Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-17

pasture The lane, leading up to the
the main road. climbed between a 81
wheat field on the one hand and b
meadow on the other On either side
cutting it off from the fields, straggl
snake fence, with milkweed, tansy,
growing raggedly in it's corners
At the head of the lane. where it car
the untidy but homely looking yard, ste
black and tan dog. his head on one 81
cooked, his short stub of a tail sticking
and motionless, tense with expectatio
staring at a wagon which came slowl
main road, drawn by a jogging. white
The expression in the dogs eyes was tn
so eager that nothing but absolute
certainty could permit him to believe
IN it's approaching fulfilment. His
mouth was half open. as if struggling
to aid his vision
He was an odd looking beast, for
midable in his sturdy strength and
his massiveness of jaw; and ugly be-
yond question, but for the alert
mongrel, he showed none the less that
ne had strains of distinction in his
ancestry English bull was the blood
most clearly proclaimed. in his great
chest. short, crooked legs, fine coat,
and square, powerful head His pro-
aounced black and tan seemed to be-
tray some beagle kinship, as did his
long, close haired ears. Whoever had
locked his tail, in his defenseless pup
pyhood, had evidently been too tender
hearted to cut those silken and senSi-
tive ears. So Sonny had been obliged
TO face life in the incongruous garb
of short tail and long ears-which is
almost as objectionable as yellow
shoes with a top hat.
When the wagon drew close to the
foot If the lane. Sonny was still I'm
certain There might be other white
faced sorrels than lazy old Bill The
man in the wagon certainly looked like
his beloved master, Joe Barnes; but
Joe Barnes was always alone on the
wagon seat, while this man had a child
beside him, child with long, bright.
yellow hair and little red cap. This
to Sonny was bewildering phenom-
enon. But when at last the wagon
turned up the lane. his doubts were
finally resolved His stub of a tail
jerked spasmodcally, in its struggle to
wag Then with two or three de-
Irious yelps of JOY he started madly
down the lane. At the sound of his
voice the door of the gray house open
II1U WOllldll III DlulSn nODleSpun SIX
calico waist came out. and moved slowl
yard to welcome the new arrivals
When Sonny, yelping and dancing, me
ing wagon as it bumped its way upwa
gullies, his master greeted him with
Sonny" as usual; but to the dogs at
ton there was a difference in his tone,
that was almost an indifference. Zoe
absorbed. At other times. he was wo
warmly interested in Sonny's welcoming
would keep up running fire of talk wit
the old sorrel plodded up the lane Tt
ever, Joe's attention was occupied by
haired child beside him; and Sonny's
tons, he knew not why, became perc
ecstatic 1t was of no consequence v
him that the child stared at him with
and cried delightedly, "Oh, Unc Joe, wi
doggiel Oh, what a nice doggie Can
Unc' Joe?'
All right, Kid" said Joe Barnes, g
adoringly upon the little red cap; hes
names Sonny, an he's the best dawg
a chipmunk. He'll love we. Kid, most
yer old Unc' Joe an Aunt Ann does"
When the yard was reached, the 1
in the red calico waist was at the
wagon before the drivers Whoa!
the horse to a stop. The little one w;
down from the seat and Rugged veh
her heart
Poor lamb! Precious lamb" she
I'll be mother to you, please Cod"
Il want my mummiei Where's she
h. IL, Z