Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-02

friends who were inclined to doubt this
statement.
'tGertie is safe-in saying she fears only
snakes and cyclones" said Bert Brown
one day, for snakes and cyclones are
about the only things we have to fear IN
our country. But I daresay she'd change
her story-or add some other names TO
her list OF things to be feared-if we had
wild animals in our part Of the world"
And in q way. Bert was probably right,
for in the state where Gertie lived there
were few wild animals. The prairie wolf,
the rabbit, the prairie dog and the snake
comprised the sum total of creatures to
be feared. And where Is the prairie child
who fears the little coyote? And as he
was the most dangerous Of the creatures
named except the snake. Gertie was safe
in making such a statement. But. Of
course. Gertie meant for her young
friends to believe that she was not afraid
of creatures other than those that inhab-
tied her state. She might even have in
cluded such animals as tigers and lions,
for she had no idea of them other than
what she had picked up from reading.
-.
One day while going home from school
Gertie was again boasting about her
bravery. And Bert and Ethel Brown
were her companions. Say. Gertie.'' said
Ethel, wouldn't you be afraid OF a big
black bear?"
mo, indeed" declared Gertie. "Just
you show me a big black bear and I'll
show you that l am not afraid OF him."
OF course, Ethel was powerless to pro-
duce the bear. so there was no way Of
proving Gertie's courage at the moment.
But as the three children wendell their
way homeward Bert began evolving a
plan in his mind. He meant to test Ger
ties bravery somehow. for he was tired
of her boosting. Besides, he really be-
lieved the little girl had sincere faith in
her own courage and he wanted her to
know that she, like other human beings,
was timid at times and afraid Of things.
After leaving Gertie at her own home
a fine old farmhouse on the public road
Bert and Ethel continued on their way to
mile further on II say. Ethel" said
Bert, Il have plan to test Gertie's great
and boosted courage Tomorrow is the
1st of April-our day for jokes. you know.
Well. I'm going to get good April 1901
you needn't be afraid. for certain ami
NAL you encounter on your way home
ward will not be as dangerous as it ap-
pears"
Ethel laughed and asked to be taken
into the secret But Bert said he had told
her enough to prepare her and that she'd
enjoy the joke more if she knew nothing
Of the particulars
The next day Bert got the teacher to
excuse him from school half an hour be-
fore closing time AS this was nothing
unusual-a pupil being excused from
school on some good excuse-none of the
other pupils attached any Importance to
Bert's going In fact. Gertie Smith did
not notice his absence at all, she was so
occupied in getting her last lesson OF the
day.
At last o'clock came and Ethel, full
of anticipation. took Gertie's arm and hur-
ried homeward. She knew there was a
surprise waiting for them on the roadside
somewhere between the schoolhouse and
Gertie's home. At little ravine-so deep
that in going down into 1t one lost view
OF the surrounding country and could not
be seen from any of the farmhouses-
Ethers alert eyes caught the dark form of