Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-10-26
miscellaneous.
THE PASSING OF DUFF.

all the world seemed at pence, an un.
quiet man walked through one of the
side streets of city which was bordered
by great expanse of water. A hand
some brown retriever followed at his
heels, and occasionally touched with
caressing muzzles the clenched hand
which hung rigidly at his masters side.
Then the man would look around and
cry sternly: ITO heel, Duff y and tho
dog would obediently fall back with a
saddened aud detected air
1t was late and few people were NOV
ing The striking of the city clocks.
the whistle of passing steamer, or an
occasional foOtstep, accentuated the ST.
lence, and localized sounds which amid
the whirr and confusion of the day were
hardly discernible,
When the man had passed the city
docks and was walking along a stretch
Of water front where several large, heavi-
ly laden boats were anchored, he stopped
and looked about him for moment.
Then he took off his coat, folded il, and
laid it on the dry, foot worn shore.
Here, Duff. Take care Of it, old
fellow You hear me Don't let any
one touch that colt--therc's good
Duff
The dog looked up into bis masters
face and there was a pathetic mingling
of canine emotions in his faithful brown
eyes 1t seemed az if he were pleading
to go along, but at the same time prom
Using Loyalty to be true to any trust re-
posed in him. Then he stepped care
fully on the coat, circled once or twice,
and dropped heavily with half human
sigh.
Good old dog, faithful old fellow, "
said the man, patting tho sleek brown
head, "there is nothing left for me, but
there must be some good thing for you.
Fate can have no grudge against you,
| would gladly change places with you
tonight. Good-by, old fellow
Then he rose to his feet and looked
to the sky; the stars swan in u sea of
list that had somehow got into his eyes.
"Pshaw !" he said, 81 may be fool,
but | will not be n coward-yet what
am | doing but deserving the only friend
| have But he will forget, oven as
others have DONE" and without another
glance at tho watching dog he walked
away and disappeared in tho shadows of
the night
The dog looked after him, but made
no sound. AS if resigned to long and
patient watch he curled himself close
into the coat and appeared to sleep
But his eyes were wide open, staring
into the darkness.
Along toward morning waning moon
rose and revealed the faithful animal,
the dew cleaning on his curly hair. A
tramp moving from the friendly retreat
Of lumber pile saw him, and covet-
ously regarded the coat on which he was
lying. He picked up stick and ad-
vanced threateningly, but the savage
growl of the furious animal dismayed
Daylight came and with it the rum
bling of passing wagons. The dog sat
up and looked far away in the direction
his master bad taken. Then he gave "a
long, melancholy howl. II attracted a
policeman from his beat. He was Joined
by several dock loafers.
"Hello! he said, "herc's a case for
the coroner, ! reckon. Come off, me
fine fellow, till | look in the pockets
of that there coat. It's likely the man
that owned it made his last will and
testament before he jumped into the
next world. Come off, will ye |"
But no coaxipp or persuaAion wonId