Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-09

Eb tied leading rope to his collar. When he heard the wheels rattle and felt the pull of the wagon be looked back at it and growled little and started to run. Uncle ER shouted "Whoaw and held him back, and then the dog got down on his belly and trembled until we patted his head and gave him kind word. He seemed to understand presently and came along with a steady stride. Our hostess met us at the gate, and the look of her face when she bade us goodby and tucked some cookies into my pocket has al- ways fingered in my memory and put in me a mighty respect for all wo- men, The sound of her voice, the tears. the waving of her handkerchief as we went away are among the things that have made me what I am.
 We slowed our packages in the wag- on box, and I walked a few miles and then got into the empty basket. Fred tipped his load over once or twice, but got steady gait in the way of indus try after awhile and more cheerful look. We had our dinner by the road side on the bank of brook an hour or so after midday and came to little vil- lage about sundown. As we were near ing it there was some excitement among the dogs, and one of them tackled Fred. He went into battle very promptly, the wagon jumping and rattling until it turned bottom up. Re-enforced by Un- cle Fps cane he soon saw the heels of his aggressor and stood growing say. agely. He was like the goal in pug gle maze, all wound and tangled in his harness, and it took some time to get his face before him and his feet free.
 At small grocery, where groups of men just out of the fields were sitting, their arms bare to the elbows, we bought more bread and butter. In pay ing for it Uncle Eb took package out of his trousers pocket to get his change.
 It was tied in red handkerchief, and I remember it looked to be about the size. of his fist He was putting it /, back when it fell from his hand heav- fly, and I could hear the chink of coin as it struck. One of the men who sat near picked 1t up and gave 1t back to him. As I remember we'll. his kindness had an evil flavor, for he winked at his companions, who nudged each other as they smiled knowingly. Uncle ED was a bit cross when I climbed into the basket, and walked along in silence so rapidly it worried the dog to keep pace. The leading rope was tied to the stock of the rife, and Fred's walking gait was too slow for the comfort of his neck.
 You shif'less cuss! I'll put kink in your neck fer you if ye don't walk up," said Uncle Eb as he looked back at the dog in a temper wholly un- worthy of him.
 We had crossed a deep valley and were climbing long hill in the dusky twilight.
 Willie" said Uncle ED, your eyes are better'n mine. Look back and see if any ones comin'."
 Cant see any one," answered.
 Look way back in the road as fur as ye can see"
 did so, but could see no one. He ylackened his pace little after that, and before we had passed the hill 1t was getting dark. The road ran into woods, and a river cut through them little way from the clearing.
 Supper time, Uncle Eb," I suggest ed as we came to the bridge.
 Supper time. Uncle Eb." he answer cd. turning down to the shore. got out of the basket then and fol- lowed him in the brush. Fed found it hard travelling here. and shortly ws took of his harness and left the wagon, , transferring its load to the basket, while we pushed on to find a camping place. Back in the thick timber long way from the road we built a fire and had our supper. It was dry nook in i the pines-"tight as house." Uncle Eb said-and carpeted with the fragrant needles. When we lay on our backs in the firelight remember the weary, ] droning voice of Uncle Eb had an i'm. pressive accompaniment of whispers. , While he told stories I had a glowing i cinder on the end of a stick and was weaving fiery skeins in the gloom. He had been telling me of a panther | he had met in the woods one day and . how the creature ran away at the sight of him.
 Why's a panther 'fraid O folksy' I inquired.
 "Waal. ye see. they used t be friend ly. years an years ago-folks an pAn- thers-but they want eggszac'ly cal'lat- ed t git along t'gether some way. An or she panther gin 'em one uv her cubs a great while ago jes' t make frien's. The cub he grew big an used t play an be very gentle They wuz a boy he tux to. an both on 'em got very friend ly. The boy an the panther went off one day n the woods-guess twas more'n hundred year ago-an' was lost. Walked all over an fin'ly got t goin' round an round n big circle till they was both on 'em tired out Come ] night they lay down es hungry e tew bears. The boy he was kind O 'fraid O the dark. so he got up clus t the panther an lay tween his paws. The boy he thought the panther smelt funny. an the panther he didn't jes' like the smell O the boy. An the boy he he'd the leg ache an kicked the panther n the belly. % f he kin O gagged an spit an