The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-01-12

Il
sense of humOr at first, but he became
alive to the fact, before much more time
passed, that Geordie really was looking
after him. He found his pencils nice
ly pointed, his ink well filed, his pens
on the rack, his pitcher of ice water al
ways at hand, and Geordie ready to
step forward with a little cheerful con-
versation when Uncle Champe's aspect
seemed inviting. To his own great
amazement, that quiet little presence
was neither obtrusive hor annoying.
The white crow grew and flourished
and developed the usual thieving and
mischievous propensities of all crows,
but, thanks to Geordie's watchfulness,
these were kept within bounds. He
never forgot that be was responsible for
the crows good conduct, as well as his
own, and when he could no. keep the
bird directly under his own eyes, it was
shutin a cage of Rob's making, secure
against the mischief that the crow
brain meditated.
"He has cast in his eye that says
he'll get ahead of you some day, Geor-
die" warned Phil "He looks as Rick
does when he is in his most slapdash
humor."
"Now, do you know, / don't think
I'm such a slapdash fellow as was"
expostulated Rick. "Don't / walk as
if l were treading on eggs? feel So"
"I should think you would - cried
Rob, hotly. al can't get over thinking
what father would say if he knew what
you are at"
Father always says, Stick to your
duty, boys, remarked the culprit,
easily.
"But it oughtn't to be your duty. We
shouldn't have allowed it. rve a good
mind to blow on you to Uncle Champe,
this minute"
"Do," defied Rick. 81 could makea
bigger blow than that if | got nagged,
and nervous, and worried by your in
reference
"Worried You let us do the worry
ing, old boy" said Phil 'ROb's right,
too. wouldn't go through it again,
but since you've wheedled us into let
ting you rub along for two months, we
can manage to stick out the remaining
two weeks, guess. We'll all knock
Off work then, and prepare for the
home-going. 1t hasn't hurt any Of US
this turn"
If Uncle Champe had been asked
his opinion, he would have said that
the boys were vastly improved. Phils
listless, fine, gentlemanly manner had
given place to a wide-awake earnest
ness; Rob was brighter and reader in
speech and act, and Rick trusted less to
luck, and made better use of his brains
than heretofore.
Crow was walking the top board Of
the garden fence the next day, opening
and shutting his wings in the sunshine,
with Geordie close at hand, when Phil
came tearing up in his working clothes,
with black smears on his set, pale face.
"I say" he gasped out, as he came
near, "didn't you hear the explosion?
They say it's the powder works. I'm
after my wheel. Tell Uncle I've gone
ahead, and for him 10 get out the bug
gy and come as quick as he can"
For the first and last time Geordie
forgot Grow. He made dive for the
study and tumbled into his Uncle
Champe's presence, pouring out his
imperative message with unaccounta-
ble earnestness.
"But why should 1 go?" asked Uncle
Champe liz bewilderment. suppose
it is the power works, what good can
[ do9"
'Oh, you don't know. Why, Rick
works there. He wouldn't let US tell.
Oh, don't talk do come"
Geordie himself was not more fever
ishIy eager to be Off than Uncle Champe
was, after that "Rick works there"
Was this all that his charge of Mario
rie's boys amounted to, then, that one
of them should have been subjecting
himself to such danger, and he all un-
conscious of the fact?
The road was dotted with people hur-
rying to the scene of the accident.
Halfway there, Rob hailed them from
the roadside: Take me up, Uncle
Champe. Oh, Georiie -
Don't Robr' quavered Geordie-
"May be it isn't so bad"
And, to their e1erla.;ing relief, it was
not so bad. Phil met them with the
message Of relief within sight of the
works.
"Riek's all right-hurrahI NobOdy's
badly hurt. 1t was a store-house that
blew up, apart from the rest. They got
the fire out at once, and there was no
more danger Rick will be along pres
emily"
"Rick will come now" said Uncle
Champe, sternly. "And you boys, Rob
and Phil, this work of yours ends now
this hour do you hear?"
Rob tumbled hurriedly out of the
buggy.
"Yes, Uncle. Phil, give me that
wheel. I've some messages to deliver,
and then I'll hand in my resignation"
"rn do the same" said Phil, cheer
fully.
They had not yet returned to the
house when Uncle Champe drove up
with the younger boys, but Crow met
them on the threshold-such a crow -
no longer white, but piebald, dripping
and stained with ink, and cawing most
dismally. Geordie caught him up aud
raced to the study such a study
Books and papers were scattered in all
directions a lake of ink overilOwed
the table and was dripping to the floor;
glass was broken the stuffed birds in
the cabinet looked as if a cyclone had
struck them; and Crow dropped his
tail and turned no his eye inquiringly,
as if in doubt whether to expect praise
or punishment for his performances.
"Oh, uncle" gasped Geordie, ''pun-
ish mel It's all my fault. / forgot to
shut him up"
But Uncle Champe dropped into
chair and laughed as the boys had never
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