The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-18
A BRAVE DOG.

Boojer was a large, noble, intelligent
dog, mixture of Newfoundland and
shepherd.
He was with some travellers, and had
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 Boojer, with
n 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 strolling the shaggy,
dark coat of the way-worn dog, and
speaking kind words to him. Boojer
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 a very kind-hearted little
fellow, he excused Boojer's 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
new-found 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 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 i'm
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 toe
worn out to make further following
possible.
Fred ran to his mother to beg hel
permission to keep the dog, telling hen
very touching little tale of the ami,
mails 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 hel
! prejudice against dogs in general from
:, her, she told Fred that he might keeI
, Boojer.
And so it happened that the homeless:
, dog found new and good-hearted mas
ter. The little Lanes were truly kline
to Boojer, and soon won his warmes'
, affections; and when his blistered feet
, became well again, he was their self
: appointed and faithful guardian.
One day Mrs. Lane went on an er
) rand to neighbours. She left the chill
dren playing with Boojer by a hay-stacl
! on the prairie.
A half hour later, as she was return
q ing what was the mothers horror t.
L -. . f,1
r. the grass, now being quite dry, burne
. readily.
. Mrs. Lane did not fear the destruction
,' of her house, for she knew the piece o
;, cultivated ground surrounding it woulC
prevent the fire from reaching it, Blu
it was the children's danger that sen
- wild fears throbbing in her breas;
. They had been playing in the grass, an
:. might not be aware of their awful peri
~ until too late!
. She ran with all possible speed tC
> ward the hay-staclI, where she had lef
y her little ones to play and romp bu
. ere she had gone half the distance re
. quired to reach it, she saw, with tn
=, greatest terror that the strong sout
wind had urged the cruel flames onwar
D. with such furious force that they wer
y already tapping one side of the stack.
y At that moment Fred and little Lott
y ran out of the tall prairie grass to NEE
the half-distracted mother They ha
u seen the fire at last and were the
= Fastening to the plowed field which la
10 between them and the house
3 Where is Tommy" cried the terroi
10 stricken mother.
le Tommy was the baby-a hearty littl
fellow, two years old, He had bee
left with Fred and Lottie, while Mr.
Lane ran on her errand. He had falle
asleep by the hay-staclS, and in the
c. sudden fright the baby brother ha
VS. been wholly forgotten.
f- Mrs Lane waited to hear no NOR
SIS but made frantic rush toward Il
at stack. She had taken but few step
TO however, when Boojer, who had al
II been forgotten in the wild excitemel
,p of the prairie fire, came bounding aw;
e from the stack. He was not alone, f
To he carried little Tommy in his mout
an Although the baby's dress was
re flames, and must have scorched the po
IT. dogs nose severely, he never offered
he abandon his precious burden. Nh
he Lane hurried forward to receive h
I'M child but Boojer evidently feared
Ir. trust her with the burning object, {
,r. he rushed quickly past her. What
an he mean?r Mrs. Lane pursued the a
NAL IN vague alarm.