The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-05-16

knoWledged service is over in this world
That mute reproach went to my heart
for now it seemed as if this small charity
mad been sent to me, especially, and that
had neglected it till it was nearly too late
Huckleberry seemed to feel as if it was nc
use to appeal to human kindness any more
Tor he made no sign ofrecognition, and lay
quite still, as if waiting till his dumb
prayer for help was heard and answered
by Him who sees the sparrows fall.
up the steps went, and, putting down
my parcels, patted the head that seemed
almost too tired to be lifted up, and, with
remorseful tenderness, said:-
My poor dear, come home with me.
truly mean it now. Forgive ME and let me
show you that in charitable Boston not
even dog need starvc. !"
lie didn't believe me. He was tired OF
false hopes, worn out with following people
home to find the doors shut in his face, and
seemed to have made up his mind to die.
wondered as l watched him if he had
ever seen the door open, and remembering
the light, the warmth, the music, and the
quiet figures moving in and out, had
thought it was better world, and so, every
other hope failed, came back to wait for a
corner, feeling safe and happy
shall never know, for had not time to
ask about it, and he was too tired too talk.
Feeling that my duty was very plainly to
give poor doggie lift, coaxed him home
with great difficulty, and he slowly follow
ed, looking SO incredulous and amazed,
that | felt bound to redeem the character
of the human race in his eyes.
Once in my room, with plate of cold
meat before him, and a warm rug placed
at his disposal, Huckleberry gave in, be-
lieved, rejoiced, and was so grateful that
he stopped now and then, even when bolt
ing Jumps of cold steak, to look at me and
wag lis tail with whine of thanks.
Dear thing how dirty, lean and ugly
he was with one lame foot, o torn car,
and bit of old rope round his neck
where the collar should have been. Never
mind | loved him, and went on petting
him with reckless disregard of conse-
quences and fleas. had no more idea
what l should do with him than if he had
been an elephant, but remembering the
blessed Society for the Prevention of Cruel
ty to Animals, felt that could fall back
on them when all other hopes failed.
So, while Huckleberry lay on the rug,
roasting first one side and then the other,
with his nose on bone, just to make him
feel sure it wasn't all dream, sat star.
ing at him and planning future for him
such as few dogs enjoy. He seemed to feel
this for lie gurgled and grunted in his
sleep, woke up now and then with a start,
and stared back at me with eyes full of
doggish loyalty as he whacked the floor
with his grateful tail.
zone of our fellows shall take him 2" I
decided and, having picked out the most
tender-hearted boy among my large and
choice selection, wrote to this victim an
alluring epistle, offering him lovely car
riage dog whom | had been so fortunate as
to find. Would he like to have the first
look at him, and become his owner free of
cost
This being finished and sent to the post,
l ordered big tub ofhot water to be ready
early in the morning for my dogs bath, and
heartily wished could fltten him up over
night, as at present he was not an inviting
animal.
Then retired to my bed, leaving Huckle-
berry asleep on the rug. Bless my heart,
how he did snore, and when very loud
one woke him up he seemed to feel that it
was necessary for him to come and put his
cold nose on my face, rpaw at the pillow
till flew up, thinking it was robbers.
Then he would apologize in the most con-
trite manner, and explain that he only
came to see if was all right, and to ex-
plain his thanks all over again.
After which he returned to his rug with
a sigh of satisfaction, and fell asleep much
quicker than could.
| T., bo p,ornipfr no ,uoo ocoorto1 RI tbo
shed for his bath, to the great amusement
of the servants, and the fierce Indignation
of the cats. All five smelled, spit and
glared from the various elevated refugees to
which they had flown on his entrance and
one black kit made darts at him, looking
like little demon in her wrath.
IIuckleberry behaved like dog of coed
manners and temper, and, after vainly try
ing to appease the irate pussics, took nc
notice of them, being absorbed in his own
Affections.
He did not like the bath, but bore it like
a hero, and let me scrub him till he was as
clean as very spotted bow-wow could
be. lie even Submitted to the indignity
OF little blanket, pinned about his neck
like an old woman, and trotted meekly ur
stairs after me, leaving the men and maids
in fits of laughter, and the cats curling
their whiskers with scorn at the whole
proceeding.
Leaving my wash to dry, flew out ant
bought fine red collar for him then l de
voted the rest of my day to fussing owe
him, that he might be as presentablc al
possible.
Charley did not come till the next day
and the agonies l went through, meantime
with that blessed dog, "no mortal crecte
knows" as Mrs. Camp would say.
I'm afraid gave him too much meat, o
else Joy flew to his head and made him wild
for he developed such flow of spirits tina
I felt as if had an unclaimed whirlwint
in my room. He bounced to the windoy
every time cart went by; growled II
every dog he saw; barked at every one VIII
entered the room; drank out ofmy pitcher
worried rosettes off my slippers; upset m
workbasket, the tire-irons and two bottle
in his artless play; scratched the paint o.
the door trying to get out, and when h
got to the yard, chased all the cats till the
fled over the walls in every direction.
When exhausted with these little amuse
, ments, he would come and try to lick m
face, put his paws in my lap, and languis
at me with his fine eyes; and when | toll
him / couldn't have it, he cast himself Il
my feet and squirmed rapturously.
/ He was a great plague, but was fond c
] him, and when Charley came was sorr
a that he must leave me. But he had bee
e on the rampage all that second night, fc
!, put him in the hall to sleep, and he ha
:, scratched and howled at every door till