The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-01-20
Old Jacks Opportunity.

4 VlQ BACKS opportunity Z
Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeee<
0NE of the friends of my boyhood was
~ Adolph Switzer-a short, stout,
rosy-cheeked and yellow-haired Ger
man boy. His parents had small vege-
table and fruit farm near my fathers
larger farm.
My name is James, but the boys of the
neighborhood abbreviated it to Jim, and
Adolph Switzer always called me
"Shim,'' while I called him 'Dolph."
Dolph had lank, stupid, homely dog
named Jack, of the most disagreeable
shade of yellow. He always declared
that his "Yack" had the making of a
great dog in him, sbut none of these
latent powers had manifested them
selves when Jack was six years old, and
Dolph and were IA. However, Dolph
still felt entire confidence in his dogs
abilities; they were merely waiting, he
said, for their chance to show them
selves-for an "obbefdoonity."
This dog was always at our heels. l
say "ours," because Dolph and I were
the warmest of friends, and spent all
our spare time together.
l was milking our cows out in the
barnyard one evening in September
when heard the familiar voice of Dolph
call out:
20 Shim!'
I looked around over my shoulder,
and saw Dolph's round, red face be-
tween the top bars of the fence.
Hello. Dolph!" said.
Say, Shin, you want to have some
yoot fun?"
'Some fun?" asked. "What doing? %
we'll, will let you know. My folks
are all gone away und want you to come
over und stay all night nit me, hey?"
II will if I can, Dolph. But what
shall we do for fun?"
"Oh, We Will dink up someding, hey ?"
My father gave me permission to
spend the night at Dolph's, on condition
that should get home very early in the
morning. Mr.. and Mrs. Switzer and
their two little girls had gone to Dolph's
grandmother's to stay until the follow
ing day, leaving no one at home but
Dolph. It was the first time he had
ever been left in sole charge of the place,
and he seemed to feel that it was an
event in his life.
Now, Shim,'' he said, as soon as we
were in the house, Gin the first place We
will eat all We can holt. My mutter said
can eat anyding want und all want
Of it.''
So Dolph began our ''goot fun by
making a raid on his mothers pantry,
cellar and milkhouse, and setting forth
great array of German delicacies.
After gorging ourselves, we played a
few games of checkers, told riddles and
brought our exhilarating time to close
by getting ready for bed.
We had both worked hard that day
and were accustomed to early hours. So
1t was hardly nine o'clock when we
went upstairs to Dolph's little bedroom
over the kitchen. But first we had gone
around with candle, locking all the
doors and making sure that.every win
dow was securely closed.
II vas not afraid, mind you, Shim,"
Do]ph said; 81 have no need to be scared
of anyding NIT old Yack in the house,
hey?"
The dog was right at our heels, as
usual.
II guess he wouldn't hurt anybody
said.
"He would not, hey?" Dolph retorted,
- 1>o%A
me dot would get Yack after him at
might, hey?"
''They say that there are burglars
around,'' replied.
"You don'd say sol" Dolph turned
around and faced me suddenly, and I
thought his face paled a little.
"Yes," I said. ''They got into Mr..
Lanes house last night and stole a lot
of things"
They did, hey? Shin, come nit
mel''
He led the way to his fathers room
and took from the wall a huge, old
fashioned musket, and from trunk a
pair of horse pistols and an old sword.
Handing me one of the pistols and the
sword. Dolph said with a savage shake
Of his head:
"Now, Shin, we need not be afraid
of noding, hey? would like shance
to use dis, und to show you dot old
Yack was no goward!"
Some time after midnight 1 felt
Dolph's elbow thrust sharply into my
side, and heard his whisper shrilly into
my ear:
20 Shim!"
"What is it?" I whispered.
"You vide avake?'
YES" Fl 49,. ..
'.Have you not heard noding?"
'sNo." s1& r.
IT hat, Shim." .
"What?" 81:
.T-e-e-evesl"
The appalling word was fairly Kissed
into my ear. ~ -. ......
"Thievesl" gasped out. '.:z5:
"sh-sh-shl Yes, Shin, bur-goo-lers.
hsy?'
20 Delphi" 52
'sh-sh-shl Be not afraid We hal
the gums und Yack. He = under the
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