The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-08-24
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ttupi 70 Eis uo0f- y afu win kuh Ah hf'
hands, aud saa = dog coming on. from
hls sbed II was no, bis dog, for bis Wa
Of a light color, while this one was surely
black.
The shed alluded 10 was open 10 front
With double doors, for the passage oI
ear,s; and this shed was part OF con-
linuous structure connecting the barn
with the house Around back Of this
she'd was The sheep.iold.
There bad been trouble upon Farmer
welton's place. Dogs bad been killing
bis sheep and some Of the very best q
that. He bad declared, in his wrath, that
he would shoot the first stray dog he
found proving about his premises. On
this evening, by chance, be had been
carrying bis gun from the house 10 the
barn when the canine intruder appeared.
Aye, and iu the barn he had been taking
the skin from 8 valuable sheep which bad
been killed and mangled with tigerish
feroeity.
So when he saw the strange dog com
ing through his shed, be brought his gun
TO bis shoulder, and, with quick, sure
aim, tired. The dog gave leap and a
howl, and, having whisked around In q
circle two or three times, he bounded off
a tangent, yelping painfully, and was
soon lost to sight.
Halo! What's to pay now, WeltonS
Ah-is that YOU, Frosif
Yes. Ye been shootin' something,
sin't yef
I've shot dog, think.
Yes. | seed him scootin of. 1t was
B.ackett's, reckon.
Before the farmer could make any fur
ther remark, his wife called to him from
tie porch, and he went in.
Very shortly afterward boy and girl
came out through the shed as the dog
had come Down back of Welton's farm
distant half mile, or so, was saw and
grist mill, with quite little settlement
around II, and the people having occasion
TO 90 on foot from that section 10 the
farms on the hill could cut off long
distance by crossing Welton's lot. The
boy aud girl were children of Mr. Brack-
eit When they reached home they were
met by scene of dire confusion. Old
Carlo, the grand old Newfoundland dog
The loving and the loved-the true aud
the faithful--hsd come home shot thro
the head, and was dying. The children
threw themselves upon their shaggy mate
and wept aud moaned in agony.
Mr.. Bracket arrived just as the dog
breathed his last. One of the older boys
stood by with a lighted lantern, for it
had grown quite dark now, aud the far
mer saw what had happened.
Who did this? be asked, groaningly.
John Welton did II. said Tom Frost.
coming up at that moment. He's been
Iosin' sheep, and guess he's got kind OF
wrathy.
But my dog never killed q sheep-nev-
eri He's been reared to care for sheep.
How came he down there2
He went over to the mill with Sis and
me, said the younger boy, sobbing as be
spoke; and he was running on ahead OF
US toward home. | heard gun just be-
tore we got to Mr.. Welton's, but oh! |
did not think he could have shot poor
Carlo.
Mr.. Bracket was fairly beside himself
To say he was angry would not express
it. He had loved that dog-it bad been
the chief pet of his household for years.
He was not man In the habit of using
profane language, but on the present oc
casion fierce oath escaped bin; and ip
that frame OF mind-literally boiling with
hot wrath aud indignation--hc started
for Welton's.
Johs Wcton and Peter Bracket had
been neighbors from their earliest days,
aud they bad been friends, too. Between
the two families there had been bond
of love and good will, and spirit of
fralernal kindness and regard had mark
ed their intercourse. Both the farmers
we're hard working men, with strong
feelings aud positive characteristics.
They belonged to the same religious So
ciety and sympathlzad in politics. They
had bad warm discussions, but never yet
direct falling out. On the two, Welton
was the more intellectual, and, perhaps,
little more liuged with pride than was
bis neigbbor. But they were both hearty
men, enjoying life for the good Ii gave
them.
MIR. Welton entered his kitchen, and
stood the empty gun mp behind the
door
What's the matter, Johnl his wife
asked, as she saw his troubled face.
I'm afraid I've done a bad thing, he
replied, regrelfully. fear | have shot
Brsekelfs dog.
On, Johnl
Ba, didu't know whose dog 1t was.
saw him coming out fron the shed lit
was too dark TO see more than il was
dog. ! only though, Of the sheep ! had
losi, aud fired.
am sorry, John. Oh, how Mrs,
Bracket aud the cbildron will feel. They
se, everything by old Carlo. But you
can explain IL.
Yes, can explain il.
Half an hour later Mr.. Welton was 60.
inx 10 hls barn with lighted lantera in
his hand. lie was thinking Of the recent
unfortunate occurrence, aud was sorely
worried aud perplexed. Whist wonld
his neishbor sayy tie hoped there might