Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-25

stepmother lived Here the old sea dog
put his fingers to his lips and blew a
trumpet blast.
Suddenly his hand fell; his mouth
opened; lie stopped short.
".Ah, there ye be"' lie said, with ter
rible calm. Then lie walked OH briskly.
Away ahead in the sickiy gleam Of u
distant electric light was 4. bunch Of
yelowsh white fur, nose on paws,
body crouched for il spring.
"AlpatOkw roared the old man.
The spring came; the furry whirlwlnd
precipitated itself against his breast.
The old man, staggering back, clutch
ed the dog with one hand and with the
other raised his hat.
Lord. / thank thee" he. muttered,
with tears streaming down his cheeks.
MY prayer is heard; my poor doggie Is
found"
There was no neat pavement out here
with stone curb; merely rough SIDE
walk and deep ditch. The seafaring
his feet dangle over the ditch. Then he
put one arm round the dog, who had
thrown himself across his knees and
lay there like Il tired child.
Boy" remarked the old man, II
doubt but ye've had hard usage"
The dog looked up into his eyes.
Don't ye." said the old man hoarse-
ly; then he raised his clinched hand to-
ward the sky, Lord, rain down fire
and birthstone on the brutes that Ill
use thy creatures!
ut don't come" he muttered, look
ing about him. We've got to wait"
Then he again directed his attention to
his dog.
"Ye're fat, boy he said. feeling his
ribs. Some ones been good to We.
Any one that's been a neighbor to
Timothy Slocum's dog shan't suffer for
1t. Lead me to him, boy"
The dog sprang up. Pressing close
to his master, looking UP ut him from
time to time with eyes that shone In an
unutterable devotion, he led the way,
not to the cottage, but to his burrOw.
"At the old tricks of the wolves, your
forbears, to get out Of the nippin8
Winds" chuckled the old man. "Ye
forgot the feather bed ye'd slept on
with me- But Alpatok, who's fed We
here? This dry fodder wouldn't keep
ye." And he glanced contemptuously
about him at the heaps Of ashes.
Alpatok made no response. He mere
ly kept OH wagging his tail and staring
ut his adored master.
The old man surveyed the scattered
cottages with u puzzled face. ITS
likely it's some one in them that's been
nourlshing We. Come on. Alpa, dog,
lead me to him."
Apatok did not bulge.
"Well, ye're wise dog, and doubt
less ye've got good reason said the
man, "and If ye won't stir. at least
give howl and bring him to me.
Mayhap he's never heard your pretty
tones. for We can't bark on account OF
ancestral difficulties. Come on: sing
boy" And he threw his own head back
rs a sign to the dog.
Immediately there burst upon the
night air a sound or commingling OF
sounds the most melancholy and ear
splitting, with also hint Of ferocity.
that the residents Of Common street
had ever been treated to in the way Of
a dogs howl.
1t was the cry Of a wild beast. not Of
domesticated animal, and. seeing
lights spring into darkened cottages
and windows suddenly opened. the old
man chuckled mischievOusly.
II doubt IL we've serenaded him be-
fore, Alpa. Now him as loves We will
seek ye."
The old man was right. Alpatok
had never before had occasion to howl,
but to the startled Mrs. limbs and
Thaddy, springing from sleep. there
was presented an immediate picture Of
their strange pet In some sudden dis
treSs.
Thaddy rushed to the window. The
night was not very dark, and he dim
ly made out mans form beside the
burrow. Flinging on only the most
necessary of his garments, he tore out
Of the cottage.
His stepmother was not far behind
him. The dog was in great trouble.
Perhaps some one was trying to steal