The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-09-25

| do, any wayp"
"Gone? StOlen?n exclaimed Peggy,
and she was unable to utter word
more.
cay, gone-stolen!" repeated the be-
reaved owner, crying bitterly. sEEE
Whisht," SAID Mel, coming forward
quietly, and speaking in an authoritative
tone" whisht this minute, an saddle
the mare, an let us AVA after the
thieves!'
The surprise of hearing Mel Gained
John at once. He let him bring out the
mare, and helped him to put on the sad
die. Then he mounted, and it seemed
quite natural that the boy should spring
up behind, first taking his bow and ar
rows from the loft.
"This way" commanded Mel, when
they reached the high road; 81 see the
tracks O. the beasts
Donnel could not see any tracks, but
he suffered Mel to guide him at each
cross-road. The day was far advanced
before they caught sight of the drove
about quarter of mile ahead of them,
accompanied by two collies and four
men.
elbow ill we fight "a thae thieves an
rascals o. the world?'' cried John, again
reduced to the depths of despair.
'Leave it to me- replied Mel, bend
ing to one side, and shooting an arrow
in the direction of the drove. j.
There was strange commOtion ahead
,l,a,, hat e., ohnd
for the animal hit at once turned round
and galloped back to its owner. An
other and another arrow followed that
one, till at length the whole drove turn
ed about, and presently surrounded John
and Mel. Es.-
There stood the four robbers gazing
after them as if spell-bound.
"Now," said Mel, "we may ride
home again; the cattle will go before
u.s.
On and on they rode, driving the re-
covered heifers. No word of gratitude
had Donnel spoken, and as the glow of
property died out a little, his usual fret
full temper returned; but Mel did not
appear to notice his morose silence.
"Will you be pleased to stop at this
house by the road, John, till l get a
drink?'' asked the boy, who was tired
and thirsty.
ave havena the time to stop, an
night comm on; sure you can wait till
we get home,'' replied the churlish mas
ter.
Mel said nothing until they reached
another house mile further on, when
he again made his request, and was
again refused. But Donnel himself be-
gan to be thirsty and weary, and at the
next roadside cabin he drew up.
"Good woman" called he, abe
pleased to gle me Il drink"
The woman hurried out with Il bowl
of water, from which Donnel drank;
and then he said to Mel, -"Here, boy,
you may drink now'
"No, John Donnel," returned the
boy, "you are II selfish, ungrateful man,
an I'll neither eat nor drink mair frae
your hand. brought your cattle back,
but you wouldna stop minute to let me
drink; an you'd TAX the drink yourself
before you'd hand the bowl to me! If it
wasna for Peggy, I'd just send the beasts
back to the thieves; but I'll leave your
house, an that ill be punishment enough
for YOU" So saying, Mel jumped down
from the horse, and climbing ditch
disappeared.
''Oh, Mel, avick! Sure I didna mean
to affront you. Oh, come back! How
will l get the beasts home, any way?'
No answer-nO trace of Mel, search
where he might. With the utmost diff
Guilty, and after hiring couple of men
to help him, Donnel did succeed in driv-
ing his cattle home, and it was late at
night when he entered his own kitchen,
and sank down by the fireside.
Where's Niel?'' was the first thing
Peggy said. II
Her sorrow and dismay overwhelmed
her as she listened to her husbands
story. =.t
"Oh, John, You unfortunate, foolish
man, don't you know what you've donep
You've banished luck frae we're roof
Sure knowed what he was the minute
| heard him speak this mornin'."
The poor woman threw her apron
over her head, and wept as she had not
wept since her sons coffin left the house
one-and-twenty years before. And good
reason had she for her tears. From that
moment nothing prospered with John.
His health failed; his cattle met with
ill luck attended him in every
thing he undertook. He had indeed
abundant cause to mourn for the loss of
his fairy guest. ~ 5 4
Reading at Seven and Hall Miles
Distance from the Candle.