The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1905-09-07
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the grocers tempting windows. Oh
for taste not of the hams and the
tongues, but of the sailed herring, the
creamy goldfish, the glistening heaps of
SneltS in their wicker baskets,
All winter he had supported himself
i'll the most miserable of ways. Now
spring was coming, and he was tired
out 50 very, very tired
The dogs of this Canadian city knew
that he was Il stranger and had fought
him continuously. There We're certSin
streets. the best streets for pickings.
that he dared not enter. The shopping
streets were not good ones for scrap
boxes and barrels of rubbish, and he
had become hungry-very hungry and,
stopping short, he sat down on the
frosty pavement and looked disconso-
lately about him.
No home, no master-and he had been
brought up like Il baby. These well
dressed persons contemptuously avoid
ed the place where he sat. He was
dirty, and there were sore spots on
him where he had been bitten. Ladies
drew their skirts aside; children start
ed back in alright from his lean and
shaggy form. one little girl called
him Il sheep. Another said, Look,
mamma, at the funny wolf..'
Poor, sad eyed dog. He was almost
at the end of his power of endurance,
but he did not know 1t. He thought he
would just lie down here on the hard
pavement in sight of the delicious NOR
sells III the windows, and when he was
rested he would move on. Oh in his end
less quest for food.
He curled himself up in ball, his
tired eyes We're just closing closing in
Il sleep which if begun would never
have ended-when he was reused by
an exclamation: Hello, dog. You look
beat o., y
He raised his head. \ tall lad was
standing over him, an ovcrgrOWn lad
with twinkling eyes, thin jacket and
bare hands thrust into his pockets to
keep them warm.
The dog attempted to get on his feet.
This was the first kind word he had
heard for many Il day, but, strangely
enough, his legs doubled under him
whenever he tried to stand Oh them
"Blest if he isn't played out" pur-
sued the boy. Cant you stand up,
dog? Come, try again"
The animal did try again; his lip
curlcd back in Il feeble dog smile, but
the strength was all gone out of his
limbs. and, gazing up helpleSSly into
the lads face, he seemed to say, Its
of no IlSe-better let me alone"
"Cricky"' observed the boy. Isn't
he queer looking? | believe he's an In
dian dog. Some old Micmac from the
camps has brought him into the city
and deserted him. They often do when
food is scarce ont there. Poor brute.
He hasn't been able to pick up much of
Il living in the streets, and he's starry
ing to death. How much of the need
full have about me- And he drew
one red hand from his pocket. Three
ccnts-not fortune; still enough TO
buy sodas. | say. mister and he ell
tered nearby grocery, give me 3
cents worth of crackers"
The grocer tossed the boy IL bag, and
he slipped out to the dog.
Here old man, eat some
The dog put out his pink tongue and
licked feebly at the crackers. What
was the matter with him? He wanted
to eat them, yet he could not
III tell you what, dog" said the boy
briskly. you're most at the end Of
Your tether. You want hot stuff inside
you. Come on home with me- If you
stay here it's all up with you. A police
man will catch you; then it's shot in
that wolfy head of years and the bot
tom of the harbor, I'll help you"
The dog was absolutely unable to
move. and the boy bent over him.
confederation. What smell.
guess you don't know what the inside
of bath looks like. However, I'd be
dirty, too, if I'd never been washed,
and I'm not going to see Il dog go un-
der, if he doesn't smell as sweet as a
rose. Here you go.'' And, taking the
weary beast in his strong young arms,
he flung him over his shoulder and
went staggering up the hill.
Every boy that he met jeered at him,
and to every one he flung Il saucy an
swer. In their hearts, he knew, they
were sympathizing, and if II had not
ocen close upon mealtime he would
lave had following of approving
s,offcrs.
When he reached the outskirts Of the
city he began to talk to the dog.
do you see that little cottage yon-
der, with the yard about as big as a
pocket handk erchief? That's where |
live. Once we used to have a larger
house. but like you. I've come down in
the world. Fathers dead-only step-ma
and me left dog. If 1t weren't for her
I'd take you right In the back yard,
but It wouldn't do. dog; it wouldn't
do"
The dog, of course, made no response
In weary heap he lay over the boys
shoulder. He was in good hands, and
he was content.
I'm going to take you to the dumps.
dog" said the boy, "and in case you're
Il stranger and don't know what the
dumps are I'll just explain that it's the
common where the ashes from the city
are dumped. I'll find you nice warm
heap and cover something over YOU.
Here we are, don't make Il noise" And.
cautiously skirting the yard of the cot
tagc, he made his way over the soft,
yielding heaps Of ashes to Il spot some
distance from his home.
"1hcre'-and he gently laid the dog
doWn-"th that's a nice bed for you, Now
Tor Il roof 70 Keep out the rnln." md he