The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1903-06-26
TRIBUTE TO THE DOG.
Senator Vest OH Mans Faithful
Friend.

We have been handed the
following for publication by a
friend of the dogs, as the writer
says ''in hope that it may induce
some prosecutor of the dog to
show little mercy to the poor
ANIMAL
One of the most eloquent tributes
ever paid to dog was delivered by
Senator Vest of Missouri some years
ago. He was attending court in a
country town, and while waiting for
the trial of case in which he was
interested he was urged by the attor-
neys in dog case to help them. He
was paid fee of S25 by the plaintiff.
VoluminOus evidence was introduced
to show that the defendant had shot
the dog in malice, while other evidence
went to show that the dog had attack
ed the defendant. Vest took no part
in the trial, and was not disposed to
speak. The attorneys, however, urged
him to make a speech, else their client
would not think he had earned his fee.
Being thus urged, he arose, scanned
| the face of each juryman for moment,
and said:
"Gentlemen of the jury, the best
friend man has in the world may
turn against him and become his
enemy. His son or daughter, that he
has reared with loving care, may
prove ungrateful. 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 man
has he may lose. 1t flies away from
him perhaps, when he needs it most.
A mans reputation may be sacrificed
in a moment of ill-conside action
The people who are prone to fall on
their knees to do us honor when sue
cess is with us may be the first to
throw the stone of malice when fail
ure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unseltish friend
that man can have in this selfish world :,
the one that never deserts him, the one
that never proves ungrateful or treach-
erous, is his dog. A mans dog
stands by him in prosperity and in
poverty, in health and in sickness
He will sleep on the cold ground, where
the winter winds blow and snow drifts
fiercely, if only he may be near his
masters side. He will kiss the hand
LndC mas no 1OOu 10 O1er. lie Will
guard the sleep of his pauper master
as if he were a prince. When any
other friends desert, he remains
When riches take wings and reputa-
tion falls to pieces, he is as constant
in his love as the sun in its journeys
through the heavens. If fortune drives
the master forth an outcast in the
world, friendless and homeless, the
faithful dog asks no higher privilege
than that of accompanying him, to
guard him against danger to fight his
enemies. And when the last scene OF
all comes, and death takes the master
in its embrace, and his body is laid
away and 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 true
even in death. -
Then Vest sat down. He had spok-
en- in a low voice, without gesture
He made no reference to the evidence
or the merits of the case. When he
finished the Judge and the jury were
wiping their eyes. The jury filed out
and soon returned with verdict in
favor of the plaintiff for $500. He
had sued for 5000 1t is even said
that some of the jurors wanted tc
hang the defendant.