Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1915-03-25

1t had begun to rain and man and
afternoon. Neal looked for temporary
shelter. He found it at the side of the
house in a vine-embowered arbor. A
long bench invited him to rest and
then unconsciously to slumber
II must have been three OF four
hours later when Neal awoke Toy
ser was pulling at his coat Neal sat
up and then sprang to his feet, as
from the inside Of the house an echo
ing scream Of terror or pain rang out.
Something wrong" uttered Neal
all his keen senses shrewdIy alert in
an instant. and Towser knows it"
The dog, with an eager impatient
glance back at his master, had start
ed for the house. Neal followed. The
front door was open Down the hall
the dog stole to where a door stood
partly ajar. Beyond it Neal peered for
the moment, Mortified and spellbound.
Across a table in his night dress lay
the hermitlike occupant of the house.
old Jacob Wise He was tied across
it. There was a fire in the stove, and
stuck between its red hot bars was a
poker. A rough-looking man was
standing over the aged Wise.
Now then, I've got you safe and
sound, he was saying. You've got
fortune hidden away in some odd cor
ner Of this old house and I want it,
understand"
Jacob Wise made no response. The
robber drew the poker from the stove.
Tell where that money is" he spoke,
'or I'll. give you touch of this"
The intruder waved the red hot
poker menacingly. He moved it across
the bare soles of his victims feet.
IN tell! 1t burns! I'll tell"
shrieked the tortured old man.
Just then Neal pushed open the
door. The intruder turned quickly,
Neal sprang at him. They grappled.
Then the robber pressed a revolver
against the side of his opponent.
The last thing that Neal Barrett
saw as he sank unconscious to the
floor was the dog, his teeth at the
throat of the wretch who had downed
his master
The waking moment came days
later, although Neal did not realize
that fact when he first reused up.
In amazement he stared Old Jacob
Wise sat at his bedside in comfort
able room. Through an open door
way, moving about engaged in domes-
tic duties, Neal saw Florence Par
sonsl
"Ah! better!" chuckled the old miser
Good boy! I've been awfully anxious.
Know herr" and he nodded his head
towards the tidy, graceful figure in
the next apartment.
Yes" whispered Neal weakly, but
his face aglow with tenderness and
delight.
She's true blue declared the old
man fervently.
How true blue" Neal Barrett knew
after little explanation The faith
full Towser had driven the robber
away, terribly lacerated. Jacob Wise,
grateful to man and dog who had
saved to him part of his boarded for
tune, had given Neal the best care
possible.
Some memoranda found on Neal
had advised Wise of the existence of
Florence He had written her. She
had come to nurse the unfortunate
man she still loved.
"P1I call her in now advised Wise
She knows I'm going to start you out
on new life, with plenty of capital.
You're a brave man, and that dog
shall have real silver collar. AS to
the young lady-don't miss your
chance to get a good wife"
Which Neal did not, and Towser,
loyal, valiant Towser! was not shut
out from guestship when the happy
wedding took place