Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-09-20

tree that, struck by the lightning, had
fallen in the path. Beneath It, its ter
rible weight lying square across his
body, lay a man. After an instant
Jared recognized him as Sam Baker, q
tramping farmland, who had been
about the village for few weeks, and
had finally gone to work for some one
OF the neighboring farmers. lie had
been blowing In the field below when
the storm came up, and had stupidity
taken refuge in the clump of trees on
the hillside, leaving his pillow in the
furrow and his horse still inspanned
to brave the storm alone.
The tree under which he stood had
been struck by lightning, and had fall
Ell upon him. 1t was smoking q little
where the branches forked-only tho
dampness keeping 1t from burning
Get it off get 1t off" the poor fellow
shricked Us he saw Jared. The boy
was old for his years and uncommonly
quick of wit, but his strength was
wholly inadequate to move the tree.
lie pondercd an instant, amid the roars
of the storm and the screams Of the
tortured man, and then rushed down
the hill and across the half-plowed
field, with Its muddy burrows, to where
the patient, numbering, old white pillow
horse stood, head down and his low
set, mongrel tail turned to the storm.
TO unspan him from the pillow and lead
him up the hill was but the work OF q
minute. The reins had been length
encd with rope, and taking this Jared
twisted 1t and Topped 1t firmly about
the tree, hooking the singletree into
it. Sam saw the idea and Its dangers
"lf you drag that tree ACROSS me-" he
groaned, you'll kill me. It must be
lifted"
Jared saw that his words were only
too true. Something, however, must
be done. Sans shrieks had ceased,
but he was still grooming in agony,
only failing strength hushing his
cries. Down on his hands and knees
Jared got, putting his puny shoulder
against the trunk Of the tree. Had his
boys body been half as stout as his
heart he would have lifted. When all
was ready he gave the old white horse
the word to go forward, Tho chain
frightened and with strength born OF
his extremity the boy raised his back,
fairly forcing himself beneath the
tree, giving it an upward impetus rs
the horse dragged 1t forward lie was
not able to lift save for u single III.
slant but that served to carry it free
from SANS chest and head, and when
1t fell from the mans body, Jared, too,
fell forward with II strange, suffocat-
ing sense Of oppression In his chest.
After minute he rallied and staggered
to his feet. Sam was unconscious and
lay upon his back, the rain beating
down upon his face, and mingling with
the blood that flowed from dreadful
wound In his breast 1t was plain,
even to Jared, that he would die II
help was not quickly brought. 1t was
mile to the village, and he felt sick
to death himself, but gathering his lit.
tie strength he pulled the harness and
tugs from the horses shoulders--the
collar was beyond his ability to move
tied up the reins and clambered upon
his back.
The awkward creature was unused
to being ridden, and he started, swirl.
ing anu plugging Jared tucked one
arm under the tig' collar, seized the
reins in the other hand and dug his
heels furiously into the horses sides.
A sharp flash came just then, and the
quickly-following thunder clap added
to the animals terror. The big, lum-
berlng brute sprang forward with a
lunging attempt at a run, which final.
ly settled into q laundering three.
cornered gallop as he tore down the
hill, sending the damp earth up be-
hind him in great clods from his enor-
nous hoofs At every rise jared had
all he could do TO keep from going over
the animals great chuckle-head; at ev-
cry impact Of the sho vcl-like feet upon
the ground the breath seemed about
to leave the boys body, but he chung
grimly, urging his ungainly steed on
as though death followed behind. One
by one the familiar landmarks were
passed on the road to the village,
Straight down the single street he
rode, and pulled rein In front Of the
one store that was trading place, post
office, club room and general lounging
stand for the whole neighborhood,
There's that young Imp the Sim.
pick boy, on my old BILL shouted
Farmer Briggs as Jared fairly threw
himself to the ground, while the still
frightened brute rushed on again re-
lieved OF his rider "Drat that boyl
Look at that. He'd orter have every
bone in his blamed body broke for let
ting that boss run off, and he wrath.
fully started for the door just as Jared
entered.
Something's wrong here cried Dr.
Barton, who was one OF the rain-bound
lolterers within the store, as he saw
the boys pale, strained face. "Whats
up, lIub?"
The effort to speak was almost be-
yond Jared's remaining strength. lie
made two or three inarticulate gasps
and finally managed to CALCULATES "sam
Baker dying - Mill Creek Falls |
amt hurt, Bill. Mr.. Brggs-I-"
The doctor bent over him nnxiously,
tenderly 49, the words Of blame died
from the pale lips Of briggs the men
crowded round, breathless, watching
the physician as he made his examina.
ton At last, with q plying sigh, he
Strengthened up Nothing can DO
done. Some one carry him home while
we 20 and find Baker," and the tall,
burly doctor bent over and kissed tho
boys blue, blood-stained lips
at was stout heart" he said, "and
a brave one, but only the heart OF a