloud of dust approached
and then from the cloud emerged a
vehicle resembling an automobile bus.
Its four wheels had enormous rubber
tires and the box was a vivid yellow,
with milk" written across it in bod
white letters. A dashboard projected
in front, like a shovel, close to the
ground, and held a figure whirling
snaky lasso. The funny affair ratified
past, with 4 volley Of quick staccato
puffs.
THE milk train!" roared the little
man into Raymonds ear Cream
puffs! Hurrah!" and he galloped into
the midst of the thick white dust over
hanging the road. Eat EN- while
they're hot, stupid" he babe, bobbing
here and there, and eagerly stuffing his
mouth with the things he was gather
! ing.
Raymond found, dotting the soft
road-bed, a number of small objects,
and, tasting, ascertained that they were
cream puffs. He and his comrade filled
their pockets, and continued on their
route. munching as they walked.
Are you getting tired?" asked the
man, over his shoulder, after brief
interval.
mot very much" responded Ray
mond. Eat these cream puffs have
made me awfully thirsty. Can't we
find some water about here?"
"Sh-sh-sh-sh!" cautioned the man,
facing him and laying finger on his
lip. Its treason to speak of water
in the Milky Way. Try milk" and
scooping UP a handful of the dust he
offered 1t to Raymond.
Raymond laid bit on his tongue.
"Ugh!" he calculated in great dis
gust, suffering vigorously to clear his
mouth of the sweet, cloying powder.
What in the world is it?"
Condensed milk" said his queer lit
tie guide. Don't you like it?'
Raymond made wry face and shook
his head
That's pity" asserted the man.
When will we catch our train?" in
qupired Raymond. growing weary of
the seemingly interminable journey.
The moon man stopped and drew
from his pocket a crumpled almanac.
This he consulted, and replied.
According to the timetable it's due
in 1896; but 1t may be a few years
late. We had better walk and meet
it."
Great -Caesar!" exclaimed Raymond,
consternated. You don't mean the
year 1896, do you?"
Precisely" affirmed the man. "And
it's the very best comet on the line
too"
Comet" repeated Raymond, aghast.
why, | can't wait"
"She's OUT She's out, We're lost!
We're LOST" suddenly cried the little
man, pointing down the road. "Oh,
what shall we do?"
He started on a run, waving his
arms.
Who's out? Why are we lost?" de-
manded Raymond, breathlessly pursu-
ing him.
my cow-it's my cow" explained
the moon man. She's jumped over
again. drat her, and has made straight
for the Milky Way, to eat the milk
weed and buttercups, and the Dog
Star is after her."
A string of dust on before plainly
marked the course of the bovine's
flight, and Raymond could hear shrill
yelps and resounding bellows
IF she is captured on the Milky Way
without milk license we'll all be
eclipsed," moaned the man.
Hurry" he painted, hating; and,
when Raymond came up, he dragged
him to a hole similar to the one
through which they had assembled. Go
home. You needn't be eclipsed.
don't mind, because I'm used to it,"
Mercury going down." shouted a
hoarse voice.
There you are" said the man, SHOW
ing him into the hole. Mercury going
down-just in time"
Raymond. horror-stricken. felt him
self falling falling. falling-until in an
instant, he laIrded-plump!
He was in the easy chair in front of
the CRATE fire, and behind him some
body was saying to somebody else:
"A change of twenty degrees since
three o'clock"