Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-04-09
CHAPTER w.

Scattered apart in other paths we
be;
But ever. our little friend, we think
of thee"
For weeks the little girl was un-
able to be about. And for as long we
had to give up Tatters to her. Dur
ing those monotonous days before
she began to hobble about on her
dainty crutches, Tatters' devotion to
her was beautiful. Knowing this, we
did not wonder that the little girl
said she could not do without him.
But for Tatters, those would have been
days of sighs and tears. Often have
1 seen Tatters, while Elsie was prop
ped up among snowy pillows at the
window, go through all his pranks.
None of his "larnin" but what was
Showed off," He would prance around
on his hind legs and hold a pebble on
the tip of his nose all the while. He
would chase his tail till he grew dig
zy, and then ne would stagger around
as If drunk, while the little girl laugh
ed until her pale cheeks grew flushed
and rosy. His drunk" over, Tatters
would stand on his hind legs, and
holding out his fore foot. walk up %
the window and beg in a silent, sim
pie manner that was ludicrously hum
BILE for some bread. This he never
failed to get and. holding 1t in his
paws, he would, after making an
amusingly awkward bow. walk away,
tramp like to the woods and eat his
bread in unmolested bliss.
Frequently when Tatters came to
the woods some Of the men would give
him a bunch Of wild flowers to carry
back to the little girl. This he did
with alacrity until the glad day when
Elsie threw aside the hateful old
crutches" and began to chase the but
terflies across the meadow and to
gather the wild flowers that blossom
ed in the solemn old woods.
There were reptiles hidden and var
mints not few in the woods; but we
had no fear Of her going alone so long
as Tatters was with her. Once, I re-
member the little girl went so far that
she grew tired and sat down to rest
She fell asleep, and, as night was
near, did not awake. When we found
her that night she, with her dimpled
hands full of flowers, was sleeping
still. But other sleepless eyes and
watchful saw that no danger drew
nigh. Tatters was by her side,
In all the little girls roamings
was anything to mar her path, Tat
ters saw and led her in safer ways. II
snaked lurked in the grass 1t was
Tatters who saw it and tore it tc
shreds. His eyes were upon her foot
steps. And it was we'll.
One Saturday at noon, as we were
coming from the stables we heard
Mrs. Daley scream as if in fright
Looking up, we saw her run quickly
into the house and frantically close the
door behind her, just as a slender
muscular. white dog, close at hei
heels. flung himself in savage fury
against the door.
Its a maddog!" cried the boss, ex
citedly.
We grabbed clubs and rocks ant
started on a run for the house. II
an instant the dog turned and came
springing down the road towards US
He was met with a generous showe
of sticks and stones; and, with fam
ing, fiery eyes in which lurked like
ness of the evil spirit: with loll
ing tongue foaming, swapping jaws
that were eager to woik evil, th'
dog started out across the field. Lis
tening to its heavy painting, we watch
ed it as it sped, swift as an eagle
shadow, across the field and straigh
for the vicinal woods.
Then our faces paled with fear ant
cry of horror broke from our lips
To the house ran the boss for his rifle
| But he, though a dead shot, would b'
too late. Nothing that could be done
we feared, could stop the demon of
dog before it reached the little girl
who with her hands full Of flowers
was now coming across the field anC
in the very path Of the mad dog!
Her childish cry of terror smot'