Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-09-20
The Facts About Bugley Or, the
Troubles of An Afternoon.
BY JARED JAIL AP.

Mr. Bugley lives in tho outskirts of our vil-
lage. He is in the mercantile business, and
and also has passion for agricultural pursuits.
His disappearance a short time ago, gave rise
to considerable gossip, and stories were set
afoat very injurious to Mr. Bugley. AS it
has become matter Of public interest / give
you the facts i'll the case.
On the day of his disappearance, Bugley left
his place of business earlier than usual to
spend few hours in his garden. After taking
a survey of the premises he went to the house
for the watering pot; some OF his most cher
ished plants being sadly in need OF its services.
The vessel was not to be found, and Bugley
grew little excited. 'That careless woman
has had it," said he. 81 wish she ever mould
let things alone" After a lengthy search he
went and and asked Mrs. Bugley, "wnere on
earth the watering pot was" "Watering pot?
1 don't know anything about your watering
pot How should / know" Mr.. Bugley COM
plimented her on her stock of knowl-
edge in general and renewed the search. AT
last the missing vessel was found in the cor,
ner of the woodshed, with the spout knocked
off Bugley hurriedly composed short sem
tence, consisting of bis most favorite adject-
ives, and at the close expressed an interest in
the future welfare of the knockist. After a
few moments of meditation he concluded he
would 90 across to Mr.. Middlerib's, his nearest
neighbor, and borrow watering pot. They
had lately moved in and it would be an excel
lent opportunity to further his acquaintance
with them, besides he was badly in need of the
article.
Assuming a cheerful air, Bugley went across
the street and raped at the door. Mrs. Mid
derib came to the door and Bugley stated his
errand. "Oh, yes would be glad to accom-
modate him. Would he walk in? Mr.. Mid
dlerib was out but would be in soon. They
had an excellent article of the kind; it was in
the garden But she would get it in a moment.
Bugley thanked her, "as Mr.. Middlerib was
out he would call some other time. 1t was
putting her to some trouble, and if she would
tell him where to find the vessel he would get
it himself"
cit was setting near the gate leading to the
stable but still it was no trouble" Bugley
persisted, however, and started for the garden.
'Theres model woman" said he to himself.
"She knows exactly where to find the watering
pot, and dare say knows the exact position
Of everything on the premises"
BY this time he had reached the garden and
was admiring the neatness and order displayed
in the surroundings. Gas live, here are bees, "
he exclaimed, as his eye caught sight of hive
standing under some currant bushes. do so
love bees" said he, pausing near the hive.
Recollecting it was getting late, Bugley hur-
ried up the walk and as he stopped under the
clothes line, which hung rather low at the
back of the garden beds, he caught sight of the
watering pot. "Its there all right, just as ev-
erything is here, said Bugley. After picking
up the vessel he paused to take final look at
the premises. A thrill of horror shot through
his frame as lac gazed. A huge bulldog was
making his way from the stable toward the
partly open gate. If Bugley has weakness it
is fear of dogs Seeing the necessity for action
he called to the dog in the mildest tones, Here
Bull Good Bull Come here Bull" And Bull
was coming with look of death and annih-
lation in his eye. Seeing that soft words were
failure, Bugley sprang fo- the gate, thinking
to shut it and gain time to get away from the
awful brute; but as he sprang for the gate he did
same, and Bugley closed it just in time to catch
Bull by the shoulders. Iu mortal terror, Bug
ley chung to the gate with all the strength
that was in him. A savage growl, cut short as
the gate closed upon him, was the only sound
from Bull. His terrible lunges shook the line
of fence from end to end, and he gained at
every lunge in spite of Bugleys superhuman ex-
ertons to pinch him in two with the gate.
80, Heavens what shall do ?" thought
Bugley ''IfPd caught him by the neck could
choke him to death. I'd kick the life out of
him but he might bite. I'd holler but some-
body might see me in this awful position.
These thoughts flashed through his mind with
lightning like rapidity. Fright was fast over
coming all ideas Of defense, and az last, with
one wild yell of horror and despair, he let go
and fed. Scarcely had he taken the third leap
when the clothes,line caught him under the
chin, but the force of his mad flight brought it
down with crash of falling poles and jingling
wire. The only effect on 3ugley was another
yell of terror, for well he knew the bulldog
was at his heels big with vengeance. At this
point the back door of the house was opened
by Middlerib, who had just returned from
down town, and at the same time Bugley
plunged headlong over the hive Offices, striking
his mouth on peg which had been driven
there when ranging the garden beds. The dog
leaped for the vicinity of the small of his back
as he fell, but went high of his mark and
turned a somersault beyond, with portion of
the rim OF Bugley's hat, and part of his back
hair in his teeth.