Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-05

of very wicked looking teeth snapped
at my shoe. | think l cleared about
four feet in my backward jump. Then
Mr. Thief rolled himself up again and
pretended to be dead.
Wanted It for Pet.
There was no installing that our cap
tive was a possum. The boys had never
seen one before, and they were wild
with delight. They were bent on keep
ing it for a pet, but l couldn't agree to
the desirability of having such a var
mint around the place. especially since
it had evidenced an appetite for
chicken and had given proof OF ability
to satisfy that appetite. Besides, there
was that pugnaciouS set of sharp teeth
to reckon with. Plainly it was case
for the infection of capital punishment
and i had no computations against
playing the role of executioner. \ cou-
pie of sharp blows with club at the
back of the head and Mr.. Chicken
Thief was sure enough dead, instead of
merely playing possum.'
jim carried the possum to the house,
escorted by the frantic collie pup,
which had now grown very bold, but
which had kept at safe distance so
long as the possum was alive.
What are you going to do with it %
Jane demanded, and ] knew from the
tone of her voice that she had guessed
my program.
Eat him. l declared, stoutiy.
Raw asked Jane, very gently, but
with certain rising infection in her
voice that was a challenge.
didn't deem it eXpedient to argue
the matter just then, besides ! had to
to get to the station on time. So l
told the boys to hang him up in a safe
place and we'd decide the matter when
l got home that evening.
Just Bound to Eat Postum.
/ anticipated considerable trouble ar
ranging for the necessary culinary
work, but l was determined to eat that
possum. if l had to cook him myself
j had been hearing all my life about
the joys of possum meat, but had
never tasted it.
Because 1 had several commissions
from Jane to execute at the stores L
was an hour late getting home that
evening. 1 was dimly conscious Of an
air of suppressed excitement around
the house, but dinner was ready and
was summoned to the table The chill
dren seemed divided between eyeIns
me and watching the door into the
kitchen. l guessed there was some
sort of secret as to what We were to
have for dinner, that being favor
lite performance at our house. and l was
prepared to be properly surprised
When Jane appeared carrying Il big
platter i was surprised in earnest. for
had no difficulty in identifying the
possum.
An explanation was readily forth
coming. The colored woman who does
James washing brought the work home
that morning and grew so enthusiastic
on the subject of possum that Jane be-
came possessed of an irresistible de-
sire to try the dish. So. when Mandy
volunteered to stay and do the cooking
in real "culled folks" style, the matter
was decided. SHINING the beast arose
at once as an obstacle. but Mandy had
seen the operation performed many
times, and she ''reckoned she could
manage it,, and manage it she did in
a thoroughly workmanlike manner.
Little Goes a Long Ways.
Did we like the possum? Well, we
ate some of it. But speaking for my
self, very little possum goes long
ways. The next one we catch will be
free gift to Mandy.
The next possum that comes to our
house after a chicken dinner however,
&c. 70 h