The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-08-30
LEO, THE DOG.

mamie is "golng on hfteen nOW-Dut
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 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 q 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 a store, which was also post-office
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 week, would
Leo slip off in the morning for whole
days visiting with any four-legged
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 p brother, who kept the
post-office and store at the Hollow. AS
soon as Amzi 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 b!igbt-eyed, little dogs neck,
and say in his Yankee drawl:
the Village, doubfe-qnffok. Do you un-
derstand? That letter'd ought to git to
the store. Be off?''
Leo would leap away, barking joy
fully, and in an hour return to seek
AMI in the field or barn, collared with
an answer from Lot Spinner. In this
way the dog became, in limited sense,
the messenger and postman of the fam
ily. when occasion prompted, and a
verv 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. .sThere, Helen, | forgot to tell
YOU last night that if you want to 90
to the town in the ph8ton with me to-
dav. and give this afternoon to pick
inc out those carpets, it'll suit me capi-
! tally"
Aunt Pepper laughed. "Why does a
man always choose just the wrong day OF
all others5" she said merrily. ''Amzi and
Mira mira was Amzi's wife and Aunt
Pepper 5 cook wanted to 90 to New York
to-day TO attend to that weddlng-heI
sisters YOU recollect They started
early Cat 4 O 'clock) for the station, ana
| don expect them back until long al
ter we're in bed tonight can leave
the house and Ford to take care OF
| themselves"
ooh, yes, you can,' laughed Uncle
Peouer. Ford might 60 along, IL 1t
wouldn't be not and stupid day In
town for him. we shall be so busy.
Leave him a good luncheon, and let
him keen 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'n not be later in getting home
! ehan six o'clock, suppose said Aunt
Penoer. reluctantly consenting.
a0b. dear. no." replied the major.
..and 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 oiazza, and then turned them
selves about to begin the work of pass
ing folly 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 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 growled. Then he sprang
up, ba ling violently. A strange gen.
tleman was leisurely drawing near the
pair of friends. Ford rose and stepped
out of his retreat.
Il beg pardon for interrupting you,
SIR" began the stranger, very pleasant
ly, s.but are your father and mother at
home to-day?"
my father and mother are in Eu-
rope. SIR" replied Ford ''but-"
.Ah-oh-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?'
I'm sorry, sir,' replied Ford, ''but
they have both driven to town this
morning, and will not be back till eve
ming. Be quiet, Leor' 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. "Well, since l am
unlucky enough to miss your uncle.
could l see that excellent man he en-
| plovs here, Amzi-Amzi-dear me, ]
cannot just remember his name" The
strange gentleman had a clear, rich
voice. He was by the way, stout,
well-made young man, with dark era
vat