The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-08-05
A FRIEND OF MINE.

time we first had him. You see, we
thought it was great piece of good
luck, my getting him, anyway. There
he is now, nosing the earth over
bone at the root of that tall syringa.
Bright? Smart? Well, l should think
so; not that he knows tricks; he
doesn't need any such superficial
knowledge. It's general intelligence
and wit that You want in companion,
and great tender heart; eh? Well,
l should say so and l don't expect in
this world to find more intelligence or
more loving heart than Mascot has.
You may laugh if you want to, but l
know what I'm talking about. You
think some human being is having
second existence in his form, perhaps.
Oh, no no mere human being ever
loved in that way; he's dog, fast
enough. Come here, Mascot; give a
paw, sir
Isn't he an ugly-looking fellow, with
the rough hair standing up all over
him, not long enough to droop and
be graceful? He's one of the kind
that's so ugly he's interesting. Scotch
terrier with few drops of bulldog
blood, 1 fancy no thoroughbred, you
see. But look at his eyes-strong and
true and loving that's enough.
We've been the closest of friends ever
since we met. I'll tell you how that
was-or have ever told you? No?
My wife says I tell everybody two or
three times over, and that she has no.
ticed that all my friends are careful
not to mention the subject of CANNES
in general, lest 1 may begin on my
particular one.
Sit down, Mascot, and lean against
my knee. He likes to lie with his
head on my foot, and 1 like to have
him.
It's two years ago this spring. l
was going down Clark street almost on
q run to catch train. There hap
pened not to be many teams in the
street, for it was not yet seven o'clock
in the morning. heard a sharp cry
across the way. 1t was so sharp and
agonized that stopped involuntarily.
On the other side was a group of boys
with dog in their midst. Though at
the first l couldn't see anything dis
tinctly, yet knew directly that the
boys were internal little scamps, and
that they were torturing the animal.
Another cry-there was smoke rising
from the center of the group, which
was in sort of alcove formed by two
buildings. forgot my train and ran
across, dashing right in among the
ruffians. When see certain kind
OF boy I'm ashamed that I'm a man,
l swear am
They had this dog-lie still, Mas
cot!-they had him muzzled, his jaws
tied together so tightly that the rope
which bound them had gnawed into
the flesh and was bloody, and a boy
was at each side OF his head gripping
fast the cord; two other boys held
him by hips and hind legs, and what
do you think fifth was doing? Hold
ing one of those kerosene torches un.
der the dogs body. Yes, and smelt
the burning flesh as I jumped on the
pavement. The tortured creature
made terrible effort, but he wouldn't
have escaped if my coming hadn't
confused the villains-as it was, the
dog dashed at me and leaped on me.
What an agony of hope and appeal
there was in his wild eyes! How he
cried in his throat; for he couldn'i
open his jaws.
I wanted to kill every boy there was
there. ! did knock one over the rest
ran away. The torch was left smok.
ing on the sidewalk; and then q po,
liceman came along, sauntering from
somewhere, stared ut the dog, and
asked if he was mad. I shook my
head and walked of, the dog sc
eagerly at my heels that had to b,
careful how I moved.
/ hurried into street where, at thil
time Of day, there were still fewel
people. sat down on q step, tool
out my pocket-knife and cut the rop,
from the dogs mouth.
His gratitude was heart breaking
it almost seemed st first ~ IL he woult
die Of it And ! cried; couldn'
J hslp It. and you know very well In