Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-03-03

/, sayagely down on \ IA and tho maj
at his feeti Rocket waited for tn,
word to be given to hasten on, bu
his masters lips were dumb and hi
eyes closed, and the iron creatur,
drew nearer and nearer.
1t was so close now that the glxr,
from It's eye fell red on the frozel
ground before him. Then suddenl,
the flying clouds parted and let out /;
brilliant CLEAN Of moonlight which
disclosed to view the great, white
form of Rocket, his unclipped man,
and tail streaming in the wind like
ragged flags.
From the iron horse came a shriel
of dismay, which the other answered
by a neigh OF defiance. There was {
noisy rattle of brake, one or TIVE
more screams, then the monster re
treated and paused, while severa
men, carrying lanterns, came hurry
ing along the rails.
They took little notice of Rocket,
but busted themselves with remov
ing the wagon, tree, and packages
They shouted to the old man, and
rubbed his wrists and temples with
ice, until at last he raised his head
and spoke. II couldn't stop the
pesky creature after the linch-pi1
dropped out" he grumbled stagger.
ing to his feet. 'Hellow he ex-
claimed, as the great, unw1nking red
eye caught his sight. ''that was a
close shave. How did you come to
stop"
"lt was your white horse that
stopped u.s." replied the engineer.
"He was standing over you. His
name looked like a flag Of distress in
the moonlight"
"White:" repeated Mr. Banks, 81
thought he was brown, but my heads
confused by the thump 1 gave it
Well, brown or white" he added, sit
you will help me on his back I'll get
home some how. I'll send back for
the wagon and things"
''See here, Farmer" said one of
the men earnestly, as he assisted Mr..
Banks to mount Rocket, 'your horse
is nothing but wrack of bones
Now remember he's saved your life
tonight and if you don't give him a
good feed for once, you deserve to be
killed next time"
'Old? a Wrack of bones?" grOwled
Mr.. Banks "He's just turning four
years. and as fat as butter"
YOU'RE dreaming," replied the
other. HE don'tlook as If he would
live to take you home"
81 suppose l ought to laugh at
your jokes" snapped Mr.. Banks;
"but Pm too sore. Give me the reins
and let me go. [ can't see well vet.
My heads so dizzy"
'This is queer" said the man.
"He's got no kind of a harness on,
nothing but bit of old rope about
his neck. l can't make it out"
"Neither can l." growled Mr..
Banks, 'and as 1 am not up to try
ing I'll just thank you to give me
the rope"
So they put the rope into the old
mans half benumbed hand, and
Rocket, feeling the well remembered
touch, turned his face homeward and
moved slowly on with his burden.
1t was not long distance, but it
was quite as much as the starving
creature could accomplish. AS they
came in sight of the house a great
hub-bub arose, and out of the gate
came flocking every man, woman, and
child belonging to Mr.. Banks family,
down to his wee, toddling great
grandchild, all crying as they sur.
the old white horse, 'Grand-
papa is safe! He is not hurt after
ALL"
"And it is old Rocket that was
turned out to die brought you home"
Luke, the stable boy, in
as he helped the old man
from his uncomfortable seat THE
lther horse came back half an hour
lgo with the broken shafts behind
aim"
Mr.. Banks stood looking from
Rocket to all the loving faces about
him, still entirely unable to compre-
lend how this thing had happened.
Presently he began rubbing the shiv-
'ring creatures cold long nose Then
turning to Luke, he said:
II rather think I've been heartless,
wicked old master to this poor beast
lie served me we'll, in his time, and
rewarded him by turning him out
20 die in his old age. And see, he
has saved my life somehow! Take
him to the warmeSt corner of the
stable, Luke, and from this on, care
or him the best you know how, and
ct him have all he can eat"
II WILL" replied Luke, earnestly
And he kept his word.
Agriculturist