Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-12-03
A Belated
Thanksgiving
The Story OF
a Faithful Dog
By ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON
Copyright. 1910. BY American Press
Association.
BY ADDISON HOWARD GIBSON

The call rang out clear and loud on
the crisp November air. followed al
most Immediately by an imperative
whistle. but no Don appeared. and
Tom Wentworth was undeniabiy an
CRY.
Impatiently kicking from his path a
frost blackcned dahlia stalk. the an
noycd man stamped into the kitchen
where his pretty young wife was busy
preparing breakfast.
Have you seen Don this morning.
he inquired.
"Yes." she replied. "he was there at
the door only few minutes ago"
"Then he's run off just to get out
Of churning." declared Tom with a
fierce frown.
Helen Wentworth laughed mcrrily.
II don't blame him. don't like to
churn: neither do YOU"
Tom Wentworth had special apt
ness for machinery. Ills friends often
wondered why he remained farmer
instead Of turning his entire atten-
ton TO mechanics. About six months
previous and soon after his marriage
10 the schoolmaam. Helen Latrobe he
had devised nm ingenious attachment
TO the churn by which Don. the in
telligcnt ST. Bernard, could do the
work. However, the enormous ST.
Bernard heartily disapproycd of the
whole thing. and. though he did the
work obediently, 1t was with an unmis-
taxable air OF having compromised his
dignity TO marked degree. When
ever his master placed the machine IN
readiness Don's brown eyes invariably
took on an expression that said az
plain as words:
Aren't you ashamed 20 subject Il
fellow of my caliber to such q mental
task-I. who come OF long line Of
aristocratic anccstors?"
Breakfast over. the inventor, still
nursing his wrath. was obliged 10 per
form the necessary drudgery himself
and even the tempting aroma Of Hell
ems fresh baked minee pies failed to
lessen the deep revenge lie meditated
against the rebel when he should re-
turn. But the day slipped by. and
Don failed 10 appear.
Before retiring Helen Went out on
the veranda 10 enjoy the mellow moon
light She was tired with an exces.
sive WEAKNESS such as only the house
wife who has baked and cleaned all
day can know. But the calmness OF
the night and its quiet starlight rested
her suddenly she felt Il moist nose
thrust under her arm. and pair ~
brown eyes looked into hers. pleading
for pardon and incidentally for sup
per. or course he received a generous
allowance Of both and showed his APP
probation by vigorous wagging Of
his tail.
ON discovering the descrter Tom
promptly dragged him to the wash
house and locked him in.
Don't bc rough with him" begged
Helen.
III teach him 10 run away from his
work. declared the man.
you'll let him out In the morning
Of course: Don must enjoy his
Thanksgiving with the rest Of us
'You spoil that dog. Helen" he an.
swcrcd irrItably. lie doesn't deserve
any Thanksgiving. No: he'll stay
right there In the washhouse till next
churning day.
Helen had owned Don ever since her
uncle had brought him, an awkward
sprawllng puppy. TO her gIrlhood
home. and his comradeship seemed al
most human. When she had come Il
happy bride to Tom wentworths
home she had brought Don with her
Al first when her husband proposed
his working the churning machine size
protested. But his insistence. coupled
with repeated assurances that the L.
Dor would not hurt her favorite. had
finally won reluctant consent
Like rose set IN frostwork the
morning dawned. with just enough
crispness and snap In the air To make
1t typical Thanksgiving day Helen
rose early and descended to the kitch
en- just rs Tom had started a fire In
the range. Dons unused rugs behind
:he stove appealed keenly to her. aud
she again pleaded for his release. Rui
Tom stubbornly refused ana hurried
OF 10 the stable 10 feed the horses and
milk the Jerseys
Hearing the family astlr. the i'm
prisoned dog renewed his whining anS
scratching. and Helen could not -epres'
the tears as she mechanically prepare,
breakfast. The few scraps which Ton
tossed through the window Of III,
washhouse seemed an insult TO th'
prisoner and herself II was the frs
time since their marriage that he IN,
done anything TO seriously hurt hcl
feelings. but she was too proud TO say
so or point out how unjust ana mn
feeling his action was IN her eyes
The ample Thanksgiving dinner wa.
made ready and eaten without mucl
satisfaction on the part Of either hus
band or wife When ii was CLEARED
away Tom hitched his sleek gray,
10 the new buggy ana asked Helen {,
.1wNsa a. (. a Ia n ia