CAPER, TOE GOAT. 



83 



Papa gave the dollar, and Carl at last made up his mind to sell 

 out his share, rather than divide poor Caper. So the goat went to 

 ithe city. The little boys cared more for him there than they had 

 cared in the country, where there were plenty of pets. 



It was fun to see the boys and the goat play at hide-and-seek. 

 When Eddy gave a sign the two boys 

 ran off to hide. In a minute Caper 

 rushed into the house to find them. All 

 over the house he would go. As soon 

 as he found the boys he skipped out 

 before them to the gate-post, which was 

 the "goal." 



There he was sure to stand, on his 

 hind legs, ready to butt them as they 

 came up. This he seemed to think was 

 a part of the play. 



When Christmas came some friends 

 gave Eddy and John a beautiful little 

 carriage for Caper, with harness and all 

 complete. Caper went quite well in har- 

 ness, and the little boys had more fun 

 with him than ever. 



When the warm days came again the boys were, told that they 

 were going with mamma to spend the summer on a farm. 



"Oh, may we take Caper?" they asked. Mamma said thej' 

 might write and ask the farmer. So they did, and he said, " Yes, 

 bring the goat. I shall be glad to have him here." 



One day, at the farm. Caper ran into the yard where all the cows 

 were. They were not used to a goat, so they chased him into a 

 corner, and then they all stood in a half-circle about him. Thej 

 looked as if they would ask, " What strange thing is this, with 

 horns on its head?" Poor Caper was glad when the farmer came 

 and drove the cows off. 



