Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-09-10
THE BLACK DOG.

hH us tno achNg run uIola DaIlNIcs
upon the laurel thickcts and the matted
moss and haggnrd rocks beneath. Four
water soaked men made their difficult
ways through the drcnched forest. The
little man stopped and shook an angry
finger at whe,o night was stcalthily fol-
lowing them. "Cursed be fate and her
children and her ohildrens childrcni
We arc everlastingly lostl' no cried.
The painting procession halted under
somc dripping, dropping hcmlocks and
swore in wrathful astonishment.
at will rain for forty days and forty
nights" said tho pudgy maa moaningly,
"and feel like wet loaf OF bread now.
We shall never find our way out of this
wilderness until am made into por-
ridge"
III desperation they started again 20
drag their listless bodies through tho
watery bushes. After time, tho clouds
withdrew from above thcm and great
winds came from concealmont and went
sweeping and swirling among tho trees.
Night also camo very near aud menacod
the wanderers with darkness. Tho little
man had determination In his legs. lie
scrambled among the thickets aud made
desperate attempts 20 find u path or
road. AS he climbed hilloclS he espicd
small clearing upon which sat desc
lation and venerable house, wept over
by wind waved pines.
"IIo," he cried. heres house."
His companions struggled painfully
after him as he fought the thickets be-
tween him and the cabin. At their OPP
proach the wind frenziedly opposed
them and skirled madly in the trees
Tho little man boldly confronted the
weird chances from tue crannies Of the
cabin and raped on the door. A score
Of tiinbers answered with groans, and
within something fell to the floor with n
clang.
"Ho." said the littlenan. lie stepped
back few PAGES.
Somebody In distant part started
and walked across the floor toward the
door with an oininous step. A slate col
ored man appeared. He was dressed in
ragged shirt and trousers, the latter
stuffed into his boots. Largo tears were
falling from his eyes.
"How d. do. my friendY' said the little
man aifably.
"My oil uncle. Jim Croclier. he's sick
Ter death. replied the slate colored per
son.
"Hor said the little man. "Isthat soy'
The latter's clothing chung desperately
TO him and water sogged in his boots.
He stood patiently on ono foot for n
time.
"Can you pnt.us up here until tenor
row." ho asked finally.
"Yes," said the slate colored man.
The party passed into u little un-
washed room. inhabited by u stove, a
stairway, u few precarious chairs and a
misshapon table.
"Tll fry yer some polk ard make yer
some Coffee" said the slate colored man
TO his guests.
$50 ahead, old boy" cried the little
man cheerfully from whore he sat on
the tablosmolsing his pipe and dangling
his legs.
my oil uncle, Jim Croker. he's sick
ter DEATH" said the slate colored man.
"Thinls he'll dief' asked the pudgy
man gently.
"Nov
"Noy"
"He won't diel He's an oil man, bu
he won't die yitl The black dorg hahn
been around yitw
"Tho black dosJ" said the little maj
feebly. He struggled with himself TO
moment.
"what's the black dogy' he asked o
last.
Hes a sporrit," aaid the slate colore'
man in voice of soinber hue.
"Oh, he Isl Wellf'
"lIo ha'nts those parts, he does. a
when people are goin to die he come
and sets and howls."
"Hol" said the little man. He locke
out of the window and saw night max
ing million shadows.
Tho little man moved his legs nery
ously.
~ don't believe in these things" sal
he. addressing the slate colorcd mar
who was scuiliing with side of pork.
"Wot thingsY came incoherently froI
the combatant.
sob, these or phantoms and ghost
aud what not. All rot, / say"
THAT'S because You have merely
stomach and no soul, grunted the pudg
man.
"Ho, old pudgkins" replied the littl
man. His back curved with passion.
tempest OF wrath was in the pudg
mans eye. The final epithet used I
the little man was a carefully studio
insult always brought forth ut n crisi
They quarreled.
"All right, pudgldns; bring on yol
phantom cried tho little man in Co
clusion.
His stout companions wrath was Il
huge for words. The little man smil,
triumphantly. He had stalsed his o
ponent's reputation.
The visitors sat silent. The slate &C
ored man moved about in small pc
sonal atmosphere OF gloom.
Suddenly strange cry came to the