“A reason which influences most of us in such matters,” said Miss Lloyd laughing, “but few of us are so willing to acknowledge it. Very well then, girls, our mascot is to be called Happy.”
Jean took special pleasure in the little animal though Jack always maintained she had a better right to him, because she had been the means of bringing him into camp. This fact, however, gave her a feeling of responsibility which in the end worked toward a new acquaintance.
“It isn’t every camp that boasts a mascot,” said Jo at breakfast one morning a short time after Happy had been adopted into the company. “We must take very good care of him, for he brings good luck, and if he gets away we shall have to expect ill fortune.”
“Really, Jo?” said Jean.
“Why, of course. If a mascot means good luck, no mascot means bad luck; that’s as easy as rolling off a log.”
“Don’t give the child such notions, Jo,” protested Mrs. Corner.
“Oh, but it isn’t a notion,” persisted Jo; “it’s a logical sequence.”
Jack was also listening and she mentally stored away the conversation and when, a week or two later, Happy broke his bounds and disappeared, she was weighed down by the prospect of ill luck befalling Camp Happiness. She had gone to the paddock as usual just after breakfast, but no Happy put his little soft nose between the rails to nozzle her hand for the food she held. ’Lish was instantly hunted up and appealed to. When had he seen Happy? He had seen him the night before. The paddock was then examined and ’Lish’s experienced eye detected where the little hoofs had knocked off some bark from the barrier which was made of cedar poles. “He’s escaped,” ’Lish pronounced the verdict. “I thought he was bound to sooner or later, as soon as his leg got well.”
“Don’t you believe he’ll come back?” asked Jack almost in tears.
“Ain’t likely to jest yit. He wants his run. He may wander back some day, but he likes his freedom same as all wild critturs. ’Tain’t likely you’ll see him agin for some time.”