Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1896-01-23

But all l said had little, if any, effect
on the man; he would not consent to
anything of toe Sort.
And then ii came about that one day
my father CHANGED upon us as we were
talking together. | may never forget
the look of establishment, dismay and
anger that rested on his stern face as
he saw us sitting side by side IN the
shelter Of the shrubs that hung over
the shore rocks. both nunchins cookies,
for / had been bringing lunches to Jim
for long time.
My father was furious; he seemed
tempted 10 spring upon my strange
companion. Jim said not word in de-
Tense OF himself, but pulled his hat low
over his eyes and skuked away like
whipped dog,
Father demanded to know about the
man, and his questioning made me tell
many things that did not want to tell.
These things did not tend to soften my
fathers temper in the least.
1t was the very next day that my IA
Their bought big yellow dog-a fierce
looking creature with reddish eyes and
cleaning teeth. He declared he would
soon teach tramps that they could not
linser about his grounds.
From the first was afraid of the dog,
for the animal growled and licked it's
chops whenever l was near, looking at
me as If it ionged to fly at my throat.
Indeed, the creature was SO fierce that
it was necessary that it should be
chained for time till it came to know
who was its master.
For some days was kept close to the
house, and know l was watched 4
great deal; but saw nothing of jim.
and lonely eeiins came over me, for
felt that l might never see him again,
| and strange attachment for the tramp
had grown within my breast
On the fourth day after the purchase
of the dog my father became worried
about the creature. for it lay growing
! and whining at the end Of its chain.
its eyes glowing like Goals. while n
fringe OF froth chung around its lIuz-
zle.
The beast is SICK" my father de-
clared. Il don't like his actions. He
may be going mad"
had heard of mad dogs, and when
went to look at the animal and it
strained at its chain, with its red eyes
fixed on my face. while sharp yelps
broke from its throat, ran away, filled
with terror.
| 1t must be that my show of fear added
| to the fierceness of the animal, for, of
| sudden, heard deep-throated howl
behind me, and one look over my Shout
| der showed me the dog in hot pursuit.
! bit of the broken chain dangling from
| it's iron collar.
The terror of that moment nearly
overcame me, but l managed to keep
| to my feet, running forward blindly,
and shrieking at the top of my voice.
| A horrid choking came into my throat,
| and l staggered as ] ran, expecting at
any moment to feel the poisonous teeth
of the mad dog tearing at my quivering
| flesh.
l heard the dog close behind mel
| seemed to feel It's fetid breath on the
| back Of my neck-I stumbled and fell.
Just as I went down l saw a man
leap out of the bushes and go past me
to meet my canine pursuer. 1t was but
glimpse, but that glimpse was enough,
| for in the man / recognized Jim the
| tramp. In his hand something bright
! flashed.
| Scrambling to sitting posture l saw
man and dog meet in mortal combat
The mad animal leaped straight at
| Jims throat. but the mans arm pro-
tected that point, and the cleaning
teeth closed on that. Then began such
terrible struggle as l hope never
again to witness.
The tramp struck the dog with the
knife In his hand, and blood flowed
upon the grass. But the creature was
not to be beaten off, and it again leapet
at Jim's throat. The sharp yelping o.
the dog mingled with the hoarse breath
of tho man, and l heard the crunchint
of the beasts teeth tearing through
flesh to the bone.
Again and again the animal leaped
The man grew weaker, and both mar
and dog were despatched with blood
At last the persistent beast overthrev
my heroic defender, and saw them bat
Ting madly on the grass. the drippin,
knife being plunged again and again t,
the hilt Then l covered my eyes will
my hands and saw no more till l fel
myself caught up In my fathers stronl
arms.
Father had seen 1t all. He was whit
and shaking as he paused to look a
both man and beast. now stretche,
silent and motionless on the blood
stained grass.
"Dead-both dead" he muttere
hoarsely why should he do this t
J save my boy? 1t is the tramp-th
J tramp whom drove from the grounds.
Then he bent still nearer to loo
straight into that bearded, blood -staine
face. One moment he stared, and the
he reeled backward. dropping me Xix
an inanimate thing, and clasping hi
hands to his head as he shrieked:
"Merciful Heaven. it is James-m
brother James"