Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-12-19

GThars q man they cdH Sandy CldtrS"
In the great quiet that seemed to have
fallen upon the house the sigh OF the near
pines and the drip Of leaves without was very
distinct. Johnnys voice, too, was lowered
as he went on, @Don't you take on now, fur
Pm gettin' all right fast. Wot's the boys
doin' out thar
The Old Man partly opened the door and
peered through. His guests were sitting
there socially enough, and there were few
silver coins and lean buckskin purse on the
table. @Bettin' on suthin-some little game
or mother They're all right he replied to
Johnny, and recommended his rubbing.
srd like to take a hand and win some
money" said Johnny, refectively, after a
pause.
The Old Man glibly repeated what was
evidently familiar formula, that If Johnny
would wait until he struck it rich in the
tunnel he'd have lots of money, ETC., etc.
"Yes," said Johnny, but you don't. And
whether you strike it or1 win it, it's about
the same. It's all luck. But it's mighty
cur'o's about ChrismiSS-ain't it, Why do
they call it Chrismissr
Perhaps from some instructive Difference to
the overhearing of his guests, or from some
vague sense Of incongruity, the Old Mans
reply was so low as to be inaudible beyond
the room.
"Yes," said Johnny, with some slight abate-
ment Of interest, "rve heerd o. him before
Thar, thatn do, dad l don't ache near so
bad as did Now wrap me tight in this yer
blanket So. Now" he added in a muff1ed
whisper, "sit down yer by mo till go asleep"
To assure himself Of obedience, he disengaged
one hand from the blanket, and, grasping his
fathers sleeve, again composed himself to
| rest
For some moments the Old Man waited
patiently. Then the unwonted stiffness Of
the house excited his curiosity, and, without
moving from the bed, he cautiously opened
the door with his diSengaged hand, and
looked into the main room. To his infinite
surprise it was dark and deserted. But even
then a smoldering log ON the hearth broke,
and by the upspringing blaze he saw the
figure Of Dick Bullen sitting by the dying
embers.
"Hello"
Dick started, rose, and came somewhat I'M
steadily toward him.
"Whar's the boySl" said the Old Man.
"GOne up the canyon on a little pasear.
They're coming back for me in a mint. Pm
waitin' round for EN- What are you starin'
at, Old Manl" he added with forced laugh;
do you think I'm drunkf'
The Old Man might have been pardoned the
superstition, for Dicks eyes were humid and
his face flushed. He loitered and lounged
back to the chimney, yawned, shook himself,
buttoned up his coat and laughed. Liquor
ART so plenty as that, Old Man. Now don't
| you git up" he continued, as the Old Man
made movement to release his sleeve from
Johnny's hand "Don't you mind manners.
Sit Jest where you be; I'm goin' in jiffy.
| Thar, that's them now"
There was low tap at the door. Dick
Bullen opened it quickly, nodded "Good
night" to his host, and disappeared The
Old Man would have followed him but for
the hand that still unconsciOusly grasped his
sleeve. He could have easily diSengaged it,
! it was small, weak and emaciated. But per-
haps because it tgaS small, weak and ema-
ciated he changed his mind, and, drawing
his chair closer to the bed, rested his head
| upon it. In this defenseeSs attitude the po-
tency Of his earlier potations surprised him.
| The room fickered and faded before his eyes,
reappeared, faded again, went out, and left
him-asleep.
Meantime Dick Bullen, closing the door,
confronted his companions. Are you
readyP said Staples. Ready" said Dick;
whats the timer past 12,n was the
reply; "can you make iti-it's nigh on fifty
miles, the round trip hither and yon." 81
reckon" returned Dick, shortly. "Whar's
the mareP Bill and Jacks holdin' her at
the croSSin'." GLet 'em hold on q mint
longer" said Dick
He turned and re-entered the house softly.
By the light of the guttering candle and dy-
ing fire he saw that the door Of the little
room was open. He stepped toward it on
tiptoe and looked in. The Old Man had
fallen back in his chair, snoring, his helpless
feet thrust out in line with his collapsed
shoulders, and his hat pulled down over his
eyes. Beside him, on narrow wooden bed
soead, lay Johnny, muftled tightly in a
blanket that hid all save strip of forehead
and few curlS damp with perspiration
Bullcn made a step forward, hesitated, and
glanced over his shoulder into the deserted
room. Everything was quiet. With sud
den resolution he parted his huge mdstaches
with both hands and stopped over the sleep
ing boy But even as he did so miSchievous
blast, lying in wait, swooped down the chin
ney, rekindled the hearth, and Lit up the
room with shameless glow from which Dick
aed in bashful terror.
His companions were already waiting for
him at the crossing Two Of them were
struggling in the darkness with some strange
miSShapen bulk, which as Dick came nearer
took the semblance Of a great yellow
horse.
1t was the mare. She was not a pretty
picture. From her Roman nose to her rising
launches, from her arched spine, hidden by
the stiff machillas Of a Mexican saddle, to
her thick, straight, bony legs, there was OF
a line Of equine grace. In her half blind but
wholly vicious white eyes, in her protruding
under lip, in her monStrous color, there was
nothing but uglineSs and vice.
"Now, then" said Staples, stand crar of
her heels, boys, and up with you. Don't
miss your first holt of her name, and mind We
get your of stirrup quick. Ready"
There was a leap, a scrambling struggle, a
bound, wild retreat Of the crowd, a circle
Of flying hoofs, two springleSs leaps that
Jared the earth, rapid play and jingle Of
spurs, a plunge, aud then the voice OF
Dick somewhere in the darkness, "Al
right"
Don't take the lower road back onless
you're hard pushed for time! Don't hold her
in down hill Wen be at the ford az 5.
1 Gfl,nrf MI