The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-11-01
THE BETTER WAY.

ing into deeper shades, Farmer Welton
stood in his dooryard with gun IN his
hands, and saw dog coming out of his
she'd, It was not his dog, for his was of
light color, while this was surely black.
The shed alluded to was open in front,
with double doors, for the passage Of
carts and the shed was part of con-
tinuous structure connecting the barn
with the house. Around back of this
shed was the sheepfold.
There had been trouble upon Farmer
Welton's place. Dogs had been killing
his sheppard some OF the very best at
that. He had declared, in his wrath,
that he would shoot the first stray dog
he found prowling about his premises.
On this evening, by chance, he had
been carrying his gun from the house
to the barn when the canine intruder
appeared. Aye, and in the barn he
had been taking the skin from valuable
sheep that had been killed and mangled
with tigsrish ferocity. ~.
So when he saw the strange dog
coming through his shed, he brought
his gun to his shoulder, and with q
quick, sure aim, fred. The dog gave
leap and howl, and whirling around
in circle two or three times, he bounded
off in tangent, yelping painfully, and
was soon lostetosight. ; : > - .
"Hallo What's to pay now, Wei
TONI"
"Ah-is that You, Frost?"
"Yes. Ye been shooting something,
haven't ye2"
"Tve shot dog, think"
eyes. I seed him scootin' of. 1t
was Brackets, I reckon"
Before the farmer could make any
further remark, his wife called to him
from the porch, and he went in.
Very shortly afterward boy and a
girl came ont through the shed as the
dog had come. Down back Of Welton's 8
farm, distant half a mile or so, was a
grist mill, with quite a settlement
around it, and the people having occa-
sion to 20 on foot from that section to
the farms on the hills could cut off o
long distance by crossing Welton's lot.
The boy and girl were children of Mr..
Bracket. When they reached home
they were met by q scene of dire con-
fusion. Old Carlo. the grand old New
foundland dog-the loving and the
loyed-the true aud the faithful-had
come home shot through the head, and
was dying. The children threw them
selves on their shaggy mate and wept
and moaned in agony.
Mr.. Bracket arrived just as the dog
breathed his last. One of the older boys
stood by with lighted lantern, for it
had grown quite dark now, and the
farmer saw what had happened.
"Who did thisl" lie asked, groan-
"josn Welton did it, said Tom
Frost, coming up at that moment.
"He's been losin' sheep, and [ guess
he's got kind of wrathy."
! "But my dog never killed sheep
never! He's been reared to care for
sheep. How came he down there2"
ale went over to the mill with Sis
and me-" said the younger boy, sobbing
rs he spoke land he w& running on
ahead Of US toward home. I heard a
gun Just before we got to Mr.. Welton's,
but, oh! ! did not think no could have
shot poor Carlo" II ! : .f
Mr.. Brackett was fairly beside him
self. To say he was angry would not
express it. He had loved that dog-it
had been the CHIEF pet of his household
FOL, years. Literally, boiling with hot
wrath and Indignation, he started for
Welton's. glET-I g. I'll
Johu Welton and Peter Bracket had
been neighbors from their earliest
days, and they had been friends, too.
Betw cen the two families there had beon
a bond Of love jan dagood will, and q
spirit Of fraternai kindness and regard
had marked their intercourse. Both the
farmers were hard working men, with
strong feelings, and positive character
istics. They belonged to the same reli-
gious society and sympathized in poll
tics. They, had warm discussions, but
never yet:a direct falling out. OF the
two~Weltonl was the more intellectual,
and perhaps 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 behind the
door.
."What's the matter, John9" his wife
asked, as she saw his troubled face.
elm afraid I've done bad thing, "
he replied, reeretfully. 81 fear have
shot Brackets dog"
"Ch, John p
"But didn't know whose dog it was.
I saw him coming cut from the shed-it
WAS too dark to see more than that it
was dog. I only thought Of the sheep
had lost and I fred" -,-~ ~.-..-
"I am sorry, John. Oh, how Mrs.
Brackett and the children will feel.
They set everything by, old Carlo. But
You can explain it,
eyes, can explain it,"
HALF an hour later Mr.. Welton was
going to his barn with lighted lantern
in bis hand. He was thinking of the
recent unfortunate occurrence, and
was sorely worried and perple1ed.
What swonId 3his ssneighbor say9 'He
hoped there might be no trouble. he
a. nfs I~1ki