The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-17

belief that If he should stretch out his
legs the dog would think they were too
near and would bite Them
He resumed his conversation on the
subject of his old flame whom he had
met at the grist mill.
He Informed his present flame that it
had only been a -boy-and-girl affair, and
that Notwithstanding all that had hap
pened since, he had never really cared
for any woman until he had become ac-
quainted with Abby Ann Capen.
"Oh, Mr.. Manning" cried Abby Ann in
a low tone; and he color rose again
over her face.
Fact" said the man. Il tell you,
you don't know what tbs when a man
actually sees the only woman he has
ever cared for"
Naturally Abby Ann did not know, SO
she aid nothing, but her face was SO
lovely at the moment that Mr.. Manning
rose and was about to place his chair
near that of his companion. He had
forgotten the bull terrier who was lying
with his head extended and resting be-
tween his paws.
Ben grinned, and the lamplight fell
upon his shining teeth and his raised
upper lip. He growled also.
Mr.. Manning retreated, but he con-
trolled himself to such a degree that he
was able to exclaim, playfully:
"Good doggie, / amt goin' to harm
your mistress. I love her, too"
Ben did not Immediately lower-his lip.
Possibly he was attempting to make it
known that he also had now met the
only woman he had ever loved.
Mr.. Manning tried various topics of
conversation, but he did not feel his
usual ease. and he resented the way in
which his betrothed would put her hand
on the dogs head.
The gentleman got upon his feet to
go at a much earlier hour than usual.
Abby Ann rose to him to
the door, and Ben rose also. whining
somewhat as his hurts throbbed with
pain.
He kept close to his new friend, con-
sequently there was a very formal fare
well between the lovers.
Mrs. Capen, who was sitting nodding
over the kitchen stove, heard this de-
parture and reused herself.
Your beau's in a hurry, amt hep"
she asked. as her daughter came into
the room. Il hope he amt got another
girl anywhere. It's astonishing what
the women find in that man."
The terrier stood in the middle of the
kitchen floor looking at the two as the
elder woman chuckled over her own
words.
He manifested such a decided %inclina-
ton to &c up the stairs with his new
mistress that she let him go, and he lay
on a mat all night by her bed.
This was the beginning of Ben's de-
votion to Abby Ann. Perhaps he had
never before known any careSSing kind
ness. At any rate. he was SO grateful
and SO loving that Abby Ann did not
have the heart to deprive him of her so
ciety; and, indeed, in two or three weeks
she would have missed him aS much as
he would W missed her.
He almost ceased to snap at her when
she dressed his wounds, and he was
even more overwhelmed with repentance
on those occasions when he did snap.
1t seemed as if he knew that she had
saved him from being knocked in the
head" At any rate. he was profoundly
aware of her kindness and gentleness.
and he had evidently never before been
accustomed to human though
he had been well fed.
And dogs value intimacy with human
beings with a.pathetic intensity.
Abby Ann liked to feel Ben's warm
body lying at her feet: she liked to have
him tracking her everywhere she went,
indoors and out; she liked to meet the
SteadfaSt gaze of his hazel eyes.
But Ben did not approve of Mr.. James
Manning, though hat gentleman pro-
fessed an e-xtravagant liking for him
and brought him bones and other pro-
pitiatory offerings. Ben took the bones
and growled at the giver of them.
'sFirst-rate dog said Mr.. Manning,
contemplating him from the end of the
room. He added with JUNCTION: Il like
him cause he ikeS you, Abby Ann"
So the spring months went on. Mr..
Manning and Ben maintained the same
attitude toward each other. and their
mutual friend grew more and more fond
of the terrier. She expected to marry
Mr.. Manning in September, and she
was making tablecloths in the very
presence of Ben, who would have torn
the liner into shreds had he known what
it was.
Mrs. Capen was in the habit of saying
thu that there dog'd be pizened fore
he'd been a month on the Burnt River
road, or she'd miss her guess"
To these remarks Abby Ann answered
IX 1-4 t%E ho~
reach, as he usually was. she would put
her land on him and he would turn his
head and lick her wrist.
One evening it was getting to be near
ly s O'Clock and Mr.. Manning had not
come, although this was his night
Mrs. Capen was knitting and Abby
Ann was hemming a tablecloth. Ben
was out for his evening exercise.
Mrs. Capen had just remarked that
twa'n't human natur' for Jim Manning
to Ike that dog, though he did pretend
to- when, close to the outer door, there
was heard a growl, a shout and then a
scuf1e.
Both women rushed-the younger one
was the first to arrive-and to fling open
the door.
There was Mr.. Manning, not literally
foaming at the mouth, but giving that
impression to the beholder; and he was
ashen in color. And there was Ben
with a firm hold on the mans leg, or
rather on the thick cloth of his trousers.
"Oh, whats the matter?" cried Abby
Ann.
You Jest take off that darn little cuss
of a dog" shouted Mr.. Manning in a
voice which was not in the least soft.
"Gracious.'' cried Mrs. Capen a little in
the background.
Ben, what do you mean? Come here.
sir. Come here this minute" cried his
mistress.
The dog did not Immediately obey.
He could not tell her that in HI dusk
OF the yard her lover had opened HOSTILE
ties by kicking at him.
Take the cuss off," again shouted
Mr.. Manning; and again in the back
ground Mrs. Capen, now with a twinkle
in her eye, cried, Gracious
Abby Ann approached still nearer and
took hold of Ben's collar, whereupon
Ben loosened his teeth and Immediately
placed himself by the side of his mis-
tress, looking up at her and wagging his
tail as if to explain matters.
Wont you come in. Mr.. Manning? 2"
now inquired Abby Ann.
The person thus addressed vas trying
to smooth his ruffied plumage. He said
he was in a kind of a hurry now. but
he'd call the next afternoon. And he
disappeared rather abruptly into the
darkness.
Mrs. Capen took this occasion to call