Bogalusa enterprise and American. (Bogalusa, La.) 1918-19??, 1921-04-14

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STRANGE ANIMAL
By MuRlEL GOODWIN.
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t9. 1920 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.)
Down the country road, as fast as
the little fat legs could carry him, the
yellow curls blowing in the breeze, the
blue eyes saucer-size with mysterious
knowledge, bounded little Tony. When
he was within a few yards of a pretty
rOse-covered cottage. a tall, blue
gowned woman appeared at the door.
Why are you running this hot day."
she asked
Tony stopped. painting for breath.
"Er-where'ss Dick?' he asked at last.
Dick was his little chum next door.
Il should think you ought to know"
answered the woman. Il am going to
have company this afternoon, and
don't want you two to get into mis-
chief" she added. as she disappeared
within.
Just then an overaIled boy came
around the corner. Tony rushed to
him, his forefnger on his lips Then
the two youngsters walked down the
road together talking in low tones.
81 tell you what" whispered Tony.
eff you could only get that tall hat,
averything'd be great"
But it might get hurt" ventured
Dick.
"Pooh!" was Tony's scornful reply.
you can put it right back after"
"Oh, all right" agreed Dick, after
some more urging. But l don't want
to lose nv supper tonight. 1 saw
Susie -aakrag raspberry 'tarts this
morning"
"Humph," grunted Tony. contemptu-
ously. You're meant for a girl, II
guess. We won't lose our supper If
we're careful-anyhow, we can eat
more breakfast in the morning"
"Well, I'll get that hat" interrupted
Dick, as he turned in at the gate.
An hour later a tall, blue-gowned
woman was serving lemonade to the
members of the Ladies' Aid on her
rose-covered piazza.
at was the strangest creature" the
demure lady was saying.
"Oh, tell us about it." smiled the
fat lady with the pompadOur.
WELL" continued the first speaker.
Hope read it in her new book.
You see, she's been interested in some
new 'olOgy' and she's been reading all
about it. This was a new animal dis
covered in India. It was very inter-
esting, with a high. fiat back, a very
tiny tail, and almost no perceptible
head. It"
'Mercy?' cried the postmaster's lit
tie wife in the bombazine dress.
What's that in the road?"
All eyes turned toward the road and
the strange animal was forgotten.
'Why, Mrs. DOlan!" exclaimed the
hostess. at looks like a bundle some
enc has dropped. And did that animal
really have no headT she asked, turn
ing to the demure lady.
Hope read three or four pages be /
fore she found that the head was con-
cealed under "a"
'Heavens!" shrieked Mrs. DoIan. J
''Tnat thing just jumped|
The demure lady was vexed at the
second interruption. Everyone looked i
toward the road; there was surely a !
small, dark object in the middle Of the /
road, but was too far away to be seen !
distinctly. In moment it gave a
slight jump.
? "What did I tell you?" gasped Mrs.
Dolan.
A few more gasps came from the
group. The hostess rose and said she
would investigate. Several started to
join her, but being more timid than
brave, settled back in their chairs as
the tall, blue gowned woman started /
toward the road.
Mrs. Dolan still gazed at the road!
Her eyes grew big with wonder. DO |
you suppose-it had high, fat back
and no perceptible-"
Once again the demure lady was the |
center of attention.
"Why, perhaps" began one shrill
voice.
1T has a high, fat back" ven
tured another.
BY this time the ladies were so,
excited they rose as one person to go |
down toward the road. Their hostess
had almost reached the jumping OBJ
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