Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1899-11-03
The NeighborhOod Dog.

Following the boys on the heights OF
Ashland you will always see mongrel
dog of dirty no color. but wearing a
beautiful silver collar. The boys can
not remember just when they began
to notice the dog ever at their heels.
He was neither big nor little, light nor
dark, smooth nor curly, but just be-
twixt and between in all things but his
disposition, which was perfect, When
the stranger first Joined them he was
driven off with many kick. cuff and
cross word, but he soon made himself
so useful in finding lost balls and car
rying packages that the boys grew fond
Of him, and were ready to quarrel for
the privilege Of taking him home for
dinner and the night. But Tramp
was so impartial there could be no
quarrels. II the boys forgot whom he
stayed with last, he never did. but
went frisking home with different
ny each night. The boys had another
follower, little Curly" Wilson, aged
five, who would have been a nuisance
but for Tramp, who kept as good
watch over him as the stray balls and
missing hats, shoes and coats. Twice
Tramp just escaped the poundman's
wagon, and 1t was then the boys
dubbed their pocket money and bought
leather collar and license for him.
and gave him his name Of Tramp. Dur
ing school hours Tramp played with
Curly, or snoozed by the gate Of some
boy, or chased cats: but noon and
o'clock found him waiting at the steps
where the boys left the street car COM
ing from school. They took him to
the lake for a swim on Saturdays, or
when they were too busy Tramp went
by himself Now, this little lake,
although lovely to look at, had its dan
gers, like all lakes, and one that most
lakes have not. 1t Is an artificial lake
made by walling in an arm of the bay,
and has its tides like the ocean. When
the tide is out, about half around the
lake lies a smooth, broad, slippery belt
of deep mud. Tramp knew enough to
keep off it, but little Curly was not so
wise! So one Saturday when the boys
were very busy with plans for an after
noon outing they sent Tramp to battle
alone. Unseen to them, Curly followed
him. When they reached the lake the
tide was just beginning to creep in,
and Tram waited for deeper water.
The two friends raced about the as
ho1 RI n W
" ventured on the sand, and then, no
boys being near, and tempted by the
shining mud, he took off his shoes and
stockings and stepped out on it. Oh.
how good and COO! it felt to his little
bare toes! Tramp tried to coax him
back, but could not, and soon Curly
went one step too far, sank to his
ankles and stuck fast! Poor Tramp!
He couldn't get him out, and he hated
to leave him. But help must be had!
So, selling Curly's little wet hat, he
dashed off up the hill to the boys.
They saw him coming far of, and Won
dered what treasure he was bringing
them. Some guessed rat, some duck.
some rabbit; but when he dropped the
little hat before them, and flew madly
back, the boys all cried. Poor Curly's
drowned!" and rushed after. Now, We
know he wasn't drowned, nor in very
much danger yet. although the tide
was coming fast. and he stood in wa
ter above his knees when the boys
reached the lake-a very scared, un-
comfortable little boy. It was no easy
matter to get him out, for the boys
sank so deep in the mud. They each
tried and they tried together. but all to
no purpose, and the water was slowly
rising; they had finally to 60 out in
boat from the other side. and finally
by hard pulling they got him out. For
days his feet and legs were so bruised
and lame he could get into no mis-
chief. Tramp was the hero Of the hour.
and Curly's mother gave him the fine
silver cOllar.-Lizzie E. Johnson.