The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-07-11
his life upon his tongue. Why, in the

bis life upon his tongue Why, in the
hands of a man like the detective-a
man who evidently knew the secret he
fancied he himself alone possessed-the
dogs evidence would hang him twenty
times over He felt his collar tighten
around his neck as he thought of it. Who
would believe it was only an accident?
His threat to cut off Tommy Bowles'
head had been heard all over the neigh
borhood. He had flung the fatal plate;
the dog had seen him do it; the dog could
be made to speak, and the detective
knew how to make it.
Suddenly the thought struck him,
"Pickle is the only witness who could
prove the actual deed How if were to
-to-put her out of the way?"
The worst! Great powersi Why, at
any moment the myrmidons Of the law
might be hammering at his door; he
might be in Jail, and Pickle in the power
of that COMPOUNDED. meddling detective.
Not second was to be lost
Late that night young man stole eau
tiously down The steps of the house in
- street, and hailed passing hack
From beneath the folds of his ulster
peered the sharp muzzle of little dog.
Three weeks later man and dog stood
upon the deck of the good ship Grampus,
bound for Ujiji, with ice, lucifer matches
and gray shirtings.
what is that island yonder?" asked
the man of the first mate, who was lean
ing over the bulwark near him.
The man shaded his eyes and looked.
"That? Oh, that's a desert island
We're out of our course, through the
fogs, good bit, Or we shouldn't be near
it."
"Don't ships go nearer than this to it?"
"No fear There's generally nasty
rocks off such places. We always keep
as far away from 'em as ever we can"
That night, shortly after dark, the
captain, walking round his ship, must
have noticed an unusual appearance on
the port side, for one of the boats was
missing.
And so were the man and the dog.
And the man and the dog were sitting
side by side now, as this confession was
written, and the boat is high and dry on
the desert island, where it has been their
hut and home for ten long years.
So ends our confession.
"Bow, WOW, WOW"
"Ah, my doggie, if you'd never been
able to speak any language but that, we
shouldn't be here now. Still, it was
best we came. Wherever we had gone
amongst the haunts Of men, we should
have been recognized A man and
dog - full description $500 rewardl
No, my poor old Pickle, we should have
been caught; and you wouldn't have
liked to hang your master, would you?
By Jove, Pickle, I've good mind to
Won Glabenize you again, just to talk
over old times. | have never done it
since that fatal evening. Shall we have
a talk again, just for once? Shall we,
old girl?
"Why, if ever a dog said yes with
eyes and tail, you do now. So will,
then. So! look at me we'll while I make
the passes. Come, that's it! Why, you
60 off easier now, my dog, than you did
ten years ago! Steadyl Now for try.
Pickle, why. how fearfully you tremble!"
"Masterr'
''Why, what tonel Are you fright
ened, my dog?"
master, want to talk about Tommy
Bowles."
Hang it, my dogl some pleasanter
hoY hot
"But. master, I've been wanting to
tell you about Tommy Bowles for ten
years. Oh, masterl you didn't cut mis-
head off,"
"Whatl''
Nobody cut it oft wasn't cut off
at all Oh! do forgive me! and there
wasn't any detective; and, please, l
made it all up"
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. it, Pickle! I
don't understand! Amt a murderer,
then?'
"No."
"But, in the name of all that's canine,
why should you make this all up?"
because had been playing with low
dogs up by the canal all day. and |
thought you wouldn't give me the bone
if l didn't tell you something, and be
cross with me. and so made it up about
Tommy Bowles."
''Oh, Pickle! Picket and for ten long
years have you and been on this desert
island because you told lie! Why the
deuce didn't you undeceive me before?'
"How could I? You never Won Glaben-
lied me-"
"Pickle, old dog, we've been friends
too long to quarrel over this. Give me
your paw. I forgive YOU"
"Master, do men ever, when people
want news, and they haven't got any to
give them, make things up like did that
night"
Certainly not; only a foolish dog
would do such thing as that. Halloa!
there's boat coming, Pickle. We're
discovered!'
"BOw, WOW, wow"
ut comes nearer Never mind, we
don't dread it now. Why, Pickle, look!
That face in the bowsl Why, I'm blest
If it isn't Tommy Bowles"
From The Times, Aug. Is, 1877.
The ship Jemima, Capt. Bowles, with iron rails
and cutlery, from Ujij arrived this morning She
brings with her gentleman and his dog, who
were discovered by Capt Bowles' son Thomas ON
desert island where they had been cast away
ten years ago
There is no reason now why this con-
fession. written on that island, should be
kept from the public. Pickle is agree
able to its publication; and if she is not
ashamed OF her share in the story, l am
sure need not be.-George R. Simms.
A School for HOusemaids.