The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-11-19
GOOD MIR. DOG.
BY op1E READ.
Author of "a Kentucky Colonel Etc.
ICanuriph ted by Daily Story Hrh Co

uninvting old fellow, as those upon whose
property he held mortgages were we'll
aware, but persons better acquainted with
him-that is to say, those who had glimpses
of his inner nature-declared that there
was good in him. He used to come down
town every morning on the elevated road,
and at station he began to look for the
face of small BOY at window. 1t was
but brief satisfaction, for of course the
train halted only moment, but he APP
peared to look forward to it, and would
squeeze himself, though large man, into
seat between two other large men in order
to be on the side nearest the window in
which the boys face appeared. Once he
was late and missed the face, and the next
morning he made it u point to be on time
again. The face was not there in the aft
ernoon when the old man returned home
at least he had not been able to see it,
though he never failed to look at the wiz
dow. He had been talking to an acquaint
ance, but broke off short to look. Then he
began to grumble.
whats the trouble?" the acquaintance
asked
''Oh, nothing much' But he shut up
and held himself in moody silence. The
next morning the face was not there; the
Cu1 tdlh WAS uoWu AHu luuS IL WENT Oh
for week, Grubbs fretting all the time. He
spoke to some one. That face was the only
bright thing l was permitted to see, and
now it is gone" At night he dreamed of the
face, SO expressive and full of WONDER and
he swore that it was shame thus to be
deprived of it; SO one morning lie got off
the train to look for the face. Up dark
stairway he CROPPED, knocked at door, was
scolded when he explained in stammering
manner that he was looking for face, went
to another door and knocked. tired
woman presented herself. She appeared to
be of gentle bearing, and Grubbs, usually
gruff, spoke to her with unwonted kindness.
In few words he told of the face. at was
flower to me, madam" The woman opened
wide the door and invited him to enter, and
there on bed he saw the face, pale with
sickness. He sat down, and the little fell
low, who had passed the dangerous point
and was recovering, was amused to see SO
big and shaggy man. In his own way he
remarked that Grubbs reminded him of a
great dog, and he asked Grubbs to bark for
him, which he did, the woman smiling at
him; and after this Grubbs was known as
1.-The dog One morning he said to the
woman:
you don't seem to have the means to
keep yourself properly. How dc you sup
port YOURSELF!
Il work at the theater whenever | can get
an engagement.
what sort of work.
"Oh, l help fill out the ballet
The old man frowned, but she did not
notice it. Well lie said, 'you must let
me do something for you. am much at.
tached to this little fellow"
He bowed over the hoy, and the little fell
low, reaching up and patting the grizzled
head, remarked that he was "A good dog, and
then requested the music of growl. Often
lie would stay late-did not seem to care for
time. Several days passed, and he remem-
bered that the woman had not accepted his
offer of help, neither had she encouraged
him in the belief that she would accept He
renewed it. 81 tell you that this little fe.
low is about all | care for. Listen. | was
coming downtown one morning after a
wrangle at my houes with men who were
trying to beat me out of what belonged to
me, and suddenly it flashed across me that
there was nothing true and beautiful in this
miserable old world, and then at that very
moment | first caught sight of this little
fellow, and
And you've been good ever since, the
boy broke in.
Yes, or at least better than / was.
Madam, you must let me help You. | be-
lieye you said your name is Marley.
She nodded "But my name amt that"
the boy cried out, and she bade him hush.
Madam, will you do me great favor?!''
he asked.
II don't know, sir. But you have been
kind enough to warrant it.
Thank you. 1t has been a good while
llo1 4. l.ta,
to me. This little fellow is getting along
all right, but With better attention Of
course he would improve faster. Suppose
you let me move him out to my house. l
have an immense place, and it will delight
him. and when he gets able to roam about
he can find no end of amusement in odd
corners and strange places, for my house was
built to my notion and is not like any other
house. What do you say
That | can't let him go.
'.Oh, ] mean that you must come, too.
Perfectly welcome, | assure you. She
shook her head. He argued against her de.
cision, but she would not yield.
GO to your housed" she exclaimed.
"Why, | do not even know your name. l
have asked you, and you have told me to
call you dog, after the manner of the little
boy"
And after this she called him Mr.. Dog.
Grubbs did not care to be known. In some
sort of deal with an alderman he had af-
forded a scandal for the newspapers, and
he was still the subject of an occasional
fling from the men who wrote short para
graphs His kindness, however, was such
as to awaken gratitude in the heart of the
mother. He would bring articles of diet
and leave them without word. Once he
gave the child piece of yellow money.
''You must give it back, said the woman.
Madam" replied Grubbs, would you
deny an old man all pleasure? He must
keep the money"
The boy continued to improve, and it
was not long before he could run about the
house, but Grubbs came every day, waving
at him of a morning and holding him upon
his knee in the afternoon.
81 dislike so much to call you Mr.. Dog, y
said the woman. won't you select some
other name"
moi" the boy cried. He is my good
dog And SO it went from day to day One
afternoon as Grubbs was about to take his
leave he looked at the boy and said: