Part 1 (1/2)

The Adventures of Joel Pepper

by Margaret Sidney

I

JOEL AND THE SNAKE

”Come on, Dave!”

It was Joel's voice, and Polly pricked up her ears ”'Tisn't going to hurt you Hoh! you're a 'fraid-cat--old 'fraid-cat!”

”No, I' to speak stoutly; ”I', Joel,” and his little rusty shoes pattered unevenly down the rickety board walk

”Jo-_el_!” called Polly, thinking it quite time now to interfere

Joel scuttled behind the old woodshed, and several srunts proclaimed his disapproval at the interruption

”Now I know you're up to some mischief,” declared Polly, ”so you just come into the house, Joel Pepper, and tell”_Don't go, Dave_,”

in a loud whisper Thereupon ensued a lively scuffle, evidently, by the noise they made

”I must,” said little Davie; ”Polly called us”

”No, she didn't call _you_,” declared Joel ”You stay here

She said 'Joel'”

”Bo-_oys_!” sang out Polly's voice, not to have any doubt in theto get free from Joel's clutch; ”she said 'boys!'”

”She's always calling us,” said Joel, in an injured voice, dragging hile slowly back to the house

There sat Polly on the big stone that served as a step for the back door, with her hands folded in her lap Little Davie skipped by Joel, and ran up to her, with a flushed face

”Now I should like to knohat you've been up to, Joey Pepper?”

said Polly, her brown eyes full on hi his chubby face

”Yes, you have, I know,” declared Polly, in her ht straight off, Joel