The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-06
For the Children.
LADDIE.

Lake Champlain was frozen over, and
the skaters had gathered for good time
and were cutting fancy figures in the Ice.
when a dog came running across the lake
as fast as his feet would carry him.
He was a large and beautiful collie, hut
his coat, which was different from that
OF any collie ever seen in that locality,
was of a blush gray, just the color Of a
Maltese kitten. That he was dog of fine
pedigree could be seen at a glance by the
skaters who gathered around him. for his
neck was encircled by the pure white
collar that marks the genuine collie. A
" hite ruff came over each shoulder and
met the frill that covered his chest. His
slender paws were white and his silky
coat was so long that 1t waved about as
the wind swept by. His tail was like a
dropping plume ond only Just escaped the
ground as he walked. His brown eyes
were keen, yet gentle, and his counte-
nance wore an expression of wisdom.
Whenever a hand reached out to touch
his leather collar, the dog braced back
on the ice and displayed a row of gleam-
ing white teeth. Not until a Small boy
approached him did he display any will
ingness to be friendly, but when the boy
spoke the collie looked UP with an air
that said as plainly as words: "'Yes. I'll
go With you" and wagged his tail joy
cusly. The question of ownership was
thus decided for the time at least ard,
slipping his skate strap through the dog 5
collar the boy led his willing captive
home. The dog was Immediately named
Laddie.
The first night in his new home he in
sisted on passing in a dark corner under
the Kitchen table. The next morning he
came out to eat his breakfast, and by
school time he had become acquainted
with the boys small sister and showed
an inclination to tug at the rope fastened
to her sled. He was a strong dog, and Il
required only few DAYS training to
teach him to wear little harness and
trot off to school with the sled every
morning.
When Sunday came It was decided to
take Laddie to church, as an experiment,
and see if he would stay quietly in the
VeStry He trotted after the carriage
until he reached the church, where he
declined to be caught. Instead, he walk
ed right through the church door, and,
going up the aisle, stretched himself com
fortably on the carpet at the foot of the
pulpit and laid his pointed nose on his
front paws with an air of finality that
said he meant to stay there. He would
rot even glance in the direction of the
family pew, and ignored all the frantic
signals made to him. The family had not
yet become sufficiently well acquainted
with Laddie to know whether it would be
safe to attempt to take him away fore
IDLY, and as the minister went calmly on
with the service Laddie was allowed to
remain, although many reproachfIl
chances were cast his way by his friends.
1t was feared that Laddie might howl at
the hymns, but fortunately he seemed to
like music, and his face wore a pleased
expression when the organ was played.
AS the service drew TO close Laddie
was observed to be watching the family
out of the corner OF. his eye, although his
head remained motonless. After the peo-
pie left the church Laddie rejoned mis-
friends, and scampered after the carriage,
giving loud barks OF joy. 1t was oae of
Ladies' failings to make the best Of
every opportunity to make himself heard.
At family gathering that evening it
was decided that Laddie should never
again be permitted to accompany the
family to church, but should be locked
up during that hour. While his conduct
was being discussed Laddie was basking
in front of the open fire, watching he
glowing logs with pensive air.
HE understood what was said that
evening" lamented member of the fam
lily on the following Sunday, for when
church time came Laddie was not to be
found.
With many misgivings the family en-
tered the cHuTcH, anu there Was i1dI-
die at his post in front Of the pulpit,
apparently enjoying a needed rest after
his long tramp. Many attempts were
made to prevent the dog from attend
ing church, but they all failed.
AS everyone in the village loved Lad
die it was decided TO indulge him in the
matter of going to church, and his pres
ence there came to be looked upon as
matter Of course.
AS spring advanced I.addie went on
long walks with the boy, into the deep
woods, where the brooks held speclled
trout. Laddie enjoyed these tramps, and
when he saw the fishing tackle being
gathered on the table the dog would go
TO the front stoep and wait there. Once
or twice an attempt was made TO leave
Laddie at home, but he was not diverted
from his purpose and before the woods |
Were reached Laddie would come bound
Ing up in a hilarious state of glee, and
later would trot quietly after the boy /
He even refrained from barking up at the |
squirrels, whom at other times he would
chase up into the trees. But OCCASION
ally Laddie would suffer from what the |
family called .'lapses OF conscience and
on these occasions. instead of keeping |
away from the brook, he would walk into
some pool where the fishing was especial
ly good and splash around until he had |
frightened the fish away from that vi |
cinity for the day.
I.addie fought every dog for miles |
around. He loved to fight and entreatieg |