Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-12-13
Nat and His Dog.

ward the door, but the boy fingered,
twirl ng his well-worn cap in his hand.
please, sir" he said, atlength, "Iye
dog, real clever. little chap. Mothers
out washing all day, and / don't know
where to leave him. He follows me
round everywhere, and if / should
turn him out by himself he might get
lost. Would you mind, sir. if he sat
in the entry while was ins;de?"
1t was novel request for the new
Office boy to make, and the head of the
firm frowned; but, fortunately for the
boy, he was fond of dogs.
Have you got the animal with you 7"
he inquired.
Eyes, sir" was the eager answer.
Fright outside, sir. ("
He followed the boy out through the
front Office, where three clerks were
sitting, writing busily.
I The dog, small Scotch terrier, was
lying on the pavement, his bright eyes
fixed on the door, patiently waiting for
his master to come.
"He is not bad, not bad at all, " said
the head of the firm, surveying him
| critically. "You wouldn't want to sell
him, now?"
please, sir" said the boy, flushing,
I'D a deal rather have Mop than the
money he'd bring"
"Well, WE'LL" said the gentleman,
somewhat touched by the boys evident
devotion to his little favorite, keep
the dog, and bring him every morning.
if he gives no trouble
And SO the matter was settled. How
proud and happy Mop and his master
felt, as they ran home through the
streets of the city that afternoon, to
think that they had obtained the covet-
ed position!
Il wonder, Mop" said tn, boy,
what Jim Elder will say when he
h ears of it. I guess he wanted the
position most as bad as We did," And
Map wagged his tail as if to say he
was glad they had been the successful
candidates.
Suddenly the tall, ungainly figure
of the subject of their thoughts
loomed before them, with dark scowl
on his face.
"I say, Nat Meadows" he COM
menced, so hear you've sneaked into
that place. You knew I wanted it,
and it was mighty mean; that's all /
have to say. Everywhere, in school
and out of it, you are always getting
into my way"
He spoke with mixture of despair
and pas sion that was pitiful to see.
Il can't say Pm sorry | got the
place. said Nat, gently; "but wish
you had one, too, JIM"
"Oh, it is all very well for you to
say that" said the boy. "Get out OF
my way!" And he gave the too in
quisitive Mop kick with his foot, and
was off the next instant down a side
street. Mop pursued him, barking
furiously; but Nat called him back,
and they went home quite soberly to-
gether.
The next morning Nat commenced
his work, and very soon had become q
great favor.te with the clerks, as well
as with the head of the firm. He was
always conscientious, prompt and
obliging, and full OF certain bright
humor that brought freshness and life
into the quiet Office, Mo-, is ed o.
being trouble, was great amuse.
.ment; and the young men taught him
q number of tricks, of which he was
very proud. Sometimes they noticed
sh de of anxiety and trouble on Mats
bright face; but they did not know
that on the boys way home at night
he was often subjected to petty perse'
Gu. ions that he found it hard to bear.
One morn ng he bursi into the Office
with flashing eyes, and the tears run
ming down his face. The clerks looked
up in CONSERVATION.
"What is the matter?" one of them
asked, anxiously.
Jim Elders killed my dog" cried
Nat, pass:onately. I could stand any
thing he did to me, but Mop"
He stopped. 1t seemed as if he could
not go on.
"What shame! How did he do it p
asked his sympathizing and indignant
listeners.
"Threw stone a. him and hit hin
in the head" said Nat, in smothered
tone. "When I took him up he wa!
quite dead"
.Where is thu wretched boy?" they
asked with righteous indignation.
sHe cut and run while / was seeing
to Mop" cried Nat, de;ec,edlv. "Oh
there is no use talking any more abou
It'll"
The boy went around for the mex
few days looking as ii he had lost |
near and dear friend, and they all fel
profoundly sorry for him. On his wa,
home in Intervening Nat looked in vain
for the destroyer of his dog, intending
to take summary veng ance on him
but nowhere did he see him.
II guess he knows enough to keel
out Of my way he thought gloomily
20 Mop, Mop, how miss you'll"
Not long afterward a messenger boz
came into the Office with note directed
to Master Nat Meadows, from one o
the nurses in - Hospital.
1There is boy In my ward, tn,
note ran, Every i'll with kind of Low
fever. He says he has done you an in
jury and cannot rest until he sees you
VIII you come to him p
TT must be Jim Elder, thought MAI
@and. don't want to go"
Ali his life Nat had been taught b
his honest, Woodworking mother i
listen to the voice OF conscience, an
do always what is right. Yet it wa
hard to put down anger and q sense 0
injury aud injustice done to himself an
his companion, Mop. But the mex
afternoon he walked slowly up to til
hospital, and with hesitating han
pulled the iron door-bell. in one 8