The Democratic advocate., 1909-12-24
NO LOVE LIKE THE pORs.
Vests Famous Tribute to Mans Best
and Most LOYAL Friend.

Nearly every one has heard Of Sem
ator Vests eulogy of the dog, but how
few have seen II. The speech was
made years ago on an occasion when
the late Senator Vest was in Missouri
to try lawsuit Another case, dog
case was on the docket Just ahead of
him, and he had to wait until this was
disposed of. One of the lawyers in
the dog case asked Vest If he wouldn't
help their side, and the Senator said
he would So he was paid retain
ing fee of $500 by the plaintiff, and
the trial went on. VSluminous evil
dence was introdnsa3 to show that
defendant had shE E plaintiffs dog in
malice, and quite as much 10 prove
that the dog was vicious and had at
tackled the defendant. Then the law
yers made their addresses to the Jury.
going over the evidence with great
thoroughness. All this time Senator
Vest sat with his big round head bur-
led between his shoulders, as was HIS
wont. without saying a word He
seemed to be asleep most of the time.
Vest" said his associate counsel.
1T is now our turn to close. You do
It."
NO" said the Senator, you know
more about the case than ] do. You
finish It up"
But you must do something TO earn
your fee or our client win be sore"
So Vest rose from his chair straight
ened the kink out OF his neck, looked
first one juror then another In the
face until he had spent sometime In
taking the round Of the twelve good
men and true, and then began
Gentlemen of the jury. The best
friend man has In this world may
turn against him and become his enc
my, Ills son and daughter that he has
reared with loving care may become
unErateful. Those who are nearest
and dearest 10 us. those whom we
trust with our happiness and our good
name may become traitors to their
faith. The money that man has he
may lose. II flies away from him. per-
haps when he may need II most A
mans reputation may be sacrificed In
moment of ill-consldered action. The
people who are prone TO fall on their
knees and do us honor when success
Is with Us, may be the FIRST to throw
the stone OF malice when failure set
ties its cloud upon our heads The
one absolutely unaelfah friend, a man
may have in this selfish world, the
one that never deserts him, the one
that never proves ungrateful or
treacherOus. Is his dog.
Gentlemen Of the Jury. mans dog
stands By him in prosperity and In pow
erty. in health and IN sickness. He
Will sleep on the cold ground. where |
~ 4Nfw
the snow drives flercely. ffI
only he may bo near his masters side |
lie win kiss the hand that has no food |
TO offer. he will lick the wounds and
sores that come In encounter with the /
fonEhnesa Of the world. lie guards |
the sleep Of his pauper master AS "
he were a prince
When ell other friends desert. he /
remains When riches take wings
and reputation falls to pieces. he /
In as constant 10 his love as the sun
in lis Journey through the heavens
II fortune drives tho master forth /
an outcaHt into the world, friendless /
and homeless, the faithful dog asks .
no higher privilege than that Of nc.
oompanying him. 10 guard him against 1
dangers. 10 fight against his enemies. !
And when the last scene Of all comes .
and death takes the master in his en-
brace. aud his. body ~ iaid away in the .
cold ground, no matter II all other 4
friends puraue their way. there by his /
grayeHide viii the noble dog BE- found (
bis head between his paws. bis eyes
sad, hut open IN alert watchfuincaa
faithful and true even In death.
Then Vest sat down This remark
able speech he had delivered IN low
voice without a gesture. No reference
had he made 90 the merits Of the case
IN hand Not a word had no uttered 4
about The evidence. When he finish I
ed the Judge and jury were seen to
have tsara 10 their eyes The jury.
fled ont, Rnd In a minute or two re-
turned to the court room The plain. .
tn had asked for 500 damages. The .
verdict gave him $500 and several Of .
the iurymen wanted TO hang the de-
fendant