The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1875-12-22
Vol. XI.

Sis and me-" said the younger boy,
sobbing as he spoke; "and he was
running on ahead of US toward
home. I heard a gun just before
we got to Mr.. Welton's, but oh l
didn't think he could have shot
poor Carlo! -
Mr.. Bracket was fairly beside
himself. To say be was angry
would not express it. He loved
that dog-it had been the chief
pet of his household for years.
He was not man in the habit OF
using profane language, but on
the present occasion a fierce oath cs-
capped him; and in that frame OF
mind-literally boiling with hot
wrath and indignation-he started
for We'tonss.
John Welton and Peter Bracket
had been neighbors from their
earliest days, and they had been
friends too. Between the two fam
lilies there had been a bond Of love
and good will, land spirit Of frater-
nal kindness and regard had mark
ed their intercourse. Both the far
mers were hard-worklng men,
with strong feelings and positive
characteristics. They belonged to
the same religious society, and
sympathized in politics. They
had had warm discussions, but
never yet direct falling out.
Of the two, Welton was the more
intellectual, and, perhaps, a little
more tinged with pride than was
his neighbor. But they were both
hearty men, enjoying life for the
good it gave them.
Mr.. Welton entered his kitchen,
and stood the empty gun up BE-
hind the door.
"Whet's the matter, John I"
his wife asked, as she saw his
troubled face.
"I'm afraid I've done bad
thing?" be replied regretfully. Il
fear I have shot Brackets dog"
"Oh, John %
"But I didn't know whose dog
it was. I saw him coming out
from the shcd-it was too dark to
see more than that it was a dog.
I only thought of the sheep [ had
lost, and I fred"
II am sorry. John. 0, how
Mrs. Brackettand the children will
feel. They set every thing by
old Carlo. But you can explain
it,"
"Yes-I can explain"
Half an hour later Mr.. Welton
was going to his barn with a light
ed lantern in his hand. He was
thinking Of the recent unfortu-
nate occurrence, and was sorely
worried and perplexed. What
would his neighbor say? He
hoped there might be no trouble.
He was rejecting thus when Mr..
Braekett appeared before him,
coming up quickly, and stopping
with an angry stamp of the
foot.
Now there may be a volume Of
electric influence even in the stamp
of foot, and there was such an
Influence in the stamp which
Bracket gave; and Welton felt
it, and braced himself against it.
There was moreover, an atmos-
phere exhaling from the presence
of the irate man at once repellant
and aggravating.
"John Welton you have shot
my dogr' The words were Kissed
forth hotly.
"Yes," said Welton, icily.
Chow dared you do it ?"
II dare shoot any dog that
comes prowling around my build
ings, especially "hen I have had
my sheep killed by them"
"But my dog never troubled
your sheep, and you know it,
"How should know lt?"
"You know that he never did
harm to a sheep. 1t wasn't in
bis nature. It was a mean, coward
ly act, and Gan oath) you shall
suffer for t!''
"Brackett, you, don't know to
whom you are talking"
20 ho!' (another oath) "We'll
find out! Well see! Don't put
on airs, John Wclton. You amt
a saint. I'll have satisfaction, if
T have 10 take it out Of your
hide
"Peter, you'd better 60 home
and cool of. You are making