Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-11-25

back over the hills at night, and couldn't
have you away. There must surely be
game in the forest, my hey: and in the
meantime we will bridge over this un-
profitable season with supplies from the
village below. Why, all the associations
of these earrings have been fearful. !
cried before got them, and cried after
ward to think how foolish had been. ;"
They sat and talked far into the night.
With bed time came the bringing in of
wood for the mornings fire, and the
rather unnecessary precautiSn OF lock-
ing the rough-hew doors.
IWhats the matter, Hectorg Want to
have little racing before tuning In for
the nights"
The dog was standing with his fore
paws upon the latch, snutfiing at the
crack. Harry opened the door. Whewl
They had been SO busy talking that they
hadn't noticed the rising wind nor sus-
pected the snow that now whirled into
the room.
"Mother," said Harry, with his arm on
her shoulder-"mother, the snow has
come"
"Yes."
"That was all they said. 1t was not a
question of snow balling and coasting
with them. It meant a bitter struggle
against poverty, this coming of the snow
before its time. But whatever the Others
thought it, Hector was as jolly as
school boy. A whistle brought him back
to the house. His shaggy coat was Gov
cred.
"Perhaps, Harry, it's only another
| furry"
"Flurries don't take three days to gath
er, dear mother, and when they do come
the snow isn't like this"
He rubbed his hand across Hector's
back, and the fine, dry snow floated out
as hight as wool. Next morning the
snow was still raging. All day long it
showed, beating up against the low doors
and windows. Now the fence is up to
its neck in the drifts, and now there is
no trace of the rails. Hour after hour
the biting wind whistled around the cot
tage. Inch by inch the snow crept up
its sides-high above the record of any
former yesr-and the long afternoon
wore on.
another, I'm going to the valley
"Not tonight, Harry, not tonight
Wait! See, we have plenty"
1t was loving mothers plenty. Per-
hap enough for one, and that one was not
herself.
For the first time since early morning
they opened the door. A solid bank OF
snow fell half across the floor; and out
side as the storm lulled, could be seen
over the tree tops the broken, trackless
waste, stretched far down to the valley
below.
"see, my boy. 1t would be impossi
ble."
with starvation behind men have
risked more"
ga man never risked more than you
would do, were you to risk your life OF
the hills tonight"
He knew her meaning. He knew hi
life to her meant everything IN this wid'
, world. He closed the door. There b!
|, the fire lay Hector, sleeping with one eye
and the other watching his master.
"Mother, have 1t!' suddenly criet
, Harry, as his eye fell upon the dog
"You have two lives at your disposal
you see-mine and Hector's. Let you
| majesty decide! Come here, sir, ant
stand up for review
Harry was jubilant. While he woulo
t have to fellow the beaten path, the dos
could take advantage of every wind-swep
lodge and foot-hold. He could carry
= message to the villagers below; and wit
Harry's game pouch about his neck ,coul'
g bring food enough to last foA days
plenty, at least, for the present need.
"Could you make HIM undrstand"
"Make him understands" repeate'
7 Harry. "Do you hear her, old fellow
: She wants to know. But look here.
t Drawing the table to the window, b
put chair upon it, and at the comman'
:. the dog sprang up.
e "Hector, the village Is down ther'
t No, you can't see it now, because tn
It snow is blowing again; SO you needn
try. But the village Is there. Isn't it, oil
boy7"
). Hector sneezed.
e GAIL right Now you're to go-wait
minute-to 60 down there, and COM
back again. You understand Com
g back again"
Harry went to the cupboard. and, tai
/, ing bit of bread, he held it before tn
e dogs nose.
This is what you re to bring home,yo
t see, in this"
He took the bread, put 1t in the poucl
took it out again, placed it back in tt
vt cupboard, and the lesson was learne'
Around the dogs neck they strapped tt
pouch, and in it they sent the message fl
u assistance. An anonymous message
J" was, for little money would pay for j
70 and little money was just what the
W had.
IS Truly. it was a sad parting. The
watched the dog founder the drifts, aero
7. the clearing; saw him get foothold
is the ledge by the great pine tree, an
spring out of sight. As the night fel
in they saw the clouds drift away as IL
es moon come up, and the hills were brigl
with the light.
IN "'Give US this day our daily bread
Do you never doubt, little NEITHER
to "Never for an Instant"
it ''No more do I. Good night. and plea
ant dreams"
he PART lin THE VALLEY.
~! papa, 40 you tn1uk IL ~ SOluS
j. snowr' Bessie looked appealingly in
is her fathers face.
a "suppose, Puss, that should 81
YES"
re so! then I'd give you almost all n
candy" holding up what once mig
TX have been candy, but what now look'
like very sticky little hand.
II "And if l should say no."
s'Then," SAID Bessie, sit does seem
d. me as if I could never speak to y
p again."
Papa went to the window. Outside
IN was nearly dark; but he could easily 8
70, that it was going to snow, and pref
he soon, too.
Id "I'l take the candy" said papa; ST
h. l say yes"
ke Bessie climbed upon her papa's knit
y. and putting her head upon her pap'
IL arm, she said:
d, "Papa, want to ask you favor; b