The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-07-28

"Not for week." l said. HAS any.
thing happeneds'
"She went to ride yesterday afternoon,
and hasn't returned yet, nor has she been
seen. We hoped she was here"
"Sbe hasn't been."
They looked white and scared Mr..
Little seemed to have aged in q night.
"There was band OF Indians here"
said Gray; "they may have taken her"
l told them Of the Indians visit, aLd
thought it improbable, ss they seemed
so kindly disposed; but they rode off
following the trail
That night Was more dreadful than
the tirst, and the dog seemed frenzied
over the csyotes, who ve,led till morn.
ing. aud l cried mvself into hvsterics
and frightened poor little George, who
sat up in bed and screamed the "kiyos
we're eating bis dirl.' He always called
Miss Bessie bis "dirl."
The next morning q number OF peo
pie came up; they we're hunting for Bes.
sic The whole nei2hborhood Was
searched.
I lcould not leave home, but George
and l walked over the ranch, looking in
every hole, and wisttully across the
plains. Our dog, Smarty, ran after us,
and silly old turkey. .gobbler. nv pet and
the pride OF nv poultry yard, Joined In
the procession. Smsrtv chased him, and
Gobble few over the wire-fence and rush
ed down the hill, through valley, across
the road, and saw the two. mere specks,
tearing up the hill near the we'll.
"He'll kill Gobblew / shouted. seiz
ing Georgie's hand, and we rusted after
them, George crying at the top pof his
lungs and being winded at every step
At last took him on my back, and I'm.
ished the race with heavy burden.
At the foot OF the bill was the we'll,
and there Gobhle stood, scolding and
shaking bis red neck. while Smarty
seemed to have forgotten his very exis.
:ence, but was running around the well,
uttering short, quick barks.
The planks around and over the we'll
were gone, and the earth about it was
plowed IS IL there had been struggle.
I dropped Georges hand and rushed
down. / pushed Smarty away, and
looked down. 1t Was dark, but fancied
| saw something white away down. Just
then faint voice from the depths OF the
earth shouted:
"Help! Help"
I'm Charley Boyd. Who's bere3-
Shout again! I"
"Bessie Little. Nv horse fell; he's
dead, away down. I'm clinging to a
plank in the side. / can't bold on much
longer. My arms are breaking!'
Whist could I do?
"Bessie," I shouted, "hold on little
while; I'm going for help!"
"I've been unconscious. I'm faint. /
shall die. Don't leave me. The dirt
falling brought me to life."
"I'll leave George here. Here, Geor-
gle, your dill is In that hole; SIT there
and talk to her. Don't YOU cry"
G.orgie's lip trembled, but he minded
hravely, pleading the dog should stay.
but was afraid to trust him. "Gobble
tay Wit Dorgie," he said. piteously but
that ssgac,ons bird was already winging
and hopping his way homeward. ! left
Bessie answering Georges scared Hal
loo!'
II she could keep conscious till I got
back! How thanked grandpa for his
careful habits. l knew just where the
new clotbes.liHe Was, the crowbar and
the hatchet. We were eight miles from
any raach, and l must act as II there
Was no one in the world to help her,
How got back l never knew. saw
George from the top OF the bill He
had crawled to the edge Of the we'll. and
was singing q little baby-song l had
taught him. His cheeks were red and
feverish. and his voice hoarse.
"Beseie!" / shouted.
"All right. George kept me from
fainiing. l made him sing"
sDit dirl out! dit difl out!" George
screamed, clinging to nv skirts ! push.
ed him sway there was no time to pet
or comfort him.
"Run to the road. George. that. way;
nov halloo for helr. Yes, take the dog.
Tell everybody your dirl is in Byers'
we'll"
I knew his white. tear. wet face would
bring the most unbelieving stranger. and
l watched his chubby torn, in the bright
plaid dress, and the panting dog disap-
pear over the hill All the while Was
digging deep hole with the Ratchet,
and scooping the earth ou. with my
hands, and shouting every few moments
to Bessie. I buried the crowbar bali.
wav, then ! tried my weight; it did not
move l had seen men wind lines
around post to raise heavy objects
'.Put this moose around your waistw
| shouted
II dare not" she answered. family -
"You couldn't help M. Oh, go for
helpr'
"You must The ends fast 10 q crow
bar. can't find anybody. They're oil
hunting for you"
IL can'tw she cried, piteously.
"Then I'll leave you!' l shouted
'Its getting late; us your last chance"
There was q CHASTITY stiffness for
few moments. wound the line around
the bar and around my waist.
"Lnok out!' she screamed. heard
he beam 60 rafting down, and fear.
Iul stain frightened the cord Thought
i would cut me in two. For moment
thought was going over. Happily,
Ibe ridge OF earth was protection. The
rope loosened
"Haul easv !" she cried. ~ can each
nv feet IN the sides; the earth is soft"
wound the rope around the bar and
myself. was in perfect snarl.
Suddenly the rope grew loose, there
vas no weight. Was she lost? Every
Thing grew black, and / knew nothing
When l came 10, there we're two men
bending over me, trying to force brandy
In nv mouth.
"Where's Bessie ?" God be thanked
she answered me herselfl She had
climbed up the last few yards by the
broken timbers. The earth was torn up
l..