The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-03-24

lighting up with an added ulster the glltter"
ing eyes Of the boy, as the little fellow
BARRED and thrust with the fork, which
kept as yet the animal at bay. But Tige
was no holiday soldier, and Tad realized
that he stood sadly in need of reinforce
ments. for, should the dog succeed IN get
ting within the line of his defense, his pu-
nv strength would avail as nothing.
At the rear of the barn floor a flight Of
steps ran up to loft, used as granary
over the "great beams" Of the barn and near
the door an upright ladder was attached to
post beside the barn floor, which was some
so feet in length by twelve feet in width.
The dog was growing more and more fran
tic with rage, while Tad's arms ached with
the exertion be was compelled to make. and
the little fellow knew that the battle must
soon terminate. Flaming eyes, and red,
yawning mouths with wicked white faAgs
seemed to threaten him on every side. If
he could only reach the ladder and ascend
few rounds he would be safe, and he
strove to reach the haven of safety. This
exasperated the deg beyond all bounds, and
he sprang furiously at the boy. But Tad's
eyes were still watchful, and the steel
points stood between the sharp teeth OF the
dog and the flesh he was SO eager to mangle.
The bluntness of the tines, however pre-
vented them from penetrating the animals
thick hide, though one of them passed I'M
der the collar around his neck as his weight
forced the boy backward and wrenched the
fork from his tired hands. The end of the
handle struck against the side ofthe barn
floor, checking the dog and throwing him
violently to one side.
Ere he could recover himself, little Tad
had gained the ladder and was out of his
reach. The boy Went slowly up the ladder,
which was some Is feet long, reaching to
the great beams. the 'bay" on that end of
the barn being filled to that point and even
higher with hay The little fellow was COM
pletely wearied, and felt a grateful sense of
relief as he neared the top of the hay NOW,
intending to lie there till some one came to
relieve him of his unpleasant guardian who
was watching him with unsatisGed ven
geance from the floor below. The boy no.
ticed a horse pail sitting on the floor at the
foot Of the ladder as he took last look at
his foiled antagonist, and then crept over
and lay down upon the hay.
But Tige was possessed Of ''gumption,
as we'll as ferocity and strength, and as Ia |
lay congratulating himself upon his escape,
he heard the quick bound of feet upon the
stairs, and ere he could regain the ladder he
was face to face with his former danger,
though now wholly defenceless. The boy
made quick dash for the ladder, but the
dogs te. tn closed in his homespun gar
ments as he reached the edge of the hay
NOW. They paused just an instant; then
the loose hay slipped with them; little Tad
clutched at the ladder, and boy and dog
went over and down 20 feet upon the hard
barn floor beneath. As luck would have it,
Tige struck first, plump::upon the horse-pail,
brea king his own neck as well as Tad's fall
by so doing, though the boy lay uncon
scious and the dog dead when the owner of
the latter reached the barn with load of
hay shortly after.
Little Tad soon recovered, but he had
lost all inclination for being tiger hunter.
-,SprinGfeld Republican.