The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-07-09
Daisy and Modred Junior

Sn1ned When the CartereCS suggested
sending the dog in by express. She
glanced at the st. Bernard puppy and
tossed her small shapely head.
81 guess I can take him twenty
miles, she insisted as she tugged at
the leather leash. GAS though could
let the splendid fellow come to his new
home in an express crate! It's awfully
good of you to give him to me, and
am sure that he will not be the least
bit of trouble on the way to town."
II wish could go to the station with
you,'' said Carteret regretfully. "If it
wasn't that l was expecting long dis
lance CALI
"Nonsense" was the disdainful re-
ply. ut will not be the least bit Of
trouble"
She shook hands with Carteret, kiss
ed Grace and, with final wave Of her
hand. started down the road toward
the station.
When she came in sight Of the tracks
and the little red building she strobe
across the platform, proudly leading
Modred Junior, and approached the
baggagemaster.
II suppose that may check my
dog" she said, with stress upon the
word my" The man smiled.
Sure" he assented, "but the road is
tied up. A freight train ran off the
rails at the bridge, and it will be some
time tomorrow before the trains run
again"
Tomorrow gasped Daisy. Il must
be in town tonight"
There's the trolley" suggested the
agent. II don't think they'll take the
dog, though That's one of the Car
terets, isn't its Better take him back
and have him expressed in when the
snarl gets untangled."
With a nod of thanks, Daisy turned
away But she had no intention Of
turning back and confessing failure.
She had declared her ability to get
Modred Junior to town, and she was
going to do it. 1t might be against
the rules to carry dogs on the trolley,
but Daisy from her ripe experience
knew men We're but human and that
regulations were not always observed.
Modred Junior ambled amicably beside
her, and to him she confded her plan
of campaign.
I'VE must wait for a young con-
ductor," she explained. "Then while
put on my pleasantest air you must
look very tired and detected. and he
simply can't refuse to take u.s."
Perhaps if Modred Junior had played
his part we'll the result might have
been different, but Modred Junior was
only Il puppy and the world was still
his friend. When the interurban cal
came along and the conductor dropped
| from the step to explain to the CIR
that it was against the rules to carr!
dogs Modred Junior rose on his hin(
legs and planted his paws affectionate!
upon the conductors coat, unheedfu
of the fact that on the way to the troll
ley he had padded through some de
liciously cool mudholes.
Modred Junior meant well, but thu
conductor sprang back to the platform
muttering uncomplimentary remark:
about dogs, and the car sped on, leav
ing the two standing in the road re
garding each other dismally. The car
ran at fifteen minute intervals, ant
Daisy decided to walk on to the mex
stop. Modred Junior, nothing loath
trotted beside her.
1t was the same story with the mex
car, though this time Daisy was care
full to hold Modred Junior on shor
leash. The conductor was a crabbe,
old man, with more regard for rule
than beauty. The second rebuff onl
served to make Daisy the more deter
mined. She had often done her fiftee
miles in the country in summer Sh
could do it now, and, ignoring the fac
that her dainty shoes were scarcel
designed for walking, she started off.
Before the end of the first five mile
she bitterly repented her decision He
ankles turned with the high heele
shoes, while Modred Junior was in dir
distress. This was far different fror
playing about the yard at home, an
finally he sat down and fatty refuse
| W 81 any ldl lucl. l. liz llllllL VI III
puppy endurance had been reached.
There was no house in sight of til
spot where Modred Junior took his las
stand. For the last mile the road ha
run through the woods, and Daisy ha
recourse to the feminine relief of tear
The darkness was closing in, and til
dry leaves rustled dismally as the win
blew through the branches.
Around a curve in the road f1ashe
an automobile headlight, and the beal
fell full upon the disconsolate pal
With an exclamation, the chauffer
brought his machine to a stop an
! sprang out.
whats the matter?' he erie
I what are you doing out here at til
time of ni2ht?"
/ For a moment Daisy shrank bac
I but she was too miserable to be di
I dainful. Relief even in the shape
+ Dick Wainwright was too welcome
/. be scorned. In the revulsion of fee
ing Daisy was sobbing out her troubl,
& on his shoulder while Modrad Juni