The San Mateo item. (San Mateo City, Putnam County, Fla) 189?-19??, 1909-11-13

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can catch him?"
"Ahy OF us" replied John Henry.
GIVE him something that he likes to
eat and then grab him." but that was
mistake He didn't run away, but
be kept Just out OF reach.
That night there were fowls miss
ing from the neighbors roosts, as well
as from their own and every night for
some time the same thing happened.
Cunning as fox" was Trapsy, In
deed. and there seemed no end TO his
mischieyous FRANKS. Burrowing un-
der the walls OF the coops, opening
| the chicken house doors, climbing over
enclosures, frightening the pigs nearly
out OF their few wits. what won't
he do next?" was the oft repeated
question
The traps were set repeatedly. but
the active little creature was not to be
caught that way, nor was there any
artifice successful in beguiling him
Day after day he came to the farm
yard for his froIic with Junket, and
having regained the use of his legs
now, and being free, the dog could
not weary him out.
For hours the two would race about
the pasture side and orchard and al
though tempted to shoot Trapsy they
dared not for fear of wounding Junket.
Every day he would seem to entice
Junket away to the woodland but
when thy reached the point of the
hill Trapsy would go and Junket came
trotting back home
Bite him Junket," John Henry
would shout. Hold Inn fast, Junk
et!" but it was of no use, they had
been pla-'ellows too long.
One day, however, they quarreled
over piece of liver that had been
thrown to Junket and then It was dog
and fox; the playmate business was
ended Junket's blood was up and
away he ran after the delectable NOR
sci that Trapsy carried in his mouth
The voice of his master was unheeded
as he followed the willy fox around the
broad meadow and through the or
chard, the fox keeping easily well in
advance.
From his position on a high stone
fence John Henry could watch them
and every time they came near-for
Trapsy never got over his early habit
of running in a circle-the boy would |
shout the dogs name, but without
avail.
At length as the express passenger
train hove in sight, the fox took to
the railroad track that divided the
meadow from the pastureland, run.
ming directly to meet the train the
excited dog following.
There was no use in calling now.
and John Henry held his breath.
Down the straight track they raced
the fox only little in advance of the
dog as If to encourage him to follow.
until within rod OF the train he
bounded to one side and ESCAPED while
the huge locomotive hit poor Junket
knocked him down and ground him to
powder.
Cunning as a fox!" choked John
Henry. Doubtless he thinks he has
gotten the better OF us all for keeping
him SO long prisoner"
Trapsy was never captured and
must have removed his quarters as no
more poultry was missed and the quiet
'f the countryside was never again
broken by foxes, stealing the poultry
Dr. barking on the hillside.
In the next town, a year or two
alter, a hunter out with dogs and gun
after foxes, shot one with a beautiful
,oat that had p1t three feet and Uncle
,eke said:
"of course II was Trapsy's mother.
iritty little varmint Too bad!"
Il wish ii had been Trapsy," said
ohm Henry. ''bn probably the mark