The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1904-12-01
The FaIthfnl Doc. !


One Of the most eloquent tributes
ever paid to the dog was delivered by
Senator Vest, of Missouri. some years
ago. says the Nashville American. He
was attending court in country town.
and while waiting for the trial Of a
case in which he was interested, he
was urged by the attorneys in dog
case to help them. Voluminous evil
dence was introduced to show that the
defendant had shot the dog in malice,
while other evidence went to show
that the dog had attacked the defend
ant Mr.. 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. Be
ing thus urged. he arose, scanned the
face Of each juryman for a moment,
and said: Gentlemen Of the jury:
The best friend a 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 a man has he
may lose. 1t flies away from him. per-
haps when he needs it most. A mans
reputation may be sacrificed in a mo-
ment OF ill-considered action. The
people who are prone to fall on their
knees to do us honor when success is
with US may be the first to throw the
stone Of malice when failure settles its
cloud upon our heads. The one abso-
lutely unselfish friend that man can
have in this selfish world, the one that
never deserts him, the one that never
proves ungrateful or treacherous, 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 wintry winds
blow and the snow drives fiercely, If
only he may be near his masters side.
He will kiss the hand that has no food
to offer; he will lick the wounds and
sores that come in encounter with the
roughness of the world He guards the
sleep of his pauper master as if he
were a prince. When all other friends
desert he remains. When riches take
wings and reputation falls to pieces, he
is as constant in his love as the sun
in it's journey through the heavens. If
fortune drives the master forth an
outcast in the world, friendless, the
faithful dog asks no higher privilege
than that of accompanying him, to
guard against danger, to fight against
his enemies. And when the last scene
Of all comes, and death taxes the mas
ter in its embrace, and his body is laid
away in the cold ground, no matter if
all 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 Mr.. Vest sat down. He had
spoken in a low voice, without ges-
ture. He made no reference to the
evidence or the merits of the case
When he finished the judge and jury
were wiping their eyes. The jury filed
out, but soon entered with verdict in
favor of the plaintiff for $500. He had
\ sued for $780, 1t is even said that
some Of the jurors wanted to hang the
defendant.