West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-08-02

| groWls. NOW ne hufSt into 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 50
often told his wife of il that she recognized
1t at once. \ 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 80 than the blind dog dashed
through il AT night.
'Beau has gone Wild" cried the girl
who was setting the table "llc never sets
foot out of doors. Hear him bark ! He's
set against the stranger! fear he's no
good one Dogs know"
'lts bark of welcome, Nora, said he
mistress of the house. "Ihc dog seems to
me To he beside himself, and not with
anger.
But now the farmer entered, leading bv
the arm sad and weary man, who sank
thankfully into the chair to which he as
sisted him.
"lou 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 i'm I"
'tlust i'm time for dinner stranger" said
the farmers wife "And when YOU are
well rested draw your chair up, for IL is
served"
81 thank YOU, said the stranger. hum
bly,. But his eyes were rowing about the
kitchen now, taking note of all il hcld-of
ITS old bcam-crossed ceiling, of it's dark
windows, of its great Fireplace, and the
farmer stood staring at him, with n strange
look upon his face.
"Sit by, father" said the wife. "You
must carve, you know Hark What il
that You have shut poor Beau ont i'm 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 10 bark furiously.
Beau Beau You'll frighten the
stranger w cried the mother. ''rhe dog il
blind and toothlcss he could hurt no one
he would, she added, "but he 40 large,
you might feel nervous. Come Beau !"
"Let him stay, replied the old man.
caressing the dogs head. "Bcau, Beau.
Poor old Beau
gan to utter mad, glad barl<s, and to lick
the strangers face, and rub his nose against
1t. 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. 'Yourbrothcr
Jack !"
AT the name, Beau barkcd again-wildly,
macly, gladly, and crouchcd down beside
his recovered masters knee
81 didn't mean 10 tell you who | was,
Robin, said the stranger. ~ never meant
even to see you, but you came out and
brought me i'm
He arose. The farmer uncovered his face
and II shonc wet with tears in the red fire
light.
Jack he said, chow have prayed To
gee this day. Jack, there has been "A curse
upon me since yon left me. All my bles-
sings could not Danish ii. The girl we
quarrelcd about married the 'squires son,
and lies dead in hisgreat tomb in the church
yard, and have won good wife, and long
ago wondered at myself for caring for Il sill
ly iiirt, but since you went there's been
curse, lad, there's b.en curse"
He held out his arms. Jack held ont his.
The brothers were weeping in each others
arms, and old Beau barking for Joy and
leaping up 10 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 10 keep us 30. For now you
have come back Robin will never let you
leave ps again, brother nor neither"
"Never, lad, cried Robin. ''The curse
is lifted at last, bless the lord. "