Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1916-06-01

with vivid terror until he had recoV
cred his normal wits.
The next morning Ted hurried away
1 from home, bright and early. He
made two visits. One was to the
town livery stable keeper, the Other
to a wealthy magnate who had man
sion with great grounds, and a tame
fawn and a pet fox. Ted propounded
a peculiar question to both of these
persons, It was:
What would you give for real live
lion?"
And they laughed at him, and won
dered what quaint idea had got into
the little fellows head.
That night, when the others were in
the house fast asleep, Ted stole eau
tiously down the stairs, barefooted
He visited the pantry, and. then. care
fully opening the back door, scudded
out into the dark, rainy night. He
returned in about half an hour.
The next morning Mrs. Bascom
complained of a missing loaf of bread,
and Ted nearly choked on what he
was eating, His mother, by adoption
stared marveling at him as he left
for school.
Mother" he said, you won't go
away until tomorrow, will your"
mo, DEAR" answered Rhoda. why
do you ask?"
maybe / can raise some money by
then, and you can stay with us after
all, for you see"
And then he clapped his hand to
his mouth as If fearful of unloosenihg
some secret, and darted away.
why, do believe the boy has got
some wild idea in his head, the way
he acts!" spoke John, and, half an
hour later, walking down the main
street of the town, he was surprised
to find Ted, not at school, but turn
ing into the main printing office OF
the village. He followed him, to come
upon Ted in q businesslike way con-
fronting the publisher of the local pa
per.
John drew to one side, in the
shadow of the big printing press, as he
heard Ted say to the publisher:
mr. Brown, do you ever give a
fellow credit who wants to put little
notice in your paper?'
why, yes, Ted, at times" pleasant
ly answered Mr.. Brown. Going into
business, and thinking of advertising
in the Beacon?"
"Oh, no, SIR" replied Ted soberly-
"only want to print a notice, and
I've got no money, but I'm going to
have a show, and that will bring in
some, and then l want to sell some
thing I've got, and l want you to
write little piece telling what it
is"
The proprietor was grinning, and
the listening John was staring hard.
What are you driving at, Ted?" in
CURED the publisher; what is it that
you've got to SELF"
well, l haven't told soul yet" ex-
planned Ted, lowering his voice and
gazing about in a mysterious way.
you see, the folks have a lot Of
troubles, and want to help them, and
/ wanted to surprise the boys. It's
lion"
"A-lion!" uttered the publisher in
amazement. ...
Eyes, sir-it's funny. / was Just
scared to death three nights ago,
crossing the pasture lot with the old
barn on 1t. There was lion-yes,
sir!" and Ted became desperately ex-
cited. "a real, big, live lion!
slammed the door 6shut on him and
then looked in at the window. The
lion didn't roar, like the books say.
He sort of whined. I've been feeding
him since, and I've got right in with
him. He's tame as a COW. And I'm
going to have show and charge two
cents"
Ted, what color is your lion?' de-
handed Mr.. Brown, selling Ted's arm,
and the excited one now.
yellow, with white nose, and"
Il declared" gasped the publisher.
And just then he caught sight of Mr..
81 say!" he hailed him
this fine lad of yours has made a
lucky find. Look here"
The publisher stepped to one side
and lifted from freshly printed pile
4 handful just ready for distribution.
It offered three hundred dollars for
he return to the show at Bellville of
Did Andy, the escaped menagerie lion
"Crackety!" exploded loyal Ted, all
srins and chuckles as it was made
plain to him that he was rich-for a
BOY.
take it ALI" he cried, with tears
If joy, to John. ooh, but I'm glad
ind happy! And mother-she won't
lave to go away, after ALI"
Bread on the waters" solemnly
Observed the impressionable publish
atFTyt. \. q