The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1902-01-21
WhitCumh's Coyote Dog.
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We curiously looked at the dog to as
certain what effect this particular kick
would have on him, for il was at least
the one-thousandth that he had re-
ceived from his master I'm the course
OF three years of troubled life. Usual
~ this dog took the kick. dropped his
tail, skunk into corner and watched
his master out of n single eye until
the latter's good humor was restored
This afternoon he did not do this. He
turned away without a yelp. set his
SCARED body on the trail TO Portland.
and temporarily disappeared.
Whitcomb was the deputy sheriff OF
the county, stationed at Sunhy He
regarded himself as master OF any
thing and everything in the town.
Men that kick dogs usually carry that
opinion with them. Whitcomb in Sun
fly stood for the law and his own
ends. When the two conhlcted the
law went fishing. But it was Il singu-
lar thing that while Whitcomb carried
SO much authority and imposing pres
ence around he never met a man who
dared to defy him but he Immediately
became his best friend. Men that kick
dogs have that popularity. also 1t
was singular, too. that the only thing
in Sul1y which Whitcomb ever out
rageously abused was his coyote dog.
This he kicked at every opportunity.
kicked so hard that Watson. the
freighter. looking into the dogs blood
shot eyes one day, said sententiously
TO Whitcomb:
Hell turn on YOU some day."
The dog came from nowhere He
drifted in out of the wilds of the
buttes one day and Immediately at
tached himself to Whitcomb Perhaps
he had cross of coyote In him: more
probably he did not But he was long,
lank, heavy-fanged, big of muscle.
marvellous in endurance-he ran one
day sixty miles behind Whitcomb's
gray Indian mare without a sup Of
water He minded his own business
strictly, even as to other dogs. The
Few of his own race that disturbed
him were killed so quickly that they
did not realize he was at their thrOats.
Why he took to Whitcomb no one
could explain. but he did. and although
kicked from pillar to post. beaten
with pistol butts and cut with quirts.
he was loyal TO his first choice That
is, he was loyal until this particular
day, when he was kicked for the last
time. When he trotted away from
WhitcOmb's Office although he did not
know it, he forever severed himself
from that individual.
Watson, coming across the trail with
provisions, met him at Grass Butte.
mile from town. He was high up the
butte perched on a shelf looking far
into the West Watson whistled to
him, and he came down, dragging his
big but bruised frame after him slow
~. He licked the freighter's hand.
smiled at the horses and then returned
10 the vantage point he had occupied.
only this time he faced the East, look
ing toward Sunny.
Watson was not supcrstiuous fell
low, but when he rode into town and
passed Whitcomb's office be called out:
Going over Grass Butte way to-
night?"
Whitcomb nodded Watson shook
his head.
THAT dog Of yours is ou, there. and
he's waiting for trouble"
Whitcomb laughed shook himself
and remarked.
81 reckon he'll never bother inc he's
just a bit sulky"
"All right" answered Watson "but
know these coyote dogs. and ] know
your dog and he's waiting for you
you just remember that"
Whitcomb paid no more attention
70 him and the rest of us forgot Grass
Eutte and the dog. About s O'Clock
that evening Whitcomb rode out of
town with q young fellow by the
name OF Owens lie was paying at
tentiou TO Owens sister and she was
living 0t the ranch iu the mpadowg.
i've miles west OF Grass Butte. IL
was dark when the two cleared the
town. but they were headed straight
Tor the butte When It4 shape rose
out OF the hIacbuoss before them
Whitcomb suddenly though. of lis dog
and said To Owens
~ wonder r chat bcas. s waiting
FOR meg'
Owens could not tcU Dim $50 when
they came tO The butte Whuc0ml dis.
mounted and wbIstlod Iic was cv
IDENTIFY anxious to cali Ur dog to- Dim
and show anew bis power over &c.
Something rustlcd on thc mass of shaie
above him.
Owens told the rest OF the story
later He said
Whit called TO Tie dog ana then
whIstlcd again and thcn r saw SOME.
thing big come through the dark as III
&c were shot out OF O gun Whit ripped
ont ou oath and then ho ZEN down
and The b.r Thing was ON Dim. and
thought SO was lion or something
else. and J come ure. to town as fas.
as ? could fof help
watson was too nr.l to esf into tho
saddle ror tIc -cscuo 0ua ust came
huwicdiy otter Ctcse g.f. $50. ve.,
quiet and $50 was Deputy Sheriff whit.
comb Tic was ..ue Dy TIDE uaI TACO
io Che stars bis throat torn open ANA
she life gone from h.m one la.l