The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-10-14
A Dumb Hero.

conceivable way, ana yet IL WOuiu
not come cut.
There was a worried quicker be-
tween her eyes that would rot come
out either.
Bess and Edith were having a
lovely time in the corner playing
church. Edith was the minister,
of course, else why was she two
wears older? While Bess, looking
very solemn and sleepy, did the con
greeation to life, as she sat in her
little chair surrounded by her large
doll family.
1--WE will sing now, Bess, so stand
up" said Edith, after she had gone
over all the verses she could re-
member, by way of a sermon. And
Bess, glad to change, rose up at
once, and they plped up in shrill,
high voices, and then Edith wound
up with "Amen" in her loadest
voice, but, after looking at Bess a
moment, she changed TO "a women,
cause there amt men here"
Bess wanted to go ON singing, so
it grew louder and mamma looked
up with the worried look still be-
tween her eyes.
"Oh, children, what racket you
make! Can't you play something
nice and quiet?'
mo, mamma" answered Edith.
eve feel so full of noise, and l wish
you would let US go out doors,
there's such lots of room there.
Please do, mamma"
"And Bessie, Edith's echa said,
"Pe' do, num-"
It was almost train time and the
track lay just outside the dooryard.
But mamma had been out and shut
the gate so securely that the lutte
fingers could not open them, just
before she commenced her sewing,
though If it had not been for her
bother over the little dress she
would have remembered that Bill,
the hired man, had been up for q
Jug OF water a little while before,
and nothing could ever make Bill
remember to close the gates care
fully. He was not used to tho
children's presence there yet, as
they had come out to the farm only
short time before to spend the
summer at grandpa's. But all this
slipped out of mammals mind, and
she said, Yes, go on and be good
girls"
And away they ran into the pref
ty sunshine they liked so well.
1t was very quiet now in the big,
sunny room, with no sound to
break the stiffness but the click Of
grandma's needle from the bright
corner where dear grandma sat
knitting, and duzing sometimes,snd
old Bose, the great yellow mastif,
snoring on the rug.
Presently, missing the babies,
whom he had adopted at once his
especial charges, he stretched him
self with huge yawn, and slowly
followed them out of doors. And
mamma, looking up a moment,
said:
Mother, Bose is getting old. He
isn't good for anything now but to
lie around and sleep. should al
most think father would have him
put out of the way
Grandma's needles stopped click
Jag and she looked up in astonish-
ment. why, daughter, you sure
ly don't think what you are saying.
Why, 1 believe father would as
soon think of putting me out of the
way as Bose! Why, what could
we do without Boseg'
"Well, neither, / know it, only
feel cross and worried this morning
and everything goes the wrong way.
Don't mind what l say"
"Are the gates all closed, daugh-
ter? It's most train time"
Yes, mother. l closed them be-
fore l sat down TO sew. But, oh"
with sudden thought flashing
through her mind-"Bill has been
up since then.p
And just az mamma ran out the
train whistled. Her brain reeled
at the picture before her. For there
on the track, standing still, with
her dear, sunny head beat forward
in bewilderment, and her little
hands full of flowers-''pitty towers
for mum"-was baby Bess. And
Edith stood crying as loudly a. she
could on the bank.
All this was photographed on
the mothers heart forever, as she
ran, in the vain hope of reaching
her baby in time,
But there was one before her, and
Bose flew past her like a yellow
flash. In great bounds be gained
the track, caught the baby in his
teeth and they we're safe on the
meadow grass as the train thunder
ed by,
10 the mothers heart was
psalm Of thanksgiving, as she crept
down after them, for her strength
had all gone, and everything grew
very dim as she clasped the baby
10 Ter arms, and Bose stood looking
on most anxiously as he saw the
number of his patients thus in
creasing.
But mamma opened her eyes ia a
few minutes, and seeing Bose stand
ing over her, she took his honest
head in her arms and kissed him
on his forehead.
"Oh, Bose, dear Bose, how could
1 ever have eaid such things about
you as I did, you who saved my
baby's life? On Bose, if you will
forgive me you shall have the best
time all your life, and al the fresh
meat you can eat"
Whereat Bose nearly wagged his
tail off with delight.
Electric Swords.