The bee., 1884-04-05

One day during the past week stray
dog-a NANCY, ill-favored cur-who had
probably been disinherited by its master
on account of its disreputable appearance
and habits, strolled into the Union depot
in search of trunk-stTap or fragment of
an emigrant's valise with which to ap-
peasc his hunger, and was captured by
one of the depot men, who tied him to
disabled truck. Several other depot men
who witnessed the capture suggested
practical joke A shipping tag was pro-
cured and on it was written X. P. Trot-
ter, =, Ill. Collect $1.n The animal
was then towed over to the baggage car
of the road referred to, and the baggage
man was told to take the dog to -,
where Mr.. Trotter would meet the train
and pay one dollar for its care and trans
portation, outside of the regular charges.
1t was valuable animal-a specimen of
a very choice breed of setters-and should
be well cared for There was fee of
fifteen cents due which the baggageman
could pay and collect afterward from the
owner of the dog. The amount was paid
and the baggageman further invested ten
cents in meat The dog Jared sumptu-
ously, and the baggageman occupied his
spare time wondering whether Mr.. 1rot-
ter would object to paying $3.50 includ-
ing the price of the meat and the fifteen
cents, or whether he would insist on hold
ing down on the $1.25 1t might be pos
sible that he would refuse to paw more
than one dollar fhe amount called for
by the shipping tag, and that would
leave only seventy-five cents clear profit
on the venture. The last surmise was
improbable, for no man would stand out
on half dollar when a fine setter dog
was in view.
As the train approached =, the bag
gageman uncouplcd the dog from the
handle of commercial mans trunk,
and, with the steering-rope in his hand,
stood at the door of the car as it pulled
up in front of the depot. He glanced
along the dimly lighted platform, ex
pecting to see Trottcr trot out of the
crowd, rush up to the door and demand
his dog, but no Trptter trotted. ''Ho,
Trotter," yelled the baggageman, after
waiting reasonable time. ''Hello,
Trotter, here's your pup. But Trotter
failed to materialize.
Whats the matter?' inquired the sta
ton agent, coming hurricdIy forward,
lantern in hand, and flashing the lightin
the dogs face, causing him to yelp in
terrified way.
I've @ot dog here for r. p Trotter
They said he'd be at the depot to get it,"
said the baggageman.
''Trotter? There's no man in this
town by the name of Trotter. I've lived
here all nv life, and know every man in
town,
''Well here" said the bageageman,
striking happy idea; You take the
dog and give me dOllar'n half and
collect it of Trotter.'
"What.n exclaimed the agent, holding
up his lautern and inspecting the dog.
loan dollar'n half on that eur2
Never'
''Curl That amt no cur; that's a fine
setter"
us it2 Well, you couldn't sell it for
two cents in this part of the country"
The ba9gageman looked sad. Then
light dawned on him. He raised his
right foot, there was yeip, and the cur
shot out of the car door like a meteor,
with the rope trailing after him.
''Here! Don't leave that internal XII
yudle herc!n yelled the station agent as
the train moved off. But the baggage
man heard nothing but the echo of an
agonized canine yelp and the hollow, de-
moniac laugh of brakeman who was in
the plot.-.St. Louis Republican.