The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1910-04-15
Dallas Escort.

Hiram Green. a stupid, oycrgrown boy
of seventeen, stood many hard Jokes uur-
inc the winter that he attended the HUI
top singing school. The young man VINO
taught the school that winter was a me
musician, who conducted a free singing
school every Wednesday evening. IN!
person. young or old, who cared TO learn
TO sing was welcome. Hiram Green al
WAYS attended the singing school, ana al
though he did not know and could not DC
Taught ANYTHING about music, he always
sang louder than anyone else. IL was
about the only thing he was ever known
TO do with any degree of spirit.
During the regular intermission OF 20
minutes. the young men often made a
point of requesting the pleasure OF es-
corting the girls home at the close OF 'he
singing school.
Now Hiram Green had never yet been
known to beau anyone home, and no one
supposed that he aspired to do so. Nor
was it supposed that any of the Hill
top girls would accept Hiram as an es-
cort. But one evening, during the inter
mission. Hiram surprised Joe johnson
and Tom Hanks by telling them That ne
was going to play the part OF beau
that evening.
"Oh, YOU are not going to do any such
thing said Joe. in surprise
"See if | don't" said Hiram.
"Who do you expect TO beau home
asked Tom.
Guess said Hiram.
The BOYS named several schoolgirls,
but Hiram shook his head. BY and by
he said. IN tell you--Dallas Smith"
Joe shrieked with laughter.
"Dallas is a nice girl" said Hiram,
resentfully.
"Yes. She is nice, and so is her mother.
lint oh. that savage dog" said Tom.
Hiram started when Tom spoke OF the
dog. and said: I'm not afraid OF Mrs.
Smiths old dog. Dallas will be with
me-" =,
"What if YOU should meet that wild
animal that they say is proving around
| in the woodss through which you VIII
have to pass"
Hiram's face paled at this, but ne
said, Il don't believe there's any wiid
beast around here"
"Henrv Rider saw it two nights ago
about a mile this side of Mrs. Smith S
house. He called it bear, although ne
said it made noise like catamoun''
Everybody thinks it's one or the other.
At this Hiram was greatly disturbed
and his actions showed it.
"You can't back out now, III. II
you've asked Dallas and she's said yes
You'll have to go, catamount or no cata-
mount" said Tom.
"Who said anything about backing
out?" said Hiram. "Catamount All the
catamounts or bears there are in these
parts won't hurt u.s."
"Don't be too sure about that.
wouldn't be in your shoes for fifty dol
lars" said Joe.
Just then the bell rang
At the close of the singing school Hi
ram waited for Dallas at the door, and,
Offering her his arm, they walked away,
to the surprise and amusement of all
who saw them. 1t was the first time that
either of them had experienced the de-
light of having company, and the sensa-
ton was so strange that they did not
hear the giggles of the bystanders.
The last half-mile of their journey was
through dense growth of timber. Hi
ram and Dallas had conversed but little
before they reached the thick timber, and
now Hiram became altogether silent
Little did Dallas realize how wildly Hi
rams heart was throbbing. But once OF
twice he started in a way that caused
Dallas to ask with some surprise
"What's the matter, Hiram" "Oh
nothing, Dallas" he answered, and Dial
las thought the experience of playing thu
mart of a beau for the first time was TIT
cause of his strange actions.
They had just entered clearing wheI
a wild and blood-curdling cry was heard
Hiram grasped Dallas arm, shiverinl
with fear. "a bear!" he gasped.
The cry was repeated and dark OBJ
iect leaped into the road, snarling ant
growing.
Hiram grasped Dallas arm with
tighter grip. They knew not what tt
do. Hiram asked in a whisper. "Dallas
what shall we do:"
/ Before Dallas could reply the darl
object leaped forward with snarls ant
growls.
Hiram gave a terrific screech ant
loosed his hold on Dallas.
II A short stick Glanced to be lying a
his feet. Selling it, Hiram boldly as
sailed the snarling animal. His firs
blow, which was a terrible one, brough
out human cry from the creature.
II After the second blow the creature
shaggy skin fell of, and there stood Jo
johnson, bowling with pain.
"You hit me again, if you dareT salt
Joe.