The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-07-20
cially any room occupied by person
suffering from a cold.
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR.
RURYING THE RATCHET.

quietly around the house and into the
garden. He hoped Dot would not dis
cover him until her unfortunate chic
ken, which lay in the box covered
with roses and clover blossoms, was
safely buried.
The chicken, during it's brief life
and not been source of unmixed joy
to anyone but Dot; for it was a
motherIess chick that she had found
and brought into the house, and, as
soon as it was strong enough to run
about, it followed her everywhere with
it's ceaseless ''Chirp! chirp!" in a
way that was very incOnvenient. 1t
was constantly underfoot, endanger-
ing it's own neck and making people
uncomfortable; but, as Dots pet, it
was tolerated by everybody but the
cat Tabby failed to see any reason
for treating it with respect, and so
one day she bounced upon it and
checked it out of existence.
Dot had covered her favorite with
tears and flowers; and Rob, at his
mothers suggestion, had tried to
spare the small maiden the grief of
witnessing the burial. But the at
tempt was vain. A shrill voice called:
Rob, what are you doing?" And in
moment Dots inquisitive eyes were
| taking in the whole scene. Fortunate
ly, she found it so interesting as to
tighten in some degree it's mournful-
ness.
I'm glad you're making it in such
pretty place, Robby," she said. Il
spose chicky was a good deal in the
way. Mother says so. And, anyway,
she'd have been big hen pretty soon,
and that wouldn't have been so nice.
But I'll never like Tabby again, not
one Bit"
20, see here now, Sis Tabby
didn't know any better!" said Rob, in
goodnatured expostulation. "She's
only a cat, and she didn't understand
that you'd made pet of this particu-
lar bunch of feathers. Being cross at
her won't bring chicky back again. So
you'd better bury the Ratchet and be
friends"
What would l bury Ratchet for?''
asked Dot, more impressed by that
strange advice than by her brothers
reasoning.
Rob laughed.
"That means to stop quarreling-
not to be angry any more. When
Indians have been at war with each
other and are ready to be friends
they bury a Ratchet. That's a sign
that they're willing to stop fighting.
do folks always stop fussing after
the Ratchet is buried?'' asked Dot
"Of course That's what it means. y
Dot watched the smoothing of the
ground with thoughtful face, and
walked back to the house by Rob's
side in unusual silence.
The family had finished dinner when
Fred, Rob's senior by two years, came
to the door with sharp call.
Rob, where have you put the axe?'
Nowhere l haven't had it," ans
wered Rob, promptly. But the reply
did not satisfy Fred. yes, you have
You must have had it, if you'd only
take the trouble to think. You're al
ways carrying things off and forget
ting where you put them. Come out
and hunt it up"
Fred was in a hurry, and decidedly
impatient; and Rob's face flushed at
the order
Hunt it up yourself if you want it
1 tell you haven't had it, and I don't
know anything about it,
"Boys!' interposed the mothers
grieved, reproving voice. But any
thing more that she might have said
was drowned in a wall from Dot.
ct didn't do it! I tried, and it isn't
true! Rob said, if you buried hat
Chef, folks wouldn't quarrel any more
l couldn't find any Ratchet. So
dragged the axe down and buried il
side of chicky. And you boys fuss
worse'n ever!"
The boys looked at each other with
a shame-faced smile, gradually dis
| placing the flush of anger.
Where did she put it?' asked Fred
in tone that had lost is sharpness
'I'll show you," Rob answered.
There was very little trouble in find.
ing the missing implement, for Dot
was not success at digging. Then
Fred met his brothers eyes, and
/ laughed.
I'm afraid she didn't get it deep
enough for lasting peace. But
say, Rob, we might be a little better
tempered without hurting ourselves
I'll try it, if you will"
Agreed" said Rob.
And to this day, when clouds arise
in the Lincoln household, someone is
sure to ask, isn't it about time to
drag the axe into the garden?"-