The Lamar register., 1910-01-05
It's dinner.

pleaded Jimmie.
The Master came back to look at
him, and then at me.
"Faugh!" said the Master. touching
me with his foot. DO you call this
cringing cur a dog? II thoroughbred
colt isn't pet enough for you. my son.
I'll get you a decent terrier or collie.
But this-shoo!"
found myself able to run quite fast.
after all, though the Master did not
really throw anything at me.
But after dark Jimmie found me
again. shivering in the weeds. He
brought fine. meaty bone and a piece
Of cake. and his own blanket TO cover
me. He called me his dog. too. and
apologized for his family.
For several days we were very busy.
Jimmie and l. building me shelter at
the foot of the pasture-lot. The Boys
came by and jeered at him. while he
sawed and hammered and whistled.
Jimmie Just whistled louder than
ever, but finally lost my temper and
chased them long way UP the road.
Strange how brave 1t makes you to
Belong! For instance, the day l met
that hound again. I did not feel like
running-not at all We walked round
and round each other. brfstling. and
then the hound suddenly wagged his
tail. let him OF. because ! was too
happy to bear grudges.
Ny new-found courage began to
make me seek adventures. Several
times I dashed out into the open pas
ture to defy the Colt. yapping and
swapping him into mad fury. All. 1t
was thrilling to hear his iron feet
pounding after me to the very fence,
where would slip out under the wire
and leave him just on the inside. snort
ing and raging and paving the
ground!
But courage easily becomes care
lessness. One day when Jimmie was
busy mailing the roof onto my fine lit
tie residence. cocky young rabbit
happened along the road. He was
Just the fellow had been looking for,
30 with yelps of Joy l gave chase. 1t
was an exciting run. over lawns and
garden-bsds. up to the front steps of
the house. then back again under
hedges and fences to the very top OF
the pasture lot There q shout from
Jimmie brought me to my senses. l
turned Just in time to receive a stun
ming blow In the ribs. II was the
Colt. rolled over with a shrek. and
made for the nearest fence. But It
looked hopelessly far away, and
was very tired. Here. pup-here!"
yelled Jimmie. with a frantic break in
his voice. I veered toward him. and
he ran to meet me. The Colt got me
again. and rolled over once-twice-
under Jimmie's very feet
"Run-please run!" he gasped.
struggled up and staggered to the
fence. my ribs cutting into my breath
like knives. But the Colt was not
pounding after me. Jimmie had
stopped him. 1 looked back. CRATE
fully. Jimmie was lying on the grass.
and the Colt. raging and snorting. was
paving him instead Of me.
The boy did not come back to IN
ish my shelter. Many times a day I
went as far as the kitchen gate. hunt
Ing for him. My plate was always
there. heaped with bones and meat,
and even cake. SO I knew that he had
not forgotten me. But could not see
nor smell him, and lonesomeness spoiis
. fellows appetite.
At last I nosed open the sate. and
walked straight up to the kitchen
porch. The Cook was there. with 4
broom handy. as usual. But I forgot
to be nervous. Just put my head
hard on her knee. and stared at her
without winking. Then the broom clat-
tered to the floor.
Reckon you'd be comm erionr
pretty soon. dawg." she said.
Then she laid her head on the table
and began to shake all over. with
choking sounds. One Of her hands
CROPPED toward me and found an ear,
and pulled It
Presently the Master came. not
walking as fast as he usually does. but
sort Of aimless. as II he, too, might be
hunting for somebody.
Hello. what's this! What's the
matter, old woman?" he said.
She pointed to me.
"Oh-a friend of Jimmie's," he said.
very low; and then he found my other
ear and pulled It
Now live in the great house itself.
10 room full Of things that smell of
Jimmie; and ! clutter up old Sues
kitchen with my bones. and bark pro
tectingly at every sound 1 hear, day or
night IL il = pleasant. dignified life,
especially as the Colt is no longer
there to annoy me when stroll
through the pasture. believe spoiled
those fancy legs Of his forever, when
l ran back that day to take care of
Jimmie.
But though ! am always hunting
and smiling about. cannot find any
where the boy who let me Belong.
WHITNEYS HUNT IS COSTLY