The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-09-25
IsNr po r Ffun t hc 6Hhe Echo pa


d. along the tide, the little girl lost be
balance, and fell into the water.
: In less than a couple Of minutes sh
would have been smashed to atoms be
meath the mill wheel, had not Dinie
luckily perceived her danger. and cricc
out, Here, Blacky = and pointed tc
the little girl, who was struggling vaiuIy
against the tide.
Into the foaming waters the mastff
dashed, and, scizing the child by her
clothes, soon brought her ashore and
laid her on the grass. Although this
was but the work of a few moments, the
child's screams had brought out the
miller and all the inmates Of the mill
The mother, all in tears, came running
up, just as the dog was shaking his wet
skin, and Daniel had succeeded in bring
ing the little girl to her senses
Now, to think could have thought
ill of the poor dog" cried she, patting
Blacky, while she bid her maid prepare
q nice mess lOT Nun.
That's not enough, wife, for the ser
service they have done us, observed the
miller. ID, you know that but for this
young chap and his dog our Georgettc
would have been losti'
'Oh, we only did our duty, Master
Mealmau,' said Daniel molestly.
That's all very we'll, said the miller
but | must d. mine in turn. Now, my
good boy, what do you say as to staying
with us =
l should like it vastly, Mr.. Miller,
said the boy.
In year or so, if your looks don't
deceive me, you'll be strong and sturdy
enough to make an excellent miller's
man What wages do you expcct''
This sounded new and delightful to
the young wanderers ears.
No, do you really mean to offer me
to earn money! = said the lad.
To be sure 1 do replied the miller,
how much do you excct yearly =
Why, said the boy, half drzzled by
so brilliant prospect, | should expec,
a great dcal-a matter Of fifteen francs
So let it be- said the miller, but
that's not all you shall have your
board and lodging, and washing into the
blrgain; and every midsummer you
shall have a new white smock frock with
blue ornaments, and every Christmas
black wooden cap, and a couple Of pair
Of wooden Shoes
Thank you, MASTER said the boy );
adding, after moments reflection, but
stop, master, there's something We have
not agreed upon yet.
What's that =
'Why, | should like Blacky to have
his house in the farm yard, and some
bran and water twice day.
80 he SHALL said the miller 'and
there's my hand upon the bargain, ad-
ded he, taking Daniels comparatively
soft hand into his horny one.
Daniel could scarcely be reckoned a
child any longer, for misfortune soor
heaps the experience of years upor
youthful heads ; and he turned out tC
be the best workman they had ever haC
before at the mill. 1t was quite plea.
sure to see him lift up the sacks, as il
they had only been bundles of feathers
Plenty of nourishmsnt, roof over hi.
head, and his natural good spirits, soon
contributed to develop his vigorous
frame.
The sole drawback to Daniels happi-
ness was the consciousness that poor
Blacky was only on sufferance. Yet
Blacky was picking up hiS crumbs as
well as master, aud nobody would have
recognized in him the poor, half-starved
animal that lay wounded in the forest.
Being regularly fed, he had grown sleek
his coat had become glossy, and now
that he did not hang his head quite so
humbly as he used to do, he displayed a
pair of large eyes that shone like two
live Goals This metamorphosis seemed
to annoy the inmates of the mill. .
Ever since we have adopted Blacky,
observed the miller, { our dogs look like
half starved rats. He beats them all.
TO say nothing of his frighteniu,
our chickens aud goat into the bargain,
added the miller's wife.