The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-09-23
TOM THE TEMPTER.
"oh! Daddy, pleased"

remember that you are only a little man,
and that broDcho is very risky"
Il know, dad, but Tom got a pony for
Christmas, too, and he can ride anywhere
he chooses"
you forget that Tom is u, while you
are not yet ten. / am willing that you
should ride when William can go with you,
but you must not go alone"
So young Dick Wilmer tried to be con-
tented, although there was a sore spot down
deep in his heart All Of his chums rode
and not one of them had to have horrid
man trotting along behind 1t wasn't right
that he should be treated like baby, when
he was fully as tall as Tom and the other
fellows. No one could guess that he was
nearly three years younger He went sor-
rowfully out to Broncho's stall, and put his
own curly head against the soft dark name
of the young thoroughbred.
For several weeks after his fathers man
late had gone forth Dick turned deaf ear
all of Toms entreaties, and endeavored
o forget the neat little footman while dash
ng through the long, winding country
'oads. But day came when all of Dicks
good resolutions we're thrown to the winds.
1t was Saturday. Mr.. Brown, his tutor,
had just left the house, and the lesson books
were put away until Monday. So, with a
free heart, Dick bounded downstairs,
buckled on his high riding boots, slipped
into his heavy coat and set his scarlet cap
well back on his curly head. Mr. Wilmer
had gone to Washington on business, and
Mrs Wilmer was out calling. Dick knew
BY experience that it would probably be
dark before she would return, and it was
too lonesome in the house. Even Mr..
Brown, who had been expected TO stay, was
telegraphed for, as his wife was taken sud
denly i'll.
So when left alone Dick ran down TO VII
liam's room, over the stable. His hand
was on the knob, and he opened his mouth
to call the groom. Just then Toms mock
ing voice cried:
Go on, baby; call your nurse"
Dick wheeled around, his deep blue eyes
all ablaze with indignation.
Il am not baby, and you know it, Tom
Sinner"
Then why do you always have him, -
pointing a disdainful finger toward the
closed door, tagging after you! When
you are a man you'll have keeper, l sup
pose"
II won't have you talking that way to me
I'm not baby, and you know don't want
William-and / only have him because dad
said | must" cried Dick, sturdily.
Don't you ever expect to have mind o.
your own? | dare you TO go to-day without
him!" tainted Tom.
Dad said ! mustn't"
William isn't there; he went out jus
as ! cine in, so he can't go, and you know
Henry is driving your mothers horses"
What shall DO, them" Dick stood 70,
a moment debating. 1t was glorious day
cold and clear, except for a heavy bank o
clouds slowly rising in the north. 1t wa
too lovely to stay stuffed up in the hous,
/ all the afternoon.
lit won't hurt you. I'll take care of you
ard we'll only go on1the nearby roads
Come on, Dick, tempted the visitor.
Il ought not to, said Dick, slowly.
was so hard to refuse, for he wanted s
much to go.
DO as you like" said Tom. 81 am &c
ing" And he carelessly threw himself o.
the waiting pony.
Just at that moment a low, sorrowfu
whinny came from Broncho's stall Tha
decided Dick: he would not be gone long
and he would be very careful-oh, YER
careful.
At first his conscience pricked him lii
tie but once out in the soft, warm sur
saline, and galloping swiftly down the lon
roads, he forgot his scruples and never be
fore had he enjoyed ride so much 1t wa
strange that neither OF them noticed whe
the sun sank behind the clouds until the
were completely covered with a soft whit
veil Of snow.
Come, Tom, let's hurry home" Gale,
Dick frightened at the thought OF tn
hour.
It's jolly now-I am not going until tn
ground gets covered" laughed Tom.
II tell you it's going to be bad storm
am going home now, Tom, and you ca
come wnen you please" Dick wheeled hi
horse around as he spoke, and galloped
tne opposite direction.
Hi, | say, Dick, come back" called tn
older boy, but he was already out of heal
ing. Tom shrugged MS shoulders and rod
merrily on.
1t was dark when Mr.. Wilmer reache
home and found his wife in tears, and nearl
wild from anxiety. 1t was bitterly COLI
and already the snowfall was quite deel
Between her sobs Mrs. Wilmer told hil
that Broncho had just come nome with th
saddle turned.
Mr.. Wilmer did not hesitate an instan
There was only one boy with whom Die
could have gone, and very soon the anxior
father was catechising Tom Sinner.
Dick hasn't got home yet% Tom askeC
a terrified look coming over his face.
No Did you make him go!"
Tom looked down There was no use
denying it. Suppose Dick was lying hun
: or frozen in the woods.
yes, sir; asked him to go, but didn
think it would hurt" said Tom, slowly.
4 Come with me, sir, and show me whel
Z he left you," commanded Mr.. Whine
y sternly
\ 1t was not an easy task, for the blindir
z snow made them almost lose their way
y the most familiar roads. Hours were sper
4 in the search, and Mr. Wilmer, Mr.. Slime
4 their servants and the neighbors looked III
n Ill they were discouraged.
8 Suddenly a joyful yelp from Dicks do
Y great mastif, brought the half-froze
y band together, and the dim lantern ligl
4 shed a faint red glow upon a small figur
z wing half buried in drift, while besit
n him, with head dropped, stood the mastif
Tenderly the father lifted his unconsciot
y boy and carried him home. No one suffere
N is much as Tom during the doctors col
Z sultation, huddled up in little heap on
y side Dicks door. Hours wore by, and sti
n no sound from the room. At length til
~ I a. 4 IL r.