Willmar tribune., 1908-01-22

4
they made him and how much easier
It was for him to walk and run, and
he went tiptoing around like . dog
that has recovered his lost doghood.
"Jedekiah was q pleased and proud
man. It's intellect, not smokeless
powder, that makes a great hunter in
this century, he said complacently.
"As soon as Jedekiah judged Bit.
ters' education was complete he took
him to the woods and turned him
loose on the trail Of wolf.
eco FORTH he said impressively, as
II Bitters could understand him, to
the woods and earn glory for yourself
and bounties for your owner by ex-
tending the blessings of civilization to
benighted wolves. But be sure you
bring the bodies back home. For
need the money he added, feelingly.
'There's no denying Bitters was q
success at the wolf-hunting game.
With the handicap of his weight taken
of by the balloons he could outrun
any wolf. When he caught up to the
wolf, Bitters would sail right into
him. His bulldog blood stood him in
good stead when it came to the fight
ing part. Ordinarily a wolf is more
than a match for dog But painful
experiences soon convinced the wolves
in that part of the district that. suicide
was their only escape from death at
the jaws Of Bitters. when once he got
started on their trail. Uncle Jede.
kiah was In state Of perpetual gloat.
There isn't a lighter.bodied or
lighter.hearted. dog in the state than
Bitters,' Jedekiah used: to say, ex-
panding his chest. Regular work,
good meals, and the reward of an ap.
proving conscience! If the Humane
Society appreciated what have done
for that dogs happiness they would
send me a purse Of gold and bunch
of medals. And l can't say that I've
lost any money at the game, either.
"After few months it got 20 that
the wolves in that part of the state ap-
preciated Bitters' abilities and began
to make themselves scarce. There
was one old wolf, though, who had
lived in the woods all his life and
painly hadn't any intention Of being
driven out, even by a balloon-assisted
dog. Bitters having done his duty in
clearing out the other wolves, I
thought it was about time for Jede-
kiah to take q hand in the game with
his rifle.
'Bitters and his balloons are won
ders in their way told Jedekiah.
But he is only dog after all. That
wolf means to stay here until he is
killed. II you help your noble dog
you can soon corner the furry ma
rauder. But If you leave the Job to
the unassisted intelligence Of Bitters
you will be mourning the down.
fall and disgrace ond the noble crea-
ture.'
AT first Jedekiah was inclined to
listen to my words of kindly warn
ing. He got out his rifle and started
to accompany Bitters on hunting ex-
pedition after the old wolf. Then he
noticed that there had been quite q
fall of snow, making the walking bad,
and Jedekiah changed his mind. J..
1t would hurt the feelings Of my
esteemed Bitters,' he said decidedly.
putting up his rife and returning to
his seat in front of ( the fire, If
should go with him. He would think
I was casting reflections on his ability
to kill any wolf in the North Woods
$50 Jedekiah sent Bitters after the
wolf. Bitters, having unlimited con;
fidence in his own ability, was perfect
ly willing to undertake the job. T.,
"But the old wolf had been taking
a whirl at the thinking game on his
own account. He evidently appreciat-
ed that it was the balloons which
enabled Bitters to make such speed,
and somehow he also appreciated the
fact that a little touch OF fire would
destroy the balloons. And the sly old
animal laid his plans accordingly. :
''The wolf showed himself as soon
as Bitters was, clear of the house. Bit
ters gave chase: The wolf ran up the
side of the mountain, heading to
where a party of lumbermen had left
camp fire burning. He made dash
over the fire, which was only blazing
slightly. Bftters was close behind him
and went over the fire, too. Then
there was a little puff, blaze of
flame as the balloons took fire, and
Bitters seemed to lose interest in the
chase after the wolf. Instead he roll.
ed over on the snow and howled. Then
he looked at the charred shreds of
what had been the covers Of the bal
looms. He was the most ast0nished