Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-09-04

from another cause: Christopher had seen
the catastrophe, and he claimed the first
right of way and the privileges of friend.
He came toward the packed mass of hui
mainly with roar that sent terror abroad,
hundreds flying from his path. Others
could not escape so easily, and of these,
some he flung right and left with his
trunk, and others were packed closer on
either side by the interpositon of his enor-
nous bulk. Soon he reached the side of
the Fairy, lying so white and still, and he
dropped to his knees beside her and groaned
and caressed her with his trunk.
Gentle hands were trying to find some
life in the frail, crushed body when he
came, but all fell back upon his terrible
approach-all except Centerpole Tom, who
feared not even the wrath of the giant
Christopher The elephant accepted his
presence, seeing kindness in it. Center
poles heart beat violently as he saw a faint
movement of the chest and he nearly
choked with JOY when he behed the lips
move and the eyes close and then open
again. Some one brought water, with
which he sprinkled her face. This did
much good, for she gasped and then sighed.
"She is coming TOP cried Centerpole Tom.
And surely she was; for, with returning
life, came evidence of suffering, and deep
eyes. Christopher noticed it, for he famed
her more vigorously with his great ears
| Consciousness came slowly back; and,
when it had returned, the first thing the
Fairy saw was her old friend Christopher
! kneeling beside her.
"Poor old Christopherl'' she said, very
family; and then, with great difficulty,
she raised her hand and gently caressed
his rough old face. Poor Christopher 1t
will break your old heart to see ME die.
You have loved me, Christopher But
they'll be good to you" Tears trickled
down her checks, the hard lines deepened,
the poor face became more piDched and
drawn the beautiful eyes wandered va
cal ty and then closed, and the Fairy
passed into uncon seriousness again.
A physician now came and knelt beside
her, and after he had examined her as we'll
rs he could lie said
"She is desperately hurt, but she is young
and is still alive. You must take her at
once to house, where | may care for her
properly"
They gently picked her up, and, as they
did So a moan escaped her. This reused
the elephant, already dazed by what had
happened. He began clumsily rising to his
feet, watching them as they bore her away,
and was evidently determined to follow.
Seeing this, Centerpole Tom who held the
light body in his arms, hurried away and
almost ran to small hotel not far distant.
He took the Fairy within and laid her on
bed which they showed him in a rear room
on the ground floor.
But Christopher had not lost sight of
him in spite OF the crowd; and those with
out, seeing Christopher intention of keep
ing close to his friend, and knowing it was
,,,,, .1.. tt.,hf 90 h Nov
shouted to him and tried to drive him
back, but he noticed them not at all. They
threw boxes and chairs in his way, but he
tossed them aside. a carriage which stood
in his way was crushed. Christopher
seemed to think that, rs his friend was
among strangers, she was among enemies
and needed his protection. He would not
give her up.
The situation was desperate. Men coun-
seled shooting him, but how could pistol
bullet find a vital spot in his enormous
body? Besides, he was already maddened
by the opposition he had encountered and
further tormenting might lead to dire re.
suits. Before anything could be done, be
fore any plan could be matured, he had
reached the house The door was closed
and locked before him and furniture was
piled behind it, but, with his massive head
, " GTeti, lie WENT sJTdlSut against III, anu
everything was crushed before his ad
vance Once in the house he stopped and
listened for the sound of her voice. He
heard faint means and mistook the direc
; ton whence it came, for he started straight
for the wide staircase leading to the upper
floor Up the stairs he began a laboriou:
ascent, the helpless crowd standing ii
motionless dismay. Up he toiled, roaring
terribly at intervals. The wooden stair.
creaked and groaned under his tremendou:
, weight. The plastering near them begaI
to fall, timbers were sprung and wrenchet
, from their fastenings, and the whole hous'
p, quivered
The catastrophe came at last. Just be
fore Christopher reached the top the Who'll,
staircase came down with a frightful crash
and the gigantic animal fell headlong t.
! the floor, which he crushed and splintered
A mighty groan escaped him, for the fal
had done him desperate hurt. He struggle,
and foundered in the mass of wrecked
timbers, and finally, after a supreme at
: tempt, he staggered to his feet. With
) stupendous effort he steadied himself OIL
: his tottering legs, and dazed and shattered
4 began anew his search for the Fairy
I But he did not have to go any farther
Centerpole Tom, followed by the physician
came forward, bearing a small, daint.
{ burden in his arms, which he laid gentl.
! on table close to Christopher, and tn
7 tears which tlickled down Centerpole'
Il grizzly beard told anew the old, old story
as old as human suffering and sympathy.
1T will quiet him." explained Center
= pole Tom to the few people who had ven
{ tured near, "and nothing can hurt he
+ now"
:, Christopher eagerly regarded his com
y paniou, lying so white and quiet and beau
u tiful, and then he caressed her cold fac
and hands Perhaps he understood that
e was all over with her, and that with he
had gone all that the world held Of bright
ness for him, and besides that his fall ha
e grievously hurt him. He gazed at her an
y his head sank lower and lower. The fur
10 had all left him, and crushed both in spiri
II and body he stood a towering, totterin
=. wreck. Not a sound escaped him. Hi
IL great body heaved painfully with his slo'
e breathing and swayed from side to sid'
y A little later he sank TO his knees, and the
70 he lay down and with groan he died.
q On the western slope of Laurel Hi