Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-09-27

LEO. TIE DOC.

Il i likely that he will always reeollect
what occurred on q certain dark even
iuy in August. two years ago. ford's
father and mother were travelling in Eu-
rome that summer, hence Ford, whowas
ali the rest of tine year boardiug-schOol
hoy Of the first water, spent his vacation
ut his Uncle Pepper country place.
Ford's chief companion from day to
dav. as he scrambled among the rocky
sni,rs was Leo Leo was n Scotch grey
HOUND. Major Peppers particular pet.
Now one cum ,us trait of his did equal
honor TO his i Fad and heart He had
been bought AT Black Hollow, a village
If store, which was also post-otlice
and six or seven dwellings, can be
called a village-about two miles fur
Their up the road. among the mountains
Regularly, once or twice q week, would
Leo Slip off in tAe morning Tor whole
davis visiting with any four-legged
plavmates whose society he hadformer-
" reished at Blacks Hollow. On such
occasions Ford had to rambie ON the
heights alone.
Now AMI Spinner, Major Pepper
hired man, had a brother, VINO kept tle
post-oliice and store at the Hollow. AS
soon as AMI discovered Leo's trick Of
coipc so frequently tbither of his own
Viii. il seemed GOOD to him to teach the
dor TO carry "a letter there with safety
and dispatch Whenever todd to do so.
AMI Woa.d tie his m.ssFe securely
about lhc brig -cycd. lie,is dog ueck
and Say in his Yankee dr&wE
"Naow, Leo YOU jest make tracks for
ID. ia 1-
derstand2 IDat letter ought 20 glt TO
the store. Ba OF
Leo would Jean away, Barking JOY
tally, and ia ana hour retuu to seek
Amzi I'M the field or barn collared With
an answer from 10, Spinner Lin this
way the dor became. iu "a limited sense,
the messenger and postMan ot she igm-
ily. when occasion prompted and "a
very quick aud faithful one. ltWaa the
last THURSDAY in August when Major
Pepuer. Gnishiug his second cup OF
coffee at breakfast, exclaimed 10 his
wife "Therc, Helen. / forgot TO tell
Won last night that il YOU want to 90
10 the town I'M tho phmtou with me to-
day. and Give tti afternoon to pick
inr out those CARPETS. 1T il -utt nae capt.
tallv."
Aunt Pepnn.. laughed .tWhy does a
man alsavs choo. inst she Wrou. d.ty of
all othersa' she sal0merr)v. "Amz,and
Mira Clira was Amz's wife pu Aunt
Pepper's co9e} vautcdtogo toNew York
to-dav 10 attend to that wedding ner
sisters vou recallec, Tnrl started
oarh cad to'c,. ca) Tor the smIoa. AND
T don't exnect tl.an bael1 until loug af-
ter we're In bed to-nipht. cant leave
the house and Ford TO take care of
themselves"
con YES Won can. lau@hed Uncle
PepDor Ford mioht ~o alono. II Il
wouldn't he hot and stupid dav ia
town for him. we shall be so busy.
Leave him rood luncheon. and lot
hhn Keen house by himself for once.
Leo will helm him You wouldn't mind
if. eh FordP'
Ford launched. too. and said chat he
rotbo,. Guessed NOT
"Ve'U not be later in getting home
than six O'Clock. / suppose. p said Aunt
Pepper. reluctantly consenting
"6b. dear. no. replied the major.
"and Ford win have a fine appetite for
a late dinner
A half hour later Ford and leo. the
one with his hand and the other with
his active. if unimportant, tail, waved
major and Mrs. Pepper goodbye from
The broad piazza. and thcn turned them
selves about to beoin the work of pass
inc a iolly day together. Ford did not
like TO leave the house forany length of
time.
A wooden swing he was contriving in
the garden. the arrangement Of his col
lection of Indian relies, and q letter 10
his roommate at the school-one Harry
North-took up all the forenoon.
This latter, or letter business, was
still on hand, and Ford was scratching
away at it in the summer-house, when
Leo suddenly arowled. Then he sprang
up. barking violently. A strange gen
tleman was leisurely drawing near the
pair of friends Ford rose and stepped
out of his retreat
Il beg pardon for interrupting you,
sir, began the stranger, very pleasant
", "but are your father and mother ut
I,o,,o 70 doH- ~