Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-01-18
Nm. and His Dog.

Nh. and His Dog.
VERY well," said the head of the
firm, looking oycr tho top of his
glasses Mt tho erect figure of the boy
in front of his desk. "Roferences oil
satisfactory. Will engage you to-mor.
row morning as Office boy. Be around
early, now, and keep up to time"
He made motion with his hand to.
ward the door, but tho boy fingered,
twirl ng his wcll-worn cap in his hand.
"Pleaso, SIR he said, atlength, "Ivo
dog, real clever little ch ,p. Mothers
out washing all day, and don't know
whore to lenvo him. He follows mo
round everywhere, and If l shoald
turn him out by bimseis he might got
lost. Would you mind, sir. if he sat
In tho entry while L was insideP"
1t was novel request for tho now
oiiice boy to make, and tho head of the
firm frowned; but, fortunately for the
boy, no was fond of dogs.
"Haye you got the animal with your"
he inquired.
"Yes, sir" was tho eager answor.
Right outside, sir"
Ho followed tho boy out through tho
front ofl;oo, where throo clerks wero
sitting, writing busily.
The dog, smnll Scotch terrier, wus
lying on the pavement, his bright eyos
liked on the door, patiently waiting for
his master to come.
He is not bad, not bad Mt NIL (" said
the head of the firm, surveying him
critically. "You wouldn't wnnt to sell
him, now?n
Please, sir" said tho boy, flushing,
I'd deal rather have Mop than tho
money he'd bring"
well, WE'LL" said the gentleman,
somewhat touched by the boys evident
devotion to his little favoritc, "keep
tho dog, and bring him every morning,
IL he gives no trouble"
And SO tho matter was settled. How
proud and happy Mop and his maste,
felt, as they ran home through tho
streets of the city that afternoon. to
think that they had obtained the covct,
ed position
II wonder, Mop" said tn, boy,
what Jim Elder will say when ha
h,ars OF it. guess ho wanted tho
position most as bad MS We did" And
Map waggel his tail us if to say ho
wls glad they had be,n the successful
candidates..
Suddenly tho tall, ungainly figure
OF the subject of their thoughts
loor:ol before them, with dark scowl
on his face.
II say, Nat Meadows" ho com.
monccl, $50 hear'you've sneaked into
that place. You know L wanted it,
and it was mighty moan; that's all /
have to say. Everywh. re, in school
md out of it, you aro always getting
into my way"
He spoke with mixture of despni,
and passion that was pitiful to see.
Il Cnn't say I'm sorry I got the
place." sai Nat, gently; "but l wish
you had one, too, JIM"
"Oh, it i, all very woll for YOU to
say that" said the boy. "Get out oil
my way!" Ana he gave tho too in.
qnisitivo Mop kick with his foot, nnl
was off tho next instant down n side
street. Mop pursued him, BARKING
furiously; but Nat called him back.
and they went homo quite soberly to-
gether.
Tho noxt morning Nat commenced
his work, and very soon had b .como a
great favor.te with the clerks. MS well
as with the head of t.o firm. Ho wa,
always conscientious, prompt and
3bliging, and full of n certain bright
humor that brought freshness and lifa
into the quiet Office, Mop, instead ol
rc.ng trouble, was great nmuss.
menS; and the young men taught him
number of tricks, of which hp was
very proud. Sometimes they noticed
ash de ofnnxiety md trouble on Mats
bright face; but thcy did not know
that OF tho boys way home at night
he was often III )jocted to petty perse,
ou'ioiis that he found it hard to bear.
Ono morn ng he burss into tho offic
with f'a 5ll;ng eyes, and the tears run.
ming dowiIhis face. The clerks looked
up in constcrnn.i)n.
"What is tho matser?n ono of them
asked, anxiously.
Jim Elders killed my dog cried
Nat, passonately. I.coiid stand any
thing he did to mo, but Mop"
He stopped. 1t seemed as il he could
not 60 on.
aWhab shame How did he do itpq
askei his symIathizing and indignant
steners.
Z Threw q stono a. him and hit him
~ ING neat, fn,d Nat, IN O smOthcred
tone. "When I took him UP he was
quito dead.
Where is tn wretched boy?p they
asked with righteous Indignation,
he cut and run while was seeing
to Mop, c.ied Nat. deiec.cdly. ooh
there is no use talking any more about
it!p 2:
The boy went around for the nox,
fow days looking MS il he had lost
near and dear friend, and they all teit
profoundly sorry for him. vn his wav.
homo in the evening Nat looked in vain
for the destroyer of his dog, intending
TO take summary vengeance on him.
but nowhere did lie see him.
II guess he knows enough to keep
out OF my way, he thonght gloomily.
20 Mop, Mop, howl miss yonID
Not long afterward messenger boy
came into the Office with note directed
to Master MT Meadows. from ono al