The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1877-09-06


fears and their Jobs comforter, began
to shiver with apprehension as night
came on. However, at sunset the
carrier passed through the gate, and
at sight of his friendly face they
frightened up. They told him of
their care, and begged him to sleep in
the house that night. "Why, how
can Il" said he, "I'm due at.
But will leave you my dog" The
dog was a powerful mastitf.
The woman looked At each other
expressively. "He won't hurt US,
will he?" sighed one Of them family
mot he" said the carrier, cheerfully.
Then he called the dog into the house,
told them to lock the door, and went
away whistling.
The women were left contemplating
the dog with that tender solicitude
which apprehension is sure to excite
AT first he seemed staggered at this
off-hand proceeding Of his master; it
confused him; then he shifted at the
door; then as the wheels retreated. he
began TO see plainly that he was an
abandondoned dog. He delivered
fearful howl, and flew at the door,
scratching and barking furiously.
The old women fed the apartment,
and we're next seen at an upper win
| dow screaming to the carrier, Come
back, come back, John. He is tearing
| the house DOWN.
'Drat the vermint ~ said John, and
came back. On the road he thought
what was best to do. The good natur-
ed fellow took his great coat out of the
cart aud laid it down on the floor.
The mastiff instantly laid himself on
it. "Now," said John, sternly, "let us
have no more nonsense; you take
charge Of that till come back, and
don't let anybody steal that there, nor
yet t wives brass. There, now" said
he kindly to the women, II shall he
back this way by:breakfast time, and
he won't bulge till then"
And he won't hurt us, John"
Lord, no. Bless your heart, he Is
as sensible as any Christian; only,
Lord sake, women, don't yego to take
the coat from him, cr you'll be want
ing new gown yourself, and may be
q petticoat and ALL"
| He retired, and the old women kept
at a respectful distance from their pro-
tector. He never molested them; and
indeed, when they spoke cajolingly
to him, he even Aagged his tail in a
dubious way. But still, as they
moved about. he squinted at them
out of his bloodshot eye in way that
checked all desire on their part to try
on the carriers coat.
Thus protected they went to bed
earlier than usual, but they did not
undress, they were too much afraid OF
everything, especially their protector.
The night wore on, and presently
their sharpened senses let them
know that the dog was getting rest
less; he snuffed hard then growled and
then he got up and pattered abou,
muttering to himself. Straightway
with furnatnre they harricaded the
door through which their protector
must pass to devour them.
But by and by, listening acutely
they heard scraeing and grating
outside the window of the room where
the dog was, and he continued growl
ing low. This was enough. They
slipped out at the back door and lef
their money to save their lives. They
got into the village. 1t was pitcl
dark, and all the houses black bu,
two. One was the public house, cast
ing a triangular CLEAN across the roat
a long way off, and the other was tn,
olacksmith's house. Here was q for
tune for the terrified women. They
burst into their friends house. "Oh
Jane, the the thieves are come!" anC
they told her in few words wha
had happened.
"La!" said she, chow timorsom,
you are; ten to one he was only growl
ing at some one that passed by"
NAY, Jane, we heard the scrapine
outside the window; oh, woman, cal
your man, and let him go with u.s."
my man--he is not here"
"Where is he, then?'
II suppose he ia where other work
ing woman's husbands are-at tn
public house," said abe rather bitterly
for she had had her experience.
The old women wanted to go to tn
public house for him, but the black
smiths wife was a courageous woman
and, besides, she thought 1t was mos
likely false alarm. NAY, nay.
said she, last time l went for hir
there ] gotta fine affront, Ill com
with you," she said. "I'll take tn
poker, and we have got our tongues t
raise the town with suppose" s
they marched to the toll-gate. Whe
they got near 1t. they saw somethin
that staggered this heroine. Thel
was actually man half in and ha
out of q window. This brought Ii
blacksmith's wife to standstill, an
the timid pair implored her to go bac
to the village. Nay" said 81
what for? 1 see but one-and-harI
it is my belief the dog is holdin
him." However, she thought it safe
to be on the same side with the do
lest the man might turn on her.
she made her way into the kitcht
Is followed by the other two; and the