St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-09-16
LEO.

Dut IL Is likely tnat ne Will always fecOl-
lect what occurred upon certain dark
evening in August two years ago
Ford's father and mother were travel
ing in Europe that summer; hence Ford,
who was all the rest of the year board
ing school-boy of the first water, spent
his vacation at his Uncle Pepper coun-
try place.
Ford's chief companion from day to
day, as he scrambled among the ROCKY
spurs, was Leo. Leo was a Scotch gray
hound, Major Peppers particular pet
Now one curious trait of his did equal
honor to his head and heart He had
been bought at Black Hollow, a village
If store, which also was post-otiice,
and six or seven dwellings, can be called
a village-about two miles further up
the road, among the mountains. Reg
ularly once or twice a week would Leo
slip innocently Off in the morning for a
whole days visiting with any four
legged playmates whose society he had
formerly relished at Blacks Hollow. On
such occasions Ford had to ramble on
the heights alone.
Now AMI Spinner, Major Peppers
hired man, had brother who kept the
postotfice and store at the Hollow. AS
soon as AMI discovered Leo's trick of
going so frequently thither of his own
will, it seemed good to him to teach the
dog to carry letter there with safety
and dispatch whenever told to do so.
AMI would tie his m;ssiyes securely
about the bright-eyed, 1.-THE dogs neck,
and say, in his Yankee drawl:
"Naow, Leo, you jest make tracks
for the village, double-quick. Do
you understand? That letter'd ought
to git to the store. Be OFF,
Leo would leap away, barking joyful
ly, and in an hour return to seek AMI
in field or barn, collared with an answer
from Lot Spinner. In this way the dog
became, in limited sense, the messen-
ger and postman of the family when oc-
casion prompted, and Il very quick and
faithful one
1t was the last Thursday in August
when Major Pepper, finishing his sec
ond cup of coffee at breakfast exclaimed
to his wife: ''There, Helen, forgot to
tell you last night that if you. want to
90 down to the town in the phaeton
with me to-day and give this afternoon
to picking out those carpets, til suit me
capitally.'
Aunt Pepper laughed. "Why does a
man always choose just the wrong day
of all others?' she said, merrily. ''Amzi
and Mira mira was Amzi's wife and
Aunt Peppers cook wanted to 60 to
New York to-day to attend that we'd
ding-her sisters you recollect. They
started early (at four o'clock) for the
station, and don't expect them back
until long after we're in bed tonight.
can leave the house and Ford to take
care of themselves
sob yes, you CAM laughed Uncle
Pepper. Ford might 90 along if ii
wouldn't be a hot and stupid day in
town for him-we shall be SO busy.
Leave him good luncheon. and let
him keep house by himselffor once. Lee
will help him. You wouldn't mind it.
eli, Ford?''
Ford laughed, too, and said that he
rather guessed not.
wen not be later in getting back
home than six o'clock. | suppose,
said Aunt Pepper, reluctantly consent
ing.
9Oh dear no." replied the Major
"and Ford will just have fine appetite
for late dinner
A half-hour later Ford and Leo, the
one with his hand and the other witt
his active if unimportant tail, waved
Major and Mrs. Pepper goodbye from
the broad piazza, and then turned them
| 49, Tho ,unrR nf
ing jolly day together. Ford did no
like to leave the house for any length
OF time.
A wooden swing he was contriving il
the garden, the arrangement of his col
lection OF Indian relics, and letter tx
his room-m mate at the school-one Harry
North-took up all the forenoon.
This latter, or letter business, wa
still on hand, and Ford was scratching
away at it in the summer-house, whe1
Leo suddenly growled. Then he sprane
up, barking violently. A strange gen
tleman was leisurely drawing near tn,
pair Of friends. Ford rose and stepped
out of his retreat.
81 beg pardon for interrupting you
SIR" began the stranger. very pleasant
ly. .sbut are your father and mother a
home to-day2'
my father and mother are in Eu
rope.'' replied Ford, ''but-"
Ah-oh-I see.a continued the civi
stranger II had forgotten that m.
old friends Major and Mrs Pepper hat
no children. Is your uncle at home?'
"Tm sorry, sir, y replied Ford, ''bu
they have both driven to town thi
morning, and will not be back till even
ing. Be quiet, Leon'' for Leo persisted
in showing his teeth, and making sun
dry impolite noises, not TO say growls
while he eyed the polite new come
very much as if he had been snake.
"a fine doc that remarked tn