The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-11-26

were closed in utter WEAKNESS. Nip had
evidently been injured by the dogs con-
fined with him in the dog catcher's wagon,
for there were fresh wounds on his neck
and blood stains upon his shaggy coat.
And while sympathetic group stood
around with pale faces and pityinR eyes,
johnnie bent down over the dog as it lay
on his lap and whispered huskily;
'I say, purp, are ye much hurtedW
Nip feebly opened his eyes, and look of
glad recognition came into them. The
stumpy tail moved little, a very little.
1t was not such hearty wag as that with
which Nip was wont to testify his joy.
The tired head was lifted for a moment
from Johnnie's arm and a low whine, but
an echo of that which had saluted the boys
ears yesterday, greeted him. johnnie sat
for awhile dazed and uncertain, then an
inspiration came to him.
"Ill fix him, boys, )" said he exultingly as
he felt in his pockets. The children
watched his movements eagerly. When
his inquisitive fingers invaded the coat
pockets they evidently touched something,
for Johnnie's face lit up once more with
the light of hope as he brought a small
brown paper parcel to view. Unrolling
the paper he disclosed soup bone to which
clung some flbers of meat.
"Here, Nipp' said Johnnie, swapping his
fingers and whistling softly, "stand up
and tackle the bone. saved it for yep
But no bone that was ever incased in
flesh, and no steak, however rare and APP
petizing, could make those nostrils dilate.
Hunger was swallowed up In pain and
weakness.
"It's no use TO give the dog strong grub
like that now" said Roger. "He can't tear
it. You leave him to me. I'll bring him
through"
But Johnnie refused to allow the dog to
be taken from his arms. He Rugged Nip
to his breast, and again the tide of sorrow
rolled over him in uncomfortable tears.
Meantime Roger filled his pipe and lit 1t.
Showing his hands deep into his pockets
he sauntered out upon the sidewalk whis-
tling softly, "And we're going ~ plant
him tomorrow" When Roger 'strolled
back into the alley Johnnie was gone.
"Where is he9" said Roger to one Of the
groups Of children
"He's took de pup up to Us mother"
eagerly replied barefooted girl.
Toiling slowly up the dark stairway
leading to the top story of the tall tene-
ment went Johnnie, carrying the dog az
tenderly as If 1t had been child. He
stopped to rest on each landing and then
resumed his journey. When he reached
the upper landing he stumbled painting
into the kitchen, saying:
Mother, where's the linimentp Where's
the bottle wot says on the outside Good
for cuts, burns, consumshun, colery an
everything Where is itH"
"Why, sonny, it's right there on the
shelf beside the clock"
Johnnie placed the helpless dog upon the
bed, and climbing upon chair secured the
bottle, muttering to himself as he did so:
"It'll cure him, cause it says on the bot
tie it's good for everything"
All that day Johnnie sat by the dog
bathing its wounds with the magical lini-
ment. 1t may have been that the lotion
possessed some of the marvellous healing
powers attributed to it. At any rate it
must have possessed some virtue, for ere
the evening shadows began to lengthen in
Cherry street Johnnie noticed signs of re-
turning life and animation in the dog.
Nips improvement was slow, but under
Johnnie's unremitting care, and soothed
by the liniment, the animal slowly came
back to health and animation, the stumpy
tail once more resumed the old time wag
and his playful bark resounded through
the room.
One week went by and again the lights
on the big bridge were reflected in the
swelling currents of the East river Again
the merry shouts of the children awoke
the echoes in Cherry street as they romped
by the light of the stars. Roger Doolan
was seated on dry goods box near the en-.
trance to Middle alley. His attention was
attracted by playful pull at the bottom
Of his trousers. Looking downward he ex-
claimed in surprise:
"Well, I'll be choked with a rope If that
amt Nip"
eyes," said Johnnie, whose smiling face
appeared around the corner of the alley
like a radiant moon, ian he amt agoin to
be planted tomorrow, cause cured him
wild me mothers linimentu'-Ernest Jar.