The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-24
(CopYright.l

4" ERGEANI HUN CAME oh uuiy
with disgust at the soul of him.
~ Peace and auietness lay over the
archipelago destroying the zest of life.
He had joined the army with intent to
fight. and for months now the dead
weight of peace had burdened his spirit.
In this condition he met Corporal Top
latch over near the mess hall. The cor
pora1s long, cadaverous face announced
an uplifted frame of mind. His cheerful
ness grated on the sergeant's nerves,
Hello, Jarvey," called the corporal, as
though existence were one glad song.
ooh, go to Ill., drawled Jarvey bit
terly.
The corporal halted in his tracks.
SAY" he asked, whats eatin' into
80 vitals? Slck?"
Jarvey disdained reply and strobe on.
"All right" Eleazar called cheerfully
after him. 81 was going to ask the honor
of your presence to a dog fight, but
never mind It's only for white folks
anyhow
'.Where?" demanded Jarvey, wheeling
abruptly.
"What?" asked Eleazar.
THE dog fight
See here, Eeazar," said Jarvey peni-
tently Il take it all back. l never
meant it, When are you going to pull
it OFF,
We'll" said the corporal. 'Itll likely
be some little time vet. You know that
internal dog Burketts got; cross between
a bull terrier and a rattlesnake?"
Sure" said Jarvey. Found some
thing to lick him?
Look at this here" said Eleazar dark
ly.
lie dug into a pocket of his coat and
pulled out a fat and sleepy yellow puppy.
"Brindled bull" he said proudly. Ped
gree frcm the time o Moses"
"Eleazar," said Jarvey slowly, that
pups been stole. That kind don't grow
wild Them legs are the result o. civil
ization."
well, what If he was stolen?' said
Eleazar. II found hm--the fellow that
had him was right anxious to part with
him quick SO | bought him for two dol
lars"
The puppy meantime had stuck his
nose under Jarveys arm and gone to
slesY. He was not more than four weeks
old Jarvey looked down at the tiny
soft wad on his arm, watched the quick
breathing of the little fellow, felt him
snuggle a little closer and turned sud
denly tc the corporal.
give you three dollars for him, Flea
gar he said.
Eleazar was from Connecticut.
.uh, I amt eager to sell him. Jarvey.
bought him to raise-Pm goin' to lick
that dog O Burkett's with him. |
wouldn't sell him for ten dollars, l dom
believe
Jarvey though minute.
.Im near broke Eleazar,' he said,
,'but if yell wait til payday Ill give you
twelve"
"Hes worth more" said Eleazar
Theoretically. but if you'll make it tif-
tie 1 you can have him.
Done" said Jarvey, and bore away his
treasure.
From the very start the big sergeant
and the diminutive puppy were quite in
separate, and despite his early separa-
ton from the natural base of supplies
the pu,py grew and thrived amazingly.
1--WE named him Kais after tn Emper-
or of Germany" Jarvey announced the
day after the transfer
.'Why?" demanded EleaZar.
''Pecause he's the sort that's always
looking for trouble" said Jarvey.
At six months Kais had permanently
su.iued every folr-footed creature in the
cantonments. from the Colonies big
irish setter to the mongrel mascot of +
Company known as Burketts dog. He
w lord of all he surveyed, for the men
orenly worshipped him.
When he attained his growth he was
so ugly he was positively handsome.
From the bunch of wrinkles called his
nose to. the twisted abortion called his
tail he was a highly symmetrical collee-
tiol OF asymmetric curves He had
something of the compactly competent
appearance of battleship.. He was all
there. He was able. One instinctly
s. ank from offering him gratuitous in
dignity.
Yet, despite this somewhat terrifying
appearance he proved upon acquaintance
. gentleman of the most exemplary man