The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-16

tive and prolOngcd--thc Old cry he had
, been used to give long ago, when his young
master left the house. The farmer had 80
often told his wife of it that she recognized
it ut once. A supcrstitious thrill ran through
, her frame.
But now steps were heard without. The
farmer and his SONS were coming and the
stranger with them. The woman hospita-
bly, arose to open the door, and no sooner
hac she done 80 than the blind dog dashed
TIN hough it at night.
''Beau has gone Wild" cried the girl.
who was setting the table. ole never sets
foot out Of doors. Hear him bark He's
set against the stranger! l fear he's no
good one Dogs Know
'It's bark of welcome, ,tNora, said he
mistress of the house. ''Tle dog seems to
me to be beside himself, and not with
anger" atff
But now the farmer entered, leading by
the arm sad and weary man, who sank
thankfully into the chair to which he as
sisted him. .... i...
"You are very good, he, faltcred, as he
did 80. 81 only meant to lie me down in
your barn Until the storm had passed. But
you brought ne in--you brought nc in ~
and his head sank upon his hand. ...,
Just in time for dinner stranger" said
the farmers wife 'sAnd when YOU are
well rested draw your chair up, for II is
served"
81 thank you," said the stranger, hum
bly,. But his eyes were rowing about the
kitchen now, taking note of all it held-of
Its old bcam-crosscd ceiling, of its dark
windows of its great Fireplace, and the
farmer stood staring at him, with strange
look upon his face.
s'Sit by, father" said the wife "You
must carve, you know. Hark What is
that You have shut poor Beau out in the
storm. He is scratching at the door"
She ran to open it. The dog tartcd in,
and made his way straight to the chair
where the stranger sat, and cropping with
his long nose, found his knee, and climbing
up began to utter the long, low cry again,
and at intervals to bark furiously.
''Beaul Beau You'll frighten the
stranger !" cried the mother. 'Thc dog is
blind and toothless he could hurt no one
he would she added, "but he so large,
you might iecl nervous. Come Beau /"
"Let him stay" replied the old man,
caressing the dogs head. "Beau, Beau.
Poor old Beau -
And now Beau changed his tone lie be-
gan to utter mad, glad barhs, and to lick
the strangers face, and rub his nose against
it. And still the farmer stood staring
ut them both, turning whittier and whittier,
and suddenly he turned his face to the wall,
crying out:
ooh, my God Beau knew him first.
Old Beau, a blind, old dog, knew my brother
Jack before did |" -.
'Jack - cried the wife. E'Your brother
Jack !"
At the name, Beau barkeh again--wildly,
macly, gladly, and crouched down beside
his recovered masters knee.
"1 didn't mean to tell you who was,
Robin, said the stranger. 81 never meant
even to see you, but You came out and
brought me in"
lie arose. The farmer uncovered his face
and 1t shone wet with tears in the red fire
light. 1885,.
'Jack," he said, chow have prayed to
sec this day. Jack, there has been curse
upon me since yon left me. ALI my bles.
sings could not Danish it, The girl we
quarreled about married the 'squire's son,
and lies dead in hsgreat tomb in the church.
yard, and have won a good wife, and long
ago wondered at myself for caring for sill
| ly flirt, but since you went there's been Il
curse, lad, there's bsen curse"
He held out his arms. Jack held out his.
The brothers were weeping in each others
arms, and old Beau barking for Joy and
leaping up to lick their faces And then
the CHEEKY voice of the farmers wife uttered
these word, blithcly:
"Draw the curtains, Nora, and shut out
the storm. We're all together at last, and
please God to keep us so. For now you
have come back Robin will never let you
| leave us again, brother nor / neither"
"Ncver, lad," cried Robin. t"The curse
is lifted at last, bless the lord"