The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-08-13
Gur Mf Ghilhsr.
What q King Charlie Did-.-HOw
He Did IL.

He DID IL.
It was sorry scene, that parting be-
tween Larry Lincoln and his bonnie King
Charlie, in the hall of the Windsor hotel,
in the city of Liverpool, and many visitor
paused q moment in his hasty course
through the corridors to cast a look Of
sympathy at the pair; for, if John Bull
has weak spot in his nature It'll for dogs.
Even the burly porters defending the
broad staircase, laden with canvas.covered
trunks and portmanteaus, rested moment
as they mumbled:
~ It's rough on the young uns, 1t is"
Old Kitty, Larry's nurse, stood, wiping
her red eyes with her lisle-thread finger
tips, choking down bitter feeling toward
sea captains of every nature and degree,
as she heard her young master, as he
tightly clasped his dear Rab's neck, sob
out his final farewell.
Rab, too, q dog of wondrous sagacity,
evidently took in the whole state of the
case, looking the while into his young
masters weeping eyes with the human
tenderness King Charles and Newfound-
lsnders are so capable of, tapping up the
tears with his long tongue, yet growing
Oub LID uioohsiohbSbiOh Wlbu Ouuhiu bbChn-
ship regulations, wagging his tail rebel
hously, as II saying to bystanders, of
whose sympathy he was sure: al don't
care if it is right. 1t isn't, either"
At times there was twinkle in his
large black eyes that seemed to promise
purpose on his part, and so one of the
porters interpreted it; for he whispered to
near waiter:
"Yon creetur senses what's up, mind
yer; that there tail of his'n amt Vaughn
that way for naught my word on it."
Just then cab stopped before the en-
trance, and at a summons from waiter,
Katie leaned over and kissed the doggie,
and then the man lifted Rsb in his arms,
and, in spite of his resistance, carried him
off to the Office.
Waiter Paul was CHEEKY, good.hearted
sort of fellow, prime favorite with the
boy 80 he had chosen him and his clever
wife Betty to be parents to his pet, when
he learned that dog passengers were not
permitted on the Cunard steamships.
Good Betty was very apt at letter writ
ing; 80 Paul had promised Larry he
should have constant news of his Rab,
and tin-types without stint.
The cracking of "Cabbie's long whip
as a signal of departure Rab's quick ear
did not fail to detect, and his keen eyes
took in the whole situation.
desperate cases need desperate reme-
dies" so doubling up his forelegs, as dog.
gies do when bent on bold plunge, he
planted his sharp teeth in his jailer's de-
tanning fingers in such an unexpected
manner as made him suddenly loosen his
grasp, and then, in the twinkling of an
eye, Rab was out of the window, neatly
clearing the stone-area and the spiked
iron ratings beyond the curbstone, and
ere Paul had recovered from his astonish.
ment, King Rab had quite disappeared in
the crowd Of cabs and drays.
There arose then as genuine shout of
applause as ever delighted the ear of
primadonpa on the English stage, from
travellers and hotel officials and poor Paul,
bareheaded, plunged wildly in the con-
fused medley of wheeled vehicles, sick at
heart, as he thought of the disappointment
in store for his Betty, whom, only an hour
ago, he had left bartering at butchers
stall for the delicate tid.bit which was to
win Rab's affections. Now he had moth
ing to show but the marks of the dogs
sharp teeth in his own hand.
Let us follow Rab.
Was there ever such labyrinth to be
wended through
Liverpool streets, as they near the docks,
are respectfully wide; but Liverpool cabs,
hansoms and drays are innumerable.
Now the dog springs between the revolv.
ing spokes of loaded dray, stops sec.
ond as an old coachman, in three ornered
hat and fine livery, reins in his gray
horses, calling out loudly, just as the fore
one is about to plant his hoofs in poor
Rab's side.
Again, a ragged gamin, spying the
dogs fine collar, with visions of generous
reward, gives him violent chase, which
ends in victory for the dog and mud
and vexation Of spirit for his pursuer.
Suddenly there is a sudden hating in
the line of carriages near the Cunard
dock, and the tide of travel is, for few
moments, arrested. Larry, with fearful
eyes, leaning back in the carriage, his
thoughts conferred in his pet, revolving
in his mind all bis many tricks and
traits, hears Q low, familiar bark, q
scratching sound, and-oh joy of joys J.
a moment more and through the cab
window be spies Master Rab, seated, as SO
many, many times he has seen him, on
the box at the coschmans side; for Lar.
rvs papa, who had lately left them to
try the German baths, was q nervous
invalid, and very often Rab's frolicsome
disposition brought upon him reprimand
and an invitation to take an outside seat
"Look i o Kitty, dear, do look Its
my own precious, out on the drivers
seat. o Nursie, the good Lord knew
Larry couldn't live without his darlinp
doggie !" and, thrusting his head out Of
the window he gave q familiar whistle.
Oh such joyous bark as followed it.
and such scratching on the cabs roof
then darkening of the window for 8
second, and Rab was in his masters lap
barking exultingly, his tail, which al
ways spoke the English language cor
rectly, vociferating eagerly "Its nc
kind OF use. Dogs places are by theil
masters side" Then, by way of empha.
sis, he displayed his fine teeth, as if K
say, threateningly: "What dogs have
done dogs can do again and SO they
will, too"
Kate looked serious. The huge steam
ship, just in sight, seemed like a tremen
dous power to be resisted. She remem
bered the stern looks of the custom. hous,
officers and yet what were life and libert,
to her when that motherless little boy