The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-11-25

Of Eldad's legs In the way and ele-
waiting it in the air, stood him on
his head in the onion bed. By the
time he gained his equilibrium and
bis scattered thoughts she was qui.
etly roofing up the beds. Eldad
swore. He rubbed his knees and
looked with sorrow upon the leg Of
bis pants ripped more than halt way
up. The mop handle was broken
IN the fall, and seizing . fence stake
he once more advanced with great
caution. AS be approached she re-
treated slowly, aud when Eldad
made a break for her she ran around
the old shed. He followed her ut
q rapid rate, and raised the club
Tor fearful blow. He was under
full headway, and thought of moth
ing save revenge. He was almost
upon her, when, with an unearthly
yell, he sank from sight In the old
we'll.
Bill, the older boy, returning with
the flour, saw the mishap at dis.
tance. Although Eldad was his
father, Bill rejoiced. .at the accident,
and secretly resolved to have som .
fun out of II.
He carried the -four to the house,
and running down to where the old
blind mare, Doll, was standing, he
uufastenedsthc bell from lher neck
and approached nearer. aud Eldad
began 10 shout. Bill was 90 tick
led that he grew black In the face.
Here was an opportunity to pay his
| father back for the many kicks and
kufis he had received at bis hands,
He drew still nearer, ringing the
bell as old Doll was wont to do
when feeding, and Eldad feared for
bis life. He dropped on his knees
and tried to pray.
"Whoa, doll!-Oh! 7! Lord, l lay
me-whoa, Doll-down to sleep,
pray the-durn her old pictur, she
hain't got no moro sense than t.
| tumble In onto q feller, whoa DOLL
Bill came up to the edge OF the vel
| aud with his foot kicked over . lit
tie dirt on poor Eldad, who thought
his time had come. He dared mol
look up but kneeling on the bot
tom Of the we'll he confessed biz
misdeeds aud said II be was spared
to reform entirely-to quit drink
ing aud swearing, and 60 to worl
| to support his family as he should
Bill, who was ready to split, saw
an opportunity to accomplish good
by this mishap Of his fathers. Pass
ing the well with his bell he 70
turned slowly, then replaced It OF
the old mares neck, and ran to tel
the whole thing to his mother.
The dame entered into the plar
Immediately, aud they sat down tt
their frugal meal, leaving Eldad al
tho bottom OF the we'll to think ths
matter over on an empty stomach
Along 10 the afternoon she start
ed out in search of her missing hus
band. She passed near the well
calling "Eldsd!" at the top Of hel
voice.
He heard and answered, but pre-
tending she did not hear him sht
passed the we'll, and as her voic,
grew fainter in the distance. Ell
dad burst into tears and sat dow
aud wept that he should die OF star
vstion in the old well, that b,
thought even the cattle knev
enough to evade.
After passing and repassing th'
we'll several times, Mariah stoppet
and looked in. Far down in 1t
dark depths she saw form, an,
Eldad broke forth in fresh lamen
| tati0us.
aOh, Mariah, do get Q rope 0
somethin,' and help me out. Oh
l'm most deadl Do, Mariah, b
quick.n
"who are you and what arc yoI
making q fuss aboutr said M
| riah.
"pm your own dear husband, Ma
riah, rm Eldad, do help me out"
"You can't play that on me, sir,
said Mariah. "Eldad never woul
have fallen in that place. No, sil
Even his cattle knew enough
, keep out Of that well.'
"Oh, Mariah, do help me out.
, swear I'll never 60 to the taver
} agin; never. III FIX up things an
tend to the craps and slick q
things aud-oh, Mariahl Pll d
anything IL you'll only help me ou
) of this. I'll send Bill and jim
school and you can have ell the pt
| sizes you want. Ohl Mariah, do hel
7 me ont
am do it If you'll stick to yos
b bargain, but you WON'T
s "Hes, I will swear will 0nl
1 help me OUT
VI With the help Of the boys, EIde
| was soon at the surface, one Of "a
D most pitiable Objects ever seel
His hair and beard were filed Wit
Il .1.v III. rlokhna wara torn aud n