The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-01-07

its stead. Dicky suggested that they
step inside the moose, saying it WAS his
custom so to 90, and arguing that it
would draw more easily. Jacky acqui-
esced, and they stepped inside and
tugged of. They stopped on the summit
of the hill to puff
Down grade the rest of the way"
said Jacky Glad of it, toor'
Granny Cages rickety little house
stood at the foot of the hill, short dis
lance back
Come on" shouted Dickey. "WeT
soon be there" And the load WAS there
sooner than he expected. Constant
travel on the road had smoothed it down
to CLASSY surface, solid and slippery
The load pulled hard at first, then easier
and still easier, until it went with scarce
ly any effort on their part. They were
chatting thoughtlessly when the rope
relaxed, and, glancing behind, they were
surprised and slightly elated at seeing
the sled coming rapidly down the hill,
with no aid from themselves whatever.
Down grades are convenient institu-
tons" said Jackey, striking into a slow
trot.
You're right" assented Dickey, wad-
ding axkwardly, and it's coming
fasterl" breaking into run. Dicky ran
too in order to keep out of its way.
Swifter ami swtfter slid the sled, and the
speed of the two boys increased in pro.
| portion, until they were going at fright
| full pace; and it began to be plainly evil
! dent that their short, stumpy legs had
| found more than their equal in speed
| Both were doing their best, while the
velocity of the sled seemed TO increase
with every lunge.
! The boys began to be frightened; they
could not get out of its track for they
were inside of the rope and the sled was
gaining on them Puff, puff! went the
boys; zipp, zippl the sled
| Then came a collision! The load hit
them directly in their backs, and, scream
ing, they were tossed, Dicky to one side
and Jacky to the other, head over heels !;
| they came down and plowed head first
| into the deep drifts which smoth-
cred their screams. Soon they crawled
out snowy and sputtering.
After they had brushed themselves
they concluded that they were more
frightened than hurt and ran laughing
down the hill in search of their runaway
load. 1t had gone to the base, turned up
to Granny's front gate, where it had en-
countered the sidewalk and spitefullv
| overturned. lney reloaded the sled ana
drew it around to Granny Cages back
door, where they hurriedlv and noiseless-
| ~ unloaded their cargo upon the top
step. They then raped on the door and
| plunged into their former hiding place
behind the currant bush.
Presently the door was opened and
the old lady stood silhouetted against
the dim candle-light within. She looked
around, but, seeing no one, was about to
shut the door when she caught glimpse
of the wood and bags upon the doorstep
She bent over to assure herself her old
eyes had not deceived her, gave low.
glad cry that sent happy thrill through
the two boys, clasped her wrinkled
hands above her upturned head and her
shriveled lips trembled out faint bless
ing upon the givers, and to God who
sent them.
When she had drawn the sack of -four
and the sack of potatoes inside, carried
in an armful of the wood and kindlings,
Dicky and Jacky crawled from their
chilly covert and ran home Soft were
the biliowy pillows their frizzled heads
rested on that night, sound their sleep
and sweet their dreams Young Folks
Monthly.