Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-05

mess. A venerable gentleman, who had
descended from the gorgeous car to watch
the operation. finally strolled over to the
fence, and, attracted by some wild bios
SONS, somewhat awkwardly scaled the bar
rier and ambied pleasantly about the green
fields, lost in contemplation of the sim
plicity of natures wonders.
N1codemus came into action by a spring
In the air, a shrill bark and a series
of cOntortions that brought his launches
almost to his chin. When he felt the
ground after the first flight he had made
two yards and his hair swept the wind as
he rushed on Here. in his dogs compre-
hension, was something tangible some
thing not only to bark at but to bite The
Nenerable Gentleman dropped the flowers
he had gathered and turned unsteadily to
the fence, but made such poor progress that
Nicodemus. with terribly cleaning teeth
and bounce like kangaroo ran into his
legs. There was then a fall of dog and
man. with a sngularly active display of
man, considering age and lack of recent
athletic training, and as the Venera BILE Cen
tleman came upright he al the only thing
that seemed to his bewildered mind of ra-
tlonal purpose The fence was still
great way off. and the speed of the dog
had impelled that animal on few feet but
ne was even now reversing himself Nearer
than the fence branched tree. Two COM
fortlng knobs, within easy reach projected
from the trunk. And before he quite knew
how he did it. the Venerable Gentleman.
with Smazing agility, was seating himself
on lower branch of the tree, while the
dog was making earne st and savage efforts
to reach his dangling legs.
The man breathed heavily, and. in
spirit OF Cancellation, snapped his fingers
childishly, smacked his lips and assured
Nicodemus that he good and a sweet
and an altogether estimable doggie in none
OF which compliments did the Venerable
Gentleman actually believe; nor did the dog
accept them. Contrarily, and knowing that
the pantomfme and expressions of this
stranger were intended. in effect. to be
lriehdiy. the miserable animal. pleased that
he had freed the victim who for all the dog
knew, was the very person who had for
meriy thrown coal at him, took these mani
festations as signs of rage, and when the
prisoner dropped a handkerchief he seized
and shook 1t victoriously
Inc incident naturally served to interest
the men at the car wheels. They came to
the fence in body, calling out to the dog
mounted the rails in an effort to distra ~
Nieodemus from his prey. He put one foot
down on the opposite side as If he would
conle INTO the pasture 1t was Withdrawn
mated by a desire to engage all corners
sprang at the would-be intruder and his
white teeth closed on a boot heel The man
or courage. giving way to reasonable nro-
family, fell back into the arms of his com
panions. The three stood in doubt and con.
ference. but made no new move while
Nlcodemus returned to guard the tree. with
now and then. sudden sporttye excursiona
IN their direction. Thus with tail wappinp
he kept alert. while suggestions passed
from the Venerable Gentleman to his dis
tant companions. Something was said ~
nledrils' put none appeared. and after the
engineer had for some minutes poked
long iron rod through the fence to he
, growled at by the beast pacific overturos
were renewed and there were more snannins
or fingers. calls and whistles. The nnrtar
| on the car came forth to view proceedings
put was equally vague In suggestions al
though he referred to hot water.
INTO TINS excitement, after some miputes
came Mrs OHearn. her arms barred to tha
| elbows. and rolling pin In one hand Sbe
"douied down, red and Breathe her
her bearing that of ponderous su1nrjSs
| ofe came to halt just beneath the bra nch
on which the Venerable Gentleman was
perched. and the dog wagged her wei
come and made another dash for the fence.
describing as he returned a circle The
| man in the tree viewed her advent with
| positive pleasure. He at once connecfed
MRS. % Hearn with the ownership of the
| Dog, and he was also impressed that his
| position was absurd: so, although his tones
| were Pheasant, chagrfn was somewhere ap-
parent ~
| My dear woman. If you will call of
your dog you will oblige me greatly. I
| must confess to trespassing here, but an
| accident forced us to stop, and was at
tracted by some wild flowers. and so in
Saded your domain"
| He smiled geniaIly conscious that he
! had put the case concisely at least, while
| Mrs. OHearn, with an authoritative BE
| shut, now" forced Nicodemus to lie down.
/ although his body still quivered from the
eXertionS of the chase and the consequent
canine deiirtum. His owner was at once
| impressed by the Venerable Gentleman,
| whose manner was seemly, and who sug-
| gested aristocratic courtlIness even under
the embarrassing condition Of maintaining