Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-04-23
A BRAVE DOG.
Why Mrs. Lanes Dislike for Dogs Changed
to Love for This One.


followed their covered wagons so far
that his feet were sore and blistered.
The travellers had camped for the
night near Mr.. Lanes farmhouse, on
the prairies of Kansas, and Booier, with
few pitiful means, had dragged him
self to the side of the barn, and threw
himself down to rest Here Fred Lane
found him. Now, like all romping. little
men of eight, Fred had an unconquer-
able fondness for dogs, but on account
of his mothers antipathy for the canine
species, he had never been allowed to
own one.
Fred was soon stroling the shaggy,
dark coat of the way-worn dog, and
speaking kind words to him. Booier
fully appreciated the little boys kind
ness, and looking at him with his clear,
brown eyes, he seemed to offer an
apology for not being able to get up
and romp with his youthful visitor.
But Fred had been told by one of the
travellers that the dog was foot-sore
and exhausted from his long journey,
and being very kind-hearted little
fellow, he excused Boojers lack of
demonstrative responses to his cordial
greetings.
After Fred had caressed the dog for
several moments, he ran toward the
house. Boojer followed him with his
intelligent eyes, evidently wondering if
he was to be deserted SO soon by his
newfound friend.
But Fred soon returned He carried
basin of milk and some scraps of
bread and meat, which he set before
the dog. Boojer gave a most express
i've thank you" by wag of his woolly
tail, and began at once to do justice to
the banquet prepared by his youthful
host. AS he ate he looked up at Fred
as if to remark;
81 beg you to pardon my seeming inn
politeness, little boy, in not sitting up
to eat before you But my great ex-
haustion obliges me to adopt the orien-
tai custom of eating in a reclining
posture.
Fred's delight knew no bounds when
one of the men told him he might keep
the dog if he wished. Boojer's owner
was dead and they had only allowed
him to follow their wagons for old ac-
quaintance's sake. He was now too
worn out to make further following
possible.
Fred ran to his mother to beg her
permission to keep the dog, telling her
very touching little tale of the ami
malls Affections. Mrs. Lane and the
little Lanes all went to the barn to pay
their respects to Boojer.
The mothers dislike for dogs had al
ways been rather strong, and Fred nat
urally dreaded the result of her decision.
She hesitated in her answer. as her
little boy patted the dark, glossy head
of the homeless dog.
To refuse shelter and kindness to this
tired, foot-sore animal, would be to set
a wrong example before her dear ones
Kindness to dumb animals should be
encouraged, she thought; so putting her
prejudice against dogs in general from
her, she told Fred that he might keep
Boojer.
And so it happened that the homeless
dog found a new and good-hearted mas
ter. The little Lanes were truly kind
20 Boojer and soon won his warmest
affections; and when his blistered feet
became well again, he was their self
appointed and faithful guardian.
One day Mrs. Lane went on an err
rand to a neighbours. She left the chill
dren playing with Boojer by hay-stack
on the prairie.
A half hour later, as she was return
ing, what was the mothers horror to
see the prairie on fire. 1t was fall, and
the grass, now being quite dry, burned
readily.
Mrs Lane did not fear the destruction
4 of her house, for she knew the piece of
cultivated ground surrounding it would
prevent the fire from reaching it. But
it was the childrens danger that sent
wild fears throbbing in her breast.
They had been playing in the grass, and
might not be aware of their awful peril
until too late
She ran with all possible speed to-
ward the hay-stack, where she had left
her little ones to play and romp; but
ere she had gone half the distance re-
quired to reach it. she saw, with the
greatest terror, that the strong south
wind had urged the cruel flames onward
with such furious force that they were
already tapping one side OF the stack.
At that moment Fred and little Lottie
ran out of the tall prairie grass to meet
the half-distracted mother. They had
seen the fire at last, and We're then
Fastening to the plowed field which lay
J between them and the house.
Where is Tommy" cried the terror
stricken mother,
Tommy was the baby-a hearty little
Fellow, two years old. He had beer
left with Fred and Lottie. while Mrs
Lane ran on her errand. He had fallen
asleep by the hay-stack, and in their
sudden fright the baby brother had
been wholly forgotten.
Mrs Lane waited to hear no more,