The Bessemer indicator., 1894-07-21
Collie Dan.


So play we have got to Bumpville'
Collie Dan.
When Betsy Bakers birthday was
only ten days off her indulgent mann
ma told her that she could plan a day
of pleasure, and anything she decided
upon as being proper celebration of
the event she would be allowed to
carry out.
Now, Betsy was generous little
girl, and in scheming for happy
holiday she thought of others before
she considered her own pleasure, and
in the end decided that above all
things She would like to have picnic
at Uncle Jim's farm.
So it was determined that all the
little boys and girls in the neighbor-
hood should be invited to aid in MAX
ing Betsy's birthday one long to be
remembered. Betsy herself made the
rounds of the neighborhood and in
vited all OF her friends. The children
accepted with joyous exclamations,
and the consent of the parents was
not hard to obtain. for Betsy's mother
was known to he II very careful
woman when children were placed in
her charge.
The sun had not been up very long
on the bright June morning that
lawned upon Betsys birthday before
all the little fbllts, dressed in holiday
attire, assembled in the Baker yard,
and their presence alone made that
little corner of the wor Id look
brighter and happi er than it had ever
looked before.
They had not been there long be-
fore two great wa gons, each drawn
by four horses, drove up to the gate,
and one smaller wagon. Into the
first two the boys and girls were
quickly lifted, and into the last there
were big bundles and baskets and
buckets that gave fair warning of the
feast to come.
1t was five miles to Uncle Jim's, but
the merry little folks, who spent tn c
time during the ride in singing THE
Star Spnngled Banner" Red, White
and Blue" and many other songs,
thought the distance very short.
Uncle jim was ready for the picnic
party, and so was Aunt Hannah, who
had a kiss for each smiling face, and
so were Uncle Jim's big collie dogs,
that appeared to think that the outing
was arranged solely for their pleasure.
Out in the grove behind the orchard
Uncle Jim had constructed number
of swings and see-saws, and in one
corner of the big field beyond he had
moved the grass so that the boys
could have nice ball field.
The little folks, after the manner
of their kind, quickly scattered and
gave themselves entirely over to the
many games that help amuse Jack
and Jill.
After while Betsy and several of
her friends wandered off down the
lane toward the water-an arm of the
his yacht. Hauled out on the sandy
shore there was small boat, and into
this the girls jumped and played
| 'sallors."
1t was rare good fun, and they roll
licked to their hearts content. They
did not notice that in their rompings
they had loosened the sltiff from her
moorings, and that n rapidly rising
tide had set her afloat Suddenly
Betsy discovered that their frail craft
was adrift. They were not a bit
alarmed, but thought it fine fun and
shouted in their glee.
But on the shore, Dan and Dick,
two wise collie dogs, evidently
thought differently. They saw the
little boat drift from the shore, and
scented danger, probably disaster.
They ran to and fro along the waters
edge, emitting short, sharp yelps, and
in dog language proclaiming the peril
of the little folks.
A strong wind from land sprung up,
and despite the force of the incoming
waters the boat was surely but slow
ly making for the broad stretch of
treacherous waters beyond.
Betsy began to realize that her po-
sition was not one of pleasure, and in
her distress called aloud for help Her
companions took up the cry, and the
plaintive cries reached the ears of the
troubled dogs on shore. The latter
redoublcd their yelps, but they were
too far from help for them to be
heard.
The frightened girls looked to the
intelligent dogs to save them. They
saw one of the dogs suddenly leave
his companion and dart up the lane,
while the other one waded out in the
water as far us he could go, the mean
while keeping up succession OF
sharp barlss.
As the boat driftcd outward it ap-
peared to feel the full effects of the
wind, and its Roadway was increased.
Minutes seemed ages to the thorough
ly alarmed children, who saw before
them but short stretch of land
locked cove and beyond wide sweep
VI rolling waters.
The remaining dog. Dan, was seem
Ugly becoming desperate. He whined
teously. The girls saw him leave
lis wading ground and plunge into
ao deeper water and swim toward
hem. They chcercd him.
The race between the dog and boat
ras close and exciting one. The
entrano, to the cove was not very
wide, q narrow strip Of land extend
ing wsll cut that acted ~ = ssa wall
n " Nttls havSs. NtAs beat sAsull