The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-26
CHAPTER I.-RoD AND TODD.

brave act. All Bayville talking about it;
and there two things the inhabitants of the little
town were fully agreed upon the honor Of the deed was
and no one but Rod and Todd would have thought Of
such an unusual and yet eminenty successful way
of preventing the threatening disaster.
Early that afternoon a stylish blackboard drawn by
. pair Of eoal-black horses had down North
street, and turned into the public square at the head of
two little girls ten twelve years of age; while the
front seat driving the spirited steed sat middleaged
gentleman, evidently the owner of the turnout.
At the watering trough that stood the dividing of
the Streets the held up the horses for drink. Tho
the cool and refreshing fluid dubbed and sparkled in
iron cylinder high the wagon bed, the tightly
checked animals could not get their into it, and
the gentleman, throwing his reins careessly the
Dashboard leaped from the vehicle and walked to the
heads of the impatient beasts Loosening the Checks
he waited for them quench their thirst looking about
him meantime with the curious interest of who
stranger to his surroundings. 1885, -.
His eye finally rested upon a young lady who was
coming up South avenuethe street just opposite the
equipage-on her Wheel She rode rapidly and in mo
ment was at the square. Then sudden gust of wind
caught the broad brm Of the hat she wore and tore it
bird through the air. it landed in the fountain right in
front Of the drinking horses
The next instant, before the watching gentleman
could DO thing to prevent the catastrophe, the fright
ened animals had wheeled to the left and dashed off
down the main avenue at terrific rate of speed the
two little girls cngng heplessy and hopelessy to the
seat of the swaying and tossing wagon.
The street straight arrow and nearly a
mile long. On either side business blocks and
dwellings, at it's end the steamboat wharf, and di
rectly off the dock, the deepest water of the bay.
At the moment the runaway began, there were
of other teams the and dozens of peo
pie on the sidewalks. In less than minute every
hcle had disappeared into the side Streets and the pass
ersby had fed to the adjacent yards and stores The
dashing horses were given full right of way.
The Of the frightened animals had followed
them down the avenue unheeding the cries that met
him every side. a .s.0 @..zv. .s.~~
EEIt's use sir! You can It stop those horses!
They are bound to 60 off the dock!'' ...--- -.
The morbid curiosity, that often takes possession Of
Of cen to the
father So there were many to tell ten minutes later,
just how the threatening casualty had been averted
About the time the horses began their wild two
bicycles In friendly rivalry they constantly increased
their speed and going the street at
as rapid as that which marked the fight Of the fright
ened steeds coming down it. Intent their they
gave little heed to what before them until their
quick ears caught the sound of the coming runaway.
Then glancng quickly ahead they saw the running
horses the swaying wagon the frightened girls; but
unlike all the others the at that hour, their
thought was not of personal safety but Of saving
~ say, Rod, cried out the moment he caught
sight of the coming team, IF those horses stop
ped, they III go off the dock.'' =
"mat's so, Todd,. assented his comrade; ttand
50 we must ts STOP t1 VEN ,.n f..+ 49,. -,
Joined the first speaker t'Let turn around and be
ready to them down -
ened his speed enough to enable him to circle
broad street Todd instantly followed his example, and
DeIore IllghCened animals were ABREAST OF
boys had changed Sides and speeding toward
the quay, keeping, however near the curling. They
glanced back their shoulders occasionally, reg
ulaed their pace that the horses slowly gained upon
them When however, the animals nearly opposite,
Todd said 80
'tNow Rod, readyl Run alongside Of your horse
and talk kindly to it. I'll do the by this We II
keep close to them and slowly quiet them down.
do it before the wharf is reached -
It daring undertaking. requiring cool heads
and steady nerves. but the lads proved equal to the
Running close to and moving parallel with the animals
they talked soothingly to them.
"Whoa there, Prince! Steady, old boy!''
tTher names are Duke and Sultan!'' cried the cid
g in the wagon who seemed to understand the pur
pose Of the Lads
ttWhoa, there Duke! Whoa, Sultan!'' the bows
called, quickly using the real Of the steeds
The animals, usually kind and docile, soon slack
emed their speed under these words and allowed their