The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-01-30

blind. The fastening was loose, it gave
way, and then bis bark reused at once
Mrs. Stanton from her nap and the
tramp from his rummaging the cup
boards As one came from the sitting.
room the other stepped from the
pantry, and which was more startled
it was hard to tell. But the tramp
a stout fellow with big stick-had
the advantage against this slender lit
tie woman, and he knew it.
81 come in fur some dinner, murn, "
he said, an evil leer on his face as he
saw how white she grew. ssAn',
seen We was asleep, | thought I'd jest
help myself. But as ye're up, mebbe
you won't mind gettin' me some butter.
! amt overload O dry bread. And If
we've bit o. change in the house, I'll
take keer of it for YOU"
Mrs. Stanton felt her helplessness;
but she saw the end Of the chain hang-
ing from his pocket, and she was de-
termined no tramp should take that be-
fore her eyes.
Strayr' she said to the dog, who
oCOOO DboIdC HCIs uOb hIlOW1H2 JlCOlcC19
what to do, and so waiting for orders,
9 go find Jack Stanton. He's at the
barn." and, as the dog dashed away.
You'll get no change FROM me, she
said, shortly.
Of course, the tramp thought Jack
Stanton was a man, and for a minute
lost his confidence. g 1 ain t a-goin' to
hurt We, mum. Ye needn't be afraid, !"
he said. I'm tired an hungry, an |
didn't mean no harm. Jest give me a
square meal an nickel, an III &C"
Perhaps you'll go without" Mrs
Stanton said; 'san leave behind that
watch you've put in your pocket, too.
I'm not alone in the house 2
But her voice shook despite her brave
words. The tramp thought her afraid,
and turned defiant again. He looked
at his stick. and pushed the end of the
chain down deeper. 81 don't see no.
body" he said, insolently. Its all a
blind; but amt so easy taken in. Gil
me what | want right straight, or I'll
He stepped nearer, his evil eyes
cleaning. just as he lifted his club
there was rush behind him, and eat
him, Jack, Stray" she cried. "Get out
what's in his pocket.'' In an instant
they were on him, Jack springing
straight at his throat. But the poor
fellow had lost his early grip, and the
fight would have been too much for
him alone. But no tramp could man
age two at once, big dog at his throat
and little ones teeth deep in his leg.
Stray hadn't Jack strength or science;
but he was even harder to shake off. He
throttled the one; but just as his fin
gers closed on him the others teeth
buried themselves in his hand, and,
with howl, he let Jack go. And then
they were all on the floor together, and
Jack had dragged the watch out, and
then Mrs. Stanton called them of. Jack
obeyed from habit; but Stray could not
leave the fight. The tramp picked
himself up, still clinging to his coat,
and darted out the door, Jack at his
heels. Mrs. Stanton wanted to call
them back; she was afraid he might
turn, once out of the house, and kill one
of them. She need not have been anx-
ious His one idea was to get away
from those dogs. zone L could have
managed" he thought, as he ran.
"But two, and one a pesky beast, with
the sharpest teeth ever see!"
Half way down the road, in their mad
chase, the dog met the children, and
they all came back together; and then
what an excitement there was over the
two herOes 'tAnd they both helped -
May cried. ooh! Jack! Now, now,
you won mind about Stray, will you,
dear old fellow? If he hadn't gone to
get you, you couldn't have been in the
fight, you knoWP" She kissed the white
star on his forehead, and Rugged his
black head, and then she called up
Stray. ''You helped each other, dog
gies," she said, land you must shake
hands over it. Give me your paw, Jack
Stanton; here Stray; and you're going
to be friends now, always" And they
were. Perhaps Jack only made the
best of the situation; but he.had always
been such a noble dog that | think it
was something more, He had found
out that Stray was good for something.
But he kept his rights as the elder
brother Stray could take his place at
ball, but only he could go to mail, or
escort the family to church. Stray, in
deed, showed no mind to this last amuse-
ment. "And dare say, it ain't every
dog who could stand the music" Jack
would say, beneyolently, when Stray
came to meet them on their return.
And its just as well you should stay
and guard the house. /" = Emily r.
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