The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-09

should come into sight, Paul declared
 that the proper thing would be to climb
 a tree smaller around than a bears body, for then the bear could not climb after you. Peter thought it would be a good thing to build circle of small fires, and get into the center of the burning circle should a bear or an elephant or giraffe appear.
 At any rate. the twins were lost and frightened, and wondered what was to become of them.
 And just as Peter was on the point | of tears and Paul's voice was quivering, | they heard a sound coming up the hill | side. It sounded suspiciously like a hu- man voice. and 1t said Hello! Helo-o-o"' its a man" whispered Paul. fear seizing him. What if it's wild Indian ! Ugh! Let's hide"
 ''It may be wizardr whispered Peter "Yes, let's hide" Then they looked about | for hiding place, secure from the eyes | and nose of the being. who, judging from | sound, was approaching.
 "Hello-o-o-ol Hello-o-o-ov again came | the cry Peter and Paul dropped their guns, elasped hands, and together crouched behind fallen tree Then, discovering | that the huge tree trunk was hollow | they crawled into it. It was close and | smelly in there, and several bugs-fright- | full scarey thingsl-crawled over them But better bugs than an Indian, or a real wizard. or, worse still, maybe a pirate! "Hello-o-o Kids, where are youl Hel-lo-o-o!
 The voice was nearer and nearer and resounded in the hollow tree where lay trembling Peter and Paul Tt sounds just like Uncle Toms voice." whispered Peter "Yes. 1t does," replied Paul in a whisper. But it's some old wizard or witch trying to catch us by calling out in voice that sounds like some one we know. It's what people call deception you know"
 "Yes," whispered Peter Then both lay as quiet as they could, for they feared
 their trembling would shake the log and
 attract attention to their hiding place.
 Well. where do you suppose those terrible twins could have gone to?' asked
 familiar voice, coming from some one within few feet of the tree trunk Mrs. Jones said she saw them coming toward Old Witch this morning, riding their stick horses. And we've found their stick horses tied to tree half mile
 down the hillside. It's like the little
 scamps to get lost in this woods.'
 Yes, they're already lost, I'll be
 bound, said another voice, also familiar
 -Ine other one talkS Ike Uncle Toms
 chum, Fred smith," whispered Peter
 Wonder if 1t really could be-"
 But he didn't finish his question, for
 at the moment a hand caught hold of
 his foot and a voice cried out: Why,
 here's one of the rascals! I've got his
 footi Well, 'pon my word !-crawled into
 a tree like rabbit" And the next in-
 stant Peter was pulled by main force
 into daylight, and there, laughing at him
 till the tears trickled down his cheeks, stood his Uncle Tom, and beside him, in open-mouthed wonder, was Fred Smith.
 Where's PaulT' asked Uncle Tom as soon as he could find his voice, for Peter's aspect had been so comical.
 Tn there too" And Peter pointed Into the hollow of the tree But, as he spoke, Paul began to make his exit, coming out feet foremost, and in most ungracefu manner, his coat turned up over his ears and his face red from ex- ertion and embarrassment. AS soon as
 Uncle Tom could get him right end up and could control his laughter he asked: Now, youngsters why did you come here without first asking your mothers con sent? And, coming, why ,fl you hideT
 Peter and Paul stammerEf their excuses as best they could. ending by saying they had hoped to find a bear to carry home. But that they would be very glad to go home with Uncle Tom and MT. Fred,