The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-09
A DOG N CHANCERY-

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From the New YORK Tribune
A well-known gambler named Belts,
who died a few years ago in Washing
ton. left will, which was contested.
A woman appeared mourning him as q
widow, although she and Belts had
parted long enough before. as it seemed
from his will, for Belts to forget her
entirely. Among the property, which
was to remain in chancery pending the
decision in the will case, was fine
thoroughbred Scotch terrier, Dandy.
Ee had seen life, this veteran. shaggy
bohemian, little Dandy. He and twin
brother had been sent across the ocean
! to this country when they were almost
too young to know the difference be-
tween the sea and the dry land. Dandy
was on his way to New Yorker. The
other dog was the property of the sport
ing man who was bringing the dogs to
this country. On the passage over
Dandy's brother died. And, oddly
enough, Dandy never reached the New
York man, who received instead a note
from his sporting friend saying that
the animal had died on the passage. So
Dandy took the place of the deceased
dog and his career began when he was
purchased for pretty little sum by
the noted Mr.. Belts.
From that time until the gambler
died Belts and Dandy We're insepara-
BILE. They crossed and recrossed the
continent together many times. Dandy
knew the streets of Helena, of Seattle
and of San Francisco. He saw Salvador
win his great race. He was wide
awake at night and in the daytime ex-
tremely dull. He was as wary as his
master and he never lost his head. He
was gracious TO every one, but never in
an intimate way. There was only one
person in the world for him, and per-
haps he pitied the world because there
was only one Mr.. Belts in it, and all
other dogs because they did not belong
to Belts. So. when the one person in
all the world died, Dandy hung mis-
head and his tail dropped. and he I'M
doubtedly hated life. His Importance
as a dog in chancery did not affect
him, and when the question arose
about the disposal of the dog until the
decision in the will case, since he could
not be shut up in the vault with the
other property, he maintained an atti-
tude of perfect Indifference.
Finally, the register of wills took
charge OF the dog, and Dandy, for the
first time in his life, knew a home. 1t
is certain that he did not like the at
mosphere at first. He had, and did not
fail to show, utmost scorn for the other
domestic animals about the place That
he was not expected to chase the cats
astonished him and he seemed TO re-
gard the other dogs as babies in expe-
rience. Before long, however, it seemed
to enter his mind that there might be
a sort of pleasure in showing OFF, be-
fore these inferior creatures, and,
adopting an indulgent and patron
ling air toward the other inmates of
the house, beast and man, he went
through his accomplishments with dig
nifty and apparent enjoyment He had
a vocabulary of one hundred words
that is. he understood that maryland
if in fetching things to order from an
upper story he sometimes brought a
toothbrush instead of a slipper he rem
edied his mistake with as little confu-
sion as possible.
Gradually he seemed to discern in
the register of wills qualities that were
not unlike some of the attributes Of the
dearly loved Mr.. Belts. He found that
gamblers were. after all, men, and that
~ If lie a
he gave his heart away again and loved
the register of wills, and his new mas
ter loved him
When the will suit was finally de-
cided-and it became necessary to
transfer the estate, and Dandy with It,
to the victorious widow-the register
of wills rebelled vigorously. he Of
fered an absurdly large sum of money
for the dog. He even attempted to give
him a bad name, in order to take away
his desirability in the eyes of Mrs
Belts But she could not be moved
She shed a few tears and declared that
the last time she had seen her dear Mr..
Belts Dandy had been with him and
that she must have the dog.
Tn next day was set for the separa-
ton aad Dandy's friend, the register
of wills. had the dog carried 10 the Of
fee OF the widows lawyer. When
Dandy realized what was to happen his
faithful soul revolted- BE had sub
ulitted TO his new master after the
death of Belts, and that was all that
could be expected Of him he might
have become reconciled 20 man. bat
20 be dominated By wornan--thst was
more than he could endure. he fed
from the widows fearful csresses. and,
watching his opportunity, dashed
through an open door and down the
street 10 the city hall The register 81
wills was sitting in his oaice, when Is
heard a little patter N the hall. and
there Dandy was, in his Ian, with his
paws upon the mans shoulders and his
head nestled against the others face
They wept together. But Il did no
good II only meant another parting
and Dandy was finally carried away.
cC-D-- an vCnT-ETRy