St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-11-10

Carlo could have opened it himself, for
he could lift latch IS well as any one,
and, with a little patient effort, could
turn a knob with his great, clumsy
paw.
''You won't find any tramps to bark
at, or any foxes to chase, tonight,
Carlo, and it's as cold as Greenland,
you foolish old dog" said he as Carlo
leaped down the steps.
Carlo put his nose down to the ground
and snutied at some little tracks in the
snow, then he gave quick little bark,
and ran out into the road and down the
hill on brisk trot, every now and then
stopping bit to investigate the foot
prints, for the wind had drifted
the snow into them, and they
were hard to follow. He paused
| moment at the gate of Aunt Mary's
house, uttered growl of contempt at
the Jack O Lantern, and then ran wild
ly into the woods, and ON and on until
he reached the spot where poor little
Bessie was lying. He licked her cold
face, he barked wildly, he tore at her
| clothes. but it was all in vain, he could
not wake her. Then he tried to drag
her along by taking fold OF her dress
in his mouth. But finally he gave up
the attempt, and running to the edge OF
the woods, which was only a little dis
lance off, took a survey up and down
the main road, then he gave a quick,
| joyful bark, and ran headlong toward
| house a few rods distant. where light
was glimmering at the window. Reach
| ing the door he barked and howled in
the most frantic manner A man soon
opened it, and looked out in surprise
"Why, bless me" said he, ''if this
amt Squire Trafton's Carlo. He knows
me, have worked at the 'Squire's so
much. But what can he want? Cold,
| old fellow Want to come in and warm
yourself9'
| Carlo seized his coat in his teeth and
tried to drag him out-of-doors.
Something must have happened
said the man. sCarlo knows more than
boy, any day, and he'd never act SO
for nothing. P'r'aps the old Squire or
some of the family have met with an
accident--a team has broke down or
something. I'm going out to see."
And hastily donning his hat and over
coat, he followed Carlo, who after fawn-
| ing upon him to show his gratitude, ran
| ahead, every now and then looking be-
/ hind him to see if he were coming, and
| going back to pull his coat little, as a
| hint that he had better hasten his foot
steps. They soon reached the woods
road and the little, dark bundle lying
| there, that was Bessie. The man, Mr..
Spencer was his name, lifted her in his
arms and ran home with all his might,
and Carlo ran by his side, never once
taking his anxious eyes from the pre-
cious burden he carried.
When they reached the house, Mr..
Spencer explained the situation in as
few words as possible to his wife who,
| as good fortune would have it, was ex.
perienced in sickness and all sorts OF ac-
| cidents and emergencies, and she lost
| no time in using the,proper restoratives.
II am afraid she is Dead" said Mr..
| Spencer, holding the little wrist a mo-
ment, while his wife rubbed it vigorous.
ly.
.No, I think, I am quite sure she
breathes, though family.
And Carlo, as if he understood every
word, barked gladly.
They forced a little brandy between
| the stiff lips, and it was not long before
she opened her eyes.
Then Mr.. Spencer harnessed his horse
and drove like mad to Bessie's grand
/ fathers, soon returning with both
grandma and Abby, for Abby forgot
her sore throat the moment she heard
| that Bessie was in danger. They had
only just missed her at home, and the
| house was in perfect panic when Mr..
| Spencer arrived there. Joe had gone
down to Aunt Mary's, being quite sure
| that he should find her there safe and
sound, but when he came back with the
information that they had seen nothing
Of her there, he did not know what to
think.
..But, = said Joe at length, ''she may
have gone out with the intention OF GO
ing there, and then, seeing a Jack O
Lantern which some of the boys had
stuck up on the gate-post, may have
been frightened and gone back again,
and in her bewilderment, instead of go
ing up the hill toward home have turned
in the other direction and gone toward
the village
But Bessie had kept on into the
woods instead of going to the village
where Joe was seeking her at that mo-
ment, and If it had not been for Carlo
she would have frozen to death before
any aid would have reached her.
Bessie wasn't able to tell them how
it was that night, she was too weak,
she could not remember, but the next
morning everything came back to her,
and she shuddered when she told Of the
horrible face that looked over the gate
at her.
II knew that it was naughty to- run
away so, and I thought he was an aw-
full giant. or something, that was going