The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-12-20


Poor Bruce! they are going TO take
you away from me-" moaned the hoy.
The dog patted the floor softly with
MS tall At the sound Of his young mas
ter's voice.
| Perhaps perhaps your father will
rclent," faltercd his r4other. after a
time. She could not give much com
fort. for she did not herself believe what
she was saying. DRY your eyes. Paul,
and let's hope for the best"
| mo, no, he means IL this time" cried
the boy, bursting into another food Of
tears.
| The door opened and Mr.. wilkins
came in again. lie stood in silence Look
ing At the boy and listening to his con-
vulsive sobs. Perhaps his sympathy
was touched. for he said. not unkindly:
Whats the use Of making 50 much
fuss about miserable dog? didn't
suppose you cared so much as all that.
The dog will have good home with
Farmer Jones. and -" Just then his
eyes fell upon the torn coat. and he adj
ded, emphatically: II won't have such
destructive animal around any longer
| The flour Is out. John" said his wife.
III you want hot biscuit for supper you
had better send some down"
| iii send bag home BY Paul before
dinner was the reply IL cant get in
barrel to-day. The clerk Is too busy.
This fine weather is bringing all tho
farmers into town. Did you ever see
such splendid weather in winter be-
| forc?r
1T is almost as balmy as SPRING"
, Yes. and IL looks like regular Jam
uary thaw. Paul. you had better come
along TO the store with me. There is lots
Of business to-day"
| The boy brushed away his tears, slow
| ~ got up from the floor and drew on his
overcoat. Bruce shook himself and pre-
pared TO follow his young master.
"oh. ldon't mean you. You stay here
growled Mr.. Wilkins. with scowl. and
| the dog sncakcd back behind the chair
and stretched himself out again.
IL was indeed beautiful morning.
The warm rays Of the sun were melt
ing the snow, and gentle breeze blew
from the south. The store was not
over quarter OF a mile from their
house. and Mr.. Wilkins and his son
walked up the road and turned into the
main road upon which the store was To-
Gated.
Look. father, SEQ that funny Clouds
said Paul, as he pointed to dark patch
in the northwest
"Ycs. saw II little while ago. 1t
doesn't amount TO any thing. guess
Paul's thoughts were so bound up in
Bruce. and he was kept soIbusy about
the store. that he forgot all about the
cloud. and ii was some time afterward
that he heard his father remark TO the
clerk: II wonder what makes it 50
dark
1T is curious replied the latter.
jumping over the counter and looking
out Of the door. why" he exclaimed,
1.-THE sky is black!'
just then a customer came in. sYou
might as well shut up shop and 20
home. = he said. II am going to get up
there as fast as l can. Give me five
pounds Of sugar. quick! There is the
biggest blizzard you ever saw coming
Paul ran outside. The gentle wind
had ceased. and in its place was per
feet and ominous calm. 1t f.as very dark.
Yes. IL does look like blizzard" re-
marked his father; hut reckon there
is no hurry. Luckily, / have got my
coal-bin FULL
There was still considerable work to
be done about the store. and another
two hours passed before all were startled
by a furious gust Of wind which shoot;
the whole building. Paul again ran 70
the door and opened it. A tremendous
gale was blowing from the northwest.
and cloud Of snow blew in before its
icy breath. The ground was white
with il.
'.Gracious! 1t is on us. sure enough!"
exclaimed Mr.. Wilkins. II had no idea
1t was storming 50. We must be get
ting out OF this lie went behind the
counter for small bag OF -four, and
then into back room for an overcoat
that hung there. You can close up the
store as soon as you like" he said to the
clerk. "IIere. Paul. throw this over
your shoulders and come along" Mr..
wilkins led the way into the open air.
The blizzard had come with a rush
The thermometer had fallen in an hour
away down below zero. The snow was
fine as sand. and the furious gale drove
the minute particles Of ice with blind
ing force until they cut like sharp
needles. Had there been cloud-burst
the snow could not have come down
faster II was SO fine and thick that il |
was impossible 70 see rod away. IL |
already covered the ground 70 a con-
siderable depth and was drifting badly.
Paul had not gone dozen rods be-
fore he found himself unable TO breathe.
lie mad drawn the lev PARTICLES into his |
lungs. and was actually suiTocating in
the open air. lie tried TO cry out, but |
could only tug at his fathers arm. Ills
father saw at a glance what was the |
natter. and without word drew out |
handkerchief and bound ii tightly
about thu boys mouth and nose. Then.
throwing away the flour. which was be-
coming too burdcnsome, he took his son |
by the hand and led him along.
II was the hardest kind Of work 70 |
keep their feet in the driving storm.
The cold wind pierced them to the |
bones. but they struggled bravely on.
thinking OF the warm fire awaiting |
them at home