The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-09-13
LEO, THE DOG.

LEO. THE DOG.
Ford Boner may live to be a very old
mamie is '.gong on" fifteen now-but
it is likely that he will always recollect
| what occurred on certain dark even
ing in August, two years ago. Ford S
father and mother were travelling in Eu-
rope that summer, hence Ford, who was
all the rest of the year n boarding-school
boy of the first water, spent his vacation
at his Uncle Peppers country place.
Ford's chief companion from day to
day, as he scrambled among the rocky
spurs, was Leo. Leo was Scotch grey
hound, Major Peppers particular pet.
Now one curious trait of his did equal
honor to his head and heart. He had
been bought at Black Hollow, village
if 4 store, which was also a post-oflice
and six or seven dwellings,, can be
called a villaGe-abOut two miles fur
ther up the road, among the mountains.
Regularly, once or twice q week, would
Leo slip off in the morning for 4 whole
days visiting with any four-leggel
playmates whose society he had former
ly relished at Blacks Hollow. On such
occasions Ford had to ramble on the
heights alone.
Now Amzi Spinner, Major Peppers
hired man, had a brother, who kept the
post-officc and store ut the Hollow. As
soon as AMI discovered Leo's trick of
going so frequently thither of his own
will, it seemed good to him to teach the
dog to carry letter there with safety
and dispatch, whenever told to do so.
Amzi would tie his missive securely
about the bright-eycd, little dogs neck,
and say in his Yankee drawl:
''Naow, Leo, you jest make tracks for
the village, double-quick. DO you I'M
derstand? That letter d ought to git to
the store. BE otf?'
Leo would leap away, barking Joy
fully, and in an hour return to seek
Amzi in the field or barn, collared with
an answer from Lot Spinner. In this
way the dog became, in a limited sense,
the messenger and postman of the fam
lily, when occasion prompted, and a
very quick and faithful one. 1t was the
last Thursday in August, when Major
Pepper, finishing his second cup of
coffee at breakfast, exclaimed to his
wife. ''There, Helen, | forgot to tell
you last night that if you want to go
to the town in the ph@ton with me to-
day, and give this afternoon to pick
ing out those carpets, it II suit me capi-
tally"
Aunt Pepper laughed. ''Why does a
man always choose just the wrong day Of
all others?" she said merrily. ami and
Mira Mira was Amzi's wife and Aunt
Peppers cook wanted to 90 to New York
to-day to attend to that wedding-her
sisters you recollect. They started
early Cat o'clock) for the station, and
1 don't expect them back until long af-
ter we're in bed tonight. | can't leave
the house and Ford to take care OF
themselves"
''Oh, yes, you can,' laughed Uncle
Pepper. Ford might go along. if it
wouldn't be hot and stupid day in
town for him, we shall be SO busy.
Leave him Il good luncheon, and let
him keep house by himself for once.
Leo will help him. You wouldn't mind
it, eh Ford?'
Ford laughed, too, and said that he
rather guessed not.
''We'll not be later in getting homo
than six o'clock, l suppose, said Aunt
Pepper, reluctantly consenting.
''Oh, dear, no." replied the major,
land Ford will have fine appetite for
late dinner
A half hour later Ford and Leo, the
one with his hand and the other with
his active, if unimportant, tail, waved
major and Mrs. Pepper goodbye from
the broad piazza, and then turned them
selves about to begin the work of pass
ing jolly day together. Ford did not
like to leave the house for any length OF
time.
A wooden swing he was contriving in
the garden, the arrangement of his col
lection of Indian relics, and u letter to
his roommate at the school-one Harry
North-took up all the forenoon.
This latter, or letter business, was
still On hand, and Ford was scratching
away at it in the summer-house, when
Leo suddenly growlcd. Then he sprang
up, barking violently. A strange gen.
tleman was leisurely drawing near the
pair of friends. Ford rose and stepped
out of his retreat.
81 beg pardon for interrupting you,
sir" began the stranger, very pleasant
IL, 'sbut are YOUR father and mother at
home to-day?"
''My father and mother are in Eu-
rope, SIR replied Ford; ''but-''
s'Ah-oll-I see," continued the civil
stranger. Il had forgotten that my old
friends, Major and Mrs. Pepper, had no
children. Is your uncle at home?"
''Tm sorry, sir,' replied Ford, ''but
they have both driven to town this
morning, and will not be back till eve
ming. Be quiet, Leo!' for Leo persist
ed in showing his teeth, and making
sundry impolite noises, not to say
growls, while he eyed the polite new
conner very much as if he had been a
snake.
"a fine dog that" remarked the
stranger, carelessly. swell, since I am
unlucky enough to miss your uncle,
could l see that excellent man he en-
ploys here, Amzi-Amzi- me. l
cannot just remember his name" The
strange gentleman had clear, rich
voice. He was by the way, q stout,
well-made young man, with dark era
| vat.
Sorry again, sir" replied Ford,
'but Amzi and Mira are away, too, I'M
til late this evening. 1t just happens
so. Couldn't 1 take your message for
uncle? Leo, be still, l tell your
YOU'RE very kind, my dear boy, "
said the unknown gentleman, looking
at his watch and backing out of the
summer-house gracefully, ''but | won't
trouble you. l should prefer riding