Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-26

other. Yes, that viii give US some fun,
at least, to pay for what they have
spoiled for u.s." spoke mp another.
s'The proposition was promptly mega
lived by both Rance and Bige, who,
though they had no great love for the
dogs, did not care to. see them disposed
of in that way. Their scruples were
easily disposed of, however, by the pro-
duction of half dollar by one of the
gentlemen, who offered to buy dog.
Now, in the mountains of Western
North Carolina half dollar looks as big
as cart wheel: so, when the fifty-cent
piece was drawn forth and offered to Bige
in exchange for one of his worthless
ours, his mind was made up on the spot
The exchange was consented to, and
Bige selected the cur that was to be
made a sacrifice. The yelping victim
was dragged to the edge of the cliff,
when some one suggested to give him
chance for his life by extemporizing for
his benefit a parachute. The idea was
voted good one; number of shrubs
were cut down and tied together, and
then fastened by a string around the
dogs body; he was tumbled over by the
hands of Bige, and he went down like
shot. Peering over. the awful chasm
with curious gaze the spectators beheld
him strike large stone at the bottom,
rebound and fall back shapeless mass
of flesh.
That parachute was failure said
the Major. and, as the dog at the bot
tom did not stir after they had watched
him through their glasses for five min
utes, the statement was generally ac-
cepted as embOdying a fact.
''sTry the umbrellas said one, and
all at once it was remembered that two
light umbrellas formed part of the
impediments borne by Bige and Rance.
agreed was the general shout,
and negotiations were at once opened
with Bige for another cur to be offered
up on the altar of science, or, in plain
language, to be tossed over the cliff.
But Bige did not want to sell any more
dogs, he didn't know what his old wom-
an would think of such performances,
and in Bige's cabin the gray mare was
the better horse. Rance was not SO
scrupulous. He was willing to sell a
dog for the experiment, but not at
Bige's figure. His dogs were better
than Bige's, and the least he could
think of taking for one was a dollar.
The dollar was contributed, the dog
changed owners, and the opened
umbrellas were fastened to stout strap
that was placed round the dogs body
just behind his forelegs.
Rance took the dog in his arms, and
at the command over with him. flung
out the brute into the air. The dog
gave terrible yell of fright as he sank,
and the umbrellas wavered to and fro
to such an extent as to justify the be-
lief that the second canine was des-
tined to share the fate of the first.
'sBut he did not; as his body descend
ed the umbrellas caught the air, his fall
became slower, and, finally, he sank
softly among some bushes. The party
watched until sure of his safe arrival on
terra frma, when they fastened down
to rescue him and recover the umbrellas.
The Major was first on the spot, when he
found the dog had lodged in the shrub
berry which had caught the umbrellas;
he was uninjured, but in such position
that only his hind feet reached the
grouSd. He whined to the Major as the
lattTk approached. The latter unbuckled
the strap, released the dog and by this
time the rest of the party were near at
hand.
EGO to your MASTER said the Major.
Here, Bu1ger,' called Rance, but not a
step moved Bulger from the side of the
Major, crouching between his feet and
apparently begging his protection. Nor
could threats or persuasion induce
Bulger to go to Rance, and whenever
the latter came near the dog fed to the
Major, and, getting behind him, would
bark and snarl at Rance as though pos
sessed of burning desire to give
him hydrophobia. These curious antics
he kept up the rest of the day, avoiding
Rance and clinging to the Major as his
savior. The party slept at Bige's cabin,
passing the house of Rance on the way
thither, but into RANGES yard Bulger
would not 60, although to the entreaties
of his former master were added those
Of his former playmates, the numerous
offspring of the house of Bottom.
''Bulger knew what he was about, and
stayed close by the Major, followed him to
Bige's cabin, lay as near to his feet as
he could all the evening, crawled under
his bed at night, and waited for him
to wake in the morning before stirring
abroad. And during all the rest of the
Majors stay in the neighborhood Bulger
could not be induced to leave him for a
moment, and from the time Rance took
the dog in his arms to toss him over the
cliff Bulger seemed to be inspired by
violent passion whenever his former
owner came in sight, on more than one
occasion springing at his throat, so that
Rance was only prevented from shoot
ing the dog by the stern remonstrance
of the Major.
Touched by the attachment of the
dog for himself and by the resentment
the canine evidently felt for the man
whom he held responsible for his aerial
fight, the Major protected Bulger, and
when he left for his home in Whining
ton took Bulger along; and many time
has the story of the dog been told to the
Majors friends, for the last time 1
heard of Bulger he was as grateful to
the Major as on the day when the latter
unbuckled the strap that fastened him
to the umbrellas. ST. Louis Globe
Democrat.
q SPEED VS.. QUALITY.
pOrtance Than Well-Doing.
Many persons seem to think that
speed in work is higher accomplish
ment than quality of work If speed is