The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-05-15


bad names; nor, does the unhappy rep
utation do them injustice II evil COM
munications corrupt good manner, the
desperate character of Togs deeds, no
less than the tragic manner Of MS
end, may be accounted for AT any
rate, long before his abrupt departure
from the wilderness trails and snow
covered rock Of Fishing Harbor, ne
had earned the worst reputation OF all
the pack.
1t began in the beginning; when Tog
was eight weeks old being then Ut
tie more than soft, fluffy, black-and-
white ball, awkwardly perambulating
on four absurdly bowed legs--his end
was foreseen. Martha, Jim Grimm $
wife, one day cast the lean scraps OF
the midday meal to the pack. What
came to pass so amazed Jim Grimm
that he dropped his splitting-knife and
stared agape.
can would you look at that little
beast, he gasped. THAT ones a Won
der for badness!"
The snarling, scrambling heap OF
dogs, apparently inextricably entan-
gled, had all at once been reduced TO
order. Instead of confusion OF taut
legs and teeth and bristling halr,
there was a precise half circle OF gaunt
beasts, squatted at a respectful dis
lance from Toys mother, hopelessly
licking their chops, while, with hair
on end and fangs exposed and drip
ping, she kept them off.
at amt jimmy Jim remarked. You
can't blame she. It's that little pup
with the black eye"
You couldn't blame Jenny, Last OF
all would it occur to Martha Grimm,
with child or two of her own to rear,
to call her in the wrong. With lit
ter of five hearty pups to provide for,
Jenny was animated by holy mater
nal instinct But Tog, which was the
one with the black eye, was not to
be justified. He was initiating his
mothers tactics with diabolical sue
cess: a half circle of whimpering pup
pies, keeping a respectful distance,
watched in grieyed surprise, while,
with hair on end and tiny fangs occa-
Rionally exposed, he devoured the
scraps Of the midday meal
"A wonder for badness" Jim
Grimm repeated.
Give a dog a bad name, quoted
Martha, quick, like the woman she
was to resent snap-judgment of the
young, an"
Hang up Jim concluded.
''Well," he added, Il wouldn't be
s'prised if it did come t that"
1t did.
In Toys eyes there was never the
light of love and humor--no amiable
jollity. He would come fawning, in
dustriously wagging his hinder parts,
like puppies of more favored degree;
but all the while his black eyes We're
alert, hard, infinitely suspicious and
ayaricious. Not once, am sure, did
affection or gratitude lend them beau
ty. A beautiful pup he was, never
theless-fat and white, awkwardly big,
his body promising splendid strength.
Even when he made war on the fieas--
and he waged it unceasingly-the Wig
or and skill Of attack, the originality
OF method, gave him certain distinc-
tion. But his eyes were never well dis
posed; the pup was neither trustful
nor to be trusted.
'If he lives t the age O. three said
Jim Grimm, with pessimistic wag
Of the head twin be more by luck
than good conduct"
"Ah, dad" said Jimmie Grimm, you
sus' leave un t mel"
"Well, Jimmie" drawled Jim Grimm
at might teach you more about dogs
m you know don't mind If l dc
leave un t you--for while"
"Hutl" Jimmie boosted. "Pll master
an"
May be, said Jim Grimm.
II was Jimmie Grimm who first put
Tog in the traces. This was in the
early days of Toys first winter--an
of Jimmie's seventh. The dog was q
lusty youngster, then; better nourish-
ed than she other dogs of Jim Grimm's
pack, no more because of greater
strength and daring than a marvel
nus versatility in thievery. In bored
sort of way, being at the moment lazy
with food stolen from Sam Butts
stage, Tog submitted He yawned
stretched his long legs, gave inoppor-