The morning call., 1894-07-15

in sudden desperation. "Bu Its not
much excuse. l know-but l didn't take to
stealth cause l wanted to live without
work.
I'D been trampin' till I was clear worn
out lookin' for wOrk-and l couldn't find
none-and my last cent was goue-and [
was awful hungry when l came on those
men. They offered me some supper. ard
was glad enough to take 1t. And they
pressed NE to drink. and L did.
II want used to liQuOr-and that's the
last l can remember clear. Only their
talking about how easy we could get a
hundred dollars that the rich old scuundrel
we took 1t from would never miss, but
there was KNOWN old dog we must
poison or stab | always liked dogs. and
couldn't bear the idea of killing smart
one, so l said could coax the dog to me
aud tie him so lie couldn't do any harm
and | did it,"
The deacon's hand stole down uncon-
sciously 10 pat the dogs head, even as he
said, reproachfully. But you stayed with
them right along alter that?
Yes, had to. / was in their power
then-unti they were arrested-and [
with them-and [ was almost glad. 1t was
awful to be with them-and afraid Of
them-ln Their power"
Inc words came painfully, each costing
an effort Jacob fancled he could feel
Leans indignant gaze scOrching his fore
head.
An awful pause followed. Jacob did not
once raise his head, the deacon looked red
nnd uncomfortable, Mrs PetIengiIl and
Lean anxious and fearful
Silence at last became IN bearab BILE, and
The good lady took refuge in her most
harmless commonplace.
Dear me, pa, you amt eating nothing
lake some OF the nutcakes Jacob, do"
Il don't want none" Jacob returned,
huskiy, rising and rushing back his chair
Il S'pOse l must go now. It's been the
best home I've had for years, but 'twa'nt
to be expected you'd have me around any
longer"
The deacon cleared his throat by a
mighty effort.
II don't see no sense in your goin',
Jacob. l ra'ally don't, We've set a heap
OF store by you, and you seem to kinder fit
ia here better II any man we ever had.
You wouldn't be no better boy somewhere
else n you DE here. A man can't step
Outn The world cause he's done something
he's ashamed on. He's jest has to stay
right along and live ltdOwn, and you might
jest as we'll do it here as anywhere else"
So it was settled. jacob stayed and the
children never even knew.
And the months went on, winter came
the ice grew thick and strong over the
little brook the children crossed daily on
their way to school, Christmas came ard
went.
January roared itself in, grew repentant
and wept warm tears that swept the snow
from the fields, turned the roads into
rivers OF sIush and brought the usual
croakiDg: The dam would surely break.
The water never was so high bsfore."
But the dam held on, as 1t had done for
years, in spite OF cloakerS, though the Pet
tengill children Shuddered as they crossed
the bridge. for it was only two miles above.
R"sie PettenRil, aged 6, was greatly in
tereSted.
Would the dam break?" she demanded
Of Jacob many times. And when?'' She
would like to see the first rush of wa ers
come down. Wouldn't it be splendid?
She would have spent the whole time at
the creek watching for it If she could,
and considered it a real freak of for
tune when headache excused her from
school on the WaTmeSt afternoon OF the
tDaw.
She came slowly across the fields, and
stopped, leaning on the bridge rail, her
scarlet hood and blue cloak making one
bright SPOT 10 the dull enc. Her little
fingers graspeG the bridge railing tight.
Was il coming?
Jacob. busy about the barn, watched the
little figure uneasiy, and finally started
toward her. The boy was half way across
The wet pasture when "BoOmH' sounded
something faint and far away. Rosie had
her wish. The dam had broken at last.
r sIe! he called hoarsely. Rosie.
come qulck!" Very reluctantly the little
girl turned 10 obey. then stopped, forget
ting all else in watching The long looked
for wave as 1t came sweeping down. break
ing the creeks icy coat into Whirling
blocks in a twinkling.
Just one moment before it swept roar
ing across the pasture. making a tur-
bulent, lcelOc6ed stream on both sides of
the bridge Jacob reached it and caught
up the child. Before he could turn tie
bridge stood isolated in the roaring waters.
But as minute after minute passed and
the bridge still stood, he began to feel
safer. Watch came down TO the waters
edge and paced back and forth uDeasily.
A tree on the bank farther up had fallen
over at the first rush. The roots gave
way one by one. and at last with jerk 1t
broke free and came down stream.
Jacob saw it coming and hoped it would
swing aside, bnt no! Straight under the
bridge came the big trunk, caught, swung
to one side, struck the trem bling piers,
and with a crash the bridge was afoat.
1t settled down on the tree branches,
which sank under its weight, but never
theless helped TO buoy it up. So destroyer
and destroyed started down stream to-
gether.
Watch gave a long, despairing howl,
then plunged boldly into the icy waters
and swan after the fugitive bridge.
More than once the Child cried out that
w dLCu W DIS ULOWu OuI az ldSts pdHllUS
and exhausted, he touched the timbers.
jacob helped him up, though expecting
the usual vicious snap. bat now the big
dog only stalked over to Rosie, licked her
tear-wet cheeks and lay down cOntentedly,
painting.
On and on they went And the short
afternoon waned into night. Rosie began
10 cry again with fear and Inconsistencies,
but the stream was still too rapid for
Jacobs pole to do more than to ward off
shocks.
And still on drifted the little raft. Rosie
fell asleep in Jacobs arms. and boy and
dog, SIDE by side. enmity all forgotten.
waited and watched till the current slack
ened and the lights of a town cleaned
across the water.
Then Jacob betook himself to his pole
aud by half an hours hard WORK sue
ceeded in getting near enough to wade to
land, Watch swimming after.
A train was Numbering toward town.
Jacob made rapid calculation of dis
tanceS and finances and FASTENED to catch
it. carrying Rose still. while the yellow
dog trotted quietly at his heels.
A Roman conQueror might well have
envied the cordial welcome they received.
But the sweetest triumph Of all came
when Watch. tired of prancing and bark
ing and being petted, deliberately trotted
up to Jacob. licked bis hand and laid down
contentrdly at his feet
Whether the dog decided to forgive his
shameful betrayal of con tidence on account
of his saving Rosie. or whether he made up
mis- dog mind here must have been some
reason for that since he was so trust