Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-05-02

seer h in life, an you'll maybe
1hi" foolish the store we set by both
mar. aGy dog before that time was
passed. Ralph would lay down beside
che i; = cradle, an nothin' would move
him his master left the room; then
he'd ,t up and shake himself, as if it
waB time to go, an he was goin'
"Mollie said he was human; an if a
soul ever gets into an animals body-I
hear there's folks as thinks so-there
was good soul inside of Ralph.
Eyes, we all liked Ralph, an Robert
even more. The fact is he was real
gentleman - that was plain enough;
brought down as low as he was by Lord
only knows what. But a true gentle
man, an l know the right kind when l
see them. He never let on for one mo-
ment, though, a single word about him
self but once. an that was the last even
in he was here.
"The dog was sittin' beside him, with
his head restin' ON Roberts knee, when
says, kind of sudden like:
L bet Ralph's very vaIlyble dog,
Robert
Yes, yes, he says, sort of slow. Too
val!yble, stroking Ralph's head with a
lovm' hand, while the dog looked at him
with just as much love. Twas the hu-
manest eyes you would ever see, sir.
"'He is worth a great deal of money!
he said again, after moments think
ing. L am very sorry for it sometimes.
I've been in many hard straits at times,
an I've been afraid-aye, afraid of my
self-that I'd be tempted to sell him.
Not while was myself, old fellow, you
understand, but when l was the brute I
sometimes am
by George, sir. you wouldn't believe
il, dare say, but I'd take my affydavy
that dog looked up, sort of sad like, and
shook his head.
''1o make the story short-though, all
told, it was not so very long-when we
came down stairs the next morning
Ralph lay ON the floor, guardin' his mas
ter's stick, but his master wasn't no.
where round.
"Tell me the dog didn't know! He
knew as well as we did why it was done;
thRE The master he loved, an who loved
Tim, had left him; but he had been told
70 watch the stick, an with the saddest
eyes, an droopin', he lay there all day
long. An truly believe if we hadn't
got the stick away from him an burned
it he'd a been watchin' it yet.
lu his masterE Yes, sir; gone,
Az
wo.t Of him since 'UngratefulY No
sir; don't take itso. think he couldn't
trust himself with the dog he loved,
when he was himself, you see, an so he
'ft him where lie knew he'd be well
ken care Of. Yes, that's the way see
IL. anyhow. An then he got so far
way before the dog would quit watchin'
that the scent was lost for poor Ralpt.
But he amt never give up! Not a day,
siri
".'D6% Wen, there's not a tramp comes
past herc-an' the worse lookin' they are
the wilder he is to get after them, sniflin'
al their tracks; an then his tail will droop
so disappointed like; yet he'll keep on an
follow 'em for day, or maybe three
days, till he gets sure he amt comm to
his master, when he'll come back Seems
to nae as if he kind of thought they might
know him. How does he find out they
don't; Bless you, sir, don't ask me, but
dogs know a heap more than people
hink.
"He ought'a' been named Rover, for
IS been in more different places round
acre than have, an always turns up all
right when he's settled the matter.
"Why! amt that him now, a-sniffin'
along the other road? Course it is. Well
now, how'd he get over there, 1 wonder;
seems as if he was scentin' somethin',
don't it?
Hi, Ralph! Ralph! All! there he
comes. a-bouudin' along towards us
just as. he used to so for his master.
Looks as if he thought he could find
him, sure. See now! Amt he beauty?
"Here, Ralph! Good old fellow! Come
here, sir! Eh, What Straight for you,
sir, hc goes. without look for me. All
over you ja q minute! A fine gentleman
like -ou, What! you! you, sir! Robert!
Gre. @a,i' An Ralph knew You!
Wei, wyH, give in. Dogs is humanr'
M. Warren Hale in Belford's Maga.
zine.