The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-09-05
ONLY TWO VAGABONDS.


was crowded throughout the entire
length with NIL the hurrying throng
that business and pleasure send along
that thorougbfnrc. Merchants and
clerks were going to dinner. with the
preoccupied look TO whom the soup
and fish are an anticipation. not ro-
greet. Women were going home, car
rying with them the comfortable con-
seriousness OF mornings shopping
thoroughly done and various speci-
mems OF common and uncommon hui
mainly bound on various errands,
went their way and helped to make up
the throng.
But nobody noticed the shutiling fig
ure that made its way down the busy
thoroughfare for several blocks. and
then turned down cross street. where
the passers by were few. His rags
iluttered In the wind which chased
him around the corner and made sport
OF him. dashing his lettering form
against the wall and laughing in al
most human fashion. He was an old
man, TO whom age had brought wrin-
klcs and gray hairs and the sinking OF
the blood from its higher levels In the
brain without bringing genial ease and
honors and rest from labors. He WINS
an old man. and blind, and beggar.
Some one was with him. however,
some one who led him with the tend
derest solicitude through all that hur-
rying throng.
And the some one was dog! He
was not much OF dog to look at. He
was very small. improved rs to ances-
try and nondescript rs to color. If he
failed TO hand it down to him. His
coat was shaggy and his ears were
plebeian enough, but his earnest soul
was in tho large amber eyes with
which he looked into the old mans
tightless face. What mute intercourse
flashed from tho earnest eyes OF the
dog to the sightless eyes OF the man,
ard back again. who can tell? But
the dog looked into his masters face.
and the face was constantly turned
toward the dog.
What is It, Dickp Dinner time.
heyP" asked the blind man. suddenly
stopping. as the dog ran back and
clasped him about the neck with two
shaggy paws.
Dick at once intimated that his sup
position was correct by standing on
his hind feet and executing difficult
dance, with his paws dropping In
most affected and lackadaisical fashion.
"All right boy" rcjoined the old
man. as though his companion had
spoken, his face lighting up with a
smile ''You shall have your dinner.
Go on and find good place"
The dog at once abandoned his gym
nastic performances and was in an in
slant the soberest and steadiest Of
dogs. He led tho way carefully down
the sidewalk and having selected u
proper place on the curbstone, where
the gutter was dry and the wind not
too strong, he made known by II series
OF iubilant banks that nothing better
could be desired.
They sat down side by side As the
beggar thrust his hand down into the
pocket OF The garment that had once
been a coat Dick watched him from
the corners Of his eyes, n little thrill
o! expectancy running over his frame.
As bundle wrapped in paper was
drawn out he yawned in most en-
pressive fashion and licked his lips.
Come, now Dick" said the old
man, pausing and turning his atten-
tive face toward his companion; what
comes next my boy?"
With an appearance OF great com.
junction for his thoughtlessness Dick
Immediately sat upright with his paws
pressed together, his head dropped,
and his eyes closed-as pious- looking
n dog as could be found in the land.
The old man, with bowed head muir
mured
Lord, make us thankful for what
we have"
At many well-flled table, that
day men and women sat down and
ate with no sense OF gratitude; while
the beggar, sitting on the curbstone,
thanked God for what he had and the
dog beside him uttered his praise rs
as though he spoke with
the tongue OF men and of angels.
The bundle was unrolled. and there
was brought to light slice OF stale
bread and small piece OF sausage.
Dicks eyes glistencd when he saw 1t.
and again no licked his lips, but he
made no unseemly demonstration.
Now, Dick" said the beggar
with n smile lighting up his old face,
you are very tired to-day. ] know,
and you shall have the first bite. And
as don't care much about sausage
myself. will give you tho most OF
that A little piece will do for me- a
very little piece"
The division was made on this plan.
and they were soon busily engaged.
Dick eating the sausage with an APP
pearance OF the liveliest satisfaction.
and the bcggar munching the dry
bread. A whole tender story OF de-
votion aud self. sacrifice was in this
one simple action, II any one had
been near to read it. but those that
we're near could not read such stories
as this. y % ~ -
Two young men, In passing by. had
paused and we're looking on In an idle
way. They were followed by a huge
mastifY. whose blunt nose and heavy
Jaw told Of the bulldog blood In his
his veins. Dick barely recognized his