Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-02-19
CHAPTER "

When Danny Mulveil disappeared from
the crest of the Devils Backbone, he
did not go for help. He had not even
an intention of doing 50. True, he had
told Hetty he would, but the relations
between Danny and truth were always
strained. 1t had not yet occurred to his
mind that truth might, now and then, in
fuse Il new element of excitement into eX-
istence If he had recognized truth as
something explosive and dangerous, of
which many persons are much afraid,
he would certainly have been tempted to
tamper with it sometimes.
SurolIing contentedly down the slope
and into the valley. thinking no more of
John CamerOn'S predicament and the pos
Sibly embarrassing responsibility he had
shifted upon his sister, he found nature.
as usual, prolific of material for the
amusement of his earliest, bOyiSh nature.
He stoned chipmunk and q bird, "heav-
ed a rock into n deep pool of the creek
to terrify a school of fish. met neigh
boris dog in the lane and made friends
long enough to enable him to treacherOus-
ly fasten bunch of thornS to the ami
mails tail, sprang upon the back of a COW
in the pasture and rode her at 4 gallOp
until she threw him off and went lumber
ing across the meadow half mad with
fright, tied two stout wisps of grass
across the spring-hOuse path to trip up
anybody who went for milk; and so, fit
ting from ouG innocent pleasure TO anoth-
er. marking his progress by devices for
embitteriug the existence of all living
things that came within the range of his
influence, he reached home.
y muscovy drake, fianked by his
harem, stood near the kitchen door and
viewed him with the naughty diSdain Sc
riouS natures feel for the frivolous. Sud
denly that proud, slowmovins bird found
himself caught up by Danny and his
short tail clamped fast in the cleft OF
tire-log that had been partly split and
held open by the aX driven into its end
The outrage had been per2etrated before
he had time TO utter one Quack of il
nant remonStrance; bur when he realized
his helpless plight, his dignity gave way
and he filled the air with vociferatiOns OF
alarm. in which his amazed and Sympa-
thetic wives Joined loudly. Mrs. Mulveil.
hearing the disturbance, rushed out of
the kitchen to learn its cause, and her
remarks were quite in harmony with
those of the ducks She quickly liberated
the drake and made 4 futile effort Il
catch Danny, who easily eluded her
clutch and 1ed TO the top Of the big wood
pile, his customary place of refuge. Hav-
ing reached there, he was always willing
20 condone, overlook and forget any Of
his offenseS, and seemed 70 feel that 9th
erS should demonstrate like spirit. The
Supercilious bird eyed his tormentor with
lofty scorn. when set free, and seemed
eomfOrted by Mrs. Mulveil's threats that
Danny should be skinned alive" il he
ever did such a thing again.
Where's HettyT' demanded the old
woman.
up on the Backbone with John Cam
eron." answered the lad.
With wro:"
John Cameron"
What in the name Of the prophets is
she a.dOin' with John CamerOng"
Dunno. Talkin'. l s'poSe. Gals most
IL is"
We'll. Did anybody ever hear the
ike, Hetty Mulveil takin' up with 4
Cameron, IT'S enough TO make Der faith