The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1928-11-15

and this hot weather should be ideal
for getting Them
Every well, Charley" answered his
gentle little mother, "and l will get
up, too, and get your breakfast"
mo, l won't allow that. 1 can eat
any time"
"That is just the trouble-you will
forget all about your breakfast. Yes,
you will | know you-don't you Oft
en- go to bed with your glasses on,
and didn't you actually dress one day
without removing your pajamas? Very
well, them" as he still protested. 81
will put box of lunch in the wagon
tonight, if you will promise me to eat
it on your way to the woods. | have
an empty shoe box that will be just
the thing, for it will hold @ lot"
So, like dutiful son, he promised
and went TO bed When the faithful
alarm clock changed in the early morn
ing the professor dressed quietly,
slipped out, htched up the old horse
and drove to the woods.
was quite tired. 1t had been good
hunting for snakes and his cages were
full.
His beautiful specimens were stored
carefully in the wagon and he was
preparing to unite his horse when he
spied an enormous black snake Gid
ing under the ferns. 1t would never
do to miss that one!
"Oh, what beauty" he cried, "Do
wait minute, can't you? Don't you
know l have been looking for one of
your family all the morning? Where
is there a cage? A box? Anything
-ah-that empty box! Not an ideal
cage, but it will serve if l keep you
coOl-there-I have you"
The professors long legs had COW
cred the ground rapidly while he
talked, and the snake was oYertaken
and secured, coiled in the box, and
the box tied up in less time than it
takes to tell it. The box was slowed
under the wagon seat and covered
with piece of canvas to keep it cool.
Arriving home, his captor put the
box under the side porch in a cool
spot until he could get a proper cage
then he went into the house to change
his clothes. He came out of the front
door with his arms full of books and
forgot his most precious find.
Beside his usual forgetfulness there
was reason why snakes should be
a minor consideration for the moment.
Just as he stepped from the house the
professor caught sight of his pretty
neighbor, Miss Council, on her way to
the university. He called her and
asked her to ride with him.
you don't mind riding on this high
seat, do you? And you are not afraid
of the snakes in tile cages back there,
are you? Fine! Up you go-I have
so much to tell you. One thing, you
are so different from other girls. Did
you know that" as they drove off.
1t was not until some time later that
he thought of his prize under the side
porch and hurried home to attend to
it.
The box was not there.
Mother" he asked in a peculiar
tone, "did you see anything of box
L put under the side porch?"
Eyes, dear, here it is on the kitchen
table. l thought you must have for
gotten it."
"YOu didn't open it?'
Certainly not, dear, You know l
never open your things"
''It's good thing you have no Gu
riosity, for this had snake in it."
He lifted the lid a tiny bit.
The box was full of lunch!
Mrs. Banker was Mortified.
"Charley! ' she cried. your sister
Jane has taken that snake to the pic
mic instead of her lunch! The boxes
were similar and were here on the
table together!"
II will ride to the woods and warn
them before they have chance to
open the boxes. They would be terri
bly, frightened, and besides / don't
want to lose that beauty"
Hoping to make better time, the
professor hastily mounted his old BIZ
cycle and started after the picnickers,
his coat tails flying and his long legs
going up and down like the piston
rods of an engine.
I believe 1 intimated before that it
was hot day.
When Professor Banker reached the
high hill overlooking the picnic
grounds, he was glad to dismount in
the shade and fan himself with his
hat. Looking eagerly for the young.
folk, he could see far below him, the
boys chasing a tramp and a farmer
in the act of picking up a boA from
the road. A. that distance he could
not know that it was the identical one
he was searching for.
Warm, tired and painting he walked
through the woods, trundling his BIZ
cycle, until he came upon the girls,
and found to his relief that they had
not yet spread their lunch.
They were surprised to Sc him, but
greeted him cordially, and started to
set out the refreshments. He eX-
planned his errand to the shuddering
group, and the contents of the fatal
box.
The boys came shouting back. full
of their story about the tramp. II
seemed that while the girls were
gathering flowers for the table,
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