The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-11-26

|
Come, sir. comet Where are you,
Weary Willie?" called the man again,
peering into the shadows
The silence was unbroken.
Until it was quite dark the man
sat on the bench and waited; then he
rose and walked away.
On the next night twilight found
the hollow-eyed. shabby man on the
same bench. The dog, too, found
him there.
"Humph!" growled the man,
throwing that same quick look about
him. and dragging from his pocket
paper bag. Seems to me you were
a good while coming" He extracted
sandwich, broke off generous
piece, and tossed it to the dog.
| Snap went the fam;shed Jaws, and
the dog came at once to attention.
"Ah. hal crowed the man. so
you were hungry" He threw a
second piece, then another, and an
other There" he exclaimed, when
the sandwich was finished. How do
you feel. Weary Willie?"
The dog whined, and took a tenta-
tive step forward.
What's your name-'Jack?
There was a slow wagglng of the
dogs tail.
'Fido?'"
The tail wagged harder.
'Rover?'
There was quick, short bark.
Come here, sir" ordered the man;
but at the outstretched hand the dog
turned and ran; the memory of those
friendless days and nights was rot to
be so lightly cast aside.
1t came to be Il regular thing after
that for the shabby man to bring a
nightly sandwich to the bench in the
park. and for the dog to come and
eat it. There was always an ex-
| change of courtesjes i'm the shane of
jovial greetings and sharp banks, and
gradually the dog lost his fear. Three
times he tried to follow his new
friend home, but the sharp go back
feet to halt. and sent the dog stink
Sir, 80 back" brought the little eager
ing bacl to the shadows, there to
stand with wistful eyes gazing after
the shabby figure disappearing down
the street.
Weary WILLIE" asked the man one
night when, the sandwich gone, the
two sat together on the bench.
where's the use of it? There's no
one to care what becomes of us, you
and me. Let's chuck it,"
The dog thumped his tail against
the seat.
"Humph! Think it's = joke. do
you? Well maybe tbs, maybe it's"
There was something queer about
the man that night. His voice shook,
and was not quite clear; his step, too.
was far from steady. and he dropped
on the seat with curious relaxation
OF all his muscles. The next night it
was worse. and the next. worse still.
There was fat bottle which he
brought again and again from his
pocket and put to his lips after a eau
tious look about him. He STAYED
longer and longer each night and
sometimes he seemed to sleep, so low
was his head bowed on his breast.
At such times the dog spent long
minutes in motionless watching of the
silent figure, giving occasionally a
low whine-a whine which met with
no response.
There had been almost a week OF
this when one night the man slipped
from the seat and lay half on the
ground. Clnders leaped to the mans
side and licked his face, his hands.
and again his face. He whined, then
barked, then stood quyerlngly alert
for the slightest movement. At that
instant down the path came several
boys eating bananas.
There was a chorus of jeers. then
fusillade of banana skins. Clnders.
terce and bristliDg, faced the crowd
and barked. He growled and showed
his small white teeth, as from all
sides came men and boys on the run.
More banana skins, and even small
stones, struck the man. the dog. and
the ground nearby. Still the dog
stood firm, thrusting his tiny, fierce
little self between the inert figure
and the crowd.
Suddenly the man opened his eyes
One glance at the mob. the doc. and
the flying stones and banana skins
cleared his brain with n snarl Of
rage he caught the quivering little
dos in his arms aud staggered to his
feet. There was cry OF "The con
a-comin - and the man found him
self all at once alone with the dos.
| while up tho path came bIue-coated
hurrying figure. Claspin.. the dog
| yet more firmly i'm his arms. tho man
turned and walked rapidly i'm the
/ opposite direction
Come, come. what's the mcaninr
Of all this?" called the policeman. be-
tween short, painting breathe. as he
reached the shabby mans side.
Nothing returned the man. Ia
| cOnically
But the crowd what were they
/ doing?'
Stoning the dog and me.
"Stoning yOu Been drinkin'?7
DO [ acc drunk" retorted the
man, sharply.
The policeman gave him lonr.
\ shrewd glance
Mighty near It," he Erowlcd
! Then he tried new tack.
Whose cog is it7" he demanded.
Mine There was n ring of d..
fance in the mans voice.