The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1911-08-03
THE RERRY-PICKERS.

NO, we don't want you to come
with US; you can just go pick black
berries in your own patch! We don't
want any boys bothering us!' After
which unkind speech Barbara and
Anne trudged on their way swinging
their berry-pail between them.
Alec and Jack stood hand-in-hand
in the path looking after the girls,
disappointment written on their faces.
OF course, after that they could not
follow; it would not be polite, and
one must be polite to ones company,
especially when the company is girls.
But the bull will chase you!"
Alec could not help but shout as the
girls disappeared through the barn
yard gate.
Suppose it should, Barb! Let's
not CO." Anne suggested.
"Pshaw, who's afraid Of a bull?
Guess we can go berrying without
those two little boys tagging after
us" And Barbara strobe boldly on,
while Anne skipped along at her
side.
Anne would have been quite will
ing for the boys (who were really no
younger than she) to go with them,
only when she and Barbara had
found a particularly nice patch Of
blackberries the day before, they
vowed they would tell no one of their
discovery; so she felt bound to be 10y
al to her older sister, who disliked
any one to interfere with her plans.
They reached the patch in all safe
ty, but even Barbara did not find the
berries IS large or as plentiful as she
expected.
Il don't believe this can be the
right place; let's go further" she
suggested. They move on, forgetting
to keep within sight of the road.
When at length their pail was fill
ed and they started for home, they
found that they had completely lost
their way.
wouldn't it be dreadful if we had
to stay here all night and be covered
with leaves by the birds like the
Babies in the Woods?" walled Anne.
Don't be silly, Anne! 1t would
more likely be snow instead of leaves;
winter comes in a couple of months
now"
Oh, Barb, what's that? | heard
something moving over there in the
busiest" Barbara's face at once be-
gan to reflect Anne's frightened ex-
preston as she half turned toward
the said bushes.
Anne, do you s'pose it's a bear?
There, do you see that! l see some
thing black" she whispered fear
fully.
Its the bull! It's the bull. Oh,
hurry! Let's rum"
Barbara needed no urging, and to-
gether the children ran in the oppo-
site direction, splitting their berries as
they tumbled over logs and rocks,
but rushing on in their fright. How
Barbara wished for the boys now!
for little" as she had disdainfully
called them. she knew very we'll that
they would know where best to turn
TO ecape the bull
This time, fortunately, they ran in
the right direction, and presently out
they stumbled in the road.
Hello! What's the matter? Where
did you come FROM" greeted the lit
tie girls as they made their appear
ance, and there before them stood
Alec and Jack.
ooh, Alec!" sobbed Barbara, pant
ing, "we are lost, and we saw a black
something that must have been the
bull, and I am sorry 1 was so cross
and wouldn't let you come with US,
but won't you please take us homer"
"Guess you aren't lost very much, -
replied Alec; there's the house over
there. The old bull is red, not black,
so what you saw was one of the cows.
Me and Jack have just been up to
the pasture to get them; and I tell
you what, Barbara" he added forgiv-
ingly, eve found dandy place where
there are most million blackberries.
Well show it to you tomorrow II
you'll let us go with you" Our Lit
tie Ones.