The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-04-14
CRUEL SPORT.

"There, boys, stop that, sayr' and
Will Carlton, hastily handing a pile of
school-books to a lad standing near
him, ran as fast as possible to overtake
some boys who were surrounding a dog
to fasten something to its tail.
land what right have you to stop
our fun, should like TO know?"
1.-THE right that any boy of spirit
would have to stop cruelty toward a
poor dumb beast.'
WHO'S going to hurt the dog, I'd
like to know?' exclaimed another rude
boy.
That's SO; we merely mean to set
him off on his travels with his trunk be-
hied him." added third, with coarse
laugh in which all joined.
But Will Carlton, nothing daunted by
their scowling looks for meddling, as
they called it, with their rights, bravely
bounded in their midst, caught up the
old tin can and sent it flying over the
fence of vacant lot, and so released
the dog before they had time to scarce
ly know what he was doing. But as
the dog. with joyous bark, escaped
from them, their anger was redoubled.
and turning round defiantly towards
Will, their fists were doubled up as
though ready for fight.
Six to one," said Will, drawing
himself up proudly and facing the an
CRY boys; then added, with scornful
curve of the lip, Knight expect just
such courage from boys who would
fastcn tin can to poor dogs tall"
One and another dropped his doubled
up fist down by his side and seemed
cowed by Will fearless manner.
"Fll tell you what, boys, it's down.
right mean-spirited to brighten dog
half to death by such trick. How anv
OF you can find sport in it is more than
l can tell.'
'.It's only Pat O'Brien's old cur,n
said George Drake. the bully among
them. "He is on one of his sprees'
and we meant to let the bowling doc
give him a scare
Eyes, and brighten him out of his
senses, or into them,' added Tom
Brown. $50, you see, you have stop
ped our doing good"
doing good?" And again there
came that scornful curve Of the lip
which cowed and shamed the bows
Taking advantage of Pats condition
to get what you call fun out of his Door.
half-starved dog! You have not half
the kindness of heart or manners of that
dog"
"What do you mean by saving such
things to us, viii Carlton? Though
you do set yourself up as one of the bio
boys, you've no right to come in our
midst to stop our sport"
''Ive the right OF every brave man
and boy in this free country to stop
cruelty toward dumb animals, when
ever or wherever seen, and that is why
l am in your midst unasked."
willis made Speech" called out
one who had taken little part in the
rude sport and still ruder defiance of the
boys. "Let's put him up on the stump
and call for more" 6a @ f.t =
"Agreedn' shouted all; and, with
their minds somewhat diverted, the
scowling looks disappeared. So Will.
deciding to humor them, allowed him
self to be led to the stump.
"You admit, boys, that Pat O'Brien
our janitor. is upon one of his sprees;
therefore he is unable to defend his
rights. Isn't that cowardiy way of
taking advantage of him and his dog
a dumb beast who cannot tell YOU of
the torture he would endure with a tin
can tied to his tail, to say nothing of
the modification to him Of such a pro-
ceeding, especially on encounterine
others of his kindP Why, it is their
tan That IS the most expressive part of
them. They wag it when happy, and
let it stink down between their legs
when they are ashamed of anything.
Seems TO me some of YOU are in need of
such telling appendage at this very
One and another looked first angry.
then the corners of their mouths puck
cred with a smile, and finally there
came u hearty. uproarious laughter
from them all.
1T is neither kind nor Christian
added VIII Carlton, "to hurt or tease
a poor dumb beast. And, bows, it is
enough to draw tears to ones eyes to
see that poor creatures faithful watch
over his master. I've seen him tue at
Pat to raise him out of the gutter, and
actually push him with all his strength
away from some dangerous place.
then sitting, oh, SO meekly! with
folded paws, down by his fallen mas
ter to watch over him. How often, or