Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-20
THE BLACK DOG.

upon the A1Alrl ALlCArSo anu TIC --eAttcO
moss and haggaFd rocks beneath -Four
water soaked uen made their Official.
ways through the drenched forest The
little man stopped and shook an angry
finger At where night was stealthily fol-
lowing them. Cursed Do fate and her
ehikiren and her ehildren's ehlldreni
We are eyerlastingly LOST be cried.
The painting procession halted under
some dripping, dropping henIOeks and
swOre IN wrathful asrOnishment.
1T VIII RAIN for forty days and forty
nights" said the pudgy man moaninsly.
..and feel ike vet loaf Of bread now.
We shall never lind our way out of this
wilderness until | am made into a por-
ridge"
In desperation they started again 20
drag their hstless bodies through the
watery bushes. After time. the clouds
withdrew from above them and great
winds came from cOncealment and went
sweeping and swirling among the trees.
Night also came very near and menaced
man had determination in his legs. he
scrambled among the thickets and made
desperate attempts 10 ind a path or
road As be climbed hillock he espied
e small clearing upon which sat desc
lation and a venerable house, wept over
by wind waved pines.
'sHo," he cried, here's house"
His companions struggled painfully
after him as DC fought the thickets be-
tween him and the cabin. At their APP
proach the wind frenziedly opposed
them and skirled madly in the trees
The little man boldly confronted the
weird xlances from the ciaunies of the
cabin and raped on the door. A score
OF tunbers answered with groans, and
within something fell to the door with a
clang.
"Ho," said the little man. He stepped
back few PAGES.
Somebody in a distant part started
and walked across the floor toward the
door with an ominous step. A slate col
ored man appeared. he was dressed in
q ragged shirt and trousers, the latter
stuffed into his boots. Large tears were
falling from his eyes.
How d do, my friend?' said the little
man affably.
my oil uncle, Jim Croker, he's sick
ter DEATH" replied the slate colored per-
son.
"Hor said the little man. ''Isthat SOP
The lstter's clothing chung desperately
10 him and water sogged IN his boots.
He stood patiently on one foot for a
time.
.'Can you put Us mp here until tomor-
row. he a@ked finally.
sYes," said the slate colored man.
The party passed into little IN
washed room, inhabited by a stove, a
stairway, q FEW precarious chairs and a
misshapen table.
"I'n fry yer some po'k ard make yer
some Coffee said the slate colored man
10 his guests
SEQ ahead, old boy" cried the little
man cheerfuny from where be sat ON
the table smoking his pipe and dangling
his legs
"My Of uncle, Jim Crocker, he's sick
ter death said the slate colored man.
Think he'll die" asked the pudgy
man gently.
ssNor'
ssNoY'
'.Hs won't die, He's an OF man. but
he won't die yiti The black dorg hain't
been aroand yitr'
The black dog?' said the little man
fsebly. He struggled with himself for
moment.
whats the black dog?" he asked at
last.
"He's sperrit,r said the slate colored
man in n voice Of somber hue.
'sOh, he Isl Weir
"He ha'nts these parts, he does. ar
when people are goin to die he comes
and sets and howls.'
"Ho. said the little man. He looked
out Of the window and saw night max
Ing million shadows.
The little man moved bis legs nerv-
ously.
II don't believe in these things" said
he. addressing the slate colored man
who was scuffling with side of pork.
sWot thingsg came incoherently from
the combatant.
''Oh. these err phantorns and ghosts
and what not. All rot. say
That's because Won have merely a
stomach and no soul, e grunted the pudgy
man.
''Ho. old pudgkinsr' replied the little
man. His back curved with passion.
tempest If wrath was in the pudgy
mans eye. The final epithet used BY
the little man was a carefully studied
insult. always brought forth at a crisis
They qGarresed
All right pudESins: bring on your
phantom. cried the little man in con
elusicn.
His stout coTnuanions wrath was too
husa fol words. Tie little man smiled
triumph satlv. BE had staked his op
ronent's reputation.
The visitors sat sit~at. The slate col
ore.l man moved about in a small per
soual atmosphere 81 gloom.
Suddenly q strange cry came 20 theii
ears from somewhere. It was a low
trembling cali witch made the little
nan quake PRIVATELY m his shoes. The
slate colcrsd man bounded At the stair
way AMI disappeared with Hash II legs
through a hole in the ceiling The party
below hesrd two voices ire conversation.
one belonging 81 the slate coiored man
sni the either IN the quiveriug tones OF
sge. Hiee the slate coIo-ed man re-.
sppearsi 81 IN ab,ve and sand. The "a
man Is toek rad FIR bra Snpper