The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-02-16

usual abort 1t. Upon getting the loaf ut
supper Size was asionished to find one
end OF it plentifully studded with tacks.
Lijcr dearly loved TO get Mt q we'll
filled p~iucushion, from which be would
extract tho pins one by one and thrust
them into some convenient receptacle.
Ono night after the prophet, unbeknowu
to any one, had robbed the %pincushion
Dolby was considerably surprised, if
not delighted, to find, upon going to
bed, his pillow carefully bestuck with
pins.
"sorta drapped in" as he expressed 1t,
and was sitting beside the stove retail
ing the scanty gossip of the neighbor-
hood, while his dog, faithful Tyler, was
comfortably curled up before the fire.
Liicr was staggering about looking for
an opportunity for displaying his peoul-
lar talents when q live coal popped
out Of the CRATE. Like n fash be snap.
ped 1t up in his hard bill and inserted it
into the dogs ear. Poor Tyler sprang
up with q terrible howl and dashed be-
twoon tho legs Of his master. who had
just risen to take his departure, nearly
standing the old gentleman on his
head, and sprang out of the door, collid-
ing with Dolby, who was just bringing
in II bucket of water. The bucket went
flying, half drenching the boy, and the
dog scuttled away, yelping m~ournfully,
followed by Liners triumphant "whoor-
hoor-ha-a-n!'
But, in spite of all his villainies, Lijer
had one rcdccming trait. This was his
fondness for Dolby, whom he loved with
all his r~ascnlly little heart. 1t was Dob
by who had fed him when no was q
helpless Rormand and rescued him from
the rooster and bound up his broken leg
and nursed him tonderly. 1t was Dolby
who saved him from many unpleasant
scrapes, usually brought upon himself
by his own raGcality, and it was Dolby,
too, who petted him and pranked with
him, and it was upon Dolby that ho Law
ishCd all the affection that was in him.
He would swaggcr around after the
boy at his tasks, investigating every
where, sticking his nose into everything,
often hindcring sadly while apparently
intending to DO helpful, and all tho time
murmuring to his master in crow IAN
guagc. He seemed to deem nothing too
good for Dolby, and often when the lad
was sitting quietly tho crow would hop
up into his lap and pop into a pocket Or
q fold Of his jacket ono of his choicest
steals and then back away MS proud as a
peacock when Dolby found and accepted
the gift, usually some small article that
had been missing from tho house md
accordingly charged to Lijer, though
perhaps no one had seen him steal it.
And when tired Of prarSing the crow
liked to hop up on Dobby's shoulder
and mutter and humble in his car and
then drop off to sleep with his head
against tho boys check.
Ono September day the BaXters were
thrown into q luttcr Of excitement by
the coming IN n most unexpected fash
ion of visitors from the fort. Miss Err.
nestino Rossiter of Chicago had lately
become the guest Of Colonel and Mrs.
Conklin, and several times the house
hold under the tall cottonwood had seen
the stately beauty ride by, u member of
an equestrian party from the post. To-
day her escort was blond mustnched and
cycGlassed Lieutenant Lemon, just from
West Point, Il gentleman of apparently
tremendous Importance in his W mind.
How it camo about does not matter,
but when II little way from the Baxter
homestead the lady's horse stumbled,
giving her n painful and most ungraoe.
full tumble, bruising her somewhat and
giving her dignity IL sad shock. This
was truly unfortunate, for upon this
particular day she had arrayed herself
with unusual care for the purpose of
lmpressing the officer.
That gentleman came CALAMITY to tho
rescue II supported her tendcrly to the
house, where Mrs. Baxter, in q high state
of flutterment, did her best to admins
ter to the needs of her unexpected guest.
The lady's shoulder was abraded and
famed and ono OF her hands considerably
bruised. Mrs. Baxter was ready with
linen cloths and homemade liniment,
DOLBY thoughtfully brought a pitcher
of cool water from the spring, and little
Martha rendered what assistance lay
within her power.
Miss Rossiter was almost astonished
when Mrs. Baxter refused payment for
her kindness and seemed half hurt that
it had been offered. These prairie people
were hardly barbarims, after all, the
lady decided. Even the lieutenant, to
whom she whispered this, agreed with
her and was almost gracious to Dolby
md Martha, who stood in manifest W
Of this very important appearing officer,
who walked as erect as # he had swal-
! lowed IA poker whole and had as yet
failed to digest it.
So busy was Dolby with Lis helpful.
ness that he forgot to wonder what had
become of G'ija' and what rascality
might be Keeping him out OF sight.
Presently the guests were ready tc
depart, and they had almost reached tin.
door, tho lady ~cliuging to the officers
arm, when she gave II little cry of re.
membranes:
my diamond ring! l placed it on
the little stand near the window when
my hand was about to be b~audagcd."
But the ring was not thcrcl Mrs. Bax.
ter looked carefully about tho floor, but
10 ring appeared.
"I-I'- she began, locking worried
and half frightened.
81 placed it there" said Hiss Ros.
sitter. ut has been stolen!"
"DO you mean that
"It has been stolenl" re1cated the
visitor. 81 feel sure that boy stole it!''
81 mover! 1 ~nevcrl" cried Dolby. The
idea Of thus being accused set his hon.
1777 5.a;@TD|