Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-08-12

supper, and show him the way to tho
ark afterward. Then he would ask
them to help him and Uncle Phin get
the boat afioat, and his becoming lost
would turn out to be the very best kind
OF a thing that could have happened
after all.
While these thoughts passed through
his mind, the boy was making his way,
as rapidly as possible, through the woods
in the direction of the light, that grew
brighter and more distinct with each
step. He still carried his precious
book in one hand and the great bunch
Of flowers that he had gathered in the
other. Suddenly he came to an abrupt
pause on the edge OF shallow ravine,
through which laughed and tumbled a
small brook. The sides of the ravine
were quite steep, and, almost at his
feet, the boy saw a sight that filed him
with amazement
About a glowing fire, occupying all
sorts of easy positions, were grouped
number of men and one boy. They
were ragged, dirty and unshaven. Their
clothes were made up of odds and ends.
Some of them were smoking short black
pipes; some were talking loudly, and
others lay perfectly still, as though
asleep. Two of the number seemed 10
be preparing supper, for they were at
work about the fire, and were evidently
anxious regarding the contents of some
tin cans and seyez.sl battered kettles
At short distance from the fire were
| two or three rude hats Of poles and
branches.
Although Arthur did not know it at
the time, this was a tramps' camp,
to which all these vagrants of so
ciety, who happened to be prowling
| about that part of the country, focked
when night overlook them. Some
times one or more, who were tired OF
tramping, and who had begged or stolen
stock of provisions, would remain here
for several days, so that, from early
spring until quite late in the autumn,
the camp was never without a greater or
less number Of occupants.
Now, although Arthur had never had
any practical experience with tramps,
except to gaze curiously, from respect
full distance, at the few specimens he
had seen, he instinctively shrank from
making his presence known TO the
rough-looking fellows gathered beneath
| him. 1t was pleasant to see the cheer
full freight, to hear the sound of voices,
and to know that there were other
| human beings besides himself in that
| dark forest. 1t would also be very
pleasant to the hungry boy IL he could
! have some supper. Stftl, 70 venture
| down among those men might prove
very unpleasant. So Arthur wisely de-
| cided to bear his hunger as best he
might and study them from a safe dis
tance, at least for awhile longer.
All at once, from some part of the
camp beyond the circle of freight,
came the same melancholy, long-drawn
| cry that had first directed the boys
attention to this place, and he now rec
ognized it as the howl of a dog in dis
| tress.
At the sound the largest and most
powerful of all the tramps, who had
been lying motionless stretched at full
length on the ground, sprang up and in
a fierce voice exclaimed:
"You kin fetch that pup here! Well
see If we can't give him something to
| lti-yi for, or else we'll stop his internal
| yelp entirely"
The one boy of the camp, who an
swered to the name OF kid, and was
a tough looking young rascal, larger,
| and apparently a year or two older than
| Arthur, fastened to obey this command.
| lie disappeared, and in q minute re-
turned dragging after him by means of
bit of rope about its neck, that was
| evidently choking the poor creature, a
dog. As the bright freight fell upon
| it Arthur was amazed to recognize it as
the very one that had been presented to
| him by the Chapmans the day before.
There could be no doubt of it, for there
were the same erect, sharp-pointed
ears, the same white-tipped little tail,
and the same brindled markings. 1t
was indeed poor Rusty; and Arthur's
heart ached to see him in so wretched a
| plight. How could he have come there?
What were they about to do with him?
This last question was quickly an
swered.
The big tramp took the rope from tho
lads hand, at the same time bidding
him go and cut hickory switch "See
that it is a good one, too" he added.
This command was obeyed as the other
had been, and in few minutes the
switch was ready.
"Now whale him while hold him."
ordered the big tramp, savagely. We'll
| give him q chance to do all his bowling
at once, and then have some peace for
the rest OF the night. Lay 1t on solid,
and if you kill him, so much the bet
ter"
Arthur's blood boiled at these words.
| How could anybody be so cruel? Would
the boy dare beat his dog?
The heavy switch was uplifted and
brought down with vicious force on the
ANIMALS back. He uttered sharp cry
Of pain and terror.
Again was the switch lifted, but be-
fore it could descend 1t was snatched
from the boys hand and flung away;
while he was confronted by sturdy lit
tie figure with blazing eyes. How
dare you strike my dog?" cried Arthur,
in voice that choked and trembled
with anger. HE is mine! My very
own! And l won't have him hurt. /
won't, / say"
The other boy stared at this one in
open-mouthed amazement, while the
other tramps, who had been startled by
the sight Of the strange little figure, as
it dashed into their camp from the dark
forest, now gathered about the two to see
| the fun.
well my BANTAM" said the big
tramp to Arthur, 81 don't know who you
are, nor where you come from; but you
talk pretty big about yOur dog. Kid
here says it's his dog, and l reckon
you'll have to settle it between you.
Can you fight?"
'I don't want to fight" replied Ar
thur, looking the big tramp bravely in
| the face.
"Oh! well, then, it's the Kids dog,
and he'll do as he pleases with him.
Kid, give the cur a kick"
The boy lifted his foot; but again
Arthur sprang in front Of him. "You
shan't kick him, even if have to fight
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