The Washington critic., 1889-02-12
PEDRO.

u IN lHtt Ht lHu Uctu mystery sluCt
80, for in that year the town was set
tied, aud Pedro was living in Judges
Cliff when the first settlers came TO
Beachton.
How he came to be there nobody
knew, and nobody would have cared
had II not been for the last act of his
life. Nobody knew who built his house
for him, or how IL came to be where II
village solons declared simply that some
terrific storm that happened long ago
must have been responsible for the loca
tion. All of which rather anticipates
the statement that Pcdro's home was
the wreck of u boat--a queer, lubberly
old wreck that was lying keel upper
most full twenty fee, above the waters
edge.
A narrow ledge, not more than ten
feet WIDE and running perfectly hori-
zontal for distance of forty or fifty
feet, was all that Pedro could claim in
the way of front or back yard, and
outside that limited range the old man
ventured but once week. That was
on Saturday afternoon, when he would
take his willow market basket on his
arm and go to Beachton market.
Pedro himself was getting old, very
old, for few people could remember
when Pcdro's hair was other than
scant and gray, or his steps other than
hating and feeble.
The even tenor of the old mans way
had brought him in contact with few
people. He had made no enemies
and no friends, and people were con-
tent that old Pedro should remain a
mystery.
Thus it happened that when the old
man came and went on market days
there was no kind word for him, no
handshakes, no cheerful salutations.
He came apd went like shadow, AMI
the school children hurried past him as
if his very silence frightened them.
Now, between the market and Pedro's
home, and so situated, therefore, that
Pedro passed in going and coming, was
Major Deals home, beautiful old
fashioned homestead with long,
shaded walk that led down to the gate.
And the Major had killed Pedro's
dog.
OF course, the Major never did admit
that he had done wrong.
The little terrier had barked at his
heels and he had struck at it with his
cane. He never intended to kill the
dog, but 1t was only dog-and only
old Pedro's dog at that. OF course
Pedro viewed matters little differently,
and as natural result of the difference
the major forgot all about it, while
Pedro remembered 1t very distinctly.
In fact, there can be no doubt that The
Majors baby saved great deal of
trouble about that dog.
When the weather was fair the baby
would be at the gate as Pedro passed on
Saturday afternoon, and she had learned
to recognize Pedro, while the lonely old
man learned to love and yearn for tina
baby welcome. He always paused
moment in passing to raise his tattered
old hat and smile at baby Maud. So,
while Pedro remembered very distinctly
that the Major had killed his dog, his
thoughts of revenge had given place to
other and better thoughts, for all of
which the majors baby was entirely re-
| sponSible.
One beautiful Saturday afternoon in
the autumn of 1879 group of school
girls were gathered at the Majors gate,
and in their midst was the Majors baby.
Right royalty the little queen was hold
ing her court. Pedro saw all that as he
came on with his basket.
Suddenly shout of warning was
heard, and pistol shots were fired at
Mayor Weeds house, just two doors
above the Majors.
Mad dog Mad dog |" shouted half
a dozen voices.
The frightened girls turned to see the
vicious brute only few steps from
them, and ran screaming toward the
Majors house.
The Majors wife met them at the
door.
"Oh, Mrs. Deal--a mad dogv'
The young mothers face was deathly
pale, and without word she ran to-
ward the gate.
Before reaching the gate, however,
she saw that her baby was safe, and she
recognized Pedro. He had placed the
child carefully upon the grass just in
side the gate and then closed the gate.
Then the dog had attacked Pedro.
The huge maddcned brute was biting
savagely. The blood was flowing freely
frcm the old man. arms and hands, and
from an ugly wound in the cheek. Pc
dro was nearly exhausted, and his feeble
blows with a knife availed but little.
The mother had picked up her baby
and was watching the contest in an
| agony of suspense. Throwing all of
| his strength with his blow, the old man
! drove his knife to the hilt in the dogs
throat and as the brute lay foaming
and writhing at his feet the old man
dropped his knife and leaned YEARLY
against the gate. A group of people
soon gathered about him, and the Ma
| jor's wife called his name, but the old
man paid no attention. AS he rested
the baby's hands were upon his bowed
head.
Pedro" again said the Majors
wife.
Slowly the old man raised his head.
He didn't see the young mother, or the
people around him; he saw only the
baby, lie took the childs hands in his
own moment, and then turned away.
Picking up his empty basket, the old
man started toward his home. They
were all Pe(ko's friends now, and one
offered to carry him home in wagon,
and another to carry his basket, but the
old man shook his head. So he went
all alone, and they watched him until
he was lost to sight.
Dead or alive he was never seen again.
Before night everybody in Beachton
knew how Pedro had saved Baby
Maud's life, at what must inevitably be
the cost of his own,
The Major was off at court, and was
! Al. - i
! The night was dark and lowering, and
| tba Moipr bo1 haralu ,naDhnJ hio hnn,o