Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-19


the roads almost impassabls. One
evening while the doctor and McGinty
were romping together the telephone
rang. 1t was a message from the
Willows, five miles away, summoning
the doctor.
"of course, I'll have to go. McGin-
ty," grumbled DR.. Worth. hurrying in
to his storm coat, "but the nights not
fit for a dog to be out"
McGinty, who had understood per-
fectly the moment the telephone rang
that there was call for the doctor,
excitedly paved that gentleman's
heels.
NO use teasing. old fellow. II !
were going to drive you could lie un.
der the buggy robe, but the wheels
were nearly stalled this afternoon, so
must ride. The doctor patted the
shaggy yellow head, ran downstairs
and sneaked out a side door through
his dark consulting room.
The night proved worse than the
doctors fears, but his faithful mare
wallowed through mud without a
whinny. The village left mile be-
hind, they had Just turned by the
Heath farm when the doctor heard a
painting sound close to the ground. He
swung his lantern to the right. A
small object was making frantic eff
forts to trot by the horses side. What
dog could 1t be following him a night
like this? 1t must be one of the VIII
low dogs-McGinty was alseep on the
bed at home.
The mare suddenly lurched forward.
In spite of her carefulness she found
cred into deep hole. Struggling to
regain her foothold. she slipped upon
the oozing mud, sliding down low
embankment. Now panic-stricken be.
You'd the control of the doctors calm.
ing voice, she reared and plunged,
and finally made the road again by
so wild leap that DR.. Worth was
thrown. his head striking a stone as
he fell.
The doctor awoke to hear a dogs
pitiful whine.
"McGinty!" he called, bewildered at
the pain in his leg and arm. "Mc-
Ginty!"
There was glad bark, and small
tongue licked his chin, cheek and fore
head. Then the doctor remembered
the accident and understood every
tntng-except the mystery of McGin-
TVS appearance on the Willows road.
I'm in bad fix. old fellow" groan-
ed the doctor. trying in vain to rise.
1T will be certain death If have to
lie here till morning.
The doctor closed his eyes and
drifted into Inconsistencies again,
until he was aroused by a shower of
drenching rain.
McGinty!" he mnrmured.
This time there was no answering
bark.
"McG-in-ty!" The doctors weak
voice trembled, for-deserted by even
his dog. But what was that eerie
sound in the distance? A wall: cry
OF distress; prolonged howl-such
howl as the doctor had not heard
since the night he had adopted door
step baby.
The doctor opened his eyes. Could
that flash down the road be lightning?
No the flashes were too close to the
ground. 1t was light from a lantern
from two. three lanterns hurrying
in his direction.
mastering all his strength, the doc
tor halloed.
The men sent back cheer and has
tened their steps. a little shadow
darting far in front of them.
"McGinty!" cried the doctor, Joy
fully.
McGfnty whirled about on his hind
legs. while series of excited banks
told as plainly as any dog could speak
Just what he had done-how he mad
suddenly remembered the Heath farm
(where delicious cookies were always
given him)-how he had run there as
fast as four little legs would carry
him-how he had howled and scratch
ed at the door until the men came
out and recognized him; and how fin
ally he had led them down the Will
lows road to his poor. helpless mas
ter.-Washington Star.