The Washington herald., 1909-07-08
ABSENCE OF FRIEND
MAKESFIREMENS SAD
Brass Eagle Assists in Look
out for a Dog.
ENGINE COMPANY DISTRESSED
"SpOt,v the Mascot of the House,
MysteriOusIy Disappears, and Sor-
Pride OF the Department, a Collie
by Birth and a Fire Dog by Chance
It hannened Ike this:

It happened like this:
The sun was transforming the brass
eagle on the top of the hagpole az No.
p Engine Company to a glistening, CLINT
ing, shining ball. when Spot rose from
his bed OF straw IN the rear yard, trotted
through the engine house into the street,
and disappeared.
The eagle on top OF the nagpole blazed
all day Ike a ball OF IRE beneath the
rays Of the sun. and, with its head tilted
slightly to one side. It kept one eye on
the street, watching for Spot TO return.
The sun passed over the city and dis
appeared, and breezes arose and famed
the eagle until It was cool Then q big.
round moon peeped up over the hills in
Anacostia, and its soft rays fell on the
eagle, Iulliug It 10 sleep. But the eagle
bestirred itself and continued its vigil
wondered and Waited.
Midnight came, and Tuesday passed
into Wednesday, and the hremen in the
engine house beneath the eagle wondered
and waited for Spot 70 return But
Spot did not return, and to-day Is Thurs
day. with small prospects OF him ever
returning. Therefore sorrow and sad
ness reign IN undisputed supremacy IN
No. q engine house, and the eagle still
keeps an eye on the street below.
spot is a dog. and the pet and pride
OF the Washington FIRE department. he
is a collie by birth. and a fire dog by
choice. HIS pedigree IS almost as Ions
as a flight OF the Wrigh: aeroplane. and
he IS so intelligent hts mother did not
think he would live when he was q wee
wabbly puppy.
Spot was born in Rosslyn. bred IN
Alexandra. educated in Congress Heights
and given TO No. q engine company. but
other than that he was all right. he
made his debut as a fire dog about three
months ago. and since then he has been
taught nearly every trick which canine
can learn. He could fetch a rubber boot
thrown over the back fence. He could
sit or his launches and bark Love Ne
and tho World Is Nine" he could wall
on his hind legs and initiate chorus girls
in a baseball game He could push
chairs. jump ropes, bound through hoops
and Climb ladders, IN addition 10 severa
other tricks which might embarrass hin
II they were printed
Such a dog was spot His body wal
/ coated with long. fine silky yellow hair
and his feet were OF pUrest white, bu
before he disappeared his coat was trim
I med so that he looked ike a lion HI
wore a beautiful collar with a tag ap
pended. but when he left No p he lef
/ both collar and tag behind, indicating. 81
/ nremen say. that he did rot intend re
turning. and did not care 20 carry avail
+ something which might in future year
1 remind him OF the happy days In th'
engine house
Why Spot left no man can tell. bU
/ probably some OF the dogs IN the neigh
+ borhOOd know something about u. Abou
a week ago a petite collie passed the en-
gine house and hirted with spot, wh'
was overjoyed and romped about In glee
Had q PARKWAY Look
He watched the fair damsel trottng ~
the street with a far away look IN hi
eyes. The next day the chic little mis-
inadvertently passed the engine hous
/ a second time. Probably "Spot" thought
I love my engine house, but, oh, yol
affinity"
/ Il is also believed spot" may have beef
stolen. But members Of No. q 6eclar
that no man could have the audacity q
steal a dog beloved by every member o
I the department. which would prosecute
such a thief 20 the extent OF the law
/ But. although the opinion that spot
/ Is held captive does not prevail. the polio
I have been asked 70 join in the search.
/ Spot is in Washington he will hker
/ be found In q few days. but II he has lef
the city, he may never be returned q
/ his kennel in No. d IN the interim. tn
! eagle squints ceaselessly at the stree
| tom his narch hieh In the alr