The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06

ourselves finding things for Duke 10 play
vita We gave him an old ball Of yarn,
and a worn-out hat, and dilapidated
rag doll that the baby had nursed TO
death and We visited Duke every day in
his own apartments. as Ned remarked
10 see IL he needed anything more.
IL was a delightful surprise to us 70
find that this sober, dgnihcd dog was
really jolly in the secusion Of his own
home. How nc would scamper around the
room in pursuit of the yarn ball, and how
skllfu he vas in throwing IL up and
catching IL; and how he rolled over ana
over on the floor IN a transport or oe-
light. with his mouth wide open and his
tongue lolling out barking In calloW'
puppyish fashion as though he were not
three months old And the strangest
thing about it was that he played no.
where else.
il amused us to see that nc preferred
tho rag doll TO all the other playthlnss
we had been able 20 find for BIN. me
ban would do 10 toss about and play
pranks with; but the doll was 70 be dealt
with tenderly. He carried 1t about the
room sometimes, holding it gingerly be-
tween his teeth. its head dangling to one
side; but most of the time he preferred
TO Die down with the doll between his tore
paws. while he rested his chin on 1t and
watched us soreney from the corner OF
his eye. And we found that whenever
Duke grew tired Of play.he Invariably USED
tho doll for a pillow and slept as pcaceluI-
u as a child
One dav we went O. see him with
new scheme that was TO test his affection
TO the utmost. a merchant friend Of ours
had given us a doll with a blsque race
and blonde hair. a very queen or dolls'
compared with the wretched thing lot
which Duke had shown such preference
We took il up TO him, and he hited MS
nose and smellcd IL an over Then he
took 10 In his mouth and LAID il on the
tiOor. where ne investigated 10 again. Ihen
an at once he deliberately set his foot
on il, to hold It down. and tore IT hmo
from limb. scattering the remains all over
the room. He found that the head cid
not come 90 pieceG so readily as he had
hoped, and so he tossed 20 in tho air for
awhile. until he had succeeded IN &C.
molshing 60 with the rest. Then me look
the rag doll into his arms and lay down
with a sleepy yawn.
Where it was that Duke found the real
live baby none Of as ever knew. Perhaps
while be was wandering about IN search
Of something 20 take TO his playhouse,
no came upon the baby. promenadlng AIM
lessly 40 and down the streets. NO doubt
the baby followed him willingly, for It
was natural for an children 20 love the
GREAT. quiet d0x. with the biz brown eyes
am dthe honest lace; and We could imagine
her toillng % the stairs with him, ana
having a good time with him ia that up
per room.
At any rate when MT. Barnes was
ready 20 90 nome In the evening DUKE
was not ON hand as usual; and he went
uD TO his play-rOom 90 see what had oe-
come Of him. And what sight met ms
gaze: for there was a little golden-haired
babv. soUed and ragged with the poor
old rag doll clasped IA her arms, ana win
her head resting on Dukes shaggy side,
while she slept and smiled In her sleep
Duke could not move without waking her
and so he lay still. and looked al his
master with an apologize grin and
humped the door lightly with his tall
OF course the police were notified ana
when some Of them came TO take me
lost baby 10 the station. Duke would not
let them touch her He had never threat
ened anyone in his life but he showed
his teeth al them, and they were forced
10 stand back. He was willing for his
master to take the baby, however, ana
followed along by his side making playful
Jumps at her little feet. and 80 Mr.. Barnes
was touched.
OH tell YOU what I'll do" he said 70
the officers; "Ill take her home with me,
and If you can find her parents you VIII
know where to send them for the baby"
SO. Mr. aBrnes went home. carrying
the golden-haired baby, who, is her turn,
carried the rag doll; ana Duke capered
along as he had never been known 20 do
in IAN his life, and cut up the most absurd
antics.
OF course. the police found where the
baby belonged. but 1t was after several
days. for the people were Indifferent about
"a child that had 80 claim on them. Her
mother had died I'm the house. and they
felt that il would be a good riddance If
some one would take her.
And then Dukes master talked II over
with his wife, while the baby ana Duke
tumbled over one another on the floor
and the result wa2 that the baby found a
home.
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