The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-30
continue his hapless flight. poor me-

hound the Dl0ck ne went once A1ot -
and still no chance at that empty stair
way where, perhaps, he thought, there
might be succor and safety. Blood
was upon his side where Martin Pixies
boot had crashed foam and blood hung
upon his jaws and loliing tongue. He
ran desperately, keeping to the middle
of the street and, not bowling, set him.
self despairingly to outstrip tho Ter
ror The mob, disdaininE the sun su-
perbly. pursued as closely as It could.
throwing bricks and rocks at him,
striking at him with clubs and sticks.
Happy Fear. playing s'tic-tac-toe.'
right hand again left, in his cell,
heard the uproar. made out something
of what was happening, and. though
unaware that 1t was a friend whose
life was sought. discovered a similarity
to his own case, and prayed to his dim
gods that the quarry might get away.
Mad dog!" they yelled. Mad dng!"
And there were some who cried, Joe
Loudens dog. that being equally as
exciting and explanatory.
Three times around. and still
the little fugitive maintained a
lead. A gray-helmeted policeman a
big fellow, had joined the pur-
suit. He had children at home who
might be playing in the street. and tho
thought of what might happen to them
II the mad dog should head that way
resolved MIN 10 De cool anu STEADY. TIC
was falling behind, SO he stopped on
the corner. trusting that Responsibility
would come round again. He was right.
and the flying broWnish thing streaked
along Main street. passing the beloved
stairway for the fourth time. The po-
llceman lifted his revolver. fired twice.
missed once, but caught him with the
second shot in forepaw, clipping Off
a NTH toe. one of the small claws that
grow above the foot and are always
in trouble. This did not stop him. but
the policeman, afraid to risk another
shot because OF the crowd, waited for
him to come again; and many others,
seeing tho hopeless circuit the mongrel
followed. did likewise. armed with
bricks and clubs Among them was the
pimply clerk, who had been inspired to
commander a pitchfork from hard
ware store
When the fifth round came, Respect
ability's race was run. He turned into
Main street at a broken speed, limping,
parched, voiceless, flecked with blood
and foam, swapping feebly ct the show
ering rocks, but still indomitably
little ahead of the hunt. There was no
yelp left in hinl--he was too thor
oughly winded for that-but in his
brilliant and despairing eyes shone the
egony of a cry louder than the tongue
OF dog could utter: 20 master!
i
my mortal need?"
Now indsed he had gantlet to run:
fo- the street was lined with those
who awaited him. while the pursuit
grew closer behind A number of the
hardest stood squarely in his path
and he hesitated for a second which
gave the opportunity for surer aim.
and many missiles struck him. Let
him have IL now, Officer" said Eugene
Bantry, standing with Judge Pike at
the policelnan's elbow. There's your
chance"
But before the revolverStould be dis
charged Responsibility had begun to
run again, hobbiing on three legs and
lodging feebly. A heavy stone struck
him on the shoulder and he turned
across the street, making for the Ma
tional House" corner, where the joyful
clerk brandished his pitchforsS. Going
slowly. he almost touched the pimpiy
one as he passed. and the clerk, al
ready rehearsing in his mind the
brave stroke. raised the tines above
the little dogs head for the coup
de grace. They did not descend, and
the daring youth failed of fame as
the laurel almost embraced his brows.
A hickory walking stick was thrust
between his legs; and he, expect
ing to strike, received a blow upon the
doing and bedazzlement- He went over
backward, and the pitchfork (not the
thing to hold poised on high when
one is knocked DOWN. fell with the
force he had intended for Respecta-
bility upon his own shin.
train had pulled into the station,
and a tired, travel-worn young man,
descending from a sleeper. walked rap
idly up the street to learn the occasion
OF what appeared to be riot When
he was close enough to understand its
nature he dropped his bag and came
or at top speed, shouting loudly to
the battered mongrel who tried with
him through Gordon of kicking legs,
while Eugene Bantry again called TO
the policeman to fire.
III he does, damn you, I'll kill him."
Joe saw the revolver raised: and then,
Eugene being in his way, he ran full
tilt into his stepbrother with all his
force. sending him to earth. and went
upon the asphalt that being the short
est way to Respectabiiity The next
instant the mongrel was In his mas
ter's arms and weakly licking his
hands.
hut it was Eskew Arp who had
saved the little dog; for it was his
stick that tripped the clerk. and his
hand which had struck him down. All
his bodily strength had departed in
that effort, but he staggered out into
the street toward Joe.
Joe Louden." called the veteran In
a loud voice. "Joe Louden" and sud
denly reeled. The Colonel and Squire
Buckaiew were making their way to-
ward him. but Joe, holding the dog
to his breast with one arm, threw the
other about Eskew.
TITS town-it's a town''--the old
fellow flung himself free from the sup
porting arm-'it's town you couldn't
even trust yellow dog to-
He sank back upon Joe's shoulder,
speechlese. An open carriage had
driven through the crowd the colored
driver urged by two ladies upon the
back seat. and Martin Pike saw 1t stop
by the group in the middle of the
street where Joe stood. the wounded
dog held to his breast by one arm.
the old man. white and half fainting,
supported by the other. Martin Pike
saw this and more. he saw Ariel Tabor
and his own daughter leaning from the
carriage, the arms of both pityingly
extended to Joe Loudcn and his two
burdens, while tho stunned and silly
crowd stood round them staring, clouds
OF dust settling down upon them
through the hot air.