The national leader., 1889-02-16
AN IMPRUDENT KINDNESS.
1t was a terrible affair.

IL was terrible affair.
remember seeing different reports
the thrilling and tragic events in diff
crent papers at the time, but none Of
hem strictly correct.
AS think the matter will be inter
sStlng 10 readers in every section Of the
country, 1 have decided to narrate the
acts as they originally presented them
serves to my knowledge.
| was one evening sauntering up
Chestnut street, in the city Of Philadel-
pfiia, when presently came up behind
me looking couple. a lady and gen
tleman,- walking arm in arm.
At that moment they stopped; and
the lady, pointing to little dog curled
up against store door and trembling
all over as if with fright, observed, In a
tone of sweet, gentle sympathy:
Poor, lonely thing, it has evidently
been hurti'
There was a whole heart of kindness
in her remark.
But, oh, if she had known, she would
have fed, shriel ing with terror.
LII we only knew to the end, what
pleasure would there be in life?
II think the poor thing has been run
over" said the gentleman, in plying
t0me, in reply to the lady.
As he spoke he turned aside to the
dog and stopped down to examine it.
stopped to note the result, as also
did several others, the lady looking on
with the feeling interest of one who
cared for all Gods living creatures.
E3sbn ununo unnt1nn,a ha a
g6ntl, man in every respect, dress, man
neTs and gentleness-Was in the act of
coaxingly and carefully examining the
little dog, to see if either of its legs had
been broken, when it suddenly made a
sharp, vicious snap, and bit his thumb
almost to the bone.
He started up, the red blood flowing
freely, and grasped the wounded mem
Der with his other hand.
His handsome, but now pallid, face
had the distressed look of one who fear
ed the reach Of that bite was far beyond
his thumb, going down into future Of
worse than bedlam horrors.
The little cur now bounded away,
and instantly there arose the excited
cry ssMad dog" and several persons
set off in pursuit of the flying animal
ssLord save usl'' gasped the lady,
throwing her arms, with a wall Of grief
and borror, around the neck of her es-
cOrt. ''Are you bitten by rabid dog,
nv darling Philip? And it is all my
fault-aIl my fault! Oh, sir" her wild
eve and angulshed face turning by
chance full upon me, 'do you think the
brute was mad?o
ssThere Is no reason to think SO. mad
am" instantly replied. with as much
reinsurance as could throw into my
voice and manner. 1.-THE dog was evil
IDENTITY scared, and acting III self-defense
being q little vicious, too, perhaps;
bat / saw no evidence of rabidness,
and he certainly did not froth at the
mouth"
s1Oh. thank you, sir-thank you'll"
responded the lady, with what seemed
to be a feeling of great relief.
4'he gentleman also thanked me, but
noticed there remained a look of pain
f,d apprehension upon his still pallid
would not have had his wound upon
nv Thumb for all the wealth of the city,
LIGHTLY 8 l was disposed to treat it in
order w ulopOl vho Ae 1
his fair companion.
must have the thumb corded, and
+ba wound cauteIiZed at oncer' he
said.
yay and also doctor there Of great
,experience," suggested. If | may
noi he considered intrusive, Will ac-
COMPANY you, and see that the wound
oets properly dressed"
so Rn,b The lady and gentleman bowed
assort with thanks, and | went with
In, and called the doctor to the case.
Ha corded the thumb at once. eau
.o..rod III. wound and properly dressed
i making light of it as matter that
~ ,,id caIse no future trouble.
WA. .:hnd YOU really think there is no
doctor?" questioned the anX.
ls 49, h,t now hopeful and grateful lady.
~ .syon Shall Judge, madam" he smil-
- - ! noucl,alant air, which he
eu. .,nss assumed to make as light of
aouDeefi afair as possible. In the first
Iiie an s~am the description Of my
piaoe, haTa,,-turning to me-"1 would
iriellu .,ir. ~ n venture thousand to one
De willie IN was not mad. In the sec
tnaS @ CLle 20 sdmitting the dog to b6 mad,
Gna ssIape plns' You, on my professional honor
that there would be oniy Ohe taliar Glance IN y
th;riy % of the person Dlt.en .h;s .aArns tne
disesse @ YOU dread. even y eeaa Hosning ls were w
done to nreyent it. 1neIeaole' Sou eau
Oea tbat with what we nase uone Co-
n,oht the chances OF any Sel1oqs aesult
nS' nre ~ many against one tnaS cannon
calcuIafe them. l+n~O s4o
fully responded @ nSsiieisn shS s handsome fee. e i
asPssasssassssa ~ essss ana Hi'I sssasIS I con- S8
enza. ana ms sme neoan In the manner re.
lated continued to the aaI enI' ), Factor i
lie was Cuban, ,',ra a,,u msTcant,I. ~ /.
rstI,,,; for 4 laIlo niohe"ntli li'