Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1916-11-16

She gave but a bite and a swallow
or two
That apple was seen nevermore::
II wish" whimpered Archie and
Peter and Tom,
"We'd kept it and cut it in four"
They all thought Dick had told a
lie, but he had always seemed
such truth-loving little fellow that
they could hardly believe it.
Mama called him in to- question
him again.
Are you quite sure you didn't
leave the bars DOWN." she asked.
eyes, MAMA" said Dick, his
voice trembling and his cheeks
scarlet.
but papa says you must have
left them down. No one has been
across the field but you, and Gyp-
sly could not have got into the bar
ley if you had put the bars up
after you"
But mama, l didn't put the bars
down at all. l climbed oyer,'>said
Dick.
why didn't you say SO before?"
Papa frightened me so l didn't
think, said the little fellow
Dick, l am sorry, so very sorry,
but we shall have to punish you. 1t
is dreadful thing to tell false
hood. Nobody will ever trust you
any more.'
Dicks lip trembled but did not
cry.
He is obstinate" thought mama.
He must be punished severely"
Dick" she said presently, you
can't go to the circus tonight with
! the other children
Their father had promised to
take them into the city to the Cir
Gus, and for a week the children
had thought Or talked of little else.
Dicks face changed from red
to white as his mother spoke. He
looked up at her with great sor-
rowful eyes, then turned and left
the room.
Papa had suspicion that Gypsy
might be the guilty one after ALL
SO he turned her into field, next
to the barley with bars between and
watched.
1t was not long until the colt,
after looking around to see if any
one were near. walked UP to the
bars and lifting three off with his
teeth, one after another, he easily
stepped over into the barley field.
Papa fastened home to tell the
family that he had found out who
had let the bars down; that Dick
had told the truth after ALL He
didn't even stop to drive Gypsy
out Of the barley but sent Jacob
the gardener.
But where was Dick? They
searched everywhere but could not
find him. He did not come at sup
perfume and mama said she would
not go to the show with them
without him.
AFTER supper they all searched
again, but no trace of Dick could
they find, and finally papa and
the other children started for the
train without him.
After they were gone mama con-
tinued the search, and just as the
train was whistling at the station
she caught sight of him, sound "a
sleep under a Lilac bush in the
garden. There were tears ON his
chubby face and he sobbed in his
sleep.
Poor little fellow" said mama
aloud. Her voice awakened him,
and he looked UP in her eyes.
Gypsy let down the bars" said
mama.
Did she? oh mama, I'm so glad
you found out Dick cried, wide a
wake NOW, and springing into her
arms.
Then mama told him how papa
watched and saw Gypsy put down
the bars and get into the barley.
And papa and all OF them
know didn't tell lie?" said
| Dick.
| Yes, and now if we hurry we
can catch that next train" said
mama, land, Well go to the circus
and surprise them"
"Oh, mama, can WEI" cried
Dick Slipping out of her arms.
And l can see the animals and the
clown ard all?
Yes" said mama. as they hasten
ed to the house.
So Dick went to the circus aft