News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-06-24

you to say to this mans story about
your mad dog?"
"Tain't true Judge. It's that letter
carrier that's mad My dog amt. You
can't make my dog mad-she amt that
kind" choking down another sob as he
spoke.
''But this man says your dog flew at
him and bit him yesterday"
ats mean, wicked lie, judge. I'll
tell you how it was. This Dutch
man"
'Your honor, Mr.. Judge, I won't be
called names by that brat, even in court ~
snapped Schwab, angrily.
''Be more careful, Patsy" said the
judge. "Say this gentleman"
"But he amt no gentleman, judge.
My dog an me was playin'-ne an my
dog and Chuck O'Brien-in our yard,
when he come in," pointing to Schwab.
''There was plenty O room for him, but
he was bound to 90 right where we was
or no where. Cit out 'er here, you dirty
bundle O. rags says he; an with that he
up an lets fiv a kick. got out 'er the
way, but the dog caught his boot. she
thought he was goin' for me again, she
did Judge, and then she snapped at him
onct-just onct, judge-an' he got out
like streak, cussin' an swearin' he'd
have us all took up. You can't do
nothin' to dog for just snappln' onct
when red-headed Dutchman h'ists her
with his boot, can you, judge? An if I'd
been a man I'd "a licked him, judge
''Stop, stop, Patsy" said the Judge
but not in way as though he was angry
while Schwab looked as though he was
ready to burst, and it was all the police
man could do to keep him quiet.
''Please, your honor, don't mind
| Patsy" said the blind man, with slight
tremble in his tones. ''He loves the
dog and so he forgets where he is.
will be responsible for the dog, your
honor, and keep her shut up or muzzled
all the time If she ever bites human
being I'll have her shot myself"
"What have you done with the dog o.
asked the judge.
'1've got her here, judge" said
Patsy.
'Here 2"
With that Patsy pulled the little dog
out from his jacket, where he had been
tucked away all this while, at the same
time taking off leather muzzle from
the tiny black nose. The muzzle was
new; and for it the boy had that very
morning spent the pennies he had been
saving for six months. He was sure the
muzzle would convince the Judge, if
nothing else would, that his dog would
not be allowed to harm any one, even if
she wanted to, and so he had gladly
made the sacrifice of his entire fortune.
After removing the muzzle Patsy
| hoisted the dog up on the judges desk.
| Schwab turned redder in the face than
ever. He had not known that the dog
was in the courtroom.
The dog herself was a shaggy, friend
ly little thing, no larger than good
sized house cat. Up there on the Judges
desk, all alone, waiting for her sentence,
! she looked smaller. Did she know that
| her life was In the h nds of the bald
headed man sitting there2 Pm afraid
she didn't have an idea of it. 1t was
only another man to make friends with
not terrible judge to fear. And she
wagged her tail, and looked straight at
him with her big brown eyes, saying,
as plainly as ever a little dog could say
it:
eyes, l do like you; won't you please
like me too?n
$50 this is the savage brute, the man
eater, that flew at you like mad, and
from which you barely escaped with
your life, is it?" asked the Judge, turn
ing to Schwab. ''You must be brave
man. She don't look to me like very
dangerous animal"
The little dog wagged her tail harder
than ever, as If to show her thanks for
the good opinion of the Judge
Al h ,,,fA l. i
judge" said Patsy, eagerly, hope reviv-
ing.
''You are sure they haven't changed
the dog-that this is really the blood
thirsty beast that nearly chewed you
up2" continued the judge, looking at
Schwab.
Schwab nodded his head as much as
to say, eyes.
"On the testimony given, 1 see no
reason to order the dog shot," said the
judge. "That can only be done, under
the New Code, when the complainant
has taken oath that the dog has actually
| bitten him
''Then I'll swear to that, your honor,
Mr.. Judge" said Schwab, with an evil
eye on Patsy, who, by reaching up a
little, managed to furtively pat, in a
protecting, don't be-afraid sort of
way, his little dog on the desk.
"You need to be careful what you
swear to, Schwab," said the Judge.
warningly. perjury doesn't pay even
to get revenge on small boy and his
pet dog. Do you still insist on swear
ing that this dog bit you?"
eyes, ! do," said Schwab, sullenly.
Then he took the solemn oath that
swore away the little dogs life.
The judge looked all the time as
| though he was sure Schwab had sworn
to lie, as he said
"The law leaves me no choice IN such
| a case. The dog must"
''Oh, dear Mr.. Judgel don't say it,"
sobbed Patsy, patting the dog harder
than ever. She had turned around and
was licking his hand, looking down
with wonder and almost human pity, as
| if to say: "What can be the matter
with my master? He is such jolly
| boy, always full of fun and frolic, and
now he is full of nothing but sobs and
tears"
'fYou must not interrupt me-, said
the Judge, in a not unkindly way. 'If
I could save the dog for you I would,
but the law, which l have to obey,
leaves me no choice. I'm sorry for you,
| but your dog must be shot"
As he spoke the fatal words he pu;
out his hand to lift the dog down to
Patsy, and, taking it as a friendly act,
he gratefully licked the Judges hand.
ooh, please-dear, kind, good Mr..
Judgew Patsy again burst out, neither
thinking nor caring about the judges
previous warning. ''She only tried to
perfect me-she didn't snap because he
kicked her-she did it for love of me-
an if it's anybody oughter git punished
it's me- Oh, can't you send me to the
Island for year, judge-or lock me up
here-or let me work for you-I can do
lots-or anything an take back what
you said %
"Ofiicer, take these people away, and
look after the dog yourself" said the
Judge, in a rather husky voice, as he
turned away. | even thought saw him
hastily dash his hand near his eyes, but
perhaps | was mistaken. Schwab had
already sneaked out.
As the Judge turned away, Patsy for
the first time fully realized that there
was no appeal, no hope. He Rugged
the little dog close to his heart, and
covered the shaggy face with quick, hot
kisses, patting her fast rand faster, then
hugging her closer and closer, as she, in
return, licked his face with spasmodic
eagerness. Did she know!
"Come, young feller, there's no use in
takin' on about it said the policeman