The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-02

with vivid terror until he had recov-
cred his normal wits.
The next morning Ted hurried away
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. II 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 you?'
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 unloosening
some secret, and darted away.
why, | do believe the boy has got
some wild idea in his head, the way
he actsi" spoke John, and, half an
hour later. walking down the main
| street Of .ha 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 a busnesslike way cen
/ 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?"
ooh, no, sir" replied Ted soberly-
"only | want to print a notice, anc
I've get no money, hut I'm going I.
have a show, and that will bring IL
some, and then l want to sell some
thing I've got and | want you t.
write little piece telling what |
is"
The proprietor was grinning, ant
the listening John was staring hard.
What are you driving at, Ted?" In
quired the publisher: what is it tina
you've got to sell?'
"Well, I haven't told a soul yet e'
planned Ted, lowering his voice an
|
"You see, the folks have a lot c
troubles, and want to help them, an
l wanted to surprise the boys. It's
| lion"
| "A-lion!" uttered the publisher
] amazement.
Yes, sir--it's funny. was ju
scared to death three nights ag
i crossing the pasture lot with the o.
| barn on it. There was a lion-ye
| sir" and Ted became desperately @
cited. "A real, big, live lion!
slammed the door shut on him al
then looked in at the window. tt
} lion didn't roar, like the books sa
He sort of whined I've been feedir
him since, and I've got right in wit
him. He's tame as a COW. And l.
going to have show and charge tv
cents"
Ted, what color is your lion?' d
manded Mr.. Brown, selling Ted's arr
= and the excited one now,
yellow, with white nose, and
II declared" gasped the publishe
And Just then he caught sight of M
. Bascom Il say" he hailed him
!. this fine lad Of yours has made
lucky find Look here!"
l. The publisher stepped TO one sit
Il ant lifted from freshly printed pi
: handbili just ready for Distribute
II II offered three hundred dollars {
- the return TO the show at Beliville
II Old Andy, the escaped menagerie lie
10 "Crackety!" exploded loyal Ted, I;
u grins and chuckles as it was ma
y plain to him that he was rich-for
boy.
'e Take it ALL" he cried, with tea
of joy, to John. "Oh. but I'm gl
e. and happy! And mother-she VOL
he have to go away, after ALL"
Is Bread on the watersi" solemn
n =