Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-07-28
STORY
BY b. L.

the clean, solid timber, and removing his
hat, slowly wiped the perspiration from
his brow and face then running his fin
gers through his short, thick hair, and
regarding the two young sportsmen with
good .natured, quizzical expression, he
continued Well, no-not much, l
think. | couldn't do it, gentlemen, even
to oblige friend. You see, he belongs
to the family, and it might cause hard
feelings.
The quizzical manner changed sudden
ly to one of eager interest, as his eyes
wandered to their splendid Remington
breech leaders, and he civilly asked per
mission to look at them, at the same
time inviting the young men TO take seats
upon the fallen tree and rest themselves
and chat awhile, the dog-a pure New
foundIand, by the way, splendid fell
broad, well-rounded forehead and full
brown eyes Of almost human Intelligence
standing by and looking on with the
mien and gravity Of judge. He had seen
the hunters when at some distance had
walked out to meet them with great dig
nifty had responded with II wag or two
of the tail to their friendly greeting, and
then turned and paced contentedly before
them, seemingly saying, You appear
to be well disposed young fellows, as far
as can Judge; come and see my master
If you like.
The bacllwoodsman examined the ele-
gantly finished fowing pieces, one after
the other, giving vent to his admiration
10y short, ejaculatory remarks the while.
pretty pieces Darnation pretty
pieces-that's SO !" he said, as he return
ed the last one to its owner; land |
judge they do good execution, too, by the
looks of your game-bags. All /! there
amt much game about here now. Ten
years ago it was different though then
the large game was about all gone. Oh,
yes, | shoot use rife, though the
rest was spoken hesitatingly, as though
dcprccating the implied assumption OF
superior skill. ! never owned shot
gun. I've got II good rille she amt
snowy she wouldn't look like much be-
side those pieces Of yours-but she's true
us steel. | always know just what | can
do with her, and can depend upon doing
it every time, you understand and nc
ordinary sum of money can buy her.
See here ycu asked me if 1 would
sell my dog. Now, just let me tell yol
little experience of mine that'll con
vince you that money can't tempt me t.
part with him or my rifle"
:" No, thank you No cigar for me
my faculties are none too keen, any way
and | can't afford to dull 'em. Let ,
thief in at the mouth to steal away th'
brains you know. Yes, | know tha
applies to strong drink but ! guess i
might include some other thisgs, and to
bacco for one but never mind, I'll tel
you the story | spoke Of.
"It was little over four years agC
that it happened. We've lived here tw,
years-my wife and land had got quite
stable clearing made, and | was cut
| ting my first wheat tcrop-about two acres
and pretty grain too. The field was some
| forty rods from the house, most Of tn,
way through u grove Of naples | had LET
standing for sugar bush. I'd finished
cutting my wheat in the forenoon, and a.
| was going out after dinner to rake anC
bind and put it up, my wife asked me j
| couldn't take the child with me fo
awhile he pestered her so about piece
of work she was in hurry to get done
He was our first boy, keen little fellow
three years old, and nothing pleased him
better than to go out with me; but
didn't take him often, for fear Of rattle
snakes. There was now and then one
around here, and is now, though not SC
many as in some other localities in the
State but / hadn't seen any that sum
mer, and we began to think less about
them. | said that I'd take the boy, anC
Monarch-thats the dog here-could
watch him. Having the child to carry
| suppose was the reason | forgot my
eun-ior almost always took it with me
and pretty generally knocked over some
game, n squirrel or two, or partridge,
or maybe a woodchuck. Well, I'd beer
at work an hour, probably, the boy keep
ing close around me for awhile-bother-
ing me like the mischief, too-when he
got to amusing himself by picking W
straws and flowers, and one thing or an.
other, and playing with the dog, who
kept close to him, and forgot all about
him for few minutes.
Suddenly remembering, | looked
around and saw him sitting, or half lying
rather, leaning back against a clean,
smooth stump, fast asleep, his feet spread
apart, and his lap full of wheat-heads and
flowers and things he had been playing
with. Monarch was lying a little way
off, winking sleepiy, but watching him
faithfully between winks. thought tc
myself I'd stop in n few minutes and car
ry him to the house, SO | said to Mon
arch, take care Of him, old fellow ! and
turned to my work again.
at couldn't have been FIVE minutes
and I'd glanced that way several times
though was working further away from
them all the time, when the first | knew
the dog was a-hold of my sleeve, whining
and trembling, and his bristes raised, a,
though in the greatest terror.
81 dropped the bundle | was binding