The Lamar register., 1910-01-05
FRIEND OF
JIMMIE'S
BY ELEANOR MERcE1N KELLY


People don't realize II, but some OF
the proudest. bestmannered dogs they
see on the streets are only pretending
to belong. as | used to. 1t doesn't
harm anybody. and 1t cheers you up
when you are lonesome and hungry.
Besides, there's always a chance Of be-
ing adopted. In my puppy days. I often
followed ladies' along the street all
day long. wagging and capering po
litely. though my ribs and the lack OF
a collar must have made it plain to
all the world that l was nobody's pet
Later. after came to live at the
foot of the pasture-lot, learned to
keep up appearances more cleverly.
When acQuaintances passed at safe
distance, / would rush fiercely out Of
the weeds, barking very hoarsely and
strutting up and down with rigid legs.
It generally fooled them. They would
shy away respectfully, envying me
the fine lawns and pasture. and the
great house guarded.
But one day big hound came by
who was not fooled. When l roared
my warning at him and began to strut.
instead Of shying away he wheeled
about and made for me. l could not
escape through the pasture-lot behind,
because there was my enemy. the colt.
could not retire upon the house, be-
cause there was my enemy. the cook.
There was no retreat open except the
road, and at the turn of that ran
straight into my worst enemies Of all.
the boys.
-Hil Head on the cur! Dog-fsht!
Dog-Hght!" they yelled. and would not
Let me pass.
So faced about desperately, my
hackles on end, and tried to growl. 1t
was only q whine that came, and the
hound choked that halfway out. |
gave right up. because / thought per-
haps he would not care to fight all by
himself. But he kept on chewing at
me Just the same. until It seemed cas-
Ter Just to close my eyes and die than
to make another effort to squirm away
from those tearing teeth. All the
while. heard family what the boys
were crying-"Sickum! Get a grip
there! Stand up to him. cur!"-and /
tried to wag my tail to show that I'd
like to be friends.
At last new one came running up.
. thin little puppy of boy. crying.
Say. that's a shame. fellers! That's
cruel!"
Yah. yah. sissy" jeered the others.
Keep out Of 1t then. girly! The houn's
nghtin' fine"
He amt fghtin'-he's Just eatin'!
I'm goin' to stop thisi" cried the pup
py boy. his voice breaking like mine
does when bark big and feel scared
you lay n hand on that hound.
Jimmie Smith. and I'll lick the stuffin'
out Of you'll" screamed the biggest boy
Of all.
But the hound. snarling. was already
being pulle', on of me: and . rush Of
hot blood came into my eyes, and I
forgot everything.
When l woke up the hound was
gone. and 30 were the boys-aII but
the puppy one. We were lying side by
side on the grass. both of US whimper-
ing little. I saw 1t was the boy who
lived IN the house had been pretend.
ing to take care OF. and tried to
sneak away. for the people in that
house don't like dogs. But he put his
hand on my neck.
Don't you run on and leave me,
too. pup" he said. with a little grin.
Then he broke out blubbering. 81
amt cryin' because l got licked. I'm
crying because I'm SO mad! Those
mean old DULLES! Just you wait till ]
Grow up-darn EN-! Darn 'em!"
Things went pretty hard with me
for awhile. I did not dare leave the
cover OF the weeds to look for food.
because none Of my legs moved very
easily. and the left hind one dragged.
II went into the road. boys or the
dogs who belonged were likely TO
chase me. and couldn't have got
away. II I tried the pasture, there
was my enemy the colt, always on
the lookout; and still dream some
times. after a heavy dinner. that his
wicked iron feet are trampling me a.
] saw them trample-but that comes
later. So I stayed in the weeds. and
got thinner than ever. and shivered all
the time. Fortunately a rain came up
and made 4 puddle beside me, or /
should have died of thirst.
- Aoot Ht0D
passing on the road, and l wagged my
tail SO hard that it must have stirred
the weeds. for he came In and found
ne.
why. hello. old sport!" he crisa.
I've been lookin' TO- you everywhers.
How hot your nose is, and how your
ribs stick outi"
He felt me all over. and / had To
vince often. though his fingers were
- gentle as my mothers tongue.
pretty bad. amt lit" he said. SAY.
you're going home with me, pup. When
old Sue sees how bad you're hurt.
p'r'aps she'll grease you with some.
thin. Women are awful kind whom
Q feller's sick"
knew better, but It is hard to
make Boys understand things. The
Cook was at the kitchen door when
We got there, bigger and fercer than
sver. with broom handy, as usual.
whats that you totin', boyr" she
demanded, suspiciously.
Jimmie hung his head. Just a poor
little sick puppy for you to nursa.
suey. You're such nne nurse"
Puppy! Humph!" she shifted.