Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-06-01

an choked like. more like groan than
words, oh. mother!
AN the way the little kid took to him
was a caution, A mite like he was-no
sense at all; only puckered up his face
and cried when | went near him. He'd
smile up in Roberts face Cthat was what
he told us to call HIM an hold on to his
finger like he was his nurse
Nov, to be sure, sir, three days don't
seem much in life, an you'll maybe
think it foolish the store we set by both
man an dog before that time was passed.
Ralph would lay down beside the babys
cradle, an nothin would move him till
his master left the room; then he'd get
up an shake himself, as if it was time
20 go, an he was goin.
"Mollie said he was human, an if ever
a soul gets into an animals body hear
there's folks as thinks so--there was
good soul inside of Ralph.
Yes, we all liked Ralph, an Robert
even more. The fact is he was real
gentleman, that was plain enough,
brought down as low as he was by Lord
only knows what But tine gentle
man, an | know the right kind when !
see them He never let on for one mo-
ment. though, a single word about him
self but once an that was the last even
in he was here.
The dog was sittin beside him. with
his head Resin on Roberts knee. when |
says, kind of suddenlikc.
81 bet Ralph's very ga'lycle dog
Robert
'"Yes. yes, he says, sort of slow
Too vallyble, strolling Ralph's head
with lovin hand, while the dog looked
at him with Just ms much ipve Twas
the humanest eyes you wuu.d ever sec.
| sir.
"'He's worth great deal Of money,
he said again, after moments tihnkln-
i am very sorry for it sometimes. I've
been in many hard straits at times, an
I've been afraid-aye, afraid of myself
that I'd be tempted to sell him. Not
while was myself, old fellow, you I'M
derstand, but when was the brute
| sometimes am
by George, sir! you wouldn't believe
it. dare say, but I'd take my aifydayy
that dog looked up, sort Of sadlike, ana
! shook his head
ITO make the story short--though, all
told it was not so very long-when we
came down stairs the next morning
Ralph lay on the floor guardin his mas
ter's stick, nut his master wasn't no
where round.
Tell me the dog didn't know! He
! knew as we'll as we did whyi was done;
! that the master he loved an who loved
| him had left him, but he had been told
TO watch the stick. an with the saddest
eyes an droopin he lay there all day
long. An truly believe if we hadn't
! got the stick away from him and burned
it he'd "a been watchin it yet.
IAN his master; Yes, sir; gone
clean gone. An we've never heard a
word of him since. Ungrateful? No,
sir; don't take it SO. think he couldn't
| trust himself with the dog he loved
when he was himself, you see, an so he
| left him where he knew he'd be well
taken care of. Yes, that's the way see
| it anyhow. An then he got so far away
before the dog would quit watching that
| the scent was lost for poor Ralph But
he amt never give up. Not day, sirl
"Do: Well, there's not a tramp
comes past here-an the worse looking
they are the wilder he is to get after
them, sniffin at their tracks. and then
his tail will drop so disappointedlike
yet he'll keep on an follow em for day,
or maybe three days. till he gets sure he
amt comm to hi~ master, when he'll
come back. Seem, to me as if he kind
of thought they might know him. How
does he find out they don't? Bless you,
sir, don't ask me, but dogs know a heap
more than people think.
He ought "a been named Rover, for
he's been in more different places round
here than have an always turns up all
right when he's settled the matter.
Why amt that him now, a-sniffin
along the other road? OF course it is.
Well, now, how'd he got over there,
wonder: seems as if he was scentin
somethin. don't it:
Hi. Ralph, Ralph! All! there he
! comes, a-boundin along towards us just
as he used to go for his master. Looks
as if he thought he could find him, sure.
See, now. Amt he beauty?
Here, Ralph! Good old fellow! Come
here, sir! Eth! What! Straight for you,
sir, he's gone, without look for me!
All over you in minute! A fine gen
tleman like you! What! you, you sirl
Robert. Great Scott! An Ralph knew
you! Well, we'll; | give in. Dogs is
humanr-M. Warren Hale in Pittsburg
Bulletin.