New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-24

II she took the path that led over meadow ana
across the Sandy River the girl would save third
OF the distance She turned into this path. The
bridge over the Sandy was over the deepes. ana
widest part; IL was only f0otWay WhIch mad
been built by Mr. Faxon and his neighDor whose
land came down 10 the water on the otner SIDE
Wealthy walked rapidly Tne load on nef
heart seemed ntoerabie. and she kept thinking
that tomorrow would be Thanksgiving Day, The
day that she liked best, next to Christmas, OF all
the year. -
When she had reached a turn in the path she
stopped and looked back. She saw her brother
walking slowly, with head hanging forward. tow.
ard the barn Following him walked Hctspur.
for Dick never went yards length anywners
since the dog could waddle as puppy that ne
hadn't been at his masters heels
You who have had a we!l-beoved dog will know
how this boy and girl felt. -
Wealthy went blindly on. She came 10 the ittle
bridge and began to cross 1t. Midway upon II she
stopped and gazed absentiy down into the water.
She noticed mechanically that some OF the boards
were loose the bridge. There was handrail
only on one side, and ever since she could re.
member Wealthy had been cautioned by her
mother and father to be careful in going over
the bridge indeed, the two children had not been
allowed upon 1t at all until> they were nearly
grown.
AS she stood there with her hands clasped on the
rail- Wealthy in the misery Of her heart began
to pray She prayed for Hotspur, the tears drop
ping from her face as she did 50. For Hotspur.
the dear old friend and playmate VINO had ale
ways loved her and never been impatient with
her
Yes. you who have been brought up with
loyal fine-natured dog will understand why the
girl prayed thus And the prayer brought some
thing of peace to her troubled mind
Then she hurried on across the bridge.
Before she reached the Mcintosh farm the early
twilight OF November had come.
AS for Dick ne could not go into the house save
for moment. He wandering about the
yard and over the field back OF the barn. and
Hotspur was ever at his heels. The boy MIXED
the three cows and fed them and the horse. He
bedded them all down. taking long time 70 do
his chores. Hotspur was sitting on MS hauncnea
in front OF the stalls. as was his custom. while
his master MIXED. and. after the milk was
strained into the pans set in the back room, the
dog tapped up the froth In the bottom OF the PAIL
he usually did.
Dick put his head in at the kitchen door. where
his mother was setting the table for supper.
Don't wait for me-" he said; Il shant want
any supper
Then he hurried away
Mrs. Faxon went to the door She saw her
sons figure outlined blackly IT. the dusk ~ the
yard. and the figure Of the dog beside him Her
heart ached for the boys grief and for her own.
Dick" she said. softly.
The boy came up to ner. In the darkness hs
| leaned his head down on her shoulder for an
instant
Two tears from his mothers eyes dropped on
| his face.
| Dick suddenly put his arms about her
you don't think I'm foolish, mother" he
| whispered.
"Oh. no. no. was the answering whisper. In
a moment she added You know, II seems as IL
We ought to do It..
Il know Il. I know IT,"
| He went to the barn and took the lantern.
which he had left hanging lighted peg
against the wall. He found piece OF rope
Hotspur stood by him, watching him. One
| quained with the boys face would hardly have
| known it now, il was so strange. and old, and
With the lantern and the rope Dick went down
| to the river From wall near the bank he took
stone that weighed as much as he could LIT
and carry with any He tied one end OK
| the rope round this stone and went with Il ID
the middle of the bridge, where he laid It down.
Then he came back for the lantern.
Hotspur had travelled with him TO the bridge
and back.
Dick held the lantern an instant. then hs
set II down the bank.
IF | see his face can never do it," he said
| aloud, in a harsh voice.
He went on the bridge again and Hotspur fol-
| lowed him-for when did he not follow him?
| Dick knelt down fumbling for the rope and
| the rock He found the rope end and fastened,
it about the dogs neck; the dog licking his wrist,
| r Then Dick flung his arms about the shaggy
neck. and it seemed to him as If he would die
! then and there.
He tried to recall clearly that Hotspur had
been bitten by that dog. and that some days
after he had begun 10 be ail!ng, that he had not
seemed exactly like himself-yes. It must be
| done
Dick murmured some incoherent words beg
| gng for forgiveness. He nerved hmself-he
pushed the dog off and the heavy rock after him.
He heard the splash. Then he staggered up
| and ran with all his speed 10 the bank. Once
| there he flung himself face downward on the
| ground and dug his hands into the earth, not
| knowing he did so.
He had not been there more than two or
three moments before he thought he heard
sharp cry and then another splash.
He sprang 10 his feet and he upset the lam
tern as he did 50. so that it seemed inky dark
there at first.
Had he really heard a cry? That could not
have been Hotspur
He listened and heard nothing. Then he be-
came sure that he had imagined the sounds.
He walked toward the house HIS face
was distorted and his breath came heavily.
What that? Surely there some
sound by the river
He stood still.
He had left his lantern lying where It was
upturned He could see little now by the
There was the sound Of something spashing
in the water
Now a shout. sharp and quick
Dick, Dick, You there?"
The boy dashed back again to the bank Now
he fancied he saw two shapes coming up to-
ward tie shore from the water.
What is it?' he cried.
He had never been so startled in his life
'Oh. Dick said the voice again. And now
the boy knew ii was his sister who spoke
He ran toward her and she dropped forward
AS he stood holding her big dog waded up out
Of the water and shook himself, the drops flying
over the two.
"Do speak, exclaimed Dick
How his heart had leaped as he dmy these
forms.
Wealthy gurgled and swallowed before she
could say anything plainly.
Il was coming home from the McIntoshes'." she
said at last. and | was thinking so about Hot
spur that didn't mind as ought. and fell of
the bridge And-oh. Dick.--he saved me. felt
him grab me by my Jacket sleeve. was sinking!
Oh. OH.
Here the overwrought girl burst into hysterlcal
crying.
Dick led her to the house. The boy the drip
ping Wealthy and the wet dog with the rope
dragging from his neck entered the kitchen
where Mr.. and Mrs. Faxon sat.
Il thought tied the rope fast" said Dick half
choking his words. but Hotspur got loose
drowning
He said no more. He sat down beside the dog
on the floor