The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1880-03-10

ei Saiuep the good Will OF the
few neighbors who lived on the
mountain; bpt, what was more re.
markable. he Seemed to have strong
attraction for all birds and animals.
The mice sang in corners of the
house; the cock and hens loved to
roost on the rail at the foot OF his
bed; the cattle lowed and horses
nelghed when he appeared, the sing
ing birds alighted on his shoulder in
the field, and the sea.gulls from their
islands in the Tough flew to pick up
insects at his feet. An indiscribable
sense peaceand we'll being lowered
over the dwelling OF which he was an
inmate. The very night after his ar
rival he made handsome bow, and
each evening while Peggy sat at her
spinning-w wheel he made arrows, tos.
sing them, as he finished them, up to
the lott. There was large sheat of
arrows lying beside the bow, but he
never shot single one.
''Why, but you TAX your bow an
arrows outbye an play yourself a
wee, Mel, dear ?" asked Mrs. Donnel,
when the bright spring evenings
came; but no answer of any discrip-
ton was forthcoming 1t was real
vexation to her that she had no
means OF discovering why he had
made The bow and went Oh making
so MANY arrows
when May eve arrived ana names
leaped up from fires on every hill,
and dark figures moved around the
blaze; when the glow was reflected
in the Tough, and the gulls flew
screaming in a thick white cloud
from their island, disturbed by the
unusual noise, ami the sDipe whirred
by, bleating their astonishment--on
that most enchanting night of all the
year, Mrs. DonneI's dumb SER
want was greatly agitated. More
than once he went to the door to
gaze at the fair scene without, and
returning, as if with strong effort,
to his kind mistress side, kissed her
hand-his tavorite mode of showing
his affection.
"He's crying, the craythur," said
Peggy on one OF these occasions.
"Maybe it's because You scolded him
s s4s @aEasilRs AstSssR for just nothing,
John, whose temper was very
hasty, had spoken sharply to the boy
IN Peggy's hearing.
Things went on thus throughout
the summer and autumn; but when
Halloween approached, Mel grew
restless again. The dry benweeds
shook their withered, yellow heads
in the cold breeze; there they stood
in their ugliness, spread over many a
field, ready, when Halloween came
to turn into fairy steeds, each one
ridden by an elfin rider Mel went
out in the moonlight on the mystic
rious night, but returned in time to
smile his good night to Peggy be-
fore lying down on his humble bed,
and he was not able to tell her
whether he had caught a glimpse OF
the fairy troop or not.
One November morning, year
after NierS arrival, John Donnell
came into the kitchen, pale with
grief and dismay.
The cattle are all away" he
cried-"all driven off the mountain
in the night. Thieves robbers Oh
Mel avick Oh, Peggy mavourneen,
whatll do, anyway"
| "Gone Stolen ," exclaimed Peg
gy, and she was unable to utter a
word more.
CAY, gone-stolen repeated the
bereaved owEer, crying bitterly.
"Whist," said Mel, coming for
ward quietly, and speaking in an au.
thoritative tone-"whist this minute,
and saddle the mare, an let us. AVA
after the thieves F"
The surprise Of hearing Mel
Gained john at once. He let him
bring out the mare, and helped him
put on the saddle. Then he mount
ed, and it seemed quite natural that
the boy should spring up behind, first
taking his bow and arrows from the
loft.
This way, commanded Mel, when
they reached the high road; l see
the tracks Of 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 a mile
ahead Of them, accompanied by two
collies and tour men.
How'll we fight a. thae thieves