The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1901-12-07
VEST ON THE DOG.
The Famous Missouri Senator's E1o-
quent Tribute to the Faith
full Animal.

One of the most eloquent tributes
ever paid to the dog was delivered by
Senator Vest, of Missouri, some years
ago, says the Nashville American.
He was attending court in country
town, and while waiting for the trial
of case in which he was interested
he was urged by the attorneys in a
dog case to help them. He was paid a
fee of $3.50 by the plaintiff. Volumin-
Gus evidence was introduced to show
that the defendant had shot the dog
in malice, while other evidence went
to show that the dog had attacked
the defendant. Vest took no part in
the trial, and was not disposed to
speak. The attorneys, however, urged
him to make speech, else their client
would not think he had earned his fee.
Being thus urged, he arose, scanned
the face of each juryman for a mo-
ment and said:
"Gentlemen of the jury, the best
friend a man has in the world may
turn against him and become his en-
emy. His son or daughter that he has
reared with loving care may prove
ungrateful. Those who are nearest
and dearest to us, those whom we
trust with Our happiness and our good
name, may become traitors to their
faith. The money that man has he
may lose. 1t flies away from him, per-
haps. when he needs it most. A mans
reputation may be sacrificed in a mo-
ment of ill-considered action. The
people who are prone to fall on their
knees to do us honor when success is
with us may be the first to throw the
stone of malice when failure settles
it's cloud upon our heads. The one
absolutely unselfish friend that a man
can have in this selfish world, the one
that never deserts him, the one that
never proves ungrateful or treacher-
Gus, is his dog. A mans dog stands by
him in prosperity and in poverty in
health and in sickness. He will sleep
on the cold ground, where the wintry
winds blow and the snow drives fierce
ly, if only he may be near his masters
side. He will kiss the hand that has
no food to offer. He will lick the
wounds and sores that come in en-
counter with the roughness of the
world. He guards the sleep of his
pauper master as if he were a prince.
When all other friends desert he re-
mains. When riches take wings and
reputation falls TO pieces he is as con-
slant in his love as the sun in its jour
neys through the heavens. II for
tune drives the master forth an out
cast in the world, ,friendless and home
less, the faithful dog asks no higher
privilege than that of accompanying
him, to guard against danger, TO fight
against his enemies. And when the
last scene of all comes, and death
takes the master in its embrace, and
his ' " is laid away in the cold
grcrnd, no matter If all other friends
pursue their way, there by the grave
side will the noble dog be found, his
head between his paws, his eyes sad,
but open in alert watchfulness, faith
ful and true even in death"
Then Vest sat down. He had spoken
in low voice, without a gesture. He
made no reference to the evidence or
the merits of the case. When he fin
ished judge and jury were wiping
their eyes The jury filed out, but soon
returned with a verdict in favor of the
plaintiff for $500. he had sued for
5000. 1t is even said that some of the
jurors wanted to hang the defendant.