Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-07-29

coming every day to do the chores; SO
Willie went to the barn himself and sad
died the horse. Then, kissing his moth
er goodbye, and assuring her he was
not afraid, he started.
At first he felt no fear-it was splen-
did fun. Along the road, he could see
q lamp burning at the Dunnlngs, -Abe
Dunning had told him they burned
night all night. He reached the corner
and turned towards Milton. Even in
the darkness he could see the white
bridge; but that crossed and the hill
climbed, there was long stretch of road,
with hardly house. and thick wood
to pass. How awfully still 1t was
What was that +? Only night-hawk
screaming. He tried to whistle, but
somehow no whistle would come and if
he spoke to the horse, his voice sounded
SO strangely that he gave it up.
"How wish | had Shep," he thought;
she'd be company" But Shep slept in
the house while Mr. Brainerd was away,
and Willie had carefully shut him in
that he might be some protection to his
mother. Just as he was passing the
woods he heard swift, running sound
behind him. The boys nerves were so
thoroughly wrought up that he felt ready
to drop.
evolves !" he thought; but, deter
mined to die fighting, he pulled out the
little pistol and held it ready to fire.
Another moment a big shepherd dog
was jumping at the horses head, and
Willie gave cry of delight: ooh.
Shep good fellow, good fellow !" The
dog seemed like reassuring word from
his mother, for he knew that she must
have let him out and told him to follow
her boy.
The rest of the way was not at all
frightful, and soon the doctor was reused.
He started in establishment as he opened
the door, for, at first, he looked straight
over Willie's head and saw no one.
"Mother wants to sec you, SIR
Bless my eyes! Willie Brainerd out
at this time of night Come in. child.
and I'll make you cup of hot coffee.
Well be off in ten minutes you shall
drive back with me, and we'll fasten
Billy behind"
Willie laughed to see how fast Billy
Balky had to go home. "He tried not
to Co." he would say afterwards. "but
he couldn't balk-oh, wasn't he mad p
Sooner than she dared to hope, Mrs.
Brainerd heard Shops bark and her
boys voice. The doctor was able to
quiet her cough, and they all slept late
into the next day. Bridget had not
walked through all the confusion, and
could not understand why they did not
get up betimes "Shurc, it's the staps
disease that | thot yez had" she said,
when they came down to breakfast.
Mrs. Brainerd wrote to her husband
of Willie's midnight ride, and almost q
week afterward, as he and some other
: boys were playing in the road, he saw
white pony coming along.
"What beauty !"
..There, that's what I'd like!"
, "That mans too big for the pony,
: exclaimed the boys.
, To their establishment, the pony turn
ed in at Brainerd's You may be SURE
Willie followed. The man asked i
Willie Brainerd lived there
: "Yes," said the boy, his eyes getting
q as big as saucers.
y "Here's note for him.
Willie scrambled into the house, 70
he couldn't read writing, mamma
q mamma, read this! p
4 Mrs. Brainerd read f: "The accompan
+ ying pony is gift from the firm o
! Brainerd Bros. to William Brainerd, Jr.
e as token of appreciation of the valuabl
). services he rendered to the firm on tn
q night of Dec. 20, 1977."-Neao Yor
n Observer.