The Tomahawk., 1916-06-01

made two visits. One was to the
town livery stable keeper, the other
to a wealthy magnate who had a man.
sion with great grounds, and tame
fawn and pet fox. Ted propounded
a peculiar question to both of these
persons. 1t 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 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 I 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 unloosening
some secret, and darted away.
"Why, I 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 businesslike way con.
fronting the publisher of the local pa
per.
John drew to ono side, in the
shadow of the big printing press, as he
heard Ted say to the publisher:
"Mr. Brown, do you ever give
fellow credit who wants to put little
notice in your paper?"
"Why, yes, Ted; at times" pleasant
~ answered Mr.. Brown. "Going into
business, and thinking of advertising
in the Beacon?"
ooh, NO, sir" replied Ted soberly-
"only I want to print notice, and
I've got no money, but I'm going to
have a show, and that will bring in
some, and then I want to sell some
thing I've got, and want you to
write a little piece telling what it
Isl
The proprietor was grinning. and
the listening John was staring hard.
what are you driving at, Ted?" In
quired the publisher; what is it that
you've got to SELF"
"Well, I haven't told q soul yet,' ex-
plasned Ted, lowering his voice and
gazing about in mysterious way:
, 'You see, tho folks have a lot Of
troubles, and want to help them, and
wanted to surprise the boys. It's q
lion."
"A-lion!" uttered the publisher in
amazement.
Eyes, sir-it's funny. I was just
scared to death three nights ago,
crossing the pasture lot with the old
barn On it, There was a lion-yes,
sir!" and Ted became desperately ex-
cited. "A real, big, live lion!
slammed the door shut on him ard
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 cow. And I'm
going to have a show and charge two
| cents"
Ted, what color is your lion?" de-
manded Mr.. Brown. Selling Ted's arm,
and the excited one now.
yellow, with white nose, and"
II declared" gasped the publisher.
| And just then he caught sight Of Mr..
Bascom. II 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 a freshly printed pile
| a handful just ready for distribution.
It offered three hundred dollars for
the return to the show at Bellville Of
Old Andy, the escaped E1enagerie lion.
"Crackety!" exploded loyal Ted, all
grins and chuckles as it was made
plain to him that he was rich-for
boy.
take it ALL" he cried, with tears
of joy, to John. ooh, but I'm glad
and happy! And mother-she won't
have to go away, after all"
Dread on the waters!" solemnly
observed the inpressionable publish
er. 1.-THE incident will make a fine
editorial"
On Being Natural.
The pnrId has esta hliShad certain