The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-02-24
Robert and his Dog.

Robert and his Dog.
NV eldest brother, John Ward, was
pre-eminently an &c odd fish," Father
wanted him to go to college, and study
law. and mother wanted him to be a
minister but he persistently declined
all these honors, and soon after he went
into the logging districts of Maine, took
q farm, built log house, married wife,
and nearly broke all our hearts by turn
ing Downeaster.
It was more than a dozen years before
any of us could muster courage to visit,
him in his savage haunts !; but expert s
enced religion, and resolved to turn
peaeemaker so one fine September |
determined to surprise John with visit
His wife was pretty, but little bashful.
They had five children, clad In monde
script attire. Those In jacket and
trowsers, coniectured, were boys; those
in short frocks, without trowsers, girls.
I was right, with the exception of the
Youngest, a two-year-old boy. y
But all this has nothing to do with the
story of Robert and his dog Master
Robert was the eldest, aged ten. He
was hard, sturdy specimen, thoroughly
alive. with round, sunburnt cheeks, a
compact frame, and evidently possessing
all the self-willed independence and en-
terprise of his father.
John did not rule his children with a
rod of iron. He let them do about as
they pleased, and treated them as equals.
They lived very amicably, in spite of a
slumbering spirit of INSTRUMENTATION in
every heart, which a word might kindle
into a mimic rebellion. John never
spoke that word. t o
I could not get acquainted with Rob
ert. He was as shy as partridge, and
only said g Yes'm " whenever l spoke to
him. [ wanted to study his character.
At last fortune favored me.
I had wandered about among the half
burnt stunps in the corn-field, and had
come to brush fence behind the school
house. School was just out, and half a
dozen young miscreants were enjoying
pelting a strange dog with sticks and
stones.
/ was just about to interfere, when a
drawer champion suddenly appeared. 1t
was Robert.
He took an attitude worthy the prize
ring, and putting his menacing fists In
unpleasant proximity to one or two
suspicious-looking noses, exclaimed,
"If you want to fight, try it with
fellow who can fight also. Now, throw
your brick bats if you want to! Fire
away !"
The young rufians struggled away,
and the dog sneaked off after Robert.
When I reached home, the champion
was slowing away huge bowl of bread
and milk. He seemed absent
minded. Presently he said, with some
thing of an effort, 'tFather, mayn't I
have dog 2"
"Well, well-that's new idea.
Who's got lot of puppies they can't
give away Z" s
Nobody. Hound a dog to-day, and I
want to keep him."
Where is your dog9 Can he drive
sheep?"
Robert went to the barn and returned
with the sneaking cur. The animal did
not appear to the best advantage. He
was very difident, and could not find
courage to stand upright, but crawled
along after Robert, rolling his eyes about
IN an agonizing manner.
This was the introduction to the fam
lily, and he was greeted with deafening
shouts of laughter.
"He isn't the handsomest dog in the
world, but he looks strong and good ma
tured. He will brighten up when he
gets acquainted"
Nothing more was said, so Robert con-
sidered himself the owner of dog whose
name was F1do.
They went off together one Saturday
afternoon when the blackberries were in
the very height of their luscious ripe
ness Fido carried the basket with q
world Of dignity Robert alternately
whistled and talked with the dog.
Fido had frightened nest Of part
ridges, and had gone running after them,
and Robert crawled under a huge pile of
burnt logs to gather some finer berries
than he had seen before. He was whist
ling ina careless manner and rapidly,,fill-
ing his basket, when suddenly savage
growl from Fido startled him. He did
not look round, but said, EDO you see
rabbit, Fido2 Catch him. -
The dog gave shrill, fierce bark, so
sharp and earnest that Robert looked
behind him. Fido was drawn up In line
OF BaLL10, every paIIlculaf na1r SuanQIng
up straight on his back.
"Poor fellow What do you see,
doggy 2"
Another sharp cry of fear rom Fido,
as he advanced little. Roberts eyes
followed in the direction, and his blood
grew cold at the sight. A huge black
bear was moving stealthily toward him.
He was brave boy, but his limbs
trembled and as he moved backward,
the savage beast quickened his pace.
He looked up. There was tree few
yards from him that he could climb. If
he could reach that! He sprang back,
and began to spring over the trunks of
fallen trees. The bear was gaining upon