The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1905-07-07
After that, in sunshine and storm,

always sat, dignity PERSONNEL, on
the buggy seat, but when the open
fields were reached, he would "run
out and play" as the doctor called
it, frisking at the mares side, chasing
butterflies, barking at squirrels. Soon
he became the pet Of the county, chill
dren watching at the windows to give
him treasured bone, while an old
lady patient made him an "overcoat"
for cold weather, and the shoemaker's
standing joke was the promise of top
boots for Christmas.
But McGinty's general popularity
was nothing compared with the grow
ing intimacy between him and the
doctor who believed in keeping dogs
in their place. The last thing every
night the two frolicked together and
every morning a "circus" in bed pre-
coded the doctors shaving.
So the request OF the child who had
conf1ded McGinty to the doctors door
step was granted. THE deer doc
tor" loved McGinty "a hole lot"
A week Of drenching rain had made
the roads almost impossible. One
evening while the doctor and McGinty
were romping together the telephone
rang. It was 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.
mo use teasing, old fellow. If I
We're going to drive you could lie UNI
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 a 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 it be following him night
like this? 1t must be one of the Will
low dogs-McGinty was alseep on the
bed at home.
The mare suddenly lurched forward.
In spite of her carefulness she found
cred into a deep hole. Struggling to
regain her foothold, she slipped upon
the oozing mud, sliding down a low
embankment. Now panic-stricken be.
yond 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.
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
thing-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 I have to
lie here till morning.
The doctor closed his eyes ana
drifted into Inconsistencies again,
until he was aroused by a shower of
drenching rain.
McGinty!" he murmured.
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; a cry
of distress; prolonged howl-such
a 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 lantern
from two, three lanterns hurrying
in his direction.
mastering all his strength, the doc
tor halloed.
The men sent back a cheer and has
tened their steps. a little shadow
darling far in front of them.
"McGinty!" cried the doctor, joy
fully.
McGinty whirled about on his Hind
legs. while a series of excited barks
told as plainly as any dog could speak
just what he had done-how he had
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-hov he had howled and scratch
ed at the door until the man came