St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-02-12

the best cows on the place, valued at
$3.50 apiece, were dying from poison.
and paris green in great quantities was
found in the managers mixed with bran.
Well, Johnny's father finally man
aged to harness up the team and start
for the city with the milk.
Some time after his father had left,
and while Johnny was preparing to
take his ride those employed about the
dairy began to clean the empty cans, as
was customary each morning. On TAX
ing off the strainers they were horror
stricken to find paris green beneath. At
once the awful truth flashed through
their minds-the milk had been pois-
oned. All of the customers were in
deadly peril, and must be warned at
once. Perhaps some were already dead.
But how to warn them-there was the
rub. There wasn't another horse on the
place, and every minute was precious.
1t was while the household was in
this terror-stricken condition that
Johnny entered to get his trousers
guards. Now, Johnny was only II
years old. but he fully realized the
terrible situation, and almost before
the folks knew what he was about he
had run from the house, mounted his
wheel, and was flying down the road in
the direction of the city.
Faster, faster he rode up hill and
down, over the level stretches and
through the sand. just as hard and fast
as his sturdy little legs could push the
pedals. and with one thought upper
most i'm his mind-to reach his father
before he had served single customer.
Johnny had often been over the route
with Barker. ST.. so he knew just which
customer would be served first.
How the people paused on their way
to work that morning to see the hatless
little chap pound madly over the rough
cobblestones! But Johnny saw none
of their amazement, did not even see
the big policeman who shouted to him
to stop-a mist swan before his eyes
and his heart beat so loud he could hear
nothing else. With his eyes glued to
the front wheel, he tore fiercely around
the corners, regardless of the danger he
exposed himself to by collision.
The sweat poured from every portion
OF his small anatomy, and his face was
red as flannel, as he madly rode into the
street where lived the first customer to
be served. At breakneck speed he tore
up that narrow thoroughfare and al
most shouted aloud with joy. exhaust
ed as he was. when he saw his fathers
wagon standing in front of the house.
The customer was about to take the
milk in the house, when Johnny dashed
up and half fell. half staggered of the
wheel.
After it was all over. and Johnny had
recovered from his fearful strain. the
first words he said were these: "Say,
papa, I'd been too late il she hadn't
been a good one and geared to 72. and
oh, pop, it's dandy, and I'd like to have
one like it. Can't I, pop?"
As you may suppose. Barker. ST., came
TO the conclusion that Johnny had well
earned a bicycle. and it wasn't many
DAYS before he had one-a nice, new.
up-to-da,e racer; and his father was one
lay heard to proudly remark that his
Johnny was the best rider in all the
country round. II were to give
Johnny's real name, some OF you boys
and girls would be surprised. for to-
lay he is one of the best-known long
distance riders In America.-A. SUIT
terthwaite, in Chicago Inter Ocean.