The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-31
RECOvERS
 HIS PET POODLES Had Narrowing Experience in
 Arkansas Wreck SENT HERE IN A BASKET Buster and Mary Jane Fell Into the Hands of Kind Family In Mem
 phis and Finally Reach
 Home Safely.

While John w Altman, register in chan cery. still mourns the loss of his alligator. John Abbott, deputy clerk in the criminal court, rejoices over the recovery of two dogs which he had given up as lost.
 When Mr. Abbott was staying at Hot Springs about a month ago he often thought of home and the fine, chubby little child that was there awaiting his return Knowing that the child would expect some present when papa came home John bought little French poodle dog, as white a ball of cotton, and no bigger than chorus girls shoe. This canine morsel cost $40 and was considered cheap at the price. A young lady stay ing in the hotel made a pink bow and tied it under the poodle's chin. John chrstened the dog Mary Jane and passed it around for the girls to pet. A few days after the original owner of the dog put up for raffle another member of the same canine family. MT. Abbott invested heavily in tickets and won the prize; this one he called Buster Brown. Another young lady contributed blue bow, thus evening things up so far as the poodles were concerned
 Time to Leave.
 But the time came at last when Mr. Abbott must leave and great was the regret among the guests at the hotel, when the express wagon took away Mary Jane and Buster. The little basket in which the cotton balls were snugly packed was tied with blue and pink ribbons, and two neatly engraved cards, bearing the names of the dogs, but not of their owner or destination. were attached. The ruthless railroad officials insisted that the basket go in the baggage car, and what they said. went.
 Near place called Carlisle, in Arkan- sas, between Hot Springs and Memphis, the train on whic.- MT Abbott and his dogs were travelling, took a wrong turn. went down an embankment killing the engineer and wrecking eight cars. in cludinS the baggage car. It was bad smash; trunks, boxes and crates were piled up in strange confusion. The dogs were given up for lost and MT. Abbott, having notified the claim agent of his loss. came on to Birmingham. Letters and telegrams began pouring in on John, letters of inquiry, telegrams of sympathy; official letters. typewritten personal let ters, faintly perfumed; "all about the dogs" said MT. Abbott. mot one about myself"
 Pets Are Located.
 Ten days after the wreck said MT. Abbott, "I received a letter from Mrs. Payne. wife of the station master at Memphis telling me that she had that day forwarded the dogs to Birmingham. In clearing up the debris after the smash, the basket containing the poodles was found, but as it bore no address beyond the cards marked Buster and Mary Jane. 1t was sent to Memphis to await investigation. In the meantime the sta ton masters children took the dogs to their home and cared for them. When the children learned that the owner was found they were very sorry to part with the pets, and asked their mother to write and inquire if they reached Birming ham safely.
 I have them at home now, and they are as frisky as kittens. Jim Hawkins lives next door to me and when his boy saw the poodes he Insisted on his father buying him one. Jims dog arrived by express from Hot Springs few days ago and he christened it Teddy Roose- welt Hawkins, but calls it Ted for short.,'
 As he concluded his remarks, MT Ab- bolt went to n pigeon hole in his desk and pulled out bunch of correspondence on the subject. From some of the let ters he read brief extracts, blushingly suppressing the rest.
 John. there's a story behind this dog business said White Matthews.
 If you mean tale. yes''