The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1907-09-03
TOM THE TEMPTER.
"Obi Daddy. pleased"

] FeIntInDtI Lldi 1bh dlN OhAg a AiNNAN hAAA
and that broncho is very frisky."
II know, dad, but Tom got a pony 70
Christmas, too, and he can ride anywher
, he chooses"
"You forget that Tom is II, while yor
are not yet ten. / am willing that yoI
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 sore spot dow
deep in his heart All of his chums rode
and not one of them had to have a 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
ate had gone forth Dick turned deaf ear
all of Toms entreaties, and endeavored
forget the neat little footman while dash
ng Through the long, winding country
Dads But n day came when all of Dick :
rood resolutions were thrown TO the winds
1t was Saturday. Mr.. Brown, his tutor
had just left the house, and the lesson books
we're put away until Monday. So, with
free heart, Dick bounded downstairs,
bucllled 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 VIII
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 disdainful finger toward the
closed door, tagging after you? When
you are a man you'll have a keeper, sup
pose"
Il 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 a mind of
your own? / dare you TO go to-day without
him!" tainted Tom
Dad said 1 mustn't"
William lent there; he went out Just
as | clme in, so he can't go, and you know
Henry is driving your mothers horses"
What shall do, them" Dick stood for
a moment debating. 1t was glorious day,
cold and clear, except for heavy bank OF
clouds slowly rising in the north 1t was
too lovely to stay stuffed up in the house
all the afternoon.
+" 1t won't hurt you. I'll take care of you,
and Wen only go on the nearby roads
Come on, Dick" tempted the visitor.
II ought not to, said Dick, slowly. 1t
was SO hard to refuse, for he wanted so
much to go.
"Do as you like" said Tom. 81 am 60
ing" And he carelessly threw himself on
the waiting pony.
just at that moment a low, sorrowful
whinny came from Broncho's stall. That
decided Dick; he would not be gone long,
and he would be very clreful-oh, very
careful.
At first his conscience pricked him lit
tie, but once out in the soft, VAIN sun
shine, and galloping swiftly down the long
roads, he forgot his scruples and never be
fore had he enjoyed a ride so much. 1t was
strange that neither of them noticed when
the sun sank behind the clouds until they
were completely covered with soft white
veil OF snow.
Come, Tom, let's hurry home" called
Dick, frightened at the thought of the
| hour.
It's jolly now-I am not going until the
ground gets covered, laughed Tom.
Il tell you it's going to be bad storm
| am going home now, Tom, and you car
come when you please" Dick wheeled hi
horse around as he spoke, and galloped il
the opposite direction.
Hi, ! say, Dick, come back" called the
older boy, but he was already out of hear
ing. Tom shrugged his shoulders and rode
merrily on.
1t was dark when Mr. Wilmer reached
home and found his wife in tears, and nearly
wild from anxiety. 1t was bitterly cold
and already the snowfall was quite deep
Between her sobs Mrs Wilmer told hin
that Broncho had just come nome with the
saddle turned.
MIR. Wilmer did not hesitate an instant
Tnere wac only one boy with whom DicS
could have gone, and very soon the anxiou.
father was catechising Tom Stimer.
Dick hasn't got home yet" Tom asked
a terrified look coming over his face.
NO. Did you make him go?"
Tom looked down. There was no use in
denying it. Suppose Dick was lying hurt
or frozen in the woods.
Yes, sir; l asked him to 90, but didn't
think it would hurt" said Tom, slowly.
Come with me, sir, and show me where
he left YOU" commanded Mr.. Wilmer
sternly.
II was not an easy task, for the binding
snow made them almost lose their way n
. the most familiar roads Hours were spent
. in the search, and Mr. Wilmer, Mr.. Stimer
, their servants and the neighbors looked nm.
ii they were discouraged
Suddenly a joyful yelp from Dicks doc
) great mastiff, brought the half.frozen
band together, and the dim lantern lion,
shed faint red glow upon a small figure
wing half buried in drift, while bss;d,
him, with head dropped, stood the mastifF
Ienderly the father lifted his unconsc;o,,.
boy and carried him home. No one snfTersS
IS mrci as Tom during the doctors CON
. sultation, huddled up in little hean ont
side Dicks door Hours wore by and stS
no sound from the room. At lengtb IN
door softly opened, and the kind old famil,,
physician came out.