Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-16
TOBY.

England unu WCTe bCaUUOTCu throughout
Its principal cities. Many had settled in
Liverpool, but tho greater part, Indifferent
to our commercial greatness and finding
our streets gloomy and smoky, lived across
the Mersey in one of those pretty towns
whose villas brighten up SO wonderfully
the banks of tho majestic river. New
Brighton, situated at the mouth of tho
Irish sea, attracts people both by its sea
baths and its fresh water baths, and many
of the French settled there.
Well, have lived in New Brighton for
90 years. By profession 1 am a doctor,
and believe that there is not child in
the town who could not tell you where
DIR. Cutler resides. My pockets are always
filled with sweets for tho little rogues,
who never fail to attract my attention by
most respectfully pulling my coattails and
saying, How is good DIR. Cutters health?'
Would you believe that 1t is quite difficult
for me to tell whether this hearty saluta-
ton is prompted by love or greediness2
Next to my house there is a pretty villa,
so lovely that they say it was built for a
honeymoon. But the honeymoon had its
sadness. One day black cloud darkened
it. Out of this pretty cottage, surrou"ded
by lovely garden filled with sweet scent
ed flowers, came a coffin. The man whose
companion God had taken away went to
India. He was never seen again. Months
and years elapsed. The green shutters re-
manned closed, and as 1 passed by 1 would
remember the happy faces 1 once had seen
looking out of those windows, and my
heart felt sorrowful.
Starting out to mako my calls on u
bright morning when tho rays Of tho sun
flooded everything with u warm light and
made my garden appear greoner and my
flowers brighter 1 raised my head as
passed before the villa. To my astonish-
ment the shutters were opened wide, al
lowing the light of day to once moro pene-
trate into the rooms. 1t seemed to me us
If a friend had returned, and 1 uttered an
exclamation Of pleasure A child's head
showed itself at tho drawing room win
dow So delighted was 1 to SEQ the cheer
full little face that 1 smiled. In return q
kiss was thrown me- An ugly old dog
jumped on tho window sill and parked at
me- Then young woman appeared, evil
IDENTIFY the boys mother. She was smil-
ing. Doubtless she had seen mo notice
the child.
Shall l call on my new ncighborsp This
was the question I kept asking myself.
For fortnight 1 meditatod on tho sub
ject. wanted to go, and yet felt en-
barrassed at the thought Of doing So On
the fifteenth day 1 had exchanged Is greet
ings with the little boy, who was always
playing in the garden or sitting at the
window with his faithful dog as 1 went
by. The child seemed to be about years
old. He was slight and delicate looking.
His big black eyes were soft and velvety,
his cheeks pale, his hair thick and glossy.
He was indeed lovable and attractive
child.
Every afternoon my little neighbor
would go down to the shore, followed by
his faithful companion, who limped along
as best he could. The homely Toby (Toby
was the dogs name) had such an express
i've eye that it made one almost think no
had mans soul. He was certainly not u
thoroughbred. Indeed it would have been
most difficult to decide to what breed he
belonged. His coat was of n dirty gray,
adorned with ugly brown spots. His head
was SO largo that it was entirely out of
proportion to his body. One of his front
paws having been shortened by some &C
cident, he limped in the most comical
manner. His wonderfully expressive eyes
were the only redeeming point about him.
Very often in the evening on my way
home 1 would walk across the beach in
order to meet my little friend. Toby was
always near him. The mother rarely camc
to the beach. I regretted this, as 1 had
only exchanged q few words with her over
the hedge that separated our gardens. l
would have enjoyed talking with her and
finding out why she kept that old inflrm
dog for her beautiful son. One evening l
was sitting quietly reading in my study
when 1 was startled by an unusually loud
ring. My servant opened the door.
"Madame's son is very i'll, " said q voice.
with marked accent. PLEASE tell Dr.
Cutler to come over Immediately to Nine
Dervilles."
1 rose quickly, took my hat and hurried
out. On reaching my neighbours gate l
found it open as well as the front door,
which showed what confusion there was
in the house. Indeed anxiety was at its
height Jean had been taken sick very
suddenly and very violently. The dear lit
tile fellows eyes were closed Even his
mothers tender kisses failed to arouse
him.
"Dr. Cutler" said this interesting
woman in a broken voice as soon as she
saw me- little Jean is very sick. You
must save him."
approached the bed, and the state In
which found the child truly alarmed me-
Nine. Derville read my thoughts and add
ed, doctor, he is all have in this world,
30 that you have more than one life to
save" took hold of her hands and held
them a second, for what could 1 sayH
Toby had met me as 1 assembled the
front steps and had escorted me to the
room. Seeing me draw near the bed and
touch the child, he gravely put his front
paws on the bed, and his intelligent eye
watched alternately his masters face and
mine. When 1 seated myself, he boldly
came up to me, rested his head on my
knee and watched me just as If he under
stood every word 1 said.
Jeans illness lasted 81 days, with alter
nations of joy and grief, shared by Toby
in the liveliest manner. During part of
his sickness the child was violently delir-
ious, calling his mother, Toby and the
doctor with the long coat (this was the
name he had given me since his mind had
been wandering). When Toby heard his
name called, he jumped lightly on the