The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-19
The Story OF a Dog.

BY MARGARET j. PRESTON
The brief life-story Of my sleek little
friend shall not contain a line that IS
not absolutely true; perhaps that is more
than can be SAID OF many longer bog
raphies. lie kept no diary and wrote no
letters. therefore we can know nothing
of his interpretive life, except as it was
made outwardly manifest. lie had no
confessions to make no views 10 main
tain no reforms 70 promote, and yet so
long as the world loves lover, the story
Of such an Intelligent, unwavering, per
feet devotion as Minis Will be well worth
the telling.
lie was separated from his mother Zone
of the most diminuuve Of terriers when
he was no bigger than a fortnightold
kitten, and prtented 10 Il charming wo-
man. one possessed of that gentle beauty
which is attractive alike to men, women
children, and dogs. There was something
in her manner which must have fasci-
mated MIN from the moment OF his pass
ing under her care. She became thence
forth the one object OF his worship, the
being from whose presence he was never
willingly absent day or night.
His mistress lived on a beautiful estate
some miles out OF Baltimore. In driving
about the ncighborhood MIN was allowed
place in the carriage beside the driver
but when the carriage was ordered out
TO drive to the railway station 10 eaten
the train, he perfectly understood that he
was never to ask permission 10 60 ana
he never did one day a visitor, who had
been dining with my friend was about
10 be sent in her carriage 10 meet tue
incoming train. The dog did not happen
to DO present in the room while the
stranger was preparing 10 take her de-
enldnnlV
caught up a straw hat and sprang into
the carriage to drive with her visitor 10
the station Just as the door closed be-
hind her, MIN bounded into the house and
Immediately presented himself in MS
wstful way, before one Of the servants
who was sewing, as clearly as possible
saving. where has she goneP As no
reply was given, he stretched himself out
on the rug and began 10 cry. After lying
there for ten minutes he eagerly sprans
up AS If a sudden thought had taken pos
session of his mind. He flew around 10
the head OF the bed where TWO small
boxes were kept-One containing the hand
some Sunday bonnet, which was always
worn TO town. the other bonnet IN
which home drives were taken. Climb
ing up. he. with the top of his head.
knocked of the cover Of the box contain
ing the second-best bonnet but turned
Immediately away from 1t, knocking or
the cover OF the other box. AS soon as
he saw the handsome bonnet all his sn2-
iety vanished, and soon he was stretched
upon the rug sound asleep having set.
tied the question that his mistress had
not gone INTO town without bidding him
good-by. for there was her town bonnet
TO prove H.
The intensity OF his Joy when she re-
turned afser n Few hours absence IN
town. was something human-iike. lie
would SO 10 meet her when he heard the
whistle % the train on which lie expected
her, and tire way he would kiss hei yetf
feet was touching 10 see.
| might Very easily multiply instances
showing how wonderfully this little crea-
ture seemed to comprehend much Of ordl.
nary conversation, and especially all re-
marks addressed 10 himself, but that
would require more space THAN this little
denizen ~ the dos-worid has any right 10
demand.
Poor MIN, I shall never forget the day
the news ran through the house that he
was nowhere 10 be found. nor the I'M
foigned grief OF his mistress over the sim
gulanty OF the fact that for an hour she
had not seen him. When II became GER
tain that he was really gone. a handsome
reward was offered for his return. living
or dead hut 10 this day not q ray OF light