Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-07-20

washed and cOmbed 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" I said, quite glad OF ms
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 un-
happy at the disappearance OF his mistress
from the table, and had taken up his station
on the rug at her door. l, who was feeling
the new happiness of fatherhood, felt benevo-
lent to all the world.
''Tramp is much exercised in his mind, L
said. "My darling, shall l let him come in to
see if you are all right ?"
Yes" answered my little Dot, langnidly.
81 shall like to see him, and hope he Will ap-
prove of tie baby"
eff he don't, we must send her to the
Foundling,' said with happy laugh.
Tramp came in in very dignifed manner.
Good food and care had improved him Won
derfully. 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
heard strange cry.
''Here she is, Tramp" said Dot, uncover
ing the little crumpled red morsel land you
must love her and take care of her always-do
you hear, sir ?''
What inmost VOW Tramp registered as he
stood on his hind legs and calmly surveyed
the odd little specimen of humanity before
him we can never know, but what we know
is that he was faithful to it even unto death.
''He likes her-see, lie 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 a visit to the room
as long as Dot stayed there, and the hrst
thing baby noticed was the dog moving about
her and wagging his tail slowly. 1t became
a matter of speculation to her, as she grew
older how to get hold of that tail, and the
day she accomplished it such crow OF de-
light issued from the little rosebud mouth
that Tramp made no effort to release himself.
From that time he seemed to teel 1t TO ne MS
duty to bear innumerable woolings, crushlng,
huggings. pinches, and every other torture
which an active child OF lnqulrlng NINA Can
intiict on an animal.
The baby had been dull carried to the font,
and very dignfied name bestowed on her,
but we never called her anything but Dim
pies, for she had two of the dearest little rosy
dents in her round cheeks that ever invited kiss
es. used to tease the child as 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 20
And then she would look quite indignant
and say:
''Not 'oles-dimps''
And Dot would answer:
Fill them with kisses-that's what they are
made for.'
Before her 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
little bird, and could sing several little songs
in her own way. When she forgot the right
words she supplied words of her own of the
oldest kind Generally Tramp figured largely
in her improvisationS. / 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 Il string and the doll
went to sleep, and then what you did to wake
it up. The wonder about it never ceased, ana
we had to make her believe for several nights
that she went to sleep in the same way. Mann
ma touched an 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.
ssIt seems to me she's old enough for a po-
lonaise," SAID, laughing for had caught
few terms from Dot.
.Much you know about polonase, my
wife answered, scornfully. ''You haven't
found out the difference yet between basque
and an overskirt."
looked back after started, and saw that
Dot had lifted Dimples up as high as possible,
and she was calling after me, "Bing 1t IN
boty, papa, and shoes on, and parasol."
smiled at the Hottentot idea suggested;
only shoes and parasol, as they say, is cos
tune sometimes seen on one of the bellies out
for calling. l found a chance to get the doll,
though l was very busy all day ,; and was
foolish enough to take several peeps at it my
self when had a moment. There was also a
wonderful parasol, trimmed with lace, and a
fairy-like pair of boots, buttons and all.
could imagine Dimpes' joy and the look in
her blue eyes when she saw it all. We were
late that night. There was a detention at
Grafton, and all sorts Of things seemed to
hold us back, so that it was nearly ten O'CLOCK
as we were approaching Birkenhead. ''Poor
little Dimples will be sound asleep" thought.
''Dot could not keep her up till this hour.
w
It was a moOnless, starless night, and 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 disnlally, but did not seem dismayeda at
the approaching engine, forhe kept hsground.
'sWhat the deuce does he mean," thought,
inpatiently. There was time to stop the en-
gine, but was not going to add TO the delay
for dog.
He did not move, and we drove on. He ut
tered the most heartrending cry as we drove
down upon him, but stood firm, and met his
death. AS we neared hin-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, a childasleep- child.
Oh, God for the dog was Tramp: Yes, IT
was so. In the drcar blank that followed, l
scarcely knew what was dOne-wh0 helped me
to my feet-who brought in the little crushed
body, 50 daintily decked in the birthday robe
who dragged poor Tramp, the hero, the martyr,
from the blood-stained track. felt like q
murderer. had had no pity. Had thousht
it is only dog, and rushed on, When the poor
faithful creature WAS telling me rs we'll as he
could that the little wife had fallen asleep
waiting for me-that Dimples, strangely eX-
cited at the thought of the coming doll, lad
let herself out of one of the doors, and Tramp
had anxiously followed her, till she sat down
dead with fatigue, on the track. How he had
tried to draw her away, but he was not strong
enough, and so he had taken his place beside
her and waited his doom. Poor, faithful crea-
ture-faithful unto death.
could not shed Il tear when I saw my dar-
ling, with her bright curls tlecked with blood,
and her pretty dress stained, and her blue eyes
closed for ever There was weight on my
heart that would not let me weep, but Wilell
tba b,dv of the faithful friend was brought