River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-07-27

very wistful brown eyes. He followed
his mistress with dumb admiration,
but noticed me scarcely at all.
"He will be 6 sort of companion for
you when / am busy" said quite glad
Of his presence, although had never
cared for dogs.
And so Tramp shared the little home
that grew dearer to me every day.
When, one morning, new life woke
in it, and baby's cry stirred the
echoes, he looked very much excited
and puzzled. He had been quite I'M
happy at the disappearance of his
mistress from the table, and had taken
up his station on the rug at her door.
/, who was feeling the new happiness
of fatherhood, felt benevolent to all the
word.
Tramp is much exercised in his
mind" l said. "My darling, shall / let
him come in te see If you are all right?"
Eyes" answered my little Dot, Ian
guidly. 81 shall like to see him, and |
hope he approves of the baby.
Tramp came in in very dignifed
manner. Good food and care had I'M
proved him wonderfully. His coat was
| glossy as silk, and his clear eyes full of
| love and intelligence. He went to my
darling and licked her hand, then he
| looked about. His mind was not easy;
he had heard strange cry.
"Here she is, Tramp" said Dot, I'M
covering the little crum pied red morsel;
''and you must love her and take care of
| her always-do you hear, sir?'
What Utmost vow Tramp registered
as he stood on his hind legs and calmly
surveyed the odd little specimen of hui
mainly before him we can never know,
| but what we know is that he was faith
full to it even unto death.
"He likes her-see, he is trying to
kiss her in his way. He knows she is
ours, and he adopts her at once!" cried
Dot.
After that Tramp made visit to the
room as long as Dot stayed there, and
the first thing baby noticed was the dog
moving about her and wagging his tail
slowly. 1t became matter of specula-
ton to her, as she grew older how to
get hold of that tail, and the day she
accomplished it such crow of delight
issued from the little rosebud mouth
that Tramp made no effort TO release
| himself. From that time he seemed to
feel it to be his duty to bear innumer-
able woolings, crushings, huggings,
pinches, punches, and every other tor
ture to which an active child of inquir-
ing mind can in flict on an animal.
The baby had been duly carried to the
font, and very dignified name bestow-
ed on her, but we never called her any
thing but Dimples, for she had two of
the dearest little rosy dents in her round
| cheeks that ever invited kisses. / used
to tease the child as she grew older.
1.-TWO holes in her cheeks" l would
say. "What is to be done, mamma?
See, I can put my finger in Could we
get anything to fill them up?,,
And then she would look quite indig-
nant and say:
"Not 'oles-dimps 1"
And Dot would answer:
"Fill them with kisses-that's what
they're made for"
Before ner third birthday Dimples
was the prettiest little maid imaginable
in our eyes, and even strangers stopped
to look at her as they passed our gate.
She had voice like a little bird,
and could sing several little songs
in her own way. When she forgot the
right word she supplied words of her
own OF the oldest kind. Generally
Tramp figured largely in her improvi-
sations. l had promised to bring her
doll that would open and shut its eyes
for her birthday present, and the days
were counted till the time. / had to
explain to her how you pulled a string
and the doll went to sleep, and then
what you did to wake it up. The won
der about it never ceased, and we had
to make believe for several nights that
she went to sleep in the same way.
Mamma touched en- imaginary string,
and the blue eyes would close at once.
Dot was almost as much of a child
about that birthday. She had made the
little thing new dress-a wonderful
arrangement of tucks and embroidery
which she showed me in triumph.
''It seems to me she's old enough for
a polonaise, l said, laughing; for |
had caught few terms from Dot.
"Much you know about a polonaise,'
my wife answesed, scornfully. "You
haven't found out the difference yet
between basque and overskirt."
/ looked back after ] started, and /
saw that Dot had lifted Dimples up as
high as possible, and she was calling
after me, "Bing it in boty, papa, and
shoes on, and parasol."
| smiled at the Hottentot idea sug-
gested; only shoes and a parasol, as
they say, is a costume sometimes seen
on one of the bellies out for calling.
found a chance to get the doll, though
was very busy all day; and | was
foolish enough to take several peeps at
it myself when had a moment. There
was also a wonderful, parasol, trimmed
with lace, and fairy-like pair of boots,
buttons and ALL / could imagine DIM
pies joy and the look in her blue eyes
when she saw it all. We were late that
night. There was detention at Graf
ton, and all sorts of things seemed to
hold us back, so that it was nearly ten
o'clock as we were approaching Birken-
head. "Peor little Dimples will be
sound asleep" thought. "Dot could
net keep her up till this hour. Wen
have to keep her birthday tomorrow.
We were within mile of Birkenhead,
when ] saw something before me on the
track-a dim shape that soon settled
was a dog. He was bowling dismally,
but did not seem dismayed at the APP
preaching engine, for he kept his
ground.
"What the deuce does he mean,"
thought, impatiently. There was time
to stop the engine, but | was not going
to add to the delay for dog.
He did not move, and we drove on.
He uttered the most heartrending
cry as we drove down upon him, but
stood firm, and met his death. AS we
neared him-when we almost touched
him-I saw there was something white
on the track. In one sickening throb
of terror l took it all In, enid asleep
my child Oh, God for the dog
was Trampl Yes, it was so. In the
drear blank that followed, | scarcely
knew what was done-who helped me
to my feet-who brought in the little
crushed body, so daintily decked in the
birthday robe-who dragged poor
Tramp, the hero, the martyr, from the
blood-stained track felt like a muir
derer. l had no pity. | had thought,
it is only a dog, and rushed on, when
the poor faithful creature was telling
me as we'll as he could that the little
wife had fallen asleep waiting for me
that Dimples, strangely excited at
the thought of the coming doll,
! had left herself out of one of the doors,