The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-23
VESTS rRrBUrE TO THE DOG
what Eloquence WAL do with
Jury

one of the most eloquent tributes
ever paid to the dog was delivered by
Senator Vest. OF Missouri. some years
ago. He was attending court in a coun-
try town, and while waiting for the trial
Of a ease in which he was interested he
was urged by the attorneys in a dos
case TO help them. He was paid q Zee
Of $3.50 by the plaintiff Voiuminous ev-
idence was introduced TO show that the
defendant had shot the dog in malice,
while other evidence went to show that
the dog had attacked defendant. Vest
took no part in the trial and was MOI
disposed to speak The attorneys. how
ever. urged him to make q speech. else
their client would not think he had
earned his fee. Being thus urged he
arose. scanned the face OF each jury
man for a moment. and said:
Gentlemen of the Jury: The best
friend a man has in the world NAV
turn against him and become his enc
my. His son or daughter that he has
reared with loving care may prove un-
grateful. 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 a man has he may lose. II
flies. away from him. perhaps when ne
needs il most. 4 mans reputation may
be sacrificed in a moment Of iI-consid-
cred action. The people who are prone
to fall on their knese to do us honor
when success is with US may be the frs:
to throw the stone of malice when fail
ure settles its cloud upon our heads,
The one absolutely unselfish friend hat
ma can have in this selfish world, the
one that never deserts him. the n that
never proves ungrateful or ~treacherous.
is the dog. 4 mans dog stands by him
in prosperity and in poverty, in health
n in sickness. He will sleep on the
cold ground. where the wintry winds
blow and the snow drives fiercely, If
only he may be near his masters side.
He will kiss the hand hat has no food
to offer: he will lick the wounds and
sores that come in encounter 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 remains. When riches take
wings and reputation falls to pieces he
is as constant in his low as the sun
in its journeys through the heavens. II
fortune drives the master forth an out
cast in the world. friendless and home
less. the faithful dog asks M higher
privilege than that of accompanying
him.. to guard against danger. to fight
against his enemies. And when the last
scene of all comes. I'M death takes the
master in it's embrace. and his body IS
laid away in the cold ground. no mat
ter if all other friends pursue their
way. there by the graveside will the
noble dog be found. his head between
his paws, his eyes sad. but open in
alert watchfulness. faithful and r
even in DEATH"
Then Vest sat down. He had spoken
in a low voice. without a gesture. He
made no reference to the evidence or
the merits of the case. When he finish
ed Judge n jury We're wiping their
eyes. The jury filed out. but Don en-
tered with a verdict in favor of the
plaintiff for $500. He had sued for 5000.
It is even said that some of the jurors
wanted to hang the defendant.