The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-09-12

to minister to his wants. 1t is very
hard for me to see you working day
after day, month after month, and
year after year for our support, when
you should be in school fitting your
self for the real work OF life. And
feel that l am so helpless in the
matter" The loving mothers eyes
were a bit misty as she said this to
her boy and Perry, kissing her, as
sured her that she was first In his
mind and heart and the study of cleo
tricity only secondary. "Of course,
| mother mine,'' he went on to say,
I'D love to make a thorough study OF
electricity, for l really believe that
l might make some wonderful dis
coveries some day. But-there's an
ocean of time. I'm but 16 years old.
If l manage to keep the position
now have in Mr.. Green's store, we
will be able to lay away a few dol
lars each month. After we've played
the miser for few years Well have
enough to enable me to go to col
lege. And you shall go with me.
Well take little cottage-maybe one
with a few spare rooms to let out
to other students and thereby help
out with the rent. Oh, I've thought
it all out, mother dear, and all we
must do is to be patient and wait
wait
"Oh. you dear, courageous boy"
said Perry's> mother. kissing him and
compelling him to be seated at his
desk again. And now l shall go to
bed. for you have only an hour to
study. I must not keep you talking
when you should be alone with your
books"
But just as Mrs. Adams was about
to retire TO her bedroom quick
knock was heard on the door, and
she hurried to see who was demand
ing admittance at so late an hour.
A neighbor's child stood there sitting
frightened sobs. "Oh, Mrs. Adams,
please may Perry 60 for the doctor:
Ma says brother has the Group an
may die. She says to hurry, please
Perry was out of his quilt and into
his hat and overcoat like a flash.
AS his home was almost mile from
the town where he must 60 for the
doctor, he decided to run with all
possible speed and borrow neigh
boris horse to ride on the errand.
This he did, and was soon going at
a brisk trot toward the town. A rail-
road cut, some 60 feet deep. lay be-
tween him and town. and was crossed
by means of a bridge. Perry was
nearing the cut when the sound OF
horses hoofs sounded close behind
him. From the sound Perry judged
the traveller to be coming at good
pace and drew his horses reins, guild
ing him outside the road to let the
coming vehicle pass.
A great black horse. head thrust
out, nostrils dilated, neck strained to
the utmost tension, dashed past him,
dragging buggy which held only
one occupant. In an instant Perry
saw that the horse was running away
and that the driver had lost one OF
the lines, which was loosely whip
ping the ground beside the running
animal. About An eighth of mile
further on the road turned abruptly
to the right, following the line of
the railroad cut for a quarter OF
mile before reaching the bridge. Per
rvs heart stopped as he thought OF
hn Io~ ne VII IN
gy Suppose the horse should go
straight ahead instead of taking the
turn to the right! Within 200 feet
horse and man would go over the
level edge Of the cut, landing on
the tracks sixty feet below.
Perry's horse hal been left behind
by the running animal, but nov mis-
rider laid whip and hard s'r~ng hee!
to him, urging him to run. On and
on, faster and yet faster, ran Perry's
horse, a big. strong, well-fed animal
that seemed to enjoy trying his speed
against that of the Runaway.
"As l feared. He didn't take the
turn" Perry gasped the words. But
he was now beside the running horse.
The occupant of the buggy was help
less and could only hold on and await
the inevitable.
Perry strained every nerve. His
horse was now neck and neck with
the runaway. Only about 100 feet
lay between the racers and the edge
Of the ditch. Perry knew that his
own life was In danger, but he would
not shirk the work before him. Reach
ing out he grasped the bride of the
running horse, jerked upon it with
all his excited strength, holding to
the horn OF his saddle with his other
arm and crying whoa! Whoa" to