The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-09-26

much in earnest, then, Paul's grand
father sent the boy to bring from the
boat his duck gun, declaring that the
dog must be shot.
Away flew Paul, while tho women
set up such a lamentation because of
the necessity of killing the dog that had
saved the baby from drowning, that the
ferryman made them 90 some distance
away, lest the dog, if only wounded,
should spring upon them indiscrim-
inately, at a time when he would have
all he could do to defend himself But
the gun, too, was 4 failure. 1t was
evident the dog understood a gun, but
supposed that they intended to shoot
the child; for he protected its body so
closely with his own, that to fire al one
would be to lire ut both. Completely
batlled, the old man threw the weapon
on the ground.
Hold! Grandpa" cried Paul, at
And the swift feet were off toward the
ferry once more.
He is going to try lasso on the
beast the way he caught the pig that
broke out of the pen yesterday" said
grandfather to himself, and then he
shouted. but too late to be heard:
''DOn take the rope that ties the boat,
Paul! Don't let the boat LOOSE
The women, waiting in terror for the
report of the musket, saw Paul run
past, and thought of him no more until
three minutes later when cry for help
attracted their attention, and Paul was
seen to fall headlong over the boat
stern into the deep wster. As he rose
to the surface he grasped the rudder
with one hand, but long before help
could arrive, his hold slipped and he
disappeared. The old man, running as
fast as his stiff limbs could cary him,
reached the boat at the same time as
the women; but he was less frightened
thap they.
"Why-that chap can swim-like a
duck" were his words, as he caught
his breath. He drown ng?-I wouldn't
wouldn't have believed it!''
''He was frightened by the accident, -
some one remarked, while the old man
worked at a disadvantage in getting off
the boat, as he kept his eyes turned on
the water.
There! away yonder! so far down
ohI' came the cries from the shore, as
the women, shielding their eyes from
the sun with their hands, caught sight
of the lads head and shoulders above
the surface, nearly opposite the point
where the child had been landed All
felt that he WAS drowning, but none
dared say SO to the fond Old grand
rather In the same breath Paul gave
one last; long, piercing. cry and sank
gradually anna the curing waves
mat call mad an instant effect, True
TO MS Iite-saVlng instincts, the great dog
Ieaped INTO the river again, and swim
ming to the boy, drew him, heavier
burden than the BABY, slowly ashore at
the spot where the baby had lain. But
Ihe Daby lay there no longer; Tor It's
mother whom the shrek OF distress
had also aroused, had snatched it up,
as the dog lett 1t, and borne 1t away in
Joy and triumph. And as soon as Paul
was on land, he stood up and hailed the
BOAT, swinging his arms and shoutlng
"All right Grandpa. Carry over the
WomenioikS' ana when I'm ready pres
ehtiy' II walk across.
lie broke INTO laugh that startled
the echoeS' the merrlest laugh, those
VINO heafo II SAID That ever lell on their
ears;
Inc young rascal cried the grand
lather' ,gayly', Whlle tear OF gratitude
stole down ms bronzed cheek ito
lrIgnteh ana 1901 US so!