Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-12-19

The young man raised an astonished face
1t was red face, partially concealed by a
reddish beard-the face OF O clown. though
his appearance wus that Of gentleman. He
was dressed in a Norfolk jacket and knicker.
bockers and devastated cap which last he
| lifted with the hand which held his stick when
he saw that he was being addressed by a lady.
EXCUSE me-" said he, half politely, hall
angrily, "but perhaps you don't know that
this dog belongs to me-"
II don't care who he belongs to-" returned
Chris; "you shan't ill-treat him like that"
Perhaps the stranger was tickled by the
brave words and diminutive stature of his
assahant; perhaps, and more probably, he
was attracted by her pretty face. At any rate
he burst into loud laugh, released his victim
with parting kick, and strobe toward the
fence over which Chris was leaning, while
Peter trotted up to the setter to ask what it
was all about, and got snarled at for his
pains.
'You see," said Chris, pointing to the two
ooes' you are running the poor beasts tenn
per. That is what always comes OF thrashinR
them"
May I ask" the young man inquired,
deterentlally, yet with slight covert sugges-
ton OF insolence, whether you have had a
large experience in training sporting-dogsp
Chris admitted that she had no special
knowledge.
But" said she, "I do know something
about dogs in general, and know they are
never thrashed in such a cruel way except by
people who are too stupid or too brutal to be
trusted with dogs at ALL"
WELL" returned the gentleman with the
red beard, who did not look good-tempered,
yet kept his temper. 81 may be stupid. Ali
the same, have broken in a good many
dogs, first and last, and I have always had to
lick them. How do you account for the fact
that all my dogs are fond of me?"
II don't account for it." answered Chris
not whit appeased. "For one thing, don't
know that 1t is a fact; and if it were, it would
only snow how superior your dogs are to you.
why can't you have a little patience with
tnemI II they disobey you, 1t is only because
they don't understand what you want"
the stranger laughed again and seated him
self sideways on the fence. I'VE won't argue
the point" he said. ct think you are mis-
taken; but I'll give your system a trial with
this brute, II you like. viii that satisfy you?"
1t was difficult to express dissatisfaction
with surrender so complete. Chris relaxed
something of the severity Of her demeanor.
only wish, she remarked, "that I could
make you feel q little ashamed of yourself.
Don't you see that you ought to be mercifuI
to animals who aren't big enough or strong
enough to fight your"
"They wouldn't know that unless thoy were
taught It, and they know how to show fight.
l can assure you. I've been bitten often
enough"
II am sincerely glad to hear it," Chris de-
clared.
Yes but no dog has ever bitten me more
than once. The long and the short of it is that
they have to find out who is master. That's a
nice terrier of yours"
This last remark was pretty sure to be
favorably received. Peter was called up and
appeared to recognize brother sportsman in
the stalwart gentleman who made familiar
little noises at him and sent him after an
imaginary cat. Then Chris made friends with
the setter, who crouched at her feet, looking
up at her with piteous, beseeching eyes.
Wei, !" said his master, laughing, che has
had his last licking anyhow. I don't suppose
he'll ever be Of any use. Perhaps you would
like to have him. II So" !
Thank you," replied CHRIS, gravely; but
you must not give him away, or you will have
no opportunity Of trying the experiment Of
kindness upon your animals. Besides, one
dog is quite enough to keep in London"
Do you live in London?"
eyes. am staying with Lady Barnstaple
at present"
oh, old Lady Barnstaplel Is she here
now7 Upon my word, ought to call on old
Lady Barnstaple, and will some day, NV
name 10 Elacombej live at a place called
Rutherford, close by this. What time would
1ho W AA0Ay u uno you at nOmeF'
To ind Lady Barnstaple at home, do you
meanr As general thing, between five and
nix o'clock. / should think"
Ali right; III make q note OF It. Andl look
here. .miss-might venture to ask your
Compton"
Miss Compton, hope you won't set me
Town as brute because you happened to see
ne licking dog. You won't hear much good
u me from the Severnes, dare say; most of
he people about here hate me like poison;
IND I'm sure they're very welcome. But
lint so bad as they make me out amt
'eally."
Chris looked at him and thought that per-
laps he was not altogether a brute, although
here was evidently a strong spice of the
'rute in him. His forehead was low. his ewes
we're small, and his jaw was heavy; vet he
eemed to be gentleman, and he had
traight-forwardness Of manner which was
lot unpleasing. As, however, the result of
er observation was scarcely natterinR enough
be impaired to him, she contented herself
Nth making him q bow and wishing MIN
God evening.
On nor way back to the house she met LADY
race, who said she had been trviDo 70 O. |