Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-06-04

ana frlghtened poor n<lls 0eorgie, who
at up In bed and screamed the ''lkiyoG
were eating his dirI." He always call
ed Mis- Bessie his 'dirl."
The next morning number of PEG
pie came up; they were hunting fol
Bessie. The whole neighborhood was
searched.
! could not leave home, but George
and walked over the ranch, looking In
every hole. and wistfully across the
plains. Our dog. Smarty, ran after u.s.
and silly old turkey-gobbler, my pei
and the pride of my poultry yard. Join.
ed In the procession. Smarty chased
him, and Gobble few over the wire
fence and rushed down the hill, through
a valley, across the road, and l saw
the two, mere specks, tearing up the
hill near the well.
Hell kill Gobble," shouted, selling
Georges hand, and we rushed after
them, George crying ut the top Of his
lungs, and being winded at every step.
At last took him on my back, and
finished the race with heavy burden.
At the foot Of the Hill was the well,
and there Gobble stood, scolding and
shaking his red neck, while Smarty
seemed to have forgotten his very exist
ence, but was running around the well,
uttering short, quick banks.
The planks around and over the well
were gone, and the earth about it was
plowed as If there had been a strug-
gle. / dropped Georges hand and
rushed down. pushed Smarty away,
and looked down. 1t was dark, but l
fancied / saw something white away
down. Just then faint voice from the
depths Of the earth shouted:
Help! Helpw
'I'm Charley Boyd. Who's here?
Shout againr'
Bessie Little. My horse fell; he's
dead, away down. I'm clinging to a
plank in the side. can't holu on much
longer. My arms are breaking!'
What could / do?
Bessie" l shouted, ''hold on little
while; Pm going for helpw
1--WE been unconscious. I'm faint.
l shall die. Don't leave me. The dirt
falling brought me to life"
"I'll leave George here. Here,
George, your dirl is in that hole; sit
there and talk to her. Don't you cry"
Georges lip trembled, but he minded
bravely, pleading the dog should stay
but was afraid to trust him. "GObble
tay wifi Dorgie," he said piteously; but
that sagacious bird was already wing
ing and hopping his way homeward. l
left Bessie answering Georges scared
"Halloov'
If she could keep conscious till got
back! How thanked grandpa for his
careful habits. / knew just where the
new clothes line was, the crowbar and
the Ratchet. We were eight miles from
any ranch, and I must act as If there
was no one in the world to help her.
How got back never knew. l saw
George from the top of the hill. He
had crawled to the edge of the well, and
was singing a little baby song l had
taught him. His cheeks were red and
feverish, and his voice hoarse.
"Bessiev' l shouted.
'All right. George kept me from
l made him sing"
dit dirl out! dit dirl outw George
screamed, clinging to my skirts. /
pushed him away; there was no time to
pet or comfort him.
"Run to the road, George, that way;
now halloo for help. Yes, take the dog.
Tell everybody your dirl is in Byers'
WE'LL"
/ knew his white, tear-wet face would
bring the most unbelieving stranger,
and watched his chubby form, in the
bright plaid dress, and the painting dog
disappear over the hill. All the while
was digging deep hole with the
and scooplng the earth out
with my hands, and shouting every few
moments to Bessie. l buried the crow
bar halfway, then l tried my weight;
It did not move. had seen men wind
Ines around a post to raise heavy OBJ
jects.
"Put this moose around your waistw
| shouted.
IL dare not" she answered, family.
you couldn't help me. Oh, go for
helpw
"You must. The ends fast to a crow
bar. l can't find anybody. They're all
hunting for YOU"
II cah't?" she cried piteously.
"Then I'll leave you'll" shouted. "It's
getting late; it's your last chancew
There was CHASTITY stiffness for
Few moments. l wound the line around
the bar and around my waist.
"Look outv' she screamed. I heard
the beam go rafting down, and a fear
full strain frightened the cord. thought
It would cut me in two. For a moment
| thought / was going over. Happily
the ridge of earth was protection. The
rope loosened.
Haul easyv she cried. 81 can catch
my feet in the sides; the earth is soft"
l wound the rope around the bar and
myself. 1 was in a perfect snarl
Suddenly the rope grew loose; there
was no weight. Was she lost? Every
thing grew black, and knew nothing.
When came to, there were two men
over me, trying to force brandy
In my mouth.
where's BessieT' God be thanked
she answered me herself! She had
up the last few yards by the
broken timbers. The earth was torn
up around me, my hands were raw and
bleeding, and bear the marks Of the
rope on my body to this day.
Just then we heard shouting, and
Mr.. Little and Mr.. Gray rode up, and
the latter wasn't ashamed to kiss Bes-