Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-10-21
rick she fell senseless 10 the earth.


shrek she fell senseless 10 the earth.
Willie, hearing tho cry, and seeing his
mother, instead of going back to the
bank, took one step toward her, and
plunged beneath the swiltrunning stream.
Mary's cry had reached Dennis who was
at work near by. and Wilie's screams rs
the cold water closed over him, convinc-
ed him from what direction it came. With
all possible speed. he was at the waters
side, where he found Mary lying rs one
dead, and caught sight of Willie rs the
rushing water bore him over the surface
of the rock into the lake beneath 1t is
impossible 10 give any idea of the terrific
cries with which Dennis filled the air. as
he ran like one frantic along the shore.
Men at work in the fields listened Il
moment, aud feeling that something un-
usual must be the cause, dropped hoe
and spade and fastened in the direction
from whence they came.
Housewives, with uncovered heads and
baro arms, darted from every house, and
children of all ages sweled the flying
crowd.
Deacon Saunders, who was storing
wheat in his granary, recognized Dennis
voice, and with an undefnablc PRESENT..
ment that it was something in which he
had deep interest, ran rs fast rs his
limbs would allow, in the direction they
all were taking
Bnt had Willic's safety depended upon
human aid, he would have never smiled
on his grand. father again.
Psyche, who had been turned out 10
roll in the sand and refresh herself by a
nibblc from the roadside, was the first to
to hear Dennis's cries She was &c
customcd to all kinds of noises from the
boy. and rs usual expected that he was
calling her to partakc of some dainty,
when she heard his voice, so pricking up
| her ears, she cautercd toward the lake,
which she reached just aS Willie rose Tor
| the first time.
II was something more than instinct, it
was an Almighty hand that directed the
noble heart, and taught her care in strih
ing out, with her iron-bound hools, rs
she ncared little Willie, and the same
hand guarded her, plunging her slender
/ head beneath the waves, she caught the
| scarf that was about his neck, in her teeth
and drew his head above the water The
scarf was thick cashmere, and held him
securely Psyche, turning with her pre-
cious burden fast in her mouth, swan
steadily toward the shore WiIlic's pale
aud golden hair and pale face gave a
striking contrast beside her jet black coat
gIiStcning with water, which ran in
streams from both
4 crowd had collected upon th" bank,
and foremost among them was the deacon
with claspcd hands. his hair streaming in
the wind. and nerves stretched to the nj,
most tension, as he watched the gallant
animal
1t was he who received from her mouth
his darling pet He held him only to a,
sure himself that his lie wa, not extinct,
and then consigned him to his mother
/ (who had recovered from her swoom) and
u hundred helping hand, that readily cx-
tended for the relief of the little sufferer
With streaming eyes the good deacon
turned to Psyche, who stood with droop.
pg head and painting sides, looking very
tired, but still very much Interested IN
/ the restoration of her little friend, whom
she followed with her eyes till he was
borne out of sight Tcnderly and care.
fully the deacon wiped the water from
her shining coat, and then, without speak
ing, which he had not dono Stree first
startled from labor by DenniS's cries, he
led her to his own stable.
Mr.. Hale had been absent all this time,
knew nothing of the accident until, on
coming within sight of The old farmhouse
what was his surprise to see Psyche
standing in the yard covered with one OF
Mrs Saunders otto coIored bed putfs,
making very ludicrous figure, with
black head and flowing tail in bold relief
at either end.
"God bless you, Mr.. Hale" said the
deacon as he wrung his pastors hand,
"for not minding the words of n foolish
man. Had you sold Psyche, my boy
would have now been corpse. - Eram-
tacr and Chronicle.