The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-18

were beyond his ability to lug Off. Fo,
metal objects, especially if they were
bright, he had the greatest liking. Mrs.
Baxtcr's thimble would disappear. to be
perhaps found in somo odd corner OF
crcvico. Spools Of thread woro to DO dis
covered pokcd into tho bedding, in the
kindling box, behind tho wash bonoh,
out Of doors under big chips and good.
ness knows whore else.
Part of Il paper Of taoks loft carolossly
about one day attracted Lijor's atten-
ton, and he made n number Of trips be-
tween it and tho bread sponge that Mrs
Baxter had left on tho tnblo all ready
for tho oven when Il neighbor dropped
III. After the departure Of tho callor tho
houscwifo~hastily thrust tho bread into
the oven without noticing anything un-
usual about it, Upon getting tho loaf ut
supper she was astonished to find ono
end of it plcntifully studded with tacks.
Lijcr dearly loved to got at II we'll
filled pincushion, from which bo would
extract the pins ono by one and thrust
them into somo convenient receptacle.
One night after the prophet, unboknown
to any ono, had robbed tho pincushion
Dolby was considerably surprised, If
not delighted, to find, upon going to
bed, his pillow carefully bestuck with
pins.
Ono winters day old Mr.. Hanson
"sorta drappcd ill.," as he expressed it,
and was sitting beside the stove rotail-
ing tho scanty gossip Of the noighbor-
hood, while his dog, faithful Tylcr, was
comfortably curlcd up before the fire.
Lijcr was staggering about looking for
IN opportunity for displaying his pccul-
Jar tulontS when Il live coal popped
out of the CRATE. Like a flash he snap.
ped it up in his hard bill and inserted it
into tho dogs ear. Poor Tyler sprang
up with terrible howl ald dashed he
tween the legs of his master, who had
just risen to tako his departure, nearly
standing the old gentleman on his
head and sprang out .: the door collid-
ing with Dolby, who was just bringing
in II bucket of water. The bucket went
flying, half drcnchinG tbs boy, and the
dog scuttcd away, yrlping mournfully,
followed by Liners triumphant "whoor-
hOOr ha.a,a!'
But, in spite of all his villninics, Liicr
had one rcdrcming trait. This was his
fondncs5 for Dolby, whom he loved with
all his rascally littlo heart. 1t was Dob
by who had fed him when he was u
helpless gormand and rescued him from
tn" rooster and bound up his broken leg
and nurscd him tcndcrly. 1t was Dolby
who saved him from many unpleasant
scrapcs, usually brought upon himself
by his own raScality, and it was bobby,
too, who pcttcd him and prankcd with
him, and it WAS upon dolby that he Law
lshcd all the affection that was in him
lie would Swnggcr around after the
boy at his tasks, Investigating every
where, sticking his nose into everything
often hindrring sadly whilc apparently
intending to he helpful, and all the time
murnurlnE to his master in crow Ian
guag". lie seemed to deem nothing toe
good for Dolby, and often when tho lac
was sitting quietly the crow would hoE
up into his lap and pop into II pocket OF
fold OF his jacket ono Of his choicest
steals and then back away rs proud rs a
peacock when Dolby found and accepted
the gift, usually some small article that
had been missing from the house and
accordingly chargcd to Iiirr, though
rlhapS no ono had seen him steal it.
And when tired Of pranking the crow
liked to hop up ON Dobbv'S shoulder
and muttcr and mlmblo in his car and
then drop off to sleep with his head
against the hoy's check.
One September day the BaXtcrs wore
thrown into u tluttcr of excitement bY
the coming in Il most unexpected fash
ION OF visitors from tho fort. Miss Er.
nrStino RosSitrr Of Chicago had lately
become the guest of Colonel and Mrs
Conlilin, and several times the house
hold under the tall cottonwood had Sccl
the stately Lcauty ride by, II member o
an equestrian party from the post. 70
day her escort was blond mustachcd ant
cy"rlasscd Lieutenant Lemon, just from
West Point, II gentleman of upparentl,
tremendous Importance in his own mind
How it came about does not matter
but when IL little way from the BnXto
homestead tho lady's horse stumbled
giving her II painful and most ungrace
ful tumble, bruising hor somewhat nnt
! giving her dignity ~ sad shock Thi
| WAS truly unfortunate, for upon thi
particular day she had nrraycd hcrscl
with unusual caro- for tho purpose q
lmpressng tho officer.
That gentleman came Rallantly to til
rescue and supported her tcudcrly to II,
house, where Mrs. Baxter, in IA high sta,
OF tluttcrmrnt, did her best to admin:
ter to the needs Of her unexpected CUES
The lady'S shoulder was abrndcd an
famed and one of her hands considcrabl
bruised. Mrs. Baxter was ready wit
linen cloths and homemade linimcn
Dolby thoughtfully brought pitch
OF cool water from tho spring. and litt
Martha rendered what assistance |,
within her power.
Miss Rossitcr was almost astonish
when Mrs. Baxter refused payment f
her kindness and seemed half hurt tn
1T had been offered. These prairie pcop
were hardly barburians, after all, t
lady decided. Even tho lieutenant,
whom she whispered this, agreed wi
hor and was almost gracious to Dob
and Martha, who stood in manifest a,
of this very important appearing Office
l.. H..