Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-30
TERRIBLE FATE
OF JOHN NORRIS.
By EUNICE HODGSON.

I bound and why they were retreating
from his island. Tears stood In An
nie's dark eyes, the dusky red Of her
cheek turned to a CHASTITY pallor; but
neither seemed to hear his question.
Annie only looked at Olson with be-
seeching eyes.
81 am sure this must be the island
she murmured in her soft, broken
English. why did ask to come along
If my heart was not to tell me where
to find him? Let US land"
Ole Olson gave a loud, strained
laugh which only accentuated the
fierce gaze he turned upon her.
1T is not here, 1 tell you. 1t is yon.
And IL we don't find him there, you've
given me your promise that you'll be
my wife. Well go to Unalaska and
get a home. So forget this fellow
Norris"
The Swede broke sharply of, for
Annie flashed upon him a look so
deadly that all her ancestral savagery
seemed concentrated within her eyes.
IF Tim Brown had stayed at Unga,
he would nave brought me to this is
land. John is there, and he's still
alive. You've deceived me. Take me
there and prove you are right or 1
will never be your wife"
Again the loud laugh of the Swede
smote John Norris's ears. He tried to
cry out to the girl, to advance upon
the Swede, but heavy weights seemed
to chain him where he stood. Neither
seemed to see him, and bitterly ne
realized that he looked upon them only
in spirit. He saw Annie stretch out
yearning arms toward his island, saw
the Swede guiding the schooner care
fully through treacherous channels,
farther and farther away from the
longed for landing Norris gave a ter
rible despairing cry, which brought
him to a consciousness Of his sur
roundings He was lying in crushed
heap in the snow. Jerry crouched some
feet away, looking at him with en-
stranged eyes, and bowling fearfully.
He thought Of the schooner and his
strange vision with a dull apathy, and
gradually crawled back to his cabin.
Some time after Norris began
systematic examination Of his scant
stores June was almost ended, and
he began to realize that either his
companions mad deserted him or some
ho1 their
return as early as promised. He had
been left only sufficient provisions to
last until June, but had hunted so
persistently that he had been able to-
use. them sparingly. and with care
could make them last much longer.
Jerry, however, was his greatest care.
1t was difficult to find food for the
poor beast, and he often whined pit
eously with hunger.
After the scnooner's disappearance,
a sickness fell upon the deserted man.
Hope left him, only to return at delir-
ious intervals. A great weakness as
sailed his limbs, and often he tainted
when crawling to the spring for wa
ter. At these times he would be guard
ed by the faithful dog, who always
made the slow and painful trip to the
spring with his master.
Another month slipped by and melt
ed into August. Each day, the failing
master portioned out food to his starv-
ing companion. Poor Jerry, grown so
thin and weak he could hunt no more,
would crawl to his masters side, whin-
ing and licking his hand, and there
fell fitfully asleep.
Day by day Norris wrote painfully
in his diary, which he kept on an up
turned box at his bedside. Sometimes
he cursed, sometimes he prayed.
Sometimes, in his delirium, he talked
to Annie and Of their home in Unga;
but in his saner moments hope desert
ed him, and he prayed no more for
succor, but only for release from pain.
He lost all count of time, so many
times had he been unconscious, un-
knowing how long he remained so. At
one of these times his watch had stop
ped, and so he could only guess at the
passing hours.
One day, he awoke to the fact that
Jerry's last meal lay in his weakened
nand. His eyes roamed to the starved
animal lying on the threshold.
Poor Jerry" he said softly, there
you lie dying of hunger, my good COM
rade. Your bloodshot eyes and swol-
len tongue warn me Of your danger
and tell me Of your suffering. Not once
have you reproached me for your
pangs. Lord give me strength to end
your misery before you go mad!"
The sick mans hand fell upon the
medicine chest close at hand. With
thoughtful care he portioned out
large dose of poison and placed 1t
upon the food.
Good Jerry" he called gently, and
as the dog responded to his masters
call, he patted him lovingly. Dear
Jerry, forgive me, old fellow, in this
last extremity. I wish to save you the
fate that awaits your master. To die
by my loving hand will be as nothing
to dying yourself in the madness Of
starvation and loneliness. Good-by,
good Jerry" he murmured chokingly,
while the animal alternately fawned
upon him and glanced longingly at the
bit of food.
Man never had better friend than
you, Jerry boy. A more than human
heart beats beneath your shaggy coat"
Again he fell to petting the poor beast
but as he suddenly set up a dismal
broken howl, Norris hastily held out
the poison and the starved creature
greedy ate 1t.
With one sharp yelp, the dog ran
dizzily about the room and out the
open door. and fell prone a few yards
away. The master had done his work
well, and Jerry's sufferings were over.
Crying like child. John Norris buried
his face in the pillow.
After Jerry's death, increasing
weakness and delirium held Norris
chained 20 his bed. His only occupa-