The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-03-21

boy, who lay stretched out the floor, and a lazy
'An right, mother, wait a minute"
you get right up" said Johnny's father, decided
ly. land do what mother asks you to do at once"
Reluctantly the lad arose.
81 could have finished it in another five min
utes" he demonstrated 1T had Just come to the
best part. Terrible Dick had almost caught Fly
ing Tom and had got his pistol and"
you ought not to read such trash" said John
ny's father, reprovngly. 81 wouldn't let him if I
were you. mother
Hes always got one of those horrid books with
him; I wish he would give up the habit" replied
mother Here, Johnny" she went on, take this
list and go to the store for me. Take the big
basket and please hurry; it's getting late"
Johnny took the piece of paper, put the basket
his arm, and sailed forth, buttonng up his great
coat he went out
1t was some distance to Murry's store; for john
ny Billings, with his father mother lived in the
country Night was just falling, and he did not
much relish the trip However he set out at
good pace and had soon covered half the distance
Then he came in sight of the "Three Sisters"
The Three Sisters" nothing but three bare
gaunt trees, but somehow Johnny had always re-
garded them with sort of awe. They looked so
cold and forbdding they stood there in the wan
ing winters day. The silly stories he had been
reading would keep coming back to his mind
What If Terrible Dick" were lurking behind those
trees! Fear lent wings to his feet, and he fairly
raced past the dreaded spot
Soon he was at Mrs. Murrys store She filled
up his basket; but it was not big enough 10 take
all the things, so he pushed some in the inside
pocket of his overcoat Then he started on the re-
turn trip.
1t was quite dark now, except for the moon: but
he whistled to keep up his courage If he had onIv
started a little earlier when his mother had first
asked him, he would have been back home by now
he thought.
The bare trees cast such curious shadows and
sometimes he thought he heard some one moving
oehlnd the hedge. What if it should be Flying
Toni" Soon the "Three Sisters" came in sight
He would have given anything not to have had to
pass them 1t had to be done, however So at a
GOOD sharp trot, he dashed by. AS he went under
their gaunt, bare branches, he felt certain he saw
someone on the other side. Poor Johnny was now
thoroughly scared. His heart was beating so loud
that he felt that whoever it was on the other side
of the trees must hear it. He started to rim 40
last as he could. Then he distinctly saw some
thing behind him, and heard it's feet beat on tbe
hard road as it started to run after him. There
was loud report-"bang!" and Johnny felt a
singing sensation in his chest. He was shot he
knew it; he could feel the blood trickIng down in
side. "
He must reach his home before he dropped or
tnat thlng would get him. He like the wind
with the perspiration streaming down his face. he
burst in through the door of his home
I'm shot!" he screamed and fell almost fain+ine
INTO chair.
Both his parents rushed over to him. Hastily his
father unbuttoned hts coat. Then he took from n
a broken bottle -
Mother" he said, "the yeast bottle burst"
And Dover" Mrs Murrys shaggy Newfound
land dog, came trotting quietly in through the omen
door with inquiring look on hts face which
plainly said: ~
why didn't you wait for me. JOHNNIE"
johnny doesn't read dime novels any more
Every Other Sunday