The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-05-16
MI i 8 G elan eou s.
HUCKLEBERRY.
BY LOUISA NJ. ALCOTT.

Coming home late one night, my eye
was caught by the sight of a spotted dog
sitting under lamp all alone, and, as l
passed, said to him:
"Go home, little doggic ! 1t is too late
for you to be out and you'll get rheuma-
tism if you stay there"
Alas for the poor fellow he had no home
to go to, and, evidently feeling that l had
invited him to share mine by a friendly re-
mark, he came pattering after us down the
street, and when VIC reached our door stood
wagging his tail as if to say:
"Thank you; yes, should be most CRATE
full if you'd allow me to lie on your door
mat till morning"
His handsome, wistful eyes, and the in
sinuating wag of his thin tail, expressed
this as plainly as any words could have
done, and it grieved me much to see that
l had awakened hopes which could not
fulfil.
explained to him how it was; that this
Was not my house, and | really could not
take him into my room that there were
five cats down stairs, and several old ladies
up stairs; one snarly, atpoodle on the first
floor, and halfa- dozen 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 dog
gle, so like a huckleberry pudding in APP
pearance that named him Huckleberry on
the spot. He seemed to understand it, for
he stopped wagging and retired from the
steps; but he was bitterly disappointed !
and when had gently closed the door,
apologising as did 50, he gave one dis
consulate howl, and went to sit under the
lamp again, as if that little circle of light
made the dull November night less cold
and lonely.
A day or two afterward, as stood look
ing at the ruins of the great fire, a spotted
dog lying on the edge of smoking cellar
attracted my attention.
Faithful fellow he is still watching his
masters property, dare say, though every
thing is in ashes. How beautiful that
is" thought to myself and went little
nearer to enjoy the touching spectacle.
AS approached, doggie looked up, and
knew him at once by the queer black
patch on 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 you? Was your
master burned out and don't you know
where he is gomez" l asked.
| Now am very stupid about learning
languages, and nearly died of German but
the language of animals | understand with
out any grammar or dictionary; and l defy
any one to read it better than myself. So
when Huckeberry gave bark knew it
meant Eyes, ma'am"; and when he came
fawning about my very muddy boots, he
added this touching remark as plainly as
ifhe had said it in the most elegant Eng
lish:
"Dear woman, I'm homeless, friendlcss
and forlorn pity me, and will be faith
full servant to you, Oh the word OF an hon.
est, grateful dogp
soften my refusal by Offering him some nice
little cakes which was intending to give
my boys that evening for when they come
home from college Saturday night, we al
ways have u jubilee in honor of the class o
'7G, to which belong
Doggie evidently needed them more thai
the lads, and gobbled up the whole dozer
with a rapidly that made me wish had ,
beefsteak or two in my pocket. While HI
was finishing the last one l slipped away
and devoutly hoped l should see the poor
dear thing no more, for it rent my heart tt
leave him out in the cold !; pet what coulC
, do with him in my own room2
A week or two passed, and l forgot m.
spotted friend in the absorbing task of get
, ting Christmas presents ready. Every on
else seemed to have forgotten him, too, fol
late one snowy afternoon, as l hurried
home, quite worn out with trying to shol
among a mob of other women as busy ant
as impatient as myself, l saw sight tina
made the tears come to my eyes in spite c
the snow.fakes roosting on my lashes.
On the upper step ola church, close t
. the door, as if waiting for it to open t
d him, lay poor Huckleberry dirty, thin, an
evidently worn out with the hardships {
y his lot. Tired of asking for admittance Q