Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-24

,rA and he'll send you higher'n kite IL you
tTv'itI As soon as you ontie that rope, you bet
I'll show you how this colt kin scootl And here
Conscious of her advantage she showed her
little white teeth at him in a nocking smile.
''I'n climb that fence and murder you'll"
ssYou darsent, fer that rope hAiRt tied tight
enough around that tree but what could git
over there while you're gittin' over here an let
Barnie loose!'
i:You little imp
AN if you lead Barnie off yop'n take me
too, mister, or he wont Q step
and her eyes flashing, clearly the mistress OF the
situation.
ugly looking knife and rapidly cut a long, thin
.!f'Ii see If this won't tickle you off that
borse's back" he SAID, with cruel glance Ut
NO, won't" returned TOppy, turning
Then as fine stihging cnt came across her
foot she pulled it up as high as she could under
h little scaut skirt, and sail between her
teeth, doubling her fists and winking back the
tears, II won't git of! Toml'' she Grid out, in
shriIi treble tones, run to the mill for
Neezer and-huTryi'
She looked owe: her shoulder to be sure Tom
had started, ana then sat there bearing the rain
Of blows with all the courage she could muster,
though the pain brought the tears dropping on
BaTnie danced as stray lashes tickled his sleek
coat but he knew who was on his back and in
Tom fed at top speed to the mill for the man
who did work for Miss Mehitabel, but was that
dsy iobbing down there. Before he could reach
II. however, a rescuer appeared in Miss Me-
hitabel herself. 6ne had made quick mat
ket, and-suspicious of Toppy-had driven nome
early.
the deserted pumpkin banquet with its revela-
zion of broken meats from her own pantry, ana
lastly she spied the unoidden guests leaning
tha bar n ia
Foppy's marigold wreath was shining mark In
the sun Miss Mehitabel tossed Peter and Bob
aside. and strobe across the LOT 70 ietcn TINS
galliyanting young maid servant to terms.
Neither Toppy nor the man saw her until she
had time TO stand in dumb amazement and take
Il" Won scoundreII'' cried Miss Mehitabel in
aye-inspiring tones, and second later her
strong arm lifted ToppY to the ground. BARNES
moo. q was off his head, ana the man had wants NED
down the wood road.
Poor Toppyi Between fear of Miss Mehitabel
and intolerable pain: she lay, small heap in
the clover sobbing bitterly.
Miss Meh label stood and looked at her for
several minutes in silence. Then she glanced
at the nodding rev OF heads behind the bars.
Suddenly Toppy was Ii ted into her arms and
carried TO the house. Miss Mehitabel placed
he.-oh. wonder of wonders!-on the sitting
room lounge. She heard her sending home the
thoroughly subdued garden party with two
cookies and an apple apiece.
Then she came in and went to work at Toppy's
swollen limbs. with ernica and soft bandages.
Toppy dared not speak as she watched the
grim lace. It relaxed strangely, as she put the
Ditiful floral decorations, now wllteu to the last
degree, out in the wood shed.
$50 YOU would have saved Barnie, eh9-Even
IL that scamp had half killed yep
Eyes m, - said Toppy meekly.
"Did you sling that sock up into the grape
Erbor?''
.sYes'm"
AND Oen up the chickensf"
"Yes'm.'
AN hook my vittles?''
''Yes'm,'
IAN have party2''
well now, tell me all about it. I won't
whip you-not even If you took my pound
cake -
Thus encouraged, Toppy made an open con-
fession.
Miss Mehitabel picked up her own yarn sock
and knitted vigorously.
The rocker creaked to and fro. Toppy
watched her in increasing wonder:
$50 them children git pretty hungry, heyr
An you go half full SOS You kin feed 'em up,
on the slyS"
well, now, see here; il let 'em come here
every Saturday afternoon and have tea party,
dive think you kin let my punEins and pantry
alone an do yer STINT on that stockin' in peace,
without shyin' it into tn grape arbor?"
A lump came into Toppy's throat at that
kindly good-humored tone. She saw splendid
vista of fun in righteous fashion.
She cried such tears as no lash could ever have
brought to her eyes, and limping impulsively
across the floor she lean ed over and kissed Miss
Mehitabel with sound smack. That lady
dropped her knitting in something like confu-
pgtails softly. and with queer blur in her eyes
she said, "Toppy, you were good child, 10
save our Barnie.''
And Toppy's sins were forgiven.