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■ JUSTICE
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THE RECORDER “SPRINGFIELD, MASS.”
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An unobtrusive patch of briers
on a sunny hillside hid the adode
of a happy family . The previous
Autumn a fox, renowed in the
many chicken stealing exploits,
hud chosen this for his home. Many
days of diligent pawing, digging,
and pawing had formed a very in
genious cave-like house. To be sure
its architecture was not of the best,
but it had two entrances and, deep
down, a roomy opening, lined with
dried moss and leaves. A most
comfortable dwelling! At least, so
the fox had thought as he had stood
proudly off to one side and looked
at it, wagging his tail and giving
quick, sharp barks of joy.
Such a home could not be run
without a mistress, »o it was not
long before a mate was sharing it
with him. Through the long Win
ter they were happy, even though
the scarcity of food pinched their
stomachs and made them thin.
.The snow had long since melted
and tiny, fresh , new leaves covered
the briers of the patch. The bright,
inquisite rays of the Spring sun
pushed their way through the new
foliage and with every puff of
breese, went dancing along the
ground, searching viut the damp
and dismal spots and making them
cheery. But why do they linger so
long and in such numbers at that
one small opening? There, is the
front yard of the foxes’ home.
Sporting in the warmth of the
kindly rays tre three small foxes
the pride of the watchful mother
who is streached near the door. No
wonder that the rays seem to ling
' er, for the three fussy little bunch
es of happiness wrestle continu
ously, jumping, running, and roll
ing .over and over, enjoying them-
- selves immensely,
r i But the Spring was a poor one
for fbxes. The long Winter had
weeded out most of the birds and
small game of the forest. On his
hunting expeditions, the father had
had little success; his mate was
gaunt and thin. What wonder then
that he decided, in this extremity,
to raid a chicken run ! He would
go to that chicken house that was
nearest the woods; he would wait
until the tall man with the big hat
had'gone to bed and darkness
would cover his movements, and
then he would crawl in through
that hole that he had discovered
two years ago.
The tall man with the big hat
was awakened by a loud squawk
ing which came from the direction
of his chicken coop. He bounded
out of bed. lit a lantern,. grasped
his gun from the corner and rushed
outside, exclaiming, “I reckon that
ain’t no tiny mouse causin’ that
rumpus.” The squawking had sub
sided before he reacned the chicken
yard, but broke out anew at his
entrance. The rays of the lantern
penetrated every little corner and
dispelled every shadow, butnothing
could be seen. He hastily counted
his chickens. One missing! He
looked around. There were no
signs of a dead chicken, nor even
feathers. “Huh, I reckon as how
that was a fox! ’Twan’t skunk,
’twan’t weasel. Must-a-been fox.
Guess I’ll let Judd know and have
him bring his new-fangled dogs
out for to get ’em.”
A low crouching figure had seen
the light bobbing from the house to
tlie coop. As soon as the light dis
appeared, it sprang up and off.
dragging a plumb, newly-killed
chicken.
What a feast that was, and how
he rtjoiced at seeing hi« mate so
happy! The next morning he was
able to bask in the sun and watch
the young ones chew their first
bones. He glanced frequently at
his mate, whose eyes were always
watching the young. Yes, she
seemed much happier. He would
go again and get another big meal
for her.
It was a moonlight night and so
he waited until nearly morning for
the darkness tnat. would succeed
the setting of the moon, lie found
his way down the hillside, along
the valley, up onto the next ridge
and down again to where the farm
lay rapt in quietness. Softly he
stole from the woods, across the
opening, into the hole under the
Wig stone near the corner, and up
into the coop. All was still. He
leaped upon the roost, seized his
chicken and, amid the great con
fusion, squawks and flutter of wiag-
clappings, dragged it down through
the hole and out into the open.
What was that! Dogs! A window
lit up. The house was all astir. He
ran. Dogs! He dropped his chicken
and ran straight into the woods as
fast as he could. Once there he be
gan to think, for he was very wise.
This was not his first experience.
It would soon be daylight ; the dogs
would start right away. He listen
ed. They were baying, had been
let out,—had the scent,—were in
the woods. He ran around, instead
of up the hill, around in a great
circle, and meeting a brook,
doubled back through the water
and then went on again, lie could
hear the baying, now close, now
far behind. Way up in the hills
someone else heard the dogs, and
feared. Up the next hill and along
the valley, continually circling, the
the culprit trotted,—trotted now,
for he was tired and the dogs had
been bewildered near the brook.
He listened. Yes, they had not a-
gain picked up the trail. He follow
ed the ridge back toward home,
tired and without his chicken.
When neariag home, he howled
softly to let his mate know that he
was safe. From way up on the hill
above the h*use it was joyfully
answered. She had been on the
watch for him. 'I hey both reached
home about the same lime. When
within, he flopped down, weary,
lor lie had run a long and circling
race, atid was discouraged to think
that he had no chicken. But she
did not notice the absence of the
chicken, she wanted to hear all
about his experience. She had been
so w'orried. He related bis mishap,
she listening intently while the eyes
of the little ones, even though they
(Continued on page 6, Column i f
Uew k The Tinif For AH Good Mew Come to The Aid of The Future Citizen* A Hint. Etc.