Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-22

moment riding very Iractlous SUCK
horse, wouldn't 1t be lots Of fun TO
go a-hunting in the woods today?
S'pose we ride over to Old Witch and
shoot bear?"
"Old Witch" was the name of the
highest hill of ore Of the ranges
that walled in the town where
Peter and Paul lived. And hunters
loved to delve into the woods that
grew over the head Of Old Witch, just
as sure enough hair grows on the
head of an old witch or wizard.
Sure, let's co. consented Peter,
refining in his steed Then for the
moment forgetting his horse he threw
him in the corner of the fence, not
even taking time to remove the nice
twine bride. "Ill get my gun. You
get yours. Then We'll ride Bounder
and Plunger over to the great noun
tain, Old Witch. and shoot two bears. !
"P under" and "Plunger" were the
names of the fractions stickhorses
ridden every day about the yard by
Peter and Paul. 1t was poor Bound
er who now lay in the corner of the
fence, as gentle as any stickhorse can
be. while Plunger stood tied to a
small tree near the gate, awaiting his
masters pleasure.
Peter and Paul ran into the house
and got their guns-pretty wooden
weapons, as harmless as their horses,
but very dangerous looking. Then
they mounted Bounder and Plunger
and were off, going down the dusty
road like the wind, kicking up the
dust into cloud, their guns in place
over their shoulders, cleaning in the
sunlight. Both horsemen carried them
selves with dignity and pride. No
other twins in the town could ride and
shoot as they could. (There were no
other boy twins in the town, and the
two pairs Of girl twins did not really
county
"Dd you ask mamma If we might
20 to Old Witch this morning." asked
Paul as they pranced across little
bridge which spanned creek half
mile from home.
"Nope." replied Peter. Didn't you
ask herr"
Nope, I left that for you to do
while I got my gun explained Paul.
"But / was getting my gun at the
same time" replie Peter. sure
YOU should have asked mamma If we
might come a-hunting on Old Witch.
ooh, she won't care" said Paul.
"We'il get home before dinner. And
when we return with bear-maybe
two of 'em-mamma will be SO proud
Of us that she'll call to Mrs. Jones
next door to come in and see what
her children have caught while hunt
ing. And Mrs. Jones is such Cos
sip-mamma says she tells everything
she knows and more too-that she,i!
soon spread the news all over town
Then We'll be sure enough heroes
Won't that be CREATE"
"Sure 1t WILL" acquiesced Peter.
"But gee, I'm getting tired, or mean
that Bounder is getting tired. It's a
long way for horse to travel with
out rest"
ooh, we'll soon be there" said Paul
"Plunger Is bit tired In his front
legs. but his hind legs are strong yet
Let's trot up"
So Peter and Paul "trotted up ane
soon entered the woods that grew
over the sides of Old Witch.
Then the hunt began. Owing to th'
noise made by the horses hoofs thu
twins decided to go afoot up the
steed hillside, leaving their. horses
| tied to tree at the foot. they mad
| rather slow progress, however, 10
| they had already travelled mile ant
| much of the way had been phill.
Noon found Peter and Paul wander
! ing about. much frightened, huntin
for their horses. Not that they care
particularly for Bounder and Plunge,
for any good straight sticks woul
prove as good horses as they, but be
cause they knew their steeds wer
tethered right at the end Of the roa
Leading from town, and they wer
anxious to reach their home agar
Somehow they had lost their bearing
and did not know which way to &c
| They had travelled for long time an
seemed to be getting into deepe
woods all the while, and now the
were thirsty, hungry. tired and badl
| frightened. Suppose bear reall
! should come into sight. Paul declaI
ed that the proper thing would be t
climb tree smaller around than
bears body, for then the bear coul
not climb after you. Peter thought
would be a good thing to build Gil
Gle Of small fires and get into tn
center Of the burning circle should
bear or an elephant or giraffe al
pear.
At any rate the twins were lost an
frightened and wondered what was t
| become Of them.
And just as Peter was on the poir
of tears and Pauls voice was quive
| ing they heard a sound coming up tn
| hill side. It sounded suspiciously Xix
a human voice, and it said Hello
| Helloo-on
"It's mani" whispered Paul, fea
selling him. What If it's wild Il
dian? Ugh! Let's hide!"
"It may be wizard whispere
Peter. Eyes, let's hide" Then the
looked about for hiding place, s.
cure from the eyes and nose of tn
being, who, Judging from sound, wa
approaching.
"Hello-o-o-o! Hello-o-o-o!" agai
came the cry. Peter and Paul droppe
their guns, clasped hands, and t
gether crouched behind a fallen ire
Then discovering that the huge tre
trunk was hollow, they crawled int
it. 1t was close and smelly in Their