The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-03-03
A SHOT IN TIME.

81 MAY have grandpa's gun tomor
| row, mayn't II You know I'll be
fifteen next week; and you promised
me birthday .reat," and Alfred's dark
eyes snapped in pleased anticipation.
II suppose shall have to keep my
word" sighed poor, overworked Mrs.
Mullen. But I'm afraid. There are
so many accidents"
"Pshaw mother. Ed Gates amt
fourteen an he's had gun for over a
year. I've shot it lots, an l know
how"
We'll, we'll! Yes, you may have the
gun" Then, as Alfred ran cheerfully
to tell little Ray the good news, Mrs.
Mullen turned to the bed where lay
her paralyzed husband, and added:
Poor boy it's the only birthday
pleasure ne can have, with that mort
gage overdue, and you on your back
with stroke"
eff grandpa hadn's been so DID," said
the weak voiced invalid, 1--WE might
have plenty OF everything now. can't
see what he ever could have done with
the money he received for the back
meadow"
"Oh, We'll get along somehow" re-
piled Mrs. Mullen, cheerfully, as she re-
arranged the pillows of her patient.
The twelfth of December was bright
and clear Alfred rose with the sun,
and outdid his record in the speed with
which he performed his morning
duties.
You are quiet a soldier" said his
mother, with a smile, as the boy proudly
shouldered his ancient smooth bore.
And indeed he did look like a hunter,
in his top boots, the hunting jacket his
sister Nell had lmprovisea from an old
grain sack, and the big powder horn and
shot bag dangling at his side.
"Dooo-byl Wen Diet a bear for
Allies birfday.r' shouted Ray, as he fol-
I lowed in the wake of his brother and
Hero to carry the surplus game,
This gun pears TO take a pretty
good load, said Alfred, as he rammed
down generous handful OF shot. ED
Gates never that full when loaded
Guess it's because this is an old styled
one.''
Tramp, tramp, they went through the
woods, until Rays short legs began TO
wobble and every log tempted him to
rest awhile Finally he pumped down
upon one with the announcement:
faint no usel Tan't go no farzer,
tall"
'All right said Alfred, well rest"
They had not sat there long before
they heard an inquisltive 'squa-squa -
/ from a tall beech tree.
Its fox SQUIRREL" whispered Alfred,
crouching down behind log
Pretty soon Mr.. Foxy frisked down
the Tree, where lie was brought 10
stanostill, clinging head downward, oy
Rays shriil voice.
"Tne1e he is There ne is!
Boom went the old gun, and in
spite OF his tired legs, Ray made them
spin as he ran TO pick up the dead
squirrel Holding the poor victim by
the tail, aud shouting; You're a big
4 huuter, A'fred You's killed himw He
suddenly noticed that the sportsman
/ was nowhere in view. He toddled
back TO the log. where the sighr of
Alfred lying fiat on his back brought
tears TO mis- eyes. "Oh, dearw ne
cried, you've shot yourself, too How
ever will get homer"
Alfred was rubbing his eyes in a
dazed way, and asking "what is il?
Where am I9p but the sight of Ray and
the squirrel quickly restored his mem
DRY. ~ must have knocked that tree
over" he muttered, rubbing his right
shoulder.
Upon examination he was surprised
to find piece Of iron protruding from
that part of the tree peppered by the
shot,
That's funny" he said, breaking it
of; and then he exclaimed, "Ohl Ohp'