The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-29
TOBY.
BY WALTER BROWNE.

BY WALTER 6hOWNEs Copyright, 1904. by Daily Story Pub. Col
 1t was only a dog. Not a very well bred dog. Some might have called 1t cur. there were others more worthy of that name in the saloon where I first made Toby's acquaintance. He attract cd my attention by the pathetic patience which he exhibited under painful circum- stance. Not only trying to dog of his sensitive and kindly nature, but literally painful, for the blood gushed from an ugly gash in the poor old fellows head, when picked him up and carried him to my home.
 When first I saw him Toby was "get- ting up" in the center of the baProom floor; mutely appealing to the man he hon0red az his master: not for a cracker or any such luxury. but for the smallest smile of recognition. The man had his back turned to the faithful brute ant was shakins dice with two or three other
 as boisterously intoxicated as himself. Toby cut quaint figure as he sat upor
 his haunches, his blinking eyes wistfull, fixed upon his masters back and hi little red tongue hanging out, except g | such times as he would emit a sound lik'
 q stifed sob, in his excitement and anx iety for one kind word. At intervals h' would paw the air two or three times then. dropping on all fours, whirl onc' around before taking up his sitting posi- tion again.
 At length the unsteady hand of one O the players caused the dice to rattle tt the floor. In an instant Toby darted for ward and, securing one of the dice, wal about to carry 1t to his masters feet, hii 1 stumpy lttie tail wagging vigorously II
 the happiness of doing what he foolishl,
 believed to be his duty. His brutal mas ter rewarded him with kick. and al l the poor wretch ran away, bowling witl pain, a we'll aimed blow from a loaded walking cane in the hands of another ruffiian caught Toby between the eyes Dazed and bleeding, he ran out to tht street.
 I followed, and it was then, by dint oi much coaxing, that contrived to lul his suspicious of all mankind enough tc permit me to gather him into my arms.
 Toby had troubled dreams that night Or was 1t I? At any rate 1t seemed tc me that the wounded cur and I under. stood each other. so well that in the elo. auence of his big brown eyes I reao Ms story. This is what they said to me: Why did my master kick me? What wrong had done7 had been used tc fetch and carry for him since those days when was a puppy playing with little children-1zaSglittle children-whom I lov. ed 50 well.
 He called me good dog then. Oh Those were sweet days when on the lawn l romped and frolicked with his little ones
 who ran each moment to the rustic fiat
 beneath the lilac bush to tell theiI
 mother. in lisping accents of some new
 exploit in which they and had taken part.
 "Oh! The daisy chains with which they decked me. and the joyous scampers after the big rubber ball! But balls and toys and daisy chains were all forgotten when we saw him, my master, coming up the
 hill. Then we would race to reach him first. The little ones would scramble to his arms while I parked around his feet
 in an ecstacy of joy. Oh! It was a fa- nous thing to be a dog. in those days!
 "It is strange that now I see those little ones no more. A strange, sad change has come, and have heard him blame me for bringing about that change. can't think why
 We came to live in town, and in lit- tie while I went with him to many strange places. Places such as that in which tonight he kicked and cursed me.