The Monte Vista journal., 1916-06-03
You bet I v,ll," declared Ted.

tie was silent and thoughtfui aIter
that The next evening. however,
when he came home from school he
was on nettles with some intense Sc
cret excitement. Rhoda attributed II
to her pending departure. II she had
only known!
have that night. He would smile. as
II In eager anticipation OF some ap-
preaching event OF interest and i'm
portance. Then. as he got drowsy. he
would give great start. come wide
awake. and for a moment would vince
with vivid terror until he had recov'
cred his normal wits.
The next morning Ted hurried away
from homo. bright and early. He
made two visits. One was to the
town livery stable keeper. the other
to wealthy magnate who had q man.
sion with great grounds. and a tame
fawn and pet fox. Ted propounded
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.
ttously 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 &C
away until tomorrow, will you?"
NO. 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 tc
his mouth as II 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 a 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 q
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 l want to print notice, and
I've got no money. but I'm going tc
have n show, and that will bring in
some, and then l want to sell some
thing I've got, and l want you tc
write little piece telling what II
is."
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 sell?"
Well l haven't told a soul yet," ex
planned Ted, lowering his voice and
gazing about in mysterious way
You see, the folks have a lot oi
troubles, and want to help them, and
! wanted to surprise the boys. It's a
lion"
"A-lion!" uttered the publisher in
amazement.
Yes, 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 shut 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 q COW. And I'm
going to have a show and charge two
cents"
Ted. what color is your lion?" de.