The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-23
-
A BRAVE DOG.
Why Irs. lanes Dislike for Dogs Ghanges
tn Love for This One

shepherd.
lie was with some travellers. and had
followed their covered wagons - far
that his feet were sore and blistercd.
The travellers had camped for the
night near Mr.. Lanes farmhouse. on
the prairies of Kansas. and Rooier. 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. hut 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 Ia 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
demonstratiye responses to his cordial
greetings.
After Fred had carcs>ed 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 50 soon by his
new-found friend.
But Fred soon returned lie carried
a 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 a wag of his woody
tail. and began at once tn do justice to
the banquet prepared by his youthful
host. As he ate he looked up at Fred
as if to remark:
Il beg yon 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 reclining
posture.
Fred's delight knew no bounds when
one of the men told him he might keep
the dog if he wished Booier's owner
was dead. and they had only allowed
him to follow their wagons for old ac.
quaintance' sake. lie was now toe
worn out to make further following
possible.
Fred ran to his mother to heg her
permission to keep the dog, telling her
a very touching little tale of the ami.
4: ~
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 tie 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 sci
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
Booier.
And SO it happened that the homeless
dog found a new and good-hearted mas
ter. The little Lanes were truly kind
to Boojer, and soon won his warmest
affections: and when his blistercd feet
became well again. he was their self
appointed and faithful guardian.
One day Mrs. Lane went on an er-
rand to a neighbours. She left the chill
dren playing with Boojer by haystack
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
Of her house. for she knew the piece of
cultivated ground surrounding it would
prevent the fire from reaching it. But
it was the children's danger that sent
wild fears throbbing in her breast.
They had been playing i'm the grass, and
might not be aware of their awful peril
until too late.
She ran with all possible speed to.
ward the haystack. 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 We're
already tapping one side of the stack.
At that moment Fred and little Lottie
ran ont of the tall prairie grass to NEE,
the half-dstracted mother. They had
seen the fire at last, and were then
Fastening to the plowed field which lay
between them and the house.
Where is Tommy cried the terror
| stricken mother.
Tommy was the baby-a hearty little
fellow, two years old lie had beer
left with Fred and Lottic. while Mrs
Lane ran on her errand. lie had falleI
asleep by the hay-stack, and in thei
sudden fright the baby brother hat
been wholly forgotten.
Mrs. Lane waited To hear no more
but made a frantic rush toward tn,
stack. She had taken but few steps
however, when Booier. who had ais,
been forgotten in the wild excitemen
of the prairie fire. came bounding ava,
from the stack. lie was not alone. 70
he carried little Tommy in his mouth
Although the baby's dress was il
flames, and must have scorchea the poo
dog nose severely. he never offered +
abandon his precious burden Mrs
Lane hurried forward to receive he
child, but Boojer evidently feared t
trust her with the burning object, fo
he rushed quickly past her. What di
he mean? Mrs. Lane pursued the an
NAL in vague alarm.
But Boojer never paused till h
reached pond hard by, where tn
water was clear and deep. With
plunge he had buried himself and tn
baby beneath the water Mrs. Lane
followed 10y Fred and Lottie. who yer
~ believed that Boojer had browne
: Tommy, reached the bank of the pom
just as the dog rose to the surface wit
: Tommy held firmly between his teetl
He then swan To shore and laid ii
little fellow at Mrs. Lanes feet, W,
snd soiled, but with the fire completed
: extingaished.
Good Boojerl" she cried gratefully,