The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-09-02
THE EVENING STORY
Concerning ConsuelIa.
(By Stacy e. Bakery

(By Stacy E. Bakery
Heating felt furious tug at his
line. He made a wild grab at the set
pole, and, like the novice that he
was. hauled the long line-fshless-
out of the water and flung it back
over his shoulder. A frightened bleat
punctured the movement.
AS Heating turned the rod was
jerked rudely from his hands. and
the amazed angler saw an indignant
sheep scudding across the lea with
the hook of his tackle firmly imbedded
in it's WOOL and his expensive rod
hillock jumping behind at the end
of the unreeled silk.
BLAST it!'' growled Heating, too
worried about the future of his split
bamboo to find the righteousness in
the situation. Darn that butt-in
sheep! Why didn't she keep her in
quisitive nose out of my business,
anyway"
The sheep showed no inclination tc
stop, and Heating hastily arose from
his grassy seat on the banks of the
stream and gave strenuous chase.
He sped grimly across the fields, and
the frightened quadruped, after one
hasty glance behind, raced madly to
the fence and swung her heavy form
over it.
Both Heating and the sheep now
buckled in in genuine earnest.
Heating had the college honors of
his day for long distance running
He grimly set his jaw and settled
The youth made his hurdle with
ease. The sheep was now some dis
lance ahead on an open road packed
hard, thanks to the rain of the morn
handicap race. They passed farm
house with the youth gaining. A
surprised yokel yelled loudly as Keat-
ing passed him, and fell in behind,
waving rusty pitchfork.
On and on ran the trio Another
house sprung into view beside the
road, and an aged tiller of the soil.
wrinkled and scanned with the years
that had fallen heavily upon him. am
bled automatically out of the yard and
Joined the gallop.
Heating, after the first brief gain,
could not lessen the distance between
himself and the animal. From behind
came the stentorian breathing of the
last one to join the run. and the
raspy whoops of the other who was
now just behind.
Keating's cap blew off on the wings
of breeze engendered by his fast
sprint, and his heavy dark hair,
usually worn slicked to his head. was
now flying here and there. The four
legged leader showed signs of weaken
ing. Heating did not stop for his
.'You quit that" blared the rustic
JuSI DonlHO, WIG Sc6HlCd, uCoQ1tO tAlC
college records of his pacemaker. to
be holding his own remarkably well.
You quit pesterin' that poor Sheep!'
Heating had no mind-nor wind
to enter into controversy He kept
still. The sheep was wagering. 1t car
ried too much wool to keep up the
sprint. The fishing rod bobbed awk-
wardly behind.
Another house doomed I'D ahead.
The eve lodged madly through the
the youth put his remaining strength
to a final jump, fell painting on its
side. With an exulting yell Heating
dropped ON his knees beside the wind
ed animal and made read to ex-
tract the hook.
The Frustrated bleat of the sheep
was answered by an angry whoop
from the road. and 165 pounds of
farmer hurled itself through space and
landed on the back of the unsuspect-
ing Heating.
.You fool.' yelled the angry angler.
Get off. What the deuce do you
mean?'
ssPick on a poor sheep. will you?"
feIlers that property is to be re-
spected.''
Heating spent no time in argu-
ment. His fists found the face of the
other, and a beautiful battle was pre-
cipitated thereby. The fight was all
in favor of the excited fisherman I'M
til the arrival of the long whiskered
one who had been distanced in the
race. The third man jumped into
the battle with a raucous shout. His
hands were as hard as boulders, and
a fluke blow from one of these de-
prived the fisherman of his senses
When Heating recovered conscious
ness he found himself neatly trussed
UP, and two red and perspiring farm
ers standing by and cycling him with
little favor.
"You darned city bug" growled the
that you are up to? Chasin' poor
defenseless critter until she falls
down winded!"
you're crazy snarIed Keating.
Couldn't you see that she had my
fshhook stuck in her silly wool?"
"Fine thing for you to be doin'."
added the older rustic. "Stickin' your
hook in other peoples sheep.
eff other peoples sheep would quit
sticking their noses in my affairs they
would not be hooked
But you did hook her." came from
the younger one.
Certainly I hooked her" snapped
Heating. "And now tell me what
you are going to do with me? Burn
me at the stake ~
An angry snort issued from the
whiskers of the ancient I'VE are going
to hold you until Mrs. Griggs comes
home"
"And who. if may ask. is Mrs.
Griggs?"
ssShe's the owner of that poor per-
secuted lambie-she's also the local
representative of the S. P. c. A" an
swered the youthful granger. She'll
fix you for having been cruel to Con-
"Consuella!' cried Heating. do you