The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-02
TUE EVENING STORY
Tracks in the Snow.

1t was the first snow of the season,
and therefore not much Of a snow
just about enough to call out the cats
and rabbits and encourage them 10
leave million tracks on the whlte
blanket.
from her window in the morning she
uttered a long-drawn "O-h-h-h!" at
the sight When she got downstairs
she "O-h-h-h-edl" again, and encour-
aged by the smile of Aunt Betty 5
hired man she clasped her hands and
exclaimed:
"Oh, this is what I was waiting fori'
Yes"
'.To go rabbit hunting!'
you'll get a million of en-
The first snow in the city is not like
the first snow in the country There
is difference in the Wh1teness. ana
when there are tracks in the backyard
a city man must admit hat they were
made by tom cats instead of rabbits.
Miss Ida was eighteen, but had new
er seen d real rabbit track Neither
had she ever met a hired man. she
had seen dog tracks and met gruff
policemen in Central park
Il shall put on my shortest skirt,
she said to her aunt as they ate break
fast, land my thick shoes and that
old hat [ brought along, and I shall
hunt down as many as six rabbits.
BLESS you, child" was the reply.
ct may hunt for FIVE miles around.
$50 yoa may
It may not get back till dark"
But don't get all tired out
MY soul"' exclaimed the girl as
and there isn't any time to write
brother Ben to send one upi"
But you won't need one, dear. You
take a club with YOU You track a
rabbit into hollow log and stand by
with your club raised to hit him on
the head as he looks out to see who
you are"
Which information went to show
bits and clubs and hollow logs and girls
in the country, the shipments of dead
Dummies to the city market would av-
erage five carloads per cay.
Are they willing to be killed ?"
asked Miss Ida, as she thought of the
terrific slaughter.
It believe they are
"And they don't fight back?''
Never
Half an hour later the short-szirted
and old-hatted young huntress Who
had been provided with stout club by
the hired man. started out on the trail.
That is, she started out on a hundred
trails, but after a time struck a single
one and followed it across the fields
and into a bit of woods. The rabbit
had had his circus and was bound for
his home in a hollow log. Yes, the trail
led directly to a log with cavity in
the end, and now it was business.
Miss Ida walked on tip-toes She
tongue. She gripped her club till her
fingers ached.
Straight into that hollow log led
trail. She was sure of her quarry
That rabbit could no more escape her
than the steel trust can escape Uncle
Sam. He would hear and smell her.
He would peck out and-smashi
Then the girl found her knees trem-
bling and her breath coming in gasps.
and she turned and ran for the high
! for
felt that she must have help. The
hunter that sights his first deer has the
same panfcky feeling
Mr.. Brisbane Childs was being
driven from the railroad station to his
mothers house. He had come down
on the early morning train. so as to
take advantage of the tracking snow
He had just entered a law firm as the
junior partner and his legal erudition
told him that the best time to hunt
wolves and panthers and rabbits was
when there was snow on the ground.
Hey, you'll Heyi Hey!'
MI Childs had been looking straight
ahead He now looked to the right,
and ordered the driver to halt Run
ming across the white field was a girl
with a club in her hand and her hat
Joggled over on her ear. Was she flee
ing for her life before some savage ami
in the woods?
Say! Say! sayl" she gasped as she
drew nearer.
Yes, yes answered Mr. ChiIds as
he leaped from his carriage with all
his chiv4lry aroused.
Tive got a rabbit in hollow log
back there!"
Yes, yes
He's big one-a monster. 1 don't
want him to get away
81 see. You want help.
Mr.. Childs vaulted over the fence,
extended his hand to Miss Ida and to-
| gether they ran for the trees and the
or four minutes, and not another word
had passed between the two. The law
! yed noted the tracks of the rabbit, and
| then motioned the girl to be ready
with her club. AS soon as she was sta
toned he walked to the other end of
leg. Then he sat down on it and be-
gan to laugh He sat up and laughed.
He bent over and laughed. He slap
ped his leg and laughed.
'.SirI'
He looked up through his tears at
| a girl standing very stiff and digni-
| fed before him.
He pointed TO the far end Of the
/ log and chuckled and gUrgled. Miss
Ida moved along until she could see.
The log was hollow from end to end.
u and her z4bbit had entered at one end
and passed out at the other long be-
fore she had taken up his trail As
| she turned again the young man was
making heroic efforts to suppress his
1 laughter
II beg your pardon. but it's 50
funny"
..YouEyou thought he was in there."
! ssAnd he wasi'
i 3rTf -0