The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1916-06-13

FOR LITTLE
FOLKS
HOW FLUFFY SAVED FRED.

| Poor old Fluffy sighed Fred as
he lay in the hammock, lazily swinging
under the cherry tree. Il am afraid
his time is almost up-he is getting
blind and useless Perhaps it would
be kindness to let him die painless
ly."
Fluffy, big, brown. curly-haired
setter, lay on the ground watching
Fred. His nose was between his out
stretched paws and his soft eyes
seemed to read the boys thoughts
Presently he rose painfully and
walked over to the lad, resting his
big. shaggy head loving on the boys
knee
You're a mighty fine old fellow"
sighed Fred. with a mist in his eyes.
How wish you could stay with us
always
| "Oh. Fred. come here" called a
| voice over the gate. A moment later
Donald Gordon ran into the yard.
why, come on our with us boys"
cried Donald. I'VE have Uncle Franks
boat. and five of as are going for
row down to the Three Sisters Island.
We have lunch and are ready to
start"
Fred and Donald raced down the
path toward the river bank. But fast
as they went they did not see brown
dog following them ON the other side
| of the hedge lust as they leaped
into the boat and were about to push
off they noticed Fluffy standing on
the bank gazing at them wistfully.
You can't go old fellow" shouted
Fred. You would upset the canoe"
SO Fluffy sat down on his launches on
the cliff and barked mournfully at the
boat fast speeding away. Then, as il
taking a sudden thought, he started
on slow trot along the river bank in
! the same direction the canoe had
gone.
| 81 do believe Fluffy is following rs
up the river" said Fred as they turned
| a bend Il can see brown speck
coming in this direction"
| In half an hour the boys landed 90
the island and commenced to eat their
lunch. When that was finished they !
proposed to swim to the bank Opp0- |!
site the side from which they had |
started. Fred did not know how TO !
swim. so he sat on rock to watch |
the others. After the boys had gotten !
to the other side Fred noticed the SKY +!
had grown dark. Then he saw that !
the water at his feet was rising rapid
ly. The boys on the shore called to |
him to get into the canoe at once and
row to land.
Fred raced to the shore, but when !
he got to the beach he saw that the |
boat had broken loose and was drift i
ing slowly down the river. He was
HELPLESS now. The sky grew inky,
lightning flashed and thunder rolled,
but no rain fell.
"There has been cloudburst up the
river" whispered Fred to himself his
voice shaking with fear. THE water
is rising and in half an hour will be
over this island and I cannot swim.
In agony he watched the boat drift
ing slowly for it had not reached the
swift current in the middle of the 1
river
eve have sent Donald back to Har-
rjs0ns landing for a man and boat
Fred" called the boys from the bank
Keep up your courage till he gets
here" But the lad knew the land
ing was three miles down the river
and it would take an hour for help to
come
Then out of the bushes on the bank
from which they had started he saw
brown body leap like shot iheh
battling with the current, he saw the
shaggy head of Fluffy swimming TO-
ward the boat
That's it, old boy" shouted FRED
in delight. Get the rope and bring
it to me-" Fluffy seemed to under
stand. Fighting with all his strength
the dog managed to reach the canoe
and grasped the rope in his mouth.
Then he started up the river toward
Fred. It was a hard fight. The ris-
ing water spun and danced SOME
times it swept over the dog; then ne
would come up with brave shake,