The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1894-11-16

goin to begin confnsin Of him with
new ways
Mr. Little swung forward on 4, I
crutches, and Mrs Darte followed
him. There was a proud and tremuians
eaecrness in his voice md manner a.
he reached the corner of the house rndi
cried:
Here he Isl Come, Maje, m give
yer paw to a lady
A large yellow, smooth dog with a
square, hlacR muzzle and light hazel
eyes rose from his launches and eane
forward waggirg his tail, not wagging
eifusively, hut with poiite welcome.
III held up his paw. but as Mrs Darte
disl not take It he put it down again.
lie glanced at his master, advanced his
head, gave one lick Of his tongue upon
his masters dingy hand, then stood
waiting, smiling a little, SOLDERING
somewhat, and having very pleasant
look in his eyes Yet these eyes had
the appearance OF possessing other
powers OF expression.
A half peck basket with cover
which was tied down with string,
stood on the ground near where the
dog had been sitting, The wooden
handle of this basket showed unmis-
sakablc evidence of having been much
carried in the dogs mouth.
whats in thatas
As Mrs. Darte made this inquiry she
pointed one finger at the basket.
''lt's my sweet haEroot, You know"
was the answer. 'sit's. what l peddle
q good deal this time er year. Folks
don't care much about it, though, but
il don't cost me nothin' TO git it fl
dig it myself. But it always did
most kill me to dig it, m my backs SO
now | can't do it no more. Itold
Maize couldn't when l dug that mess.
Sometimes ! have pins m thread m
needles in there. Aiaje he carries the
barskit--I couldn't with nv two
oratches, you see. But taint SO much
cause he carries the barslSit either. t
couldn't git long 'thout him. It's
jest cause
The man paused. His poor face
worked. Its cause love him. | tell
You what tits. Mrs. Darte. / don't
want ter live 'thout Maje. l don't
want ter live much, anyway, but l do
hope ] sh'Il stan it's longs Maie
does.' The high voice cracked on the
last few words The dog moved closer
to bis friend and looked up at him.
What is it?" his eyes asked.
Mrs Darte did not speak. Her face
was not precisely as it was when she
opened the door to Lemmy Little.
AHd she had forgotten the burned
apple on the coak stove.
y s'pose be eats as much as man.
she finally remarked.
No, ne don't, he DON'T eagerly;
mes real small eater, he is You're
Q real small eater, amt you, Maje?"
The dog Tapped his tail ON the
ground, then ne yawned. He might
have been intimatiug that there were
the best OF reasons. why he eats SO
little. He had ranged mp By his mas
ter's side and sat down as If to indi-
cate that he and the man belonged to
one party and the woman to another.
III tell ye what les do" said MIR.
Little, suddenly 'You let us ia, Ma3e
n me. You jes lemme have my shaet
of victuals, m III share with Maj
You en- jes' measure my victnals If you |
want to, N won't take nothin' NOR. !
honest, ! won't N I'll feed Mat
1uter my share. He en- sleep long Of |
Ne He always does. You see, 'twou'i |
sGst town sr cent. Now, will We do IT.
u yon don't d know whut'n becoa,
a Us, ! lblong TO this poorhouse, but
swow l won't stay where they w0a
AXE my dorg- Ill jes' lay down m di
n be glad 10, If they won't take M
iorg.
As the quivering voice ceased, iii,
'wner OF it leaned his erutches agains;
he house and sat down on the groun.
'eside Maje, who Immediately put his
lead on the mans ragged knee.
These moves were not made dramat.
cally. but as If this were the way the
To warfarers rested when they be.
anne weary on their journeys from
own to town. Mr. Little looked nm
i the woman. His eyes were bleared
nd pale in the vivid sunshine. lie
ad his hand on the dogs head, and
ne fingers Of the hand were moving
estlessly up and down
His toothless mouth hung open as he
urned his head upward. Some sort Of
pitiahle attempt at an assumption OF
heerfulness made him smile, and he !
aid:
taess 4 you'd ever had er dorg, n
othin' else, you'd know bout me a
leje. ~ he's BEN wuss off nor me
aIsse he amt had only me, M I'ye \,
ad him" 4
Inc man now gazed down at the dc
sain, ana al the blurred lines Of bis 9
zee trembled,
WALL" said Mira Ds-'
I'D resolutely, 81
ve made ~ -.te, suddenly /
ies tel you what It's.
- my mind to take you II
..org. an if the town don't like Il
hey may jest turn me m Abram oa..