The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-05
amman THOMAS.

depot At Laramie with hp dog at his heels.
Tho man walked around tho room several times,
splitting tobacco juice on the floor aud at the
stove legs. followed by the dog, and then no
halted in front Of three travellers sitting on a
bench aud asked.
want to buy dogf".
They looked at the canine and did not answer.
"If you want do1 to tear things right TO
pieces here he s," continued tho man. "Thc
name OF this ere dog il Gincral Thomas. nj I
wish | had as many dollars as he has killed
Iniuns-yes, dol"
Looks like good dog" remarked Quo OF the
travellers.
"Looksl Gentlemen, I'll give We n thousand
dollars TO pint me out tho man who says that
this dog hain't four times good as he looks
To be ~
"what's his forte ?" asked one OF the trio.
"There's no fort about him. sir. Hc isn't ono
ofthose dogs which was brung M In a fort and
spoiled. No, sir. he hain't. This dog was brung
up on tho plains. right where the Iniuns were
as thick ne grass, and where the buf1aloes and
grizzlies made the earth shake for miles around
And he has killed Indians Z"
Il don't believe YOU mean to insult me-" said
the hunter as lie laid hi hand OH his knife.
saw that this ere dog has killed over ten thou
sand Iniuus since had him r.
The three travellers looked at the opposite
wlll without smiling, and by and by the hunter
continues
i've refused a thousand dollars for Cincral
Thomas time and time over, and nevcrthourht
We should have to part until death anne sliding
around. But, he's got to 20. I'm irving to es-
tabish an orphan asylum out here, and It takes
heap 81 money to do It,"
" lie looks like an old dog" observed one Of
the men.
"Oldl Gentlemen, excuse me II laugh, but
your grcenness peascs me. 4 dog never grows
old In this climate. Gneril Thomas was horn
over thirty years ago, but he isn't what we call
an old dog. know Of hundreds OF dols over
hundred years old, and yet they are ~ timber as
Gels aud "a fun OF ambition as a constable. Old.
gentlemen For sixty years to come that ere
dog Will be just as spty as he Is now"
There was painful silence Of two or three
minutes and then the hunter continued:
AS much as love Gincrl Thomas. love
the orphans more. feel that it Is my duty to
sell him. and build house, where the :te or
phans can sleep and eat aud take comfort"
"Whats the pricef' timidly inquired one Of
the travellers.
"Wcll, as | said before, I've been offered
thousand dollars for him. Hes worth every
cent 4 it, even In these hard times; but have
Ind Will Ike good care Of him, and will write
me once in awhile how he IL getting along. 1t
won't be ike selling him to some man out here
who'd hire him out to the Government t. kill
all tho lniuns out here in thirty DAYS. and
work him to death: ana then, as | said before.
want t. start that asylum. It's getting late in
the Sc son. and tn, cellar ought to be com
ucnccl tais afternoon"
No one replied, aud after taking a fresh quid
the hunter SAID:
III knows as much az any Of us. lie will do
anything tell him TO. II | should tell him %
omen that stove door and pnt in a stick Of wood.
he'd do 1t mighty quick. II should tel hin to
stand up and sing, he'd SIM the sweetest song
you ever he ri 20
The travellers prlcked up their ears In expo Ia
ton. but the hunter said:
Hes tired out just now, and don't want TO
ask him. He has moio feelings than half the
men YOU meet. and l have always treated him
- my equal. when think OF selling him 1t
makes my heart kick around like dying ia *
rabbit; but feel 1t NV duty to take care OF the
orphans"
The dog went over and sat down beside pile
OF buffalo robes, and his master continued;
IT'S hard times, and II either OF you want
hin, IN take hundred dollars for him.
The travellers looked at the stove In silence
"Now, see here. gents" said the hunter.
"there sits thousand dollar dog, but he's = OF
TO go. I can't rest until that orphan asylum Is
started. II vou'l use him like one OF the family
III say ifiy dollars for him."
There was no response, and seeming TO grow
desrcr tie, the hunter exclaimed:
IL never thought should live 70 soc this day'
It's like teling my heart out, but Ginera
Thomas mu.tso! I'll say.tweuty- Ave for him o.
S.ill TO re-ron.e.
"Scc here. gents" continued tho hunter
that orphan .sylum has got to be built II 1 sell
my SHIRT to do 1t. Livery dollar Will count. and
I'll say ten dollars f,r the dog"
Tho travellers did not even raise their eyes
IN y heaven forgive me, gentlemen, but a,
dearly as l love that dog I'll say I've dollars
Wuon | set my heart on building an orphan asy
lum IFS got to so up. Come here, Gnera
Thomas, while embrace We and say farewell =
The silence was painful as the hunter glzot
at the travellers. lie finally spit tobacco juic,
at the stove and said
"Very well, gentlemen. II seems that yot
don't know good dog from an old cat. and
will 20 out and work my fingers on 10 build that
orphan asylum. Come along, Gineral Thomas
Come out where folks know We and love vel"
And Gineral Thomas walked softly out aftel
him.