The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-06-02

It was with feeling of relief thar
she saw John Gordon, her husband.
best friend, walking toward the house
He was dark. slender man. with .
nervous manner and rather joyles.
smile.
''How are you, Mrs. Stocler? Feel
ing rather lonesome, eh?" he called
out I'VE saw your husband driving
by this morning with his regimentals
on, and knew that meant he'd be gone
some time. Wife isn't very well, and
wants to know if you won't go over
and stay with her while I'm away"
THANK you. l wish l could, but
Mr.. Stocker can't possibly be back un.
til tomorrow. AID Randall has paid
me large sum in gold that dare not
leave"
HAS ne. at last? / saw his horse
standing here, but had no idea you'd
ever see that money again" After a
moments thought he added: ''But why
not leave it? Does anyone know you
have it?'
| mo one but the man who paid it to
me, that know of-but he looks like
| brigand."
Nonsense, my dear woman! You're
letting your fears run away with you.
Brigauds don't usually pay debts. and
there's nothing to be afraid of Just
leave the money here and go over to
our house to spend the night. Darkies
are scary lot, and you haven't even a
sensible dog to keep you company"
She longed to yield, but she thought
of all that this money would mean to
her overworlred husband, and. harden
ing her heart against Mr.. Gordon's re-
peated urgings. persisted in staying at
her post.
Saying that he was late for an en-
gagement her neignbor babe her a
hasty farewell
AS the early darkness of the Decem-
Der night began to close in Nature
herself seemed to Mrs. Stocker, in her
overweight condition, to be conspir-
ing with evil beings to heighten her
helpless terror.
AT last Dinah ponderously waddled
in and broke the gloom by cheerfully
announcing the evening meal. While
shAS '" as III PiOStCScs a WdSOu uIONc up,
and Mrs. Stocker heard the welcome
voice of Kanney. sturdy. jolly Irish
peddler, with whom she had had deal
ings for several years. His was one of
those rotund and jovial personalities
that look like embodied jokes, and the
very sight of whom makes everyone
feel cheerful
NOW, Toots," he was saying, don't
We be for ating me up the minute git
down. It's so long since I've had bite
that I'd be mighty poor picking. Be
aisy. now, and the lady'll give We
bone, maybe, with some marrow in it
Pm hollow clare through"
Mrs Stocker opened the door in time
to hear these last words, and called
out: I'VE shall be glad to fill you up.
Mr.. Ranney, and Toots, too. Come in,
both of YOU"
In walked master and beast, the man
with something of roll on his handy
legs, the white dog-whose legs seemed
respectfully modelled on the same plan
with the air of conscious power and |
dignity belonging to pure blooded !
bulldog
AS the peddler took his seat at table,
Toots sat down beside him and, with
out taking the slightest notice of any,
one else. looked quietly into his mas
ter's face.
i've been driving without a bite
since airly morning." said Ranney,
land thought I'd stop here for supper
and drop the things that ye ordered
last trip. Mrs. Stocker. knew Toots
was hungry. too; but. We see, he don't
beg, ike common dogs Hes too much
Of gintleman for that He knows his
feed him when he can, and
ne has no patience wild whining, let
Alone doing it himsilf."
''Toots is the best dog know Mrs.
Stocker answered. enthusiastically.
She took up a bone and held it out,
saying: 'Toots, nice dog. will you
come and get this?"
Toots eyed her gravely, with an ex-
preston which said that he knew she
appreciated his worth, but thought her
one was unduly familiar. (
Then he looked inquirinply at his
master. to see if he approved of accept
ng bone from strange hand. i
Ranney nodded and said: eyes, old
10Y; go and get it."
Toots walked calmly round to Mrs
'tocker without any undign flied haste,
md with one polite wag of his tail
ook the bone. which he crushed in his
powerful jaws as if it were an egg
hell. /,
Dinah eyed him at respectful dis 4
ance. and was visibly relieved when
ne meal was over and she could go to {
he kitchen. II
mr.. Ranney." said Mrs. Stocker,
astily, my husband is away. and 1 !
eel very timid. Can't you stay with 9
s all night?'
'Indade, mum, now I'm rale sorry,
Or I'd dearly love to be any comfort to
hut II r1x L