Huntington independent. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1871-1874, 1873-06-05
HucKLEBERRY.
BY LOUISA n: AtCOTr.

Coming home late one night, my
eye was caught by the sight of spot.
ted dog sitting under lamp all alone,
and, as l passed, l said to him:
"Go home, little doggie! 1t is too late
for you to be out, and you'll get
rheumatism if you stay there"
Alas for the poor fellow! he had
no home to 60 to, and, evidently
feeling that l had invited him to
share mine by friendly remark, lie
came patteriug after us down the
street, and when we reached our door
stood wsgging his tail as if to say;
Thank you, yes, l should be most
grateful if you'd allow me to lie on
your door mat till morning"
His handsome, wistful eyes, and
TIE insiuuating wsg of his thin tail,
expressed this as plainly as any
words could have done, and it griev-
ed me much to see that | had awsk'
eucd hopes which | could not fulfil.
Iexplained TO him how it was;
that this was not my home, and |
really could not take him into nay
room; that there we're FIVE cats down
stairs, and several old ladies up stairs;
one snarly, fat poodle on the first
floor, and half-adozen young men
about the house ready for mischief
at all hours Of the day or night. Such
being the case, it was evident no
home for strange dcggie, so like a
huckleberry pudding in appearance
that named him Hucklccerry on
the spot. lie seemed to understand
it, for h, stopped waggiug and retired
from the steps; but he was bitterly
disappointed, and when l had gently
closed the door, npologisiug as | did
so, he gave one disconsolate howl,
and went 10 sit under the lamp again,
as if that little circle of light made
the dull Noven bcr night less cold
and lonely.
A day or two afterwards, as | stood
looking at the ruins of the great ere,
a spotted dog lying on the edge of a
smoking cellar attracted my attention.
Faithful fellow. he is still watch
inc his masters property, dare say,
though every thing is in ashes. How
beautiful that isr' thought to my
self, and went little nearer to enjoy
the touching spectacle.
As l approached, doggie looked
up, aud | knew him at once by the
queer black patch ou his left eye, and
he knew me, for he sat up and began
to beat the ground with his tail by
way of welcome.
"Why Huckleberry, is it your
Was your master buried out? and
don't you know where he is goner
| asked.
Now am very stupid about learn
ing Ian guages, and nearly died OF
German; hut the language of animals
| understand without any gramu ar
or dictionary; and | defy any one to
read it better than myself. So when
Hucklcberry gave bark knew 1t
meant "Yes, ma'an"; and when he
came fawning about my very muddy
boots. he added this touching remark
as plainly as he had said it IN the
most elegant English;
Dear woman, I'm homeless, friend
less and forlorn; pity NE, and | will
be a faithful servant to you, on the
word of an honest grateful dogl'
1t was very hard to say no, but
tried to soften my refusal by offering
him some nice little cakes which ]
was tending to give my boys thai
evening; for when they come home
from college Saturday night, we al
ways have jubilee in honor Of the
class of rs, to which | belong.
Doggie evidently needed them
more than the lads, and globbled NJ
the whole dozen with a rapidity tha
+mads NE wish l had a beefsteak o'
two in my pocket. While he va
finishing the last one I slipped away
and devoutly hoped | should see th'
poor, dear thing DO more, for it rem
my heart to leave him out in the cold
pet what could l do with him in M
own room?
A week or two passed, and | forgo
my spotted friend in the absorbing
task of getting Christmas present
ready. Every one else seemed to haV'
forgotten him, too, for, late on
snowy sfterooon, as 1 hurried home
quite worn out with trying to shoI
among a mob of other women as bus,
aud as Inpatient as myself, l say
sight that nsue the tears come t.
my eyes in spite of the snowflake
roostiDg on my lashes.
On the upper step of a church
close to the door, as if waiting for
to open to him, lay poor Huckleber
~; dirty, thin, and evidently wor
out with the hardships of his 10
Tired of asking for admittance .