Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1926-01-14

young Chinaman lounging on the
bench. 1t approached and played abeut
his feet. then ventures 70 climb little
way up one leg. 1t quickly scurried
down again and out Of reach, but, as
he did not moye. It, returped and ran
up foShis knee II ScrSncNed there f6r
moment. bliaai0g Its bu3ht little
eyes at him. then vent on a search Of
his clothing for sweetmeats.
Hip Toys face. set with the con-
seriousness Of his purpose. the time
for the fulfillment OF which was rap
idly approaching, relaxed bit and he
half-smiled. Then he pushed the lit
tie creature away resolutely, almost
roughly, onto the ground. But it re-
turned, cuddled down in his lap and
refused to bulge. This time he could
not resist the temptation to stroke
the furry back. Though highlander,
Hip Toy was still human being.
Soon the little 9aniu,sis leftshlm, and
when 1t did so his eyes followed 1t.
A small white dog saw. the squirrel and
gave chase. The bright-eyed frOucksr
ran up a tree. but only for q little way.
1t returned, scampered doyn the
trunk and tempted the canine. The
dog sprang for the Squirrel and tina
latter, just cut Of reach. ran around
and around the trunk. The dog fol-
lowed, yelping with excitement. and
the squirrel continued to tease him.
khn
to the ground on the opposite side Of
the trunk, but would be up again In
time to avoid the rush of his pursuer.
When the dog relaxed his vigilance
for moment the daring squirrel would
leap from the tree and scamper for
another one. He would be almost
caught, but each time the distance
was well calculated, and the pursuer
would be a tantalizing yard behind.
Safe in the new tree, the squirrel
would turn about on the trunk, tall
upward, and with audible squeaks, like
unto laughter, would mock the en-
ragged terrier.
Such antics continued until the dog
lost hope and started to leave. Sew
eral times, as he turned away, the
squirrel enticed him back by taking
an extra long chance for a distant
tree, but finally the dog made or at
a gallop, and though his tormentor
followed at his very heels to the side
walk, he did not so much as look
back.
But In following the small white
cur the squirrel had not calculated on
the possibility OF encounteringo "a new
enemy. AS the animal turned to re-
treat, another dog came rushing for
ward. The new dog was larger, fast
er. fiercer. With blazing eyes and
barred fangs he leaped across the side
walk and upon the grass. At sight
Of him the squirrel scuttled for the
nearest tree The tree was seventy
five feet away and there was no mo-
ton of confidence in the scamper now;
It was one Of pure fright. The dog
followed and. with a yelp Of eager
ness, he seemed to see that he would
overtake the fugitive. Now he was
fairly upon the little fellow. Strain
ing forward, he snapped his Jaws. But
the squirrel was not there. In that
instant the smaller animal had dou-
bled suddenly and now he was behind
the dog, which had rolled over on
the grass in an attempt to turn as
quickly as the squirrel.
But the dog was up again In a
fash and now he was between the
SQUIRREL and the tree. The entire ac-
ton Of the little drama was SO swift
that there was no chance Whatever
of human interfeEezace The death Of
the squirrel seemed inevitable. But
stay, one hope for life remained and
this the squirrel took. With a pid-
full squeak he dashed straight at Hip
Toy. then up a leg and into his arms
as tho young ChipapRn rose 10 his
feet. s1Auptng hal@Qae the blue
blouBe the furry cDeatuye hid there.
Its warm little body all a-tremble with
terror.
"Get-ontt" Hip Tag eeRe the dog a
vigorous kick which SAINT ham yelping
about his business. Then he cuddled
the animal in his arms and stroked
the trembling back again and again.
Over him there flooded strange sensa-
lions. His hands were hot, his face
flushed, and his body trembled quite
as violently as did that Of the wild
little creature in his arms. AS with
soothing strokes of the hand he quiet
ed the trembling of the frightened lit
tie life, the first he had ever saved,
his own life suddenly became mex
pressibly dear to him. Life In gen
eral came to hold for him new mean
| ing, a new value, sacredness such
as had not before appealed to his mind.
His fumbling hand happened to touch
the steel Of the revolver beneath his
coat, and be drew 1t away again as
hastily as IL It had been writing
! snake.
Darkness closed In about the China
man and the squirrel. Gently Hip Toy
set the little animal down and turned
away. Seven o'clock struck. Bling
| Chez came out of his place Of bust
ness. locked his doors and battered
safely to the eating place Of his broth
ers. In a back room Of the fan-tan
house Of Low Foo a circle Of lean
faced young Mongolians waited impa-
tiently for their fellow highlander. Hip
Toy. But Hip Toy did not come.
With head high and eyes alight with
a new fire, Hip Toy was repeating
over and over again the words:
: Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not
kill" 1t was the first time that he
had looked the commandment square
| In In tho fono