The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-12-10

UrRa8urR
(Continued)
Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews

(COntlnued)
There was an empty stall next,
where would be put the other horse
arriving with Doctor Harding, and
here the man slowed himself. When
the clergyman led the animal to
to the opening. then, while his
hands were busy, would be the
time. He might have to struggle,
TO knock him down perhaps-he
set his teeth and drew In a breath.
1t was not pleasant to knock down
such friend, but II had to be done
and he would be careful not to
injure him. A trained boxer knows
how.
He sat drawn together, in the
thick straw, waiting. Niger, IN
the stall close by, stamper uneasily
and put his black nose through the
opening above and sniffer and
blew. He could see the horses
eyes cleaning In the darkness, and
feel his warm breath. So settled
was his mind on the deed to come
that he dropped INTO a sleep, COM
fortably wrapped In the straw. Yet
his nerves were alert, and he sat
up quickly, on guard at light
sound from the outside. What
was It? Even allowing for the
snow covered road 1t was not the
sound of wheels-And, while he
wondered, the side door of the
building. which faced him as he
sat hidden. opened. A late moon
had risen, making the landscape as
clear as day, and against the white
ground he saw, astonished, the
figures of two children sharply sill
houtted.
The big girl held the boy by the
hand as they peered In. The man,
unprepared for this complication,
watched them, troubled, uncertain,
and Immediately the boy spoke in
a full, sweet voice.
Hes not talking Alice" the
boy said. Lets go back-Td
rather go to bed"
But the girl stepped forward
warily poised, yet determined, and
drew her brother. Maybe he
doesn't know it's u.s." she said. 81
don't want to 60 back till l see."
She dropped the boys hand and
was at the door of the box-stall
"Nigger," she whispered, "Nigger."
and the horse whinnied and turned
his head toward her.
The boy had followed, stumbling
across the floor maybe he doesn't
know it's Christmas" he suggested.
Lets sing a carol so he'll remem-
ber."
The man in the stall listened. In
q low tone, because 1t was a mys-
ts.J,iaXs business they were on, the
~~-aSuiig'
"Silent night, ha!lowing dawn,
Far and wide breaks the morn,
Breaks the day when the Saviour
Bringing pardon and healing again,
Holy, harmless and undefiled-
Cometh a little child"
pardon and healing!"
They sang 1t and they we're
silent waiting. Niger shifted
softly, then whinnied.
Benn's slow speech began coax
ingly:
81 had a little pony
His name was Dapple Gray;
leptEm to lady"
He halted, listening. 81 thought
maybe he'd like that because it's
about horse. ! thought It would
interest him." Benny explained
and proceed as II by force of In
srtia:
"Goosey, goosey gander,
Whittier do you wander
Upstairs"
Alice interrupted. "That hasn't
got a single thing to do with
Christmas, Benny"
But it's on the next page"
Benny argued stolidly.
Alice was firm. at isn't the
right kind Of petryi--t ought to be
sort of churchy and religious. be-
cause Nigger's clergyman's horse
and it's Christmas eve"
"Maa be he's afraid" she said, in
q disappointed tone. yet still hope.
Nll. Benny. say the verse about