Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14

have 10 miles to cover along like
creased lightning. And old Doc is in
fine condition just restless enough after
being stabbed up for four days, with
out bit Of exercise. He'll go without
urging. I'll wager"
"Ah, I'll be right with you, papa"
cried Ned. And he started into the
house. At the door he turned to call
back; May take Bobby along, dad?"
Sure: fetch the little fellow with
you. He'll enjoy the fresh air and
heavy snow. You can put him in the
back-beside my case. There's an ex-
ira fur robe that he may nestle in
Five minutes later Ned was seated
beside his father in the sleigh, and
Bobby, one ear pricked up in very
alert way. sat snugly in the back.
Bobby had not asked single question,
for he trusted his young master in
everything. So. into the sleigh he was
put, without as much as bark or a
snarl of disapproval.
But after the sleigh started Bobby
sat bolt upright and looked about in
wonder. 1t was surprise to him
this gliding so, swiftly over the snow.
Up went his other ear.
After the first mile Ned looked back
to see how Bobby was enjoying his
first sleigh ride. He was forced to
laugh loudly, for there sat Bobby, both
ears pricked to their highest and
stiffest point and his nose quivering
from excitement. He seemed in an ex
M r f,,rv in a
country road the fellow would sniff the
air and point one ear forward.
But Ned did not long watch his lit
tie four-footed comrade, for he enjoyed
conversation with his father too much
to allow of even Bobby's interference.
DR.. Nimmons was relating some
anecdotes of his college days, and Ned
was roaring with laughter over them.
Meanwhile Bobby was not asleep.
His eyes were both open, and very
wide, too. And his nose was shifting
the frosty air. The sleigh was gliding
through a deep woods, tract Of leaf
less timber that afforded a home to
many wild creatures. Somehow Bob
bys dog instinct told him of the proxi-
nifty Of these wild creatures, and his
eyes and nose We're on the alert to
locate one Of them. r
Pretty soon Bobby's hopes were
realized. From out Of a bunch Of I'M
derbrush leaped little long cared an.
imal, running like mad across the
snow. The coming of the sleigh had
frightened 1t from its shelter. Bobby
saw the rabbit the instant of its ap-
pearance out Of the brush. and he did
not stop to ask himself questions as to
fN nna
bound and was out Of the fast moving
sleigh. Off across the snow he follow
ed the tracks Of the fleeing rabbit,
never pausing to think of how he
would regain the sleigh and his young
master.
And Nedsdid not miss the exciteable
Bobby till the sleigh drew up to the
door of farmhouse and stopped. Then
DR.. Nimmons, going to the rear Of the
sleigh to get his medicine case, no.
ticed the absence Of the dog. "Hello!"
he exclaimed where is Bobby?"
Ned looked back quickly and saw
that Bobby had disappeared. For a
moment he was very much worried.
The dear little fellow must have tum-
bled out and had failed to make his
father and himself hear his barking
the sleigh. But Dr. Nimmons declar-
ed that he must have Jumped out of
his own accord as it would be impos-
sible for him to have tumbled out.
He's gone home in all probability" he
said.
"Well, well. the rascal, to steal a
march on US like that said Ned. Then
DR.. Nimmons went into the farm
house to see his patient. and Ned re-
out when Bobby had stolen away from
them. II never though to look after
him." he said to himself. when about
three miles out OF town the fellow was
with us all right. Guess Well find him
on our return home"
Twenty minutes later DR.. Nimmons
and Ned were off toward home, old
Doc going at a fast trot. He was en-
joying the winter outing as much as
were the persons he was drawing. AS
the sleigh drew into the woods Ned
saw a dark object bobbing along over
the snow coming toward them. Its
Bobby. as sure as am a foot high"
he declared. And a minute later he
saw for q certainty that it was Bobby
and that the poor fellow was hobbling
along on badly chilled paws. He had
not caught the fast footed rabbit, but
he had caught a cold, and he was
shivering as he jumped without as
sistance into the fur robe in the rear
of the sleigh.
s'You poor fellow" consoled Ned.
"I'll ALWAYS wonder how you got out of
the sleigh. Surely It was some sort of
accident"
But Bobby knew it had not been an
accident, but with both ears lowered
and nose in the fur robe he kept as
still as a mouse, feeling q bit ashamed
of himself. doubtless.