The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-01-02

Then Hector took the engine up
the hill alone. His veins stood out
SO painfully beneath the strain, how.
ever-the sweat poured over his
muscular flanks thickly, and the
painting of his huge sides was so
terrible to hear---that 1t seemed to
poor Skinny as II his favorite, too.
must kill himself before they reached
the top. But the smell of the fire
came to Hector, and he lifted his
weary feet into a canter. The hoses
soon stretched with familiar
qulvering on every hand and the FIRE
men were running ahead of him with
their bright axes. He was there In
the thick of 1t at last-the RED blood
dripping from his nostrils.
Il want to take my horse home,
SIR" said Skinny to the Chief, touch
ing his hat.
"Why?"
Skinny explained his misfortune IN
short sentences.
Il might better killed the kid than
that horse" he added sadly.
Take him home, lad" said the
Chief, wiping the smoke from his
eyes. "I'll send someone up with
your engine"
So Skinny took Hector by the
briile. and led him gently all the
long way down the hill, sympathlz-
Ing with him tenderly, and patt!ae
his soft nose as they went. Poor
behind the other. At the foot OF the
hill tho little girl, with screams Of
laughter, was tearing the yellow
wing from a butterfly.
ooh, poor hoss,e!" she cried as
Hector limped past with bleeding
knees. But Skinny turned away his
face and swore.
Upon reaching home. Hector gave
a snort that was half a groan, and
walking unsteadily into his own
stall, leaned up against the side; and
the boards cried out beneath his
weight, and the stanchions shifted
their feet unwillingly. Some oats
were in the manger, wet and fra
grant. though Hector cared not even
to sniff at them, but let his huge
head. mountain in itself. droop
lower and lower down.
Poor old cuss," whispered Skinny,
kissing the horses nose furtiyely
II hope to God yer amt busted"
The man came slowly out of tho
stall; and the big horse lay heavily
down and closed his eyes.
"Hector's busted" said Skinny,
trying to explain the sorry situation
In a business-like voice to the green
hand who had been left on watch
The latter tip-toed over to Hector's
stall. and peered in mutely. Hector
paid no attention to him. Skinny
threw two blankets over the pros
trate horse, and slid another rolled
up for pillow under his head. The
flies were buzzing lazily over the fra
grant oats.
Skinny, who seized every chance to
swear at the green hand. 'phoned for
q veterinary, and then stamped about
like a baited bull, cursing the Iona
delay. When the surgeon at last
arrived with his little satchel, and
looked at poor Hector with his cold,
unsympathetic eyes. he pursed up his
lips hopelessly, and shook his old
bald head.
Hes pretty bad, amt he?"
blurted Skinny. 'Oh, yes, knew 1t
Il felt sure from the first there
wasn't no hope-oh, yes, give him
up clear from the start"
Skinny's shoestring came united
as he spoke, and he was a long
time fixing 1t. The veterinary
meanwhile. explained with obvious
satisfaction that Hector had had a
serious hemorrhage, and might even
then be bleeding slowly to death in
side.
Keep him quiet" he said warn
ingly. t9
But Hector showed no disposition
to move, lying YEARLY, with closed
eyes and heavy breathing, oblivious
to all that went around him. Even
toward evening when No. 10. grimy
and unkept, In tow of two strange
horses came rumbling up to the door,
he did not offer to raise his head.
He did not lift his heavy eyelids
when the clumsy newcomers stag
gered aud stamped on the slippery
concrete, In their violent straining
to accomplish what he could have
done alone. He did not prick up his
ears when the wondering men drew
near, and staring at him In open pity.