Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-05-15
BOOJER.
why Mrs. Lanes Dislike for Dogs Changed
20 Love for This One.


Boojer was 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
a 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 stroking 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 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 reclining
posture"
Fred's delight knew no bounds when
one of the men told him he might keer
the dog if he wished. Boojer's owner
was dead, and they had only allowed
him to follow their wagons for old ac-
t,,4o IL ~
worn out to make further following
possible.
Fred ran to his mother to beg hel
permission to keep the dog, telling hel
a very touching little tale of the ami
mails Affections. Mrs. Lane and the
little Lanes all went to the ) arm to pay
their respects to Boojer.
The mothers dislike for dogs had al
ways been rather strong, and Fred nat
urally dreaded theresult of her decision
| She hesitated in her answer, as hel
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 sci
q wrong example before her dear ones
Kindness to dumb animals should be
encouraged, she thought; so putting hei
prejudice against dogs in general from
her, she told Fred that he might keer
Boojer.
And SO it happened that the homeless;
dog found new and good-hearted mas
ter. The little Lanes were truly kind
to 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 neighbours. She left the chill
dren playing with Boojer by a hay-stacl
on the prairie,
A half hour later, as she was return
! ing, what was the mothers horror t.
see the prairie on fire. 1t was fall, ant
the grass, now being quite dry, burned
readily.
Mrs. Lane did not fear the destruction
of her house, for she knew the piece o
cultivated ground surrounding il would
prevent the fire from reaching it. Blu
it was the children's danger that sen
wild fears throbbing in her breast
They had been playing in the grass, anc
might not be aware of their awful peri
until too late!
She ran with all possible speed to
ward the hay-stack, where she had lief
her little ones TO play and romp; bu
ere she had gone half the distance re
CURED 20 reach it, she saw, with tn
greatest terror, that the strong soutl
wind had urged the cruel flames onwar'
with such furious force that they wer
already tapping one side of the stack.
At that moment Fred and little Lott
ran out of the tall prairie grass to NEE
the half-distracted mother. They hai
seen the fire at last, and were the
Fastening to the plowed field which la.
between them and the house.
'where is Tommy" cried the terror
stricken mother.
Tommy was the babya hearty it'll
fellow, two years old. He had bee
left with Fred and Lottie, while Mrs
Lane ran on her errand. He had falle
asleep by the hay-stack, and in thei
sudden fright the baby brother ha
been v holly forgotten.
Mrs. Lane waited to hear no NOR