Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-11-02
CHAPTER III
Tosldie PLAYS n joke

TACK and Janet rode their ponies,
- Trlxic and Topsy, down the forest
path after the dogs, Toddie Pupkins
and Johnny Bull. They looked eagerly
forward, hoping to catch a glimpse OF
the large city Toddie Pupkins had
promised to show them.
II didn't know there was n large
city here in the woods" said Janet.
Bow WOW! Bow wow!'' laughed
Toddie Pupkins in dog fashion. There
are many things in the woods that you
don't know about"
''Is the city far?" asked Jack. "You
know father told us not to 60 into the
deep woods"
THE city Is just over the next hill, "
barkcd Toddie pupkins. "The path
runs straight to It so there is no danger
Of your getting lost. Pow WOW! And
even II you should get lost would fnd
you and guide you safely home. -
Toddie Pupkins trottcd along with his
head and tail in the air. He was very
proud Of having found Jack and Janet
| when they got lost aftcr following Mr..
Iioppity Rabbit.
How can there be city 10 close
without our knowing anything about
| it, whispered Janet TO JACK. Jack
shook his head. He thought it very
strange there should be a city so near
by. Why hadn't he and Janet ever
seen It. And why hadn't their fathers
taken them there?
Toddie Pupkins trotted over the TOP
OF the hill and halted before a long
mound.
"Bow-wow! Here we are!' ht
barkcd. Jack and Janet couldn't see
any sign Of city.
Are you trying to fool us?" asked
jock. "Is this joke?'
Bow WOW! Bow-wo ~ laughed
Toddie Pupkins, while Johnny Bull
grinned in his silent way. Bow WOW
10 you like a ioke?"
"Of course we like Joke" answered
Jack.
Even when the joke Is on your
1--WE don't like that kind so WELL
admitted Jack.
well, IL you like joke, get of your
ponies, and sit on this mound" barket
Toddie Pupkins, while Johnny Bull
grin grew broader than before.
Jack and Janet looked at the mound
but they couldn't see anything so very
strange about It. There surely could
be no harm in sitting upon 1t.
So Jack and Janet got of their
ponics md sat on the mound. Toddie
Pupkins and Johnny Bull sat in front
Of them and looked Mt them with
at them over the dogs heads. The
children sat there for a minute, bu,
nothing happened.
Where is the joker" asked Jack.
"Bow WOW! You soon will feel it,
laughed Toddie Pupkins.
Jack and Janet glanced behind them
Was some one going TO give them siaT
or push? But no one was behint
them.
Then all OF sudden Janet gave {
scream and slapped her leg. Then lik,
an echo of her scream came a yell from
Jack and he wildly slapped his back.
"Ants! shouted Jack. eve ar
sitting on an ants nest
Bow WOW! Bow wowi" laughet
Toddie Pupkins. "Woof! Woof!'
laughed Johnny Bull. "Hee! Heel
laughed the ponies.
That's the joke on you," barket
Toddie Pupkins, frisking about will
delight. "Thnt is the city in the woods
You have been sitting on it and didn'
know it. Bow-wOw "" But even u
Toddie Pupkins laughed and frisked
puzzled look came over his face. Johnn,
Pull growled in alarm. Something wa
happening to Jack and Janet-Some
thing more than being bitten by ant
guarding the ant city.
(Tomorrow's chapter will tell wha
that something strange was. and hoy
Jack and Janet enter upon an excitin
adventure in the ant city,