The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-09-16

bic. By the light of a lantern the
drowsy elephant was cOaXed out into
the barnyard, where she submitted to
having a blanket tossed across hei
broad back. On top of this Captain
futile dashed q spare wagon seat from
the blackboard and tied it with many
an intricate sailor knot. Two ropes
were slipped over Annie's short tusks
securely knotted, and then Captain
futile was ready for business.
To mount upon Armies high back
was another problem. but the captain
solved it in his own ingenious way.
Annie stood patiently before the barn
door.
Captain futile closed the doors, went
upstairs and opened the doors to the
hayloft, eXtinguished his lantern,
caught hold of the rope and pulley
hanging at the end of the hosting
is2am, Slid down the rope and landed
squarely on the seat above Armies
quivering body.
The beast moved uneasily under his
weight. but when he picked up the
guiding ropes and sawed at them,
while he prodded her with a broom
handle. Annie swung slowly about
and moved najestically through the
darkness toward the open gate.
"She steers as easy as the old Paler-
NO." muttered the delighted captain
as Annie padded heavily down the
road toward the stretch of woods that
lay between Little River and Sand
Vile 1'll be ont of deep water long
before these here landlubbers are
awake, and guess none Of 'em will be
laffin' at Captain Perley futile be-
cause he had to take the elephant back
all oD account of Heppy Tewks' con-
trapted notions about menageries. The
elephant will be gone. and there won't
be soul know how or when. Gee up,
there, Annie! Port your helm! Ho-
upr
Annie logged slowly along the dark
road, while the captain kept a wealth
er eye on the light streak in the east,
where the dawn was coming in swift
pursuit of night.
Captain futile chuckled when he ap-
preached the little cottage where Hep
py Tewks lived. 1t was light enough
to distinguish objects, and he was
amazed and somewhat disconnected
when he discovered the dumpy little
form of Heppy stepping around the
dew drenched garden.
She uttered a shrill squeal of fright
when she saw the great gray bulk
with the captain sitting atop come
close to the palings of her fence.
She was wearing a crisp calico wrap
per, and her hair was curled close to
her head with the dampness Of the
morning. She was quite pretty and
had lively manner.
"Whatever" she shrieked as she
rushed to the fence "Perley Tuttle,
you'll be killed sure as fate! Are you
crazy. to go riding off on that dreadful
creatureW
The captain lighted his pipe and
pulled slowly at 1t, while Annie MUNICH
ed the fresh green buds from Heppy's
Rose of Sharon trees along the fence.
"Just going for little morning ride,
Heppy," said the captain soothingly
"Now, don't get excited, and 1t amt
necessary to spread the news from Old
Mans mountain down to the grist
MILL" he added warningly. I'm go
ing to buy that wedding ring today.
Heppy." he added bashfully.
Heppy laughed Historically. Wed,
ing 1.ere won't be any wedding
at any riley Tuttle. If you don't get
rid of that there beastr' She pointed
a quivering finger at Annie and turned
away.
"Hee-upp shouted the captain, try
ing to pull Annie away from the Rose
of Sharon buds.
That command must have possessed
some especial significance for Annie.
the circus elephant, for, as If in re-
spouse to familiar command, she
her trunk over the fence
caught the terrified Miss Tewks around
her waist and gently lifted her to the
seat beside Captain Perley. where Hep
py fell fainting against the doughty
sailors shoulder.
There being nothing else to do at the
the captain belabored Annie
with the broomstick, while he support
ed Heppy with his free arm. Annie
moved on and entered the dark tunnel
Of the woods with her strange burden.
Heppy Tewks recovered conscious
ness. boxed the captains ears because
he kissed her and then cried because
Of her strange predicament.
"We're like these here Indian "a
|ahs," consoled the captain. 81 see
plenty Of 'em rocking along on the top
Of elephants jest like we're doing, and
OTIS of 'em had their wives along, too,
Ill dressed in jools and satins. You
iin't got any cause to be scared, Hep
)y. Well be in Sandville in half an
hour. and then you can git off, and
we'll give Annie back to the circus,
md then We'll go to the minister's and
ret married. That'll give Little River
10 much to talk about they'll never
hillk of Annie and what's become of
ler"
Heppy Tewks was considerably up
Jet, and she needed lots of persuasion
before she could see the romantic side
If their elopement on an elephant J
But romance had budded and bloomed
n her heart under the tender magic |
# the captains voice, and so they |
made their way toward Sandville as
he dawn frightened and the sun sent |
ong golden shafts through the green
reetops
Rabbits stared at them from the I'M |
iergrowth and then hoped away In |
alarm; birds fluttered over their heads |
With frightened cries at the strange |
,east padding so patiently through |
heir own domain.
Jonadab Robbins milk wagon met
he elephant at @ turn in the wood
Dad, and the wall eyed white horse
at back on his heels and neighed
hrflly. Joladab stuck his weather
,eaten countenance out of the door.
aw the mountainous bulk Of Annie
,earing down upon him, chung frantt-
oI1v to hiS SCAT nc tho bui1y naSS20