Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-07-21

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he was quite handsome fellow, of
spaniel breed, with long silky ears, and
very wistful brown eyes. He followed
his mistress with dumb admiration,
but noticed me scarcely at all.
''He will be 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, a new life woke
in it, and baby's cry stirred the
echoes, he looked very much excited
and puzzled. He had been quite un-
happy at the disappearance of his
mistress from the table, and had taken
up bis station on the rug at her door.
j, who was feeling the new happiness
of fatherhood, felt benevolent to all the
word
Tramp is much exercised in his
mind" said. "My darling, shall let
him come in &c 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 dignitied
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 a strange cry.
"Here she Is, Tramp" said Dot, I'M
covering the little crumpled red morsel;
"and you must love her and take care of
her always-do you hear, SIM
What Utmost VOW Tramp registered
as he stood on his hind legs and calmly
surveyed the odd little specimen of hu-
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 oncer cried
Dot
After that Tramp made visit to the
room az 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 1t 10 be his duty to bear innumer-
able woolings, crushlngs, huggings
plnches, punches, and every other tor
ture to which an active child OF inquir-
ing mind can in llict 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
70 tease the child rs she grew older.
"Two holes in her cheeks" | would
say. "What is to be done, mamma ?
See, can put my finger in ! Could we
get anything to fill them up?,.
And then she would look quite indig-
nant and say:
mot les-dimps !"
And Dot would answer
"Fill them with kisses that's what
they're made for"
Before her third birthday Dimples
was the prettiest little maid imaginable
IN our eyes, and even strangers stepped
to look 1T her as they passed our gate.
She had voice like Il 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 improvl-
sations. l had promised to bring her a
doll that would open and shut It's eyes
for her birthday present, and the days
were counted till the time. | had to
explain To her how You pulled 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 Ind
ID make believe for several nights that
she went To sleep III the same way.
Mamma touched an imaginary string,
and the blue eyes would close mt once.
Dot was almost as much of 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.
at seems to me she's old enough for
Il polonaise," | said, laughing; for |
iitti ~ lCN ttltilE HUH 1Ot.
much you know about polonaise,
my wife answesed, scornfully. You
haven't found out the difference yet
between II basque and overskirt.
| looked back after started, and |
saw that Dot had lifted Dimples up rs
high as possible, and she was calling
after me, Bling 1t III boty, papa, and
shoes on, and parasol."
! smiled mt the Hottentot idea sug-
gested; only shoes and 4 parasoI, us
they say, is i costume sometimes seen
On one Of the bellies out for calling. |
found chance to get the doll, though
was very busy all day; and | was
foolish enough to take several peeps at
1t myself when had moment. There
was also wonderful, parasol trimmed
with lace, and u fairy-hke 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 ut Graf
ton, and all sorts of things seemed to
hold us back, SO that it was nearly ten
o'clock Us We were approaching Birken-
head. Poor little Dimples will be
sound asleep" thought. dot could
net keep her up till this hour. Well
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 dog. He was bowling dismally,
but did not seem dismayed ut the ap.
preaching engine, for he kept his
ground.
What the deuce does lie mean, !
thought, impatiently. There was time
q stop the engine, but was not going
20 add to the delay for dog.
He aid not move, and we drove OF.
He uttered the most heartrending
cry rs we drove down upon him, but
stood firm, and met his death. As we
neared him-when VIC almost touched
him-I saw there was something white
on the track. In one sickening throh
of terror took it all in, child asleep
my child Oh, God for the dog
was Tramp Yes, il 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 muir
derer. | had no pity. had thought,
il is only do, and rushed on. when
the poor faithful creature was telling