The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1910-06-09

eyes watching, ana ears uoliuB every
sound.
When Mary's letter came, Mrs. Gar
ton said, "Watchie, we have letter
from Mary She isn't coming home.
Amt you sorry?" Watchie got slow
ly to his feet and came and laid his
head on Mrs. Cartons knee. There
was no Joy in his look but a mute
questioning. She held the letter to
his nose. He shifted it and whined,
then went back to his rug and closed
his eyes, a detected looking dog in
deed.
When the Christmas box arrived
Watchie was on hand for the unpack-
ing, as interested apparently as the
other members of the family, When
his ribbon was tied around his neck
his behavior sent the younger mem
bers of the family into shouts of
laughter. OF course they talked to
him about it, and If ever a child
seemed pleased and proud Of gift
Watchie did of his. He lay down
with outstretched paws, and with his
pink tongue lolling out of a perfectly
happy mouth, he turned his head
from side TO side to see his ribbon
and his bangle. Pretty, isn't it,
Watcher" said Nell in great glee, and
thump, thump went Watches tail
in affirmation. Bearing their gifts
the children formed in line. Come,
Watchie, let's march," said they, and
Watchie did march as gaily as any
Of them and bearing his gift as proud
| ly. Old Watchie met his death in a
highly sensation and modern manner.
The swift moving auto, with its dis
cordant "honk, honk," had always
been c source Of annoyance to him.
He could conceive of no reason why
the noisy, smelly things should whiz
along over the peaceful country road,
where he had been wont to travel
so sedately, and he barked at them
furiously on all occasions. Last sum-
mer Cousin Alice came to the farm
with her two children, Paul, aged
six, and Lois, aged four.
Watchie liked to lie on the grass
with head reposing on his paws and
watch the children at play, but he
felt too stiff and lame to join in their
games, although they often tried to
induce him to do so.
One beautiful morning the children
We're playing by the roadside, with
Watchie close by taking note of every
motion. "Honk, honk," went an auto
horn. "Buss, buss," and It was close
upon them, a monster touring car,
driven at full speed. Frightened, the
children started to run and Watchie
began to bark.
Little Lois, blinded by her fear, ran
directly into the road and in front Of
the machine. The driver made a
quick effort to stop the car, but in
vain. The ladies on board screamed
and covered their eyes with their
hands. 1t seemed impossible to avoid
crushing the child beneath the
wheels, but quicker far than it takes
to tell it black streak shot in front
of the machine. Two tan paws struck
Lois and she fell forward Just outside
the wheel track. Not so Watchie.
The car passed over him and he lay
where he fell, a mangled, moaning
heap.
Mrs. Carton and Alice had heard
the commotion and reached the spot
just as Watchie fell, and while Alice
cuddled her baby Mrs. Carton bent
over Watchie with choking sobs. The
people in the auto offered help and
money, but there was no help for
Watchie and money could not pay
for his loss. They buried him under
the lilac tree near the house and
mourned over him. Indeed, why
should they not mourn over the loyal
heart that had loved them all his life
and laid down that life at last in
their defense? Who shall gauge the
measure of the mind or heart of our
dumb friends? Handicapped by lack
of speech, they yet convey to us emo
tions that often put to shame human.
ity with all its advantages.
Rest in peace, Watchie, faithful,
friend.-Indiana Farmer.
------
Twice Surprised.
The pastor of a West Philadelphis