The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-08-04
A MUSICAL HEART.
BY IDA ESTELLA K. SMITH.

ing one eye to look up at his master
who had failed to speak a word of vel
come, and the omission had not passe,
unnoticel by the faithful brute.
A half hour passed. Philemon
moved uneaSily, and the mastitl's tai
thumped against the floor reassuring g
ly. "Amzie.."
The dog bounded to his feet with 6
whine of pleasure
"Amzie, my boy, have much tc
attend to; very much, for | have this
day received a warning"
lie placed his hand on the animals
head, and in a sorrowful and affection
ate manner caressed the only creature
left to him whom he believed loved
him disinterestedly.
Yes, Amzie, 1 have received q
warning of the approaching chanre.
! suppose | ought to be thankful that
the time draws near, but it is uncer-
tain, after all. You must be provided
for, and you shall be. The rascally
relatives who anxiously await my
final leave taking cannot cheat YOU
out OF your Inheritance! You are nv
best friend! DO you understand me ?
Ny best friendr'
The mastitf raised one huge paw and
placed it across his masters knee as
he tried to lick the hand that caressed
him. Philemon gently stroked it and
continued: Il have been told that
there are animals on the next plane.
Annie; l cannot say whether it be
true, but you can come to me if they
misuse You. They dare not, sir. They
dare not!' he shouted, eycitedly.
He pulled the chair toward a rather
antiIuated desk, and wrote several
words on slip of paper
Take this to Richard, my boy. If
my heart is weak 1 must save steps;
have heard that walking is injurious
if one suffers with heart disease"
The dog took the note in his mouth,
and as Philemon opened the door
bounded outward. A few moments
later he returned, with the gardener
closely following.
''You sent for me? Amzie brought
the note"
''Ies, Richard; I want yon to bring
a lawyer here at once. He must be
the first one you can find. l am in a
great hurry" And the man hurried
away.
When the lawyer arrived he found
Philemon seated before the desk, bust
ly engaged in arranging his business
papers. One drawer after another had
been emptied, and the contents heaped
in considerable confusion before him.
He welcomed the lawyer, and pro-
ceeded to explain why he called him.
II have concluded, sir, that man
who has lived as long in this world as
1 have ought to properly arrange
matters before leaving for the next;
therefore, have sent for you to do
the wo-k for me-"
The lawyer &C ;uiesced, POLITELY re-
marking that he hoped it might be
many years first, and Philemon con-
tinuea, II have la"ge estate to dis
pose OF. I also have few distant rela-
tives; not one among them would, from
genuine sorrow, shed tear at my
grave; but this faithful fellow will
mourn" Here he once more caressed
the dog. II want him properly cared
for during his life, if he survive me-
and have good treason to believe that
lie will; and as either one of the ras-
cally set who claim relationship to me
would, in all pro5abily, assist him in
reaching dog heaven ahead of time, I
wish to leave him in the care of my
gardener, Richard Jenkins. He is
faithful, and Amzie is fond of him. l
wish him to understand that this
room, with all it contains, is to be re-
served for the use of the dog. The
remaining portion of the house is to
be used by his own family, and Amzie
is to be we'll cared for. In compensa-
tion for these services will place at
his disposal $1,000 the first year, and
il shall be increased 5000 each year
that my Pet shall live. A sure incen
tive for Richard TO see that he has
good care," he remarked, with q grin
OF satisfaction. as the lawyer rapidly
transferred the old mans wishes to
pare er.
He then explained minutely how
and what the dog was to be fed, and he
wished Richard to understand that
though he often stretched himself be- !
Gore the fire, at times he enjoyed lying
on the broad sofa, which must be left
for his use alone.
The lawyer smiled indulgently, and
continued to write until the rather
peculiar document was finished.
Soon afterward the will was proper
~ signed and witnessed, the lawyer
had gone, and Philemon was once
more seated before the fire.
The evening shadows were length /
ening. Philemon seemed to have TO- ,
gotten that he usually ate a hearty
meal at this hour. Amzie, as usaa',
lay at his masters feet, oc Tally
looking upward and emphasizing the