West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-02-09

ing and yelping; then, as il inspired by
sudden purpose, he took straight
line for Jobs heels. Jobs position was
now far from pleasant, worse, | think.
in some respects, than that of the Spar
tan boy with the fox -gnawing at his
bosom, for he, the Spartan, had not
little doggnawing at the other extremity
also,-yet Job uttered not sound, but
held the pullet fast, smothering her cries
with his hand as best he could.
To his infinite relief, Teddy and the
hostler swept past without once stop
ping, evidently believing they were on
his track, and that everything depended
upon speed, and Snip, no doubt con
WINGED that he bad mistaken the game,
soon Joined them. if.5iils 't
How long they were gone Job could
not tell sit might bave been half the
night, Judging from his feelings,
they returned at length much more
slowly than they had gone out. As the
dog danced and sidled up to take part
ing snap at his heels, the hostler said-
What's that dog barking at Oh,
nothing but the scarecrow? ilr
Snip, you fool, come away! Don't
you know a man from a scarecrow g'
called Teddy "I don't much blame
him thought looks almost like a
man"
Yes, | rather pride myself on that
fellow 4 made him myself" said the
hostler.
Hes first-rate one" said Teddy,
and they passed on.
Still Job dared not move. He waited
till all was dark in the cottage, and
all was dark in the loft, and as he was
then about to step cautiously forth from
his concealment, he heard footstep.
Could it be that they had got on the
trail at last9 No; IL was only Sally
Case, the washerwoman, with bundle
of clothes under her arm.
She was taking a short cut across the
field, as she often did. He knew Sally
well. She was not averse TO chickens
herself, and had more than once cooked
a fowl for him without asking any in
convenient questions. So he resolved
TO make confident of her, believing
that she would willingly give him a
nights lodging and tell no tales for the
sake of a good breakfast.
Sally" he whispered, as she drew
near.
She stopped, looked round, then evil
IDENTIFY thinking that her ears had de-
ceived her, started forward. Again he
whispered Sally" louder than before,
at the same time beckoning with his
hand.
"Oh, Lud" she calculated, while her
walk became trot. at mus a. been
the wind a shaking the rags" she con-
tinued, as she looked back fearfully over
her shoulder.
sally, it's only me-" said Job, now
emerging from his concealment.- -.
The exclamation which she now ut
tered / will not record, but il was one
not at all fattering to Job, and her trot
broke into run.
Well had it been for Mrs. Case If she
had always fled from the great adversary
as quickly "a she did now that she be-
lieved he was pursuing her in form of
scarecrow.
The clothes she was carrying were dis
tributing themselves along the path
piece by piece, but she did not stop 90
pick them up Now and then, when Job
could get breath, he. shouted, "Sally,"
but this only made her increase her
speed, I,'~
Atlength she reached her own dwell
ing, darted in and bolted the door, and
no more was heard from her till morn
ing, when she lost no time in spreading
the report of her strange adventure.
To cOrroborate her statement, there
were the clothes scattered at intervals
from the corn-feld to her door her
footprints were also distinctly visible in.
the softearth, and a heavier one follow
ing closely behind ....5.
What construction the wondering
neighbors would have put upon the
affair can not tell, for while they were
still discussing it, Mr.. Wright, the shoe
maker, appeared on the scene. He had
discovered Job skulking about his prem
ises the previous night, the pullet in his
arms, and had got from him the whole
story.
The hostler and Teddy, who we're
both standing by, looked sheepishiy AT
each other, and Teddy stopped and pat
ted his dogs head, murinnriDg, $50,
Snip, you weren't such n fool, after all,'
No. said the hostler; the shoe was
on the other foot. But the less said the
better"
AS for Sally Case, she had very quietly
slipped away.