The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-17

Nonsense" smilingly exclaimed his
fcther. why 1 once knew OF a dog
that remained out in the woods, having
lost his way there, for nearly whole
week, in the depth OF winter, TOO. ana
was rescued at last as safe and sound
as he ever could be-
but poor Gypsy couldn't live that
long, | know, cause he never had TO stay
a single day or night out DOORS sun
sobbcd Jim.
well, there's no earthly use in frett-
ing ana whining over him." said the
father, rising, 80, now, kiss your NAM
ma and me, and say your prayers for
it's time TO go TO bed, il You want TO be
up bright and early tomorrow morning
TO go search for Gypsy
The next morning dawned amid big
falling flakes of snow, which rendered
the roads almost impossible that led 10
the distant pine woods wherein Jm's
collie dog was supposed 10 have been
lost However, his father hitched up ms
great sleigh to fast mare, and after
tucking Jim and a half dozen or MS
chums who lived near by under great
warm Buffalo robes. he drove them on,
on over the great drifting piles Of snow
until they reached narrow pathway
between the tangled branches or the pine
trees leading into the woods.
Now. boys, let US all take turns at
calling Gypsy and once in awhile shout
his name altogether" said Jim's father,
slowing up his mare.
Immediately the boys began shouting
themselves hoarse, but still no dog was
to be seen or heard.
on. on. still further into the thick
woods they drove, until the tips OF their
little noses We're almost frozen, ana they
became too cold TO halloa any longer
after the lost dog; 50 Jim's father de-
cided 10 drive back and give up the
fruitless search; but just as he was turn
ing the sleigh around, he spied great puffs
OF smoke coming through cluster OF
trees a little further up on the pine hill,
so he told the boys to huddle as closely
together as they could under the robes
in the sleigh, as he turned back 10 see
what was burning there.
Who could ever have believed 1t be-
fore? but true enough the smoke was is
suing from the stone hut OF an old tramp
who had built It. there, and made II his
winter quarters, guarded by ferocious
looking, big white bull dog, that barked
and growled sayagely as the sleigh near
ed the door Of the hut
Hello! hello there" yelled Jim's faith
er, giving a mountain cry in which all
eously joined, thus filling the woods
with unusual echoes.
For long while no answer came, and
Il was only after dscharging a few
threatening shots from his pistol at the
savage dog who was making attempts
TO Jump into the sleigh and bite the boys,
that the vicious animal was driven
away out of sight.
Finally the door OF the hut slowly open
ed. and a grizzly looking old man. with
long white whiskers, dirty face and
hands. and the raggedest clothes i'm
aginable made his appearance, scowl-
ing, as he muttered:
'What do yeZ want here?'
I'VE are searching FOR lest collie dog
and thought IL might have strayed up
around the woods" said Jim's father
jumping out OF the sleigh and blanket
ing the mare.
NAV. there hain't no stray dorg up
here" growled the old tramp, sulkily.
turning to close the door after him.
walt moment" almost commanded
Jim's father. Let us go In and warm
ourselves by your fire for awhile. for
don't you see. sir. we are all half froz-
env'
what did you come here fur Them"
angrily replied the tramp. as the crowd
followed him into the dirty hut and