Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-08-04

no WeD. ana 20 keep outs.oe the case
nent. hidden from view.
Meanwhile Speck's web was again
destroyed. how he did not know. He
was paying a visit in the attic when it
occurred. As soon as he returned he
rewove his house with the obstinate
persistency we often see in other than
spider nature.
"Drat the spider; wonder how many
times have brushed down his web y
said the maid as she demolished it for
the third time, while Speck's bright
black eyes peered over the casing, fas-
cinated by the close proximity of the
broom. Within an hour he had re
placed every beam and fiber Of his web,
and had caught a splendid fly. Then he
went up to tell his mother and Scamper
about it, and to invite Scamper to come
down and share the fly.
THAT broom will be the death of you
yet; mark my words, said the mother
spider. You are getting too fat on the
flies you eat to run fast enough TO escape
il. You were far better off up here,
with no danger, and flies enough to
satisfy hunger, and not enough 10 make
you fat. just look at the stomach you
have; its enough TO give you apoplexy
to carry it about"
The next time Speck's web was de-
stroyed he decided TO try new build
ing place His mother begged him to
return to the attic, and settle down into
calm and respectable life; but Speck
declared he should die of dizziness in the
slow old attic, and that it would limit
his usefulness were he 10 remain there.
Il am destroying flies who annoy the
people below stairs, and if they do not
know enough to appreciate my act,
shall not be discouraged in well-doing
am going 10 try the window on the
other side of the house now. i think
there will be less disturbance there"
But even here Speck's web was de-
stroyed three times in one week, and at
the end of that week a terrible dis
covery dawned upon him. He had ex-
hausted his ball of web There was not
enough left to enable him to spin back
70 the attic. He sat in dark corner Of
the window, and thought of his terrible
situation. He was like some reckless
youth who has spent fortune in a few
years. never thinking Of the possible
rainy days, and who at last faces the
fact that he is homeless and pennness.
Speck had been sitting in the dark
corner long time, very motionless and
still, when he saw Scamper coming
around the corner of the house to call
upon him. As he watched the 1.-THE,
free motions of his old comrade, and
noted his care-free manner, a terrible
rage seized upon Speck
He has lived in idleness and Toasted
upon my flies" he said to himself HE
has encouraged me in my rash adven-
lures, always keeping out of danger
himself He mas seen me use my web
recklessly, and has guarded his own
like a miser. He is a false friend. a
coward and villain. l will have my
revenge" And before Scamper could
take any precaution, Speck had
sprung upon him and had fastened
his poisonous fangs in his slim
body In moments time Scamper was
dead. and Speck had possessed himself
of his ball of web Then he pushed the
mutilated carcass of his old playmate
over the window ledge, and proceeded
TO build a new house with his ill-gotten
web.
He built rapidly, and the house was
a marvel of art After it was done he
ran up to the attic to call on his mother
But a gloom so deep and profound had
settled upon his heart that he found it
impossible to converse. When his moth
erasked him if he had met his old friend
on the way he replied mo" in care
less manner, and remarked that he had
better return at once, as no doubt Scam
per was waiting to see him. So he hur-
ried away back to the new web, built
with the profits of his crime.
The attic had been full of memories
and he could not shake them off. A fly
came and tangled his wings in the new
web; but Speck allowed him to extricate
himself unmolested. He had no APP
petite. A day and night passed, and
he made no effort to obtain food. but
sat at one side of the web, lost in dark
and remorseful reverie.
He remembered his mothers early
warnings, and wished that he had never
strayed from the peaceful attic. The
housemaid, passing by, saw him sitting
in his web. and paused. Then she
reached for an adjacent whisk-broom
and made dash at him. He never
stirred. nor attempted to escape. She
threw him upon the floor and crushed
him with her foot. and swept his re-
mains into dustpan and threw them
into the street below.
The old mother waited in vain day
after day for the return of her son and
his friend. They never came.-Ella
Wheeler Wilcox, in N. Y. Independent.