Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-04-16
The Dogs Revenge.
BY OLIVE rnoRxE.

The Dogs Revenge.
by OLIVE THoRSE.
VIII had been Dragging That's the
way the trouble began, aud that's the way
good deal Of trouble begins among big peo.
plo as well as among little ones
Ned Willis had a dog, a little fellow,
named Spot and Ae had been displaying
bis tricks to Will that day In an uulucky
moment win began to brag about his broth
er's dog Max.
Ned didn't believe that big dog could
be so funny as little one. Then Will
waxed warm, and told stories bigger than
ever. But Ned laughed at his pretensions.
and tsunted viii TO such a pitch that be
told him he would 60 over to his brothers,
and get Max, if he would wait and they
would sec what he would do. Ned said he
would watt so he threw himself on the grass
and played with Spot, while viii went
after Max. 10 a few minutes be return
ed, followed BY largeback Newfoundland
dog.
Now what allied Max that day can't
imagine. Whether it was too warm, or he
thought it undignifed before a small dog
though he often went through all his tricks
for Will--played dead dog, shook hands
held piece of meat on his nose, etc, NOT
thing would he do that day. He just
stood there and wagged his tail aud looked
at VIII. All the commands, shouts, and
coaxings had no more effect on him than on
the grass be stood on.
Ned began to laugh derisiyely and say,
IL told you so, and otherwise exasperate
Will, till his angry passions rose to a fear
iul height He seized a stick which he had
tried TO make Max jump over. and, holding
the dogs collar in one hand, be gave him
several hard blows Max finally jerked
away aud ran yelping home, and Will sat
down on the grass to cool, feeling very hot
and angry
viii thought that was the end Of it, but
not so Max. 10 his doggish soul bis
wrongs ranked, and an opportunity soon
came for him to punish his enemy.
Later in the day VIII went up to his
brothers house for milk The family hap
pened to be all away but that made no diff.
ference for they always left the pail stand
ing on the kitchen table, all ready, and
Max was too good watch dog to allow
any stranger to come 10.
As usual viii walked into the house,
took up the pail and turned to CO. But a
grow arrested him. He looked around
There stood Max, his white teeth uncover
ed, his tail hanging down, his whole atti-
tude meaning serious business.
poor dog" said VIII, and stopped to
pat him, though rather nervously, for be
well knew Max could be very fierce.
At this moment the dog gave a hercer
growl, and Will hastily drew back
Poor doggy poor Max good fellow :"
said VIII, in his most seductive tone. But
Max growled, his eyes looked red and
wicked, aud VIII knew that if he moved
be would hy at him.
"Well, may as well wait till some Of
them come in," said Will to himself, and
turned to sit down. Max few at his foot,
and held his head there with an ominous
growl Will dared not move.
"I'll put this pail down, any way was
bis next thought But Max resented the
movement Of his hand, as well as Of his
| foot, and in unmistakable tones made Will
at last understand that he must stand on
that spot aud hold the pail till the family
came.
Here was fix. Mary waiting at home
for the milk to put into her custards, Ned
Willis waiting in the back yard for him to
90 in swimming, and both Of them knowing
that he had only run up for the milk.
How Ned would tease him! How Mary
would laugh at him.
Inyoluntarily be made move to 60
Max was ready for him, aud this time seiz-
ed his foot.
viii tried to coax him, and he let CO.
but stood ready for another move.
"Where under the sun are all the fami-
| ly2" was his next thought. Then be re-
membered that his brother was at the office,
and would not come home till 6 o'clock
bis brothers wife had gone to town with
his sister shopping, aud the girl had gone
home for week lie looked at the clock
1t was four o'elock-two hours before he
could hope for release. lie heard Ned call
him. The calls came nearer. He was
coming after him He would catch him
in this plight How Wills face flushed,
as he thought of that If he could only
lock the door and put down the curtain
But Max was alert, be dared not move.
The calls came nearer, and at last Neds
mockiug face looking in at the open win
dow.
"Why don't you come along ?" was his
question.
81 can't. | don't want to-" he STAN.
mered. Max growled, and Ned saw how it
was.
"Oh no the dog won't let you. He
remembers old scores, eh Say, Will, why
don't you sit down, if you will stay Arn't
you tired holding that pail 70
So he went on, as boys sometimes will,
teazing and provoking, till Will fairly
ragged.
"Ned Willis !" he said, savagely, "if you
don't shut up, III pitch this pail of milk
at you, if Max eats me up !"
Ned saw it was time TO stop, so he turn
ed away, calling as he went
"I heard Mary anxiously inquiring for
you. I'll stop and let her know you've
' got a pressing engagement
Well, he did of course, and as he went
through the village he told every boy he
met; and one by one they crept up and
! peeped through the window at the unfor.
tunatc prisoner, each one saying his witty
or smart thing at Wills expense.
Poor Will 1t was rather hard lie
had threatened to 6ght every boy 10 town
and every muscle ached like the toothache
before his brothers wife came in snd found
). him.
With difficulty she got the dog of, and
viii had to confess to the beating.
lie dragged his weary bones home, found
Mary in towering passion no custards fol
b tea, and lecture from his father on cruelty
to animals.
The boys didn't focget il either, and