The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-12-25

oh no, he has not bitten me-yetW
she cred. "But he has been watch.
ing me. just as he does the beggers that
come to the gate, and l know what
that MEANS"
l called Jackson away, and nv aunt
descended, but a volume would hard.
ly suffice if I attempted to relate all
the troubles, real and imaginary, that
were told me by my aunt, the princi-
pal being what she called the fact that
jackson, by some means or other, al
ways got beneath her bed; and when
it was pointed out to her, on the most
irrefutable evidence, that Jackson was
always chained up to his kennel every
night, she merely tightened her lips,
and said that it was very mysterious.
care you going to destroy that dog,
George, or am [ to go?" said the old
lady, one morning. II declare it s un-
bearable!"
"What is unbearable, my dear
aunt?" | said, putting my arm round
her slight form, and drawing her to
mo.
'There, there, I won, t be ecoaxed and
cheated INTO silence any MORE" she
cried, making pretence of pushing
me away. l declare it's shameful!
That demon OF n dog regularly haunts
me. lcan't stir a step without his
being after me, watching ng mo in that
horribly sly leering way OF his"
"Oh, nonsense, aunt"
ut is not nonsense, my dear. And
then he listens SO every time speak"
why, of course he does, auntie, all
dogs do"
."Not like that dreadful creature.
George. The way lie lifts up first one
ear, and then the other, making the tips
qulvcr, is something awful. 1t sends
shudder all though me-"
"Why, auntic, he's listening, and
trying to find out what you mean"
"Oh, no, my dear don't tell me that!
l know better. That creature UNDER
stands every word that is said, perfect
ly, Just as well as a-no. / won t say
Christian, but he understands, and he
is always meditating some mischief
against me. know he is. He took u
dislike to me as soon as l came"
"Oh, nonsense, aunt; why he has
tried no end OF times to make friends
with YOU"
"Make friends?" she cried.
"Yes; saw him come to you only
yesterday, and lick your right hand.h
"To be sure he did, the nasty, car
niverous creature. That's his wollish
appetite. He sent shiver through
me and made my hand quite wet"
"Now, my dear auntie," | said.
"I'm sure you would not wish me to
poison that poor faithful beast"
"Poison, indeclw cried nv aunt:
"why, l never even limited at such u
thing"
hang him?"
"How can you be so disgusting, my
dear boy?" she cried. You should
not say such things"
"But you said destroy him. Surely
you don't want me to cut his head off
with the mcat-choppcr."
"Really, my dear, must leave the
room," cried the old lady. "if you will
still persist IN talking in this dreadful
strain. And there-ugh!-look at
him. Pm sure he understands every
word we say."
"Well, it can't he pleasant for him
to hear you plotting his murder,
auntic," l said.
81 did not. SIR" she cried warmly.
81 never plotted anything in my life"
"But you said, destroy him aunt" !"
you know as we'll as do, sir, that
l meant to give Inn away"
"Give him away, aunt!" / cried
laughing; "why it would be beimpossible.
Unless 1 sent him across the sea, he
would be certain to come back.
wouldn't you. Jack old MANI"
Jackson made one bound OH to my
knee, and my aunt uttered q shrek OF
dismay az the dog placed his paws on
my shoulder, cooked his ears, and
gave three loud barks.
elf you have any respect for me, my
DEAR" she said at last, "send that
dog away-at all events, send him out
of the room"
"oh, all right, auntie,' said.
"Here, Jackson, out you CO."
The dog leupcd down, looked up at
me wistfully, then glanced at my aunt,
and trotted out at the open door,
and into tl,egardcn, where lie barked
sharply at his disappointment, for he
had evidently believed that was COM
ing, too.
"That's better my DEAR" said the
old lady. dare say you think me u
very strange crotchcty, old woman;
but can't help that. Did you see
what n horrible threatning look that
dog gave me as he went out?,'
"No, aunt. did not"
"Ah, well, he did, my dear. And
now Pm going for n walk. shall go
upstairs and put on my things, and
then have u walk, and mind that dog
does not see me go, or know he'll
come and watch Inc all the time"
Gail right, auntie," said, smiling;
and as she went upstairs, sat down
in my little study, and began reading.
just looking up, when she came back
and kissed me.
/ heard the front door close, and
then there was n short, sharp bark.
"He has heard hergo," l said to my
self, and starting up, l reached the
back window, in time to see Jackson
with his head and tail up, galloping
across the field at the bottom OF the
garden, so as to get round to the road,
and join my aunt.
l could not help laughing to my
self, and l hesitated ms to whether l
should 20 and call him back, but just
then had q c@!!er, and the matter
passed out OF my mind.
1t must have been about an hour
after, that gotup to go and make a
call or two, just at the edge OF the
village; and / was some distance on
my way, when, all ut once, herd
shout-half-shriek, half yell OF agony
coming from IL turn OF the road and
directly after q man came in sight,
running with all his might, and as soon
as he saw mel made in my direction,
crying out, "Ic!p! help! help"
whats the matter? What is it?'
l said; but he only looked at me wildly,
and dashed on, while, when l turned
to gaze after him, the mystery was
solved; a dog had attached him, and
fastened on to his coat or collar, or
somewhere that l could not clearly
make out, and there hung between the
mans shoulders.
1t was only q few moments glance