The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-11-27
He rubbed his hand across Hector's

back, and the fine, dry snow tioated out
as light as wool. Next morning the
storm was still raging. All day long it
showed, beating up against the low doors
and windows. Now the fence is up to
its neck in the drifts, and now there IS no
trace Of the rails. Hour after hour the
biting wind whistled around the cottage.
Inch by inch the snow crept up its side
high above the record of any former year
and the long afternoon wore on.
Smother, I'm going to the valley"
ssNot tonight, Harry; not tonight.
Wait! See, we have plenty" :,
1t was q loving mothers plenty"
Enough for one, and that one not herself.
For the first time since early morning
they opened the door. A solid bank OF
snow fell half across the floor; and out
side; as the storm lulled, could be seen
over the tree.tops the broken, tackless
waste, stretching far down to the valley
below.
sSee, my boy. 1t would DE impossi-
ble."
with starvation behind, men have
risked more"
"A man never risked more than you
would do, were you to risk your life on
the hill tonight"
He knew her meaning. He knew that
his life to her meants everything in this
world. he closed the door. There by
the fire lay Hector, sleeping with one eye
and with the other watching his master.
"Mother, I have it," suddenly cried
Harry, as his eye fell upon the dog.
"You have two lives at your disposal, you
see-mine and Hector's. Let your maj
esty decide! Come here, sir, and stand
| up for review"
Harry was jubilant. While he would
have to follow the beaten path, the dog
could take advantage of every wind
| swept ledge and foothold. He could
carry a message to the village below;
and, with Harry's game-pouch about his
neck, could bring food. enough to last
four days--plenty at least, for the pres
ent need. y.
"Could you make him understands"
SNAKE him him understand" repeated
! Harry. 'Do you hear her. old fellow?
She wants to know But look here"
Drawing the table to the window, he
put chair upon it, and at the command
tne uOSS spranSS up.
"Hector, the village is down there.
No, you can't see it now, because the
snow is blowing again; SO you needn't
try. But the village is there. Isn't it, old
boy?"
Hector sneezed.
"Al rightl Now, you're to go-wai'
a minute-to 60 down there, and come
| back again. You understand? Come
back again"
Harry went to the cupboard, and, tax.
ing bit of bread, he held it before the
dogs nose.
SThis is what you're to bring home.
you see, in this
He took the bread, put it in the pouch,
took it out again, placed it back in the
cupboard, and the lesson was learned
Around the dogs neck they strapped the
pouch, and in it they sent the message for
assistance. An anonymous message it
was, for little money would pay for it,
and a little money was just what they
had.
Truely, it was a sad parting. They
watched the dog founder through the
drifts, across the clearing; saw him get
] foothotd on the ledge by tie great pine
tree and spring out of sight. As the
night fell they saw the clouds drift away
and the moon come up, and the hills
were bright with the light.
"'Give us this day our daily bread.
Do you never doubt, little mother2"
Never for an instant"
mo more do I. Goodnight and pleas
ant dreams"