SHEPPY'S FIRST COON HUNT 



went away from there. Finally, after many hesita- 

 tions, we reached the house and through the kitchen 

 window looked at a scene of domestic peace. The 

 family was assembled around the table reading. The 

 temptation was too great for the boy. Sheppy was 

 standing at the door, and stepping forward the boy 

 opened it and quietly let him in. For a few sec- 

 onds there was no change in the peaceful scene. Then 

 arose a wild cry of dismay. The family bulged out 

 of the kitchen through both doors. It was a good 

 thing that there were two doors or someone might 

 have been trampled on. Every one wanted fresh air. 

 In fact I never knew fresh air to be so much in 

 favour as it was for a few minutes. Poor Sheppy 

 came out again to see what all the excitement was 

 about and seemed hurt that his best friends went 

 back on him so unanimously. When peace was re- 

 stored and the house aired, we were allowed to enter, 

 though insinuations were cast out that we smelled 

 about as bad as the dog. This was a libel, however. 

 This morning Sheppy found himself so unpopular 

 that he went out to the cornfield to catch mice when 

 the shocks were overturned for husking. When he 

 came home at noon he looked hurt and humiliated 

 and stood about a rod away from me and looked as 



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