Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-07-31

growls. Now he burst into a cry, plain
tive and prolonged-the old cry he had
been used to give long ago, when his young
master left the house. The farmer had so
often told his wife of II that she recognized
il at once. A superstitious 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
had she done so than the blind dog dashed
through it at night.
''Beau has gone wild cried the girl,
who was setting the table ''IIe never sets
foot out of doors. Hear him bark He's
set against the stranger fear he's no
good one Dogs know" F
''It's bark Of welcome, Nora, y" said he
mistress Of the house. 1.-The dog seems to
me to be beside himself, and, not with
anger" -. b.. .--
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. hr
"You are very good, +" he faltered, as he
did So 81 only meant to lie me down in
your barn until the storm had passed. But
you brought me in-you brought me in !"
and his head sank upon his hand.
'Just in time for dinner stranger" said
the farmers wife ''And when you are
well rested draw your chair up, for il is
served" 49,
II 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 beam-crossed ceiling, of its dark
windows, of its great fireplace, and the
farmer stood staring at him, with a strange
look upon his face.
''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 darted 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 Beaul You'll frighten the
stranger !" cried the mother. "The dog is
blind and toothless he could hurt no one
he would, " she added, ''but he so large,
you might feel 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 he be-
gan to utter mad, glad barks, and to lick
the strangers face, and rub his nose against
it. And still the farmer stood staring
at them both, turning whittier and whittier,
and suddenly he turned his face to the wall,
crying out
''Oh, my God Beau knew him first
Old Beau, blind, olddog, knew my brother
Jack before did |"
'Jack !" cried the wife "Your brother
Jack !"
At the name, Beau barl0ed again-wildly,
macly, gladly, and crouched down beside
his recovered masters knee.
81 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. "
He arose. The farmer uncovered his face
and it shone wet with tears in the red fire
light.
Jack" he said, chow have prayed to
see this day. Jack, there has been a curse
upon me since yon left me. All my bles-
sings could not Danish it. The girl we
quarreled about married the 'sduire's son,
and lies dead in his great tombin the church
yard, and have won good wife, and long
ago wondered at myself for caring for sill
ly fiirt, but since you went there's been
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, blithely:
ssDraw 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 l neither"
'ENever, lad,' cried Robin. ''The curse
is lifted at last, bless the lord"