O'er the Dale Chapter 1

1

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Good God, what is that?" exclaimed Walter as he lurched forward from his chair and quickly stood up. His book hung from his hand, and with his other, motioned to his wife to stay seated. 

Something wasn't right.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Walter, what's going on? Who is knocking on the door at this time of night, and during a storm, too?"

"I don't rightly know Alice, but I'm going to find out. Stay there, it'll be alright." 

Walter opened the door just about the same time that a heavy hand was about to knock, yet again. 

"Whoa, friend. I've come to the door. Who are you? And what is it that’s troubling you at such an ungodly time of night as this?"

The man at the door looked at Walter through raindrops that were quickly dripping from his hood, and adjusted his grip on the poor creature  hanging in his arms. A painful yelp was heard, and it was then that Walter threw open the door and bid the man to come in.

"Come in, come in. No use in trying to figure out the unknown in the dark and drear. Set the poor creature by the fire, and we'll see what we can do."

Alice grabbed an old blanket and laid it on the stone hearth. The man swiftly set the dog down on the blanket and carefully arranged him so that he was as comfortable as possible. He then stood up and removed his hood.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion Mr. Crossley, but on my way home my dog mistook yours for a foe and sad to say, I think your pup got the worst of it. Please have a look over and see the damage done. I'll make it right."

Walter looked down and realized that it was indeed his "pup", however, a fifteen year old border collie is hardly so. Ol' Denny was a retired working dog and had seen his fair share of scrapes with the neighbor dogs. Only now, his age and achy joints hindered him in his love of the sport. Walter knew that his young neighbor was being generous, and that it wasn't the neighbor dog who started the fight. 

Tommy Graham was a fine young man, with a good head on his shoulders. He had the respect of his elders and the suspicions of his peers. He was quiet by nature and never was gone from his farm for more than a few hours. Country folk love a good gossip and Tommy never gave anyone an occasion for it. Therefore, he was usually admired,and ignored.

"Well, good man, I don't see much harm in the pup except for bruised pride and maybe a couple  chewed ears. No matter between friends and neighbors. Let us get you some tea and get warmed by the fire before you head on home. No use catching a cold if it can be avoided."

Alice, being the faithful wife she was, knew her husband's hospitality and already had a cup of tea ready. As soon as Walter spoke it, she placed the teacup in Tommy's hands. He smiled and raised it to her in thanks. 

"Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Crossley for the tea, and I think I must get home. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for Ol' Denny. He's a good boy."

Tommy did a slight bow to the couple and then let himself out. Shep was waiting for him under the eve of the barn, and ran to him as soon as he heard his master's whistle. 

The two walked off down the lane and back to their farm, never realizing there was another person watching them go.