The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-11-11
The Dog That is
a Murderer.

What shall be the punishment of
the dog that is guilty Of murder-de-
1iberate murder-and has also placed
filicide on top Of his other crime?"
The members of the Green Room Club
who heard this question thought it
some humor of "the road" that had
been brought back by Howard Hall.
playwright and theatrical star.
mo, l am serious" he continued,
"It is a problem I must face when
go to my home out on Long Island.
I don't know what I shall do and I'd
like to have wise counsel in the
premises.
"The dog is big, handsome collie,
which I bought eight years ago when
he was a puppy and hung up on the
Christmas tree for my baby boy. My
wife lives with her folks out on the
farm, and as it was pretty lonely out
there for my boy he and the dog Shep
grew up as close playmates. There
were two or three years in the anx-
ious time of babyhood when Shep
time and again stood between his
young master and danger, and my
wife used to tell me of occasions when
the dog would come leading the boy
to her by the arm when he had tried
to venture into some forbidden place.
Il shall never forget the time when
i brought my boy home after l had
had him with me for journey on
the road. My wife had written that
Shep was the most unhappy dog she.
had ever seen while the youngster
was away. He would do his duty
about the farm, but the rest Of the
time he spent watching the road along
which his master went away. When
we came back and were in sight of
the house my boy called 'Shep!' and
in two seconds that dog was right in
the wagon beside him, fairly smother
ing him with dog caresses.
"a year ago Christmas fox terrier
was hung up on the tree for my wife.
You know how little dog will worm
his way into the confidence of those
with whom it comes in contact.
Well, Princess was beauty, and she
was no exception to the rule. Soon
she was receiving most OF the atten-
ton that had been showered on Shep.
He did not seem to care much about
the others, but when his master would
caress the little terrier he would go
away and NOPE for hours at a time.
The boy, however, was loyal, and
Shep would be restored to good tenn
per by one of the old-time romps.
"This last winter another dog was
brought to the house. He was son
of Shep. handsome collie puppy.
Shep had the parental instinct and
treated the youngster kindly, but
when the boy would pay attention to
It, as he naturally did, Shep would
often adopt disciplinary measures
that would show the puppy its place
in the world Of dogs.
"Soon after Christmas my brother
in-law got married, and it was decided
that he should have the family home
stead and that my wife's parents
should go to live with her. The young
Benedict was to have the farm, and
1t was decreed that Shep should stay
there to help with the cows. He did
not like it. He would come hanging
around the place where his young
master was and had to be sent back
by the sternest commands. After
few days he would be around again.
"Of course he nc<.ced the attention
that was given to Princess and to the
little collie and into his brain must
have penetrated the thought that they
were responsible for his exile. One
day when the snow was on the ground
but the crust was hard and the air
was just bracing enough for a grand
romp. Shep came over to the home OF
his young master. He seemed to be
in the highest spirits, and everybody
around was pleased at his particular
show of affection for Princess. They
had great frolic on the snow. run
ming around and barking. Shep would
feign to. be afraid of Princess and
would go darting away with her bark
ing at his heels
FINALLY they disappeared over the
brow of a hill and their barking could
be heard. going further and further