The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-17

ether forward and back, roaring and
believing = with clashing horns and
dripping blood-till Susy was wild with
excitement
Her hands were clenchcd her breath
came in sobs, and she kept uncon-
sciously repeating: "Oh dearl oh dcarl
what shall l do? Come, Eben, Ebcn,
Ebcn!"
Meantime, poor deaf Grandma Ord
way. in her red shawl, was coming
nearer and nearer to tho unseen battle
field.
Somewhat later Ebcn, who had been
detained by the difficulty of getting his
cattle into their proper places ut the
fair, came to the top of the slope above
the creek where Babel had met the
enemy. There Eben looked down upon
the bridge. Something was moving in
tho hollow--nalling n great dnst-or
was it smoke? But nobody d start q
fire such 4 dry time" thought Ebcn.
lie shaded his eyes, he rubbed them
Susy couldn't make such Il dust with
her little cart.
ut must be horse rolling" thought
IIbcn, ''or the calves have got out and
are frolicking down there, or :"
A terrible fear contracted Ebcn's
heart. lie ran forward now, leaving
his wagon by the roadside, for he had
heard Il hoarse sound that he knew
we'll.
"Oh Heaven, have mercy" thought
Eben. 'Old Babel is out, and Susy-
little tender Susy-was to wait just
thcrc!"
The bushes were in the way but he
sped on, one hand clutching his stout
pocllctknifc
Soon he could see again-and what n
sight! Susy's little cart flew through
the air! Susy's cherished lily was
trampled and ground to atoms beneath
those cruel feet! And where was his
little sister?
For one agonized instant Ebcn stood,
his eyes searching the road, the trees,
the broollsidc for that innocent face,
that active little figure never so dear,
SO sweet before.
Then pale old face appeared at the
saphouse window, and Grandma Ord
ways shrill voice called out:
"Ebcn! Ebcn We're here! we'rc
safe!"
Eben gave such mighty Shout, made
up OF such past fear, of such present
thankfulncss, and such rage against
Babel, that the animal, though now
cnragcd, wheeled about and went sui
lcnly growing up the hill to his own
barn-yard.
Next instant the saphousc door flew
open, and Susy was in her brothers
| arms
between his eager questions and her
own crying and laughing, she told him
how the bulls had fought till both were
exhausted Neither having gained
decided advantage, they seemed to
| agree to call 1t even. Lord CORVALLIS
| had gone grumbling up his road, and
Babel had started the other way, when
grandma came innoccntly into sight
Her rcd shawl and noading head at once
excited Babel anew.
''Shc was under that first maple"
said Susy, land he was paving and
putting down his head, getting ready
to run at her, when l thought of my
scarlet lily. / opened the door and rave
the cart Il great push. Oh, Ebcn, wasn't
1t lucky that it was down-hill? 1t went
straight at him, while | was running
and pulling her in here! Then VIC shut
the door and piled up things against it,
and She kept hugging and praisiny nc,
but all the time l WAS thinking about
my poor lily. l couldn't bear to look
out and see him tear it to pieces.
couldn't help crying, and she though;
| it was about licr--:lnd oh, do Won think
| it was very wicked of me to care SO
| much for lily when it saved Grand
| ma Ordway?'
The poor child hid her face and burst
into fresh agony CT sobs.
| fortcd by the big BIO Their lie prom
ised her the finest bulb that could b..
| found in Concord as he carried her MP
to Cynthy's. Grandma Ordy"ay walked
beside, murmuring: 'Srnartest little
| gal t ever see. SO she isl
There was no fair for any OF them
that day, for Susy kept trembling and
laughing and crying so that Cynthia
! put her on the bed beside grandma, in
IL cool, dark room, and gave each of
| them 4 cupful of hot camoiniie tea. az
ter which they slept profoundly and
woke in good order.
Eben, meanwhile, went to Cant.
| Banks place and chained up Lord Corn
wallis, who was found lying down with
| one eye closed. Eben did the same by
| ZcrubSabcl, now too much subducd to
| offer any resistance.
He spent the remainder of daylight
| in repairing fences. a heavy rain that
night broke up the drought and washed
away most traces of the battle at the
| bridge. but when next morning Ebcn
and Cynthy and Susy, all happy now,
| drove over it on their way 10 the cattle
show ut last, they cspied among soaked
| bits of red petals and Green leaves ::
shining brass ball from Babcl's horn.