Dodge City times., 1888-03-29
4 Brothers Keeper.
B. MARY HARTwELL CATHERwoODr
Copyr ighted 1857, by the A. n. Kellogg New
paper Company
IContinued. |

''He beat away on his heart, but the NOR
he thumped the larger it grew. and whe,
he put it back into place it pushed out hi
chest and lifted him OF the ground. A
that the Troll dropped his tools. dashed ou
of the furnace and threw himself across th,
reservoir, which opened into the sea. surc
that he could face the Maelstrom. His ligh
heart carried him straight up the whirlpool
out before he had risen six fathoms he wa.
pounded and suffocated the sea threw hin
oack into the reservoir and shook her
wltch's fist at him through the opening, as
II saying: is that enough for you.'
'The Troll limped back to the furnace
where every grinning dwarf capered a
him. But he hammered Lis brains and con
densed them until they became magnetic
forcibiy drawing or repelling objects. An(
when he put iho1n baca in his head he saw
himself differently, and did not attempt the
whirlpool again until he had followed al
the cLild's Observation-Disclosures his hands
and feet TO an amber glow, the very tint O.
light under water.
''Then he crept out and launched into the
base of the Maelstrom. But it beat hin
down, and lashed him 2cross the face with
bodies, and stung him with sca-nettles. un
til he threw up his arms and was sucked
among the dead in the reservoir. scarcely
able to lift his nOstrils over the brink Sc
stubborn was the Troll. however that he
crept again to the furnace. and this time the
dWarfS stuck their ian like tongues in his
face, and bent over and slapping themselves
and twisting their tiny black noses in de-
rision.
"Without watching them, the Troll tenn
pered himself q third tine. And after that
trial of the Maelstrom he would not have
lifted a finger for his life and the whole
world besides.
''The child came and sloothcd his bruised
limbs, saying. Poor Ht1la hll Troll
"lm ready 10 dr. said the Troll But
after he he'd rested long time he added
IN die trying Il, though
"Ovcr and over he tempered himself, over
and over he tried the y nistron. astonished
to find how life and Determination did linger
III him, until he rose through the whirlpool
and drew up calm undcr hls feet. To this
day the NaclstrOm remJinS conquered, and
is no longer dangerous except in winter
storms. And the whole world who did not
care "a pin for the Troll when be was beaten
just TO deG,n in MS s4btarranean reservoir
could not praise him enough"
A prolonged snore from Nose covered the
climax Of this story. Adam dragged him
up blinking like an owl.
''Twhoo-oo.n initiated Adam. ''Wake up,
chicllen-eater. The storvs told and the
molasses Is i WaXin'. \ Aoa help me sling Off
thes" kttles.'
''You mustn't let such back-achey,
gruesome yarns get into your head, Miss
Phoebe said Tom Holmes. 1T isn't
I fn'c =.
az one makes it. Here's Painter over the
Hollow. He could be living like decent
Christian, but shuts himself up like a wolf
What if things haven't gone to suit hima A
man can't boss the world. A man expects
to be trod on once in awhile, but let him
take it with-a good grace and kick back if
he can, and il he can't grin about it.'
People who are out Of the water can give
such lucid instructions how to escape
drowning" retorted Gurley. you've al
ways had good time yourself"
There was some hustle in taking off the
kettles and helping the sugar. The party
shifted about, talking. When Gurley
brought Phoebe White her saucer of sugar,
she said to him:
II wonder what that hermit is doing
across the Hollow! May be he's sitting be-
fore his fire with his heart all 5ittcrn
Perhaps he is" said Gurley, smiling in
diligently. 1--we been down in the mouth
myself when L was lonesome
Tom Holmes looked at her with the
amused contempt which experienced people
always bestow on visionaries.
go over and invite Painter to Join US,
Miss Phoebe" " he suggested.
I'D like to go and carry him some sugar,
just to let him know there were human be- |
ings in the world who could take thought |
for him.
'Do it." said Tom. ''rm curious to know !
how he'll receive you.'
II WILL returned Phoebe White, nettled, |
IF some one pleases to show me the path. |
Nose you forfeited your hat. Redeem it by |
going across Black Hollow with me.'
II don't care nothin' about that old hat"
replied Nose, slouching into the lodge with |
jarful of the grained sugar.
'What'n you be up to nextf disapproved
Randy.
Nobody will go with her." said McArdle,
easily ''It is too absurd"
''Not at all absurd" said Gurley. ready
with another saucer of sugar. Twill you
take my arm, Miss White. l know every
stepping g-stone in the Black Hollow"
Painter will shoot you both" said Tom