The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-02

cruel, brsss-tipped horns. The steer went
by like an avalanche. So great was his
momentum that he went some little dis
lance before he could recover himself.
The steer was momentarily surprised
and disconnected at his lack OF success.
But, wheeling around, he shook his head
angrily and again started for Dick.
lilly had now almost reached the fence,
and Deacon Holbrook and his two men
were close at hand. If Dick could avoid
the steers second charge, there would be
no danger after that
This time the animal advanced more
cautiously. Dick retreated slowly, keep
ing his eyes fixed upon the steer He
hoped to repeat his lodging tactics which
had proved so successful before. But, I'M.
fortunately, this "Fabian policy" was
doomed to disaster; he backed into
wide-spresding juniper bush, whose
prickly limbs impeded his motions, and
before he could extricate himself the steer
was upon him. Dick struck the brute
fiercely over the head with his cudgel, and
an instant later was tossed in the air by
the Infatuated beast. For second it
seemed as if the world was dropping
away from him. Then there was blank.
When Dick opened his eyes, q moment
or two later, three men were bending over
him. The steer was trotting away in the
distance.
Dick picked himself up slowly and care.
fully. There was terrible pain in his
side and he could hardly breathe.
"No bones broke" said Deacon Hol-
brook, examining the boy. "Thank God
for that I'll hev that steer killed be-
fore the etarnal critter does any more
damaged"
Dick started off, limping.
"Where are you goiu'? ?" asked the
deacon.
"Into the 'cut-down,' after my ros-
berries"
"Let your rosberries go. Ride down
to the house on load of hay, an stay
with me fur spell. You'll be ez lame
tomorrow ez though you had the rheu-
matiz."
Dick gladly obeyed. He rode down to
the house on load of sweetsmelling hay
with the deacon and lilly. 1t seemed as
If good Mrs. Holbrook could not do too
much for poor, motherless Dick when she
learned of his heroism.
That evening Deacon Holbrook drew
up his chair to the old-fashioned secre-
tary" in the sitting.room, and wrote a
letter to his son George-Tilly's father
away out in Colorado, telling him of Dick
and how bravely the boy had risked his
own life to save lilly from injury.
Several weeks later the deacon received
a reply. He opened the letter and out
futtered check for 5000. After express
ing his gratitude for his little daughters
escape, George Holbrook wrote: " In
closed you will find check for 5000.
Get the boy the necessary clothes, and
with the remainder of the money pur-
chase ticket for Denver, where 1 will
meet him. owe him debt which can
never repay. know that the Cundys are
a poor lot, but if the boy has anything in
him l will see that he has chance to
bring it out.'
In the fall Dick started for Colorado
with Lebanon gentleman who was going
West. He is now in the centennial state,
where, among new scenes and new peo
pie, he has an opportunity to shake of
the unthrift and Incidence which have
characterized his family for hundred
years and make man of himself.
May he be equal to his chance l-Edgd7
L. Warren, in Congregationalist.