"Are you here, Jake?" called Archie, but there was no answer.
"I don't guess he's around," said Elsie.
"I don't guess so, either," replied Archie. "But I don't guess he'd care if I let down some oats. I looked in the lower bin and there's hardly any there. I'm going to let some down the chute."
"I'll watch you," offered Elsie, as she set her Doll on top of a big oat box.
The cover to the box was open. Archie liked this because he could see the smooth oats go down the wooden chute, or slide, like so much water.
"I'll let a lot of oats down," the little boy said to his sister. He placed his Elephant on the edge of the bin, near the Doll. Then Archie pulled on the handle that opened the door. It was hard work, for the oats pressed against the door. Elsie came to help him, and at last the children managed to get it open.
"There they go!" cried Archie, as the oats began to pour down the chute.
"Yes, and there goes your Elephant!" shouted Elsie. As she spoke, the stuffed toy fell into the oat bin, and, a moment later, the poor chap was sucked into the smooth chute, with the running grain, and the oats closed over his head. Lost to the sight of the children, the Stuffed Elephant was taking a dangerous slide.