The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-09-14
Burying the
Hatchet

Rob. with box In his arms and a
spade over his shoulder. had slipped
quietly around the house into the gar
den. He hoped Dot would not dis
cover him until her unfortunate chick
en-. which lay in the box covered with
roses and clover blossoms. was safely
buried.
The chicken. during its brief life.
had not been a source Of unmixed Joy
to any one but Dot; for II was a moth
erless chick that she had found and
brought into the house, and. as soon
as it was strong enough to run about.
1t followed her everywhere with a
ceaseless "Chtrp. chirp"" in a way
that was very inconvenient. 1t was
constantly underfoot, endangering its
own neck and making people uncom-
Portable: but as Dots pet 1t was toll
Grated by everybody but the cat.
Tabhy failed TO see any reason for
treating 1t with respect. and so one
day she pounced upon IT and choked
IL 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 witness
ing the burial. But the attempt was
vain.
I'm glad you're making It such n
pretty place. Robby," she said. 81
s'pose chicky was a good deal In the
way Mother says so. And, anyway.
she'd have been q big hen pretty soon,
and that wouldn't have been so nice.
But I'll never like Tabby again. not
one bit!''
"Oh. see here now. Sis, Tabby didn't
know any better" said Rob In good
nntured representation. --'iS5f only .
cat, and she didn't understand that
you'd made pet OF this particular
bunch OF feathers. Being cross at
her won't bring chick back again. so
you'd better bury the Ratchet and be
friends~"
what would I bury the hatchet
for7' asked Dot. more impressed by
the strange advice than her brother S
reasoning.
Rob laughed THAT means to stop
uuarre1ins--not to be angry any more.
When Indians ara at war with each
other and are ready to be- friends.
they bury a Ratchet. That's sign
that they're willing to stop fighting."
do folks always stop fussing after
the Ratchet is buriedT" asked Dot.
"Of course. That's what it means"
Dot watched the smoothing OF the
KTOuh0 with AhCe fiAQ " ain
ed back to the house by Rob's side In
unusual silence. The family had fin
ished dinner when Fred, Rob's senior
by two years, came to the door with
a sharp call.
Rob. where have you put the AK"
Nowhere haven't had It," an
swered Rob promptly.
But the reply did not satisfy Fred.
You must have had IT, Ii you'd take
the trouble to think. You're always
carrying of things and forgetting
where you put them. Come out and
hunt Il up!''
impatient, and Rob's face flushed at
the order. Hunt II UP yourself IL you
want 1t. I tell you / haven't had II.
and I don't know anything about it."
"Boys." interposed the mothers
rrieved, reproving voice But any
thing more that she might have said
was drowned in wall from Dot
II didn't do 1t. tried. and 1t Isn't
true. Rob said that II you buried a
more. couldn't find any Ratchet. so
/ dragged the ak down and buried 1t
side Of chicky. And you boys fuss
worsen ever."
The BOYS laughed at each other with
Z shamefaccd smile gradually displac-
ing the flush OF anger.
where did she put it?"a asked
Fred In a tone that had lost Its sharp
ness. "I'u show you." Rob answered.
There was very little trouble in ind
ing tho missing implement, for Dot
was not a success at digging. Then
Fred met his brothers eyes and
laughed.
I'm afraid she didn't get 1t deep
enough for lasting peace. But !
say, Rob. we might be little better
tempered without hurting ourselves.
I'll try II X you will.
Agreed" said Rob.
And to this day, when clouds arise
In the Lincoln household. some one Is
sure to ask. isn't 1t about time to
drag the axe into the garden Kate
w. Anderson, in Christian Upiook.