Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-06
JOHN HARBOUR AND THE COL
LIE.
What Came of Standing Friend to
"CoIeman's Dog"

DAYS of early spring, and the farmers
from the surrounding country had
come into town upon various errands
touching the near approach OF seed
time They We're Il hardy, eontentea
looking lot, hurrying up and down the
single street Of business houses in the
village. each carrying his own parti-
cular purchase-one a plowsharc. an
other Il pair of rubber boots. while
still others carried bundles and pack
ages of goods for use in the household.
Among this crowd of jolly, jostling
men. was John Harbour the youngest
farmer in the countg-a tall. broad
shouldered DEMONSTRATING aimlessly
about with his hands thrust deep into
the pockets of his light, sadly-faeed
overcoat lie had not come TO town
for the purpose of trading, but had
been summoned to appear in court.
His farm, one of the most remote in
the settlement adjoned a quarter
section Of hay-land belonging to a GER
tain Mr.. Hardeaste, wealthy land
owner having the reputation of being
an exceedingly hard man, and UNI
pleasant neighhor.
A short time before the opening of
this story. John had been burning Off
his hay-land. He lost control of the
fire and it had gotten on TO Hardcas-
ties land and burned UP one of his
hayFie5s. John had offered to pay for
the hay. but Hardcastle recalled a Ger
tain thrashing the young farmer had
given him at Il heated political meet
ing, and seized upon this violation of
the prairie-fire law. as a means of
evening up with him. This meant ruin.
for the court, IN its zeal to punish
| earelessness in handling such fires.
would undoubtedly impose a heavy
| fine, and Hardeastle knew that in or
| der to pay it, John would have to sell
his seed wheat. That would render
| impossible a crop next year, and hence,
no money with which to meet the fall
payments on his machinery; and fol-
lowing this would be the sheriff and
The ultimate loss of his farm.
These thoughts and the thought of a
pretty patient little woman, for whom
he was struggling hard to make d
home, We're what occupied the young
mans mind as he walked here and
there. aimlessly, about the town.
Twelve ten" he muttered, as he
paused in front of the Bascomb house,
and looked at his watch, very nearly
two hours to wait vet
Everybody was at dinner and the
streets were almost deserted, except
that the bench in front of the hotel
bore it's usual unkempt- blocking line of
town loafers They smoked, gossiped.
and expectorated great quantities Of
tobacco juice On the sidewalk Moth
ing seemed to escape their notice, and
no subject was too trifiing for discus
sion.
Il see Chambers has been getting a
new set Of harness.. said one.
Yes answered another lounger.
land less than week ago he bought
that cart. Seems TO me the old man
is going it pretty steep on the strength
of next falI's crop"
Harbour listened in nm distracted
wav to their chattering and watched
a dog that came trotting down the
middle of the road The animal was a
beautiful Scotch collie, and bore him
self with grace and dignity peculiar
to that breed Several small ours ran
out, barking and swapping at him. but
nc paid no attention to them. other
than to raise his ears. as "A token of
surprise or disdain. He was evidently
Il stranger to the town. Every little
while he would pause. raise one fore
foot and point his shapely nose up
ward. as if trying 10 catch a scent
There WIS something pathetic in his
intelligent brown eyes, as he drew
near to sniff at each Of the loafers in
turn
Mighty fine looking dog that" re-
marked one of them.
Yes; kind of conceited like. though,
ventured another Wouldn't wonder
if he'd put up quite a scral
Wen soon see" said the eed-faced
keeper of the hotel, and without rising
from his seat at the end u the bench.
he reached around and showed open
the bar-rooin door. Here, Bill" he
called, here's something good TO eat.
Come out and try a leg"
Are YOU going to let your bun at
him. JIM" gaspod one Of the gang
why notP What right has tramp
dog got smiling around these prem
ises?" erowled the landlord
Something in the loneliness OF the
poor dog had touched a dozen sympa-
thetc chords in Harbotr's nature. and
he stepped out from the tree. against
which he had been leaning. in a very
suggestive manner. Just at that mo-
ment a voice seemed to say to him;
You're a fool, John; it was just such
a whim as this that got you into trou-
Bile with Hardcastle-keep out Of II. "
and the farmer resumed his place By
the tree.
But his heart was full of pity. as hel
saw the innocent animal a hotlt Ia he
sacrificed to amuse mob OF heartless
loafers, who could be heard cauckling
with joyous anticipation. as big
surly, evil-eyed beast walked slowly
out of the door. The dogs weli-kept
body was of brindle color and the
brass collar about his neck was almost
hild1fn LIZ fnIdc. 1Afl Goa Irln ~. 4f alt.