The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-02-06

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there, BellT
Suddenly there came the waking up
which Bruce had predicted. A realiza-
ton Of their unprecedented situation
seemed to dawn on the minds Of the
heifers, and as they felt the sharp
goad in their tender flesh it occurred to
them that being yoked up was not as
much fun as they had supposed.
All at once there was tossing Of
hornless heads. low below, a backing
and fidgeting, an angry switching Of
tails and then the heifers started off on
O swift run, frightened and ungovern-
able.
Bruce and Jerry looked into each
others faces with fear and astonish-
ment The old cart jerked and bumped
over the ground, and faster and faster
ran the unruly heifers.
The course was across the unfenced
meadow field toward the corn. In less
than a minute the calves were going at
q reckless pace, believing madly at
every jump. their heels and tails flying
in the air.
"Whoa. Nancy! Whoa, Bell" yelled
Bruce, desperately. OF course the COM
mand served only to frighten the ami
mails the more. The cart was in danger
of being turned over and wrecked at any
instant Any sudden turn of the run
away team would upset it, and the boys
might be crippled or killed.
For the little cripple the situation was
especially serious. A fall meant to him
terrible injury perhaps. He chung to
the seat with all his strength, his face
white as wool. That other awful acct
dent which had injured and panied him
so was still strong in his memory, and
it increased his fear tenfold.
"We've got to jump" Bruce declared,
regaining somewhat his presence Of
mind. He sprang to his feet. II can do
it all right, but you, Jerry-let me-
Just what assistance he meant to lend
Jerry did not appear, for at that mo-
ment there was a sudden lurch of the
vehicle, and Bruce went flying into the
air. He turned q somersault and hit the
ground with violent shock.
When he caught his breath and sat up
he saw the heifers dashing along by the
corn, with Jerry still clinging to the
seat
Truly the little cripple was in a mos,
perilous position
He did not dare to jump for fear the
strain on his back would kill him. The
fall-oh, he could never stand the fall:
To suffer again that way-to know that
horrible pain for weeks and weeks. to
lie in one position day and night and
endure again that awful anguish-the
very thought of it blanched his delicate
face and sent thrill Of dread and ter
ror to his heart.
The mad heifers did not halt nor
slacken their speed But presently they
gave sharp turn and plunged into the
corn.
The sudden movement overturned the
wagon and Jerry was sent tumbling
from his seat to the ground.
He fell heavily and lay quite still.
The overturning Of the wagon threw
one of the calves on its side, where it
was pinned down by the tongue, and thi
performance brought an end to the run
away.
Bruce reached Jerry's side hatless and
breathless, and his heart almost stopped
beating as he bent anxiously above the
white. Illuminate figure of his brother
"Oh, Jerry!' he cried. "Oh, Jerry,
are you hurt: Oh, it's awful! I'm afeard
he's killed! Oh. Jerry, open your eyes
open your eyes, Jerry!"
Bruce was almost frantic. In a few
moments Jerry opened his eyes, other.
wise he did not move.
"Are you hurt much. jerry? Bruce
asked again and again. Finally jerry
answered.:
II reckon not"
Then strange thing happened. Jerr.
got up ON his feet and stood straight-;l-
straight as he used to stand before h
was thrown from the horse; straight
like Bruce!
The fall, instead Of injuring him anew
had done wonderful thing for him. II
had somehow strained the cords of hi:
back, or jerked them into their norma
position, and he was cripple no longer
weak and faint, but a cripple no longer
Bruce carried him on his back to the
house, where he put him upon the bed
and then went to the relief of the calves
One Of them had scrambled to hel
feet, and the other lay fat ON her side
under the cart tongue. Both were once
more in very meek mood. and Bruce
had little difficulty in releasing then
and leading them back to the cow pen.
When their parents came home they
were told all about the dreadful event OF
the day. which. strangely enough, hat
resulted happily instead Of fatally.
$50 you thought it would be goot
! joke to break the heifers while your p;
and ma were awayY said Efie, laughing
II should think the joke is ON you"
But they all rejoiced over Jerry's won
derful cure. which proved permanent
Jerry is now q 1.-the, strong man.-Ar
thur c. Grisson in Youths Companion.