The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1912-05-02

having causes to hear or motIens t,
make, etc. God save the common
wealth."
And, indeed, the commonwealth
was in need of saving. Despite tn,
sherif7s declaration Judge johnson
was not on the bench, nor was he a
his office, nor yet at his home All
important trial was about at the crit
ical juncture. The commonwealth s
attorney accused the attorney for the
defense with having spirited the judge
away, and duel was eminent.
AT about the same time pandemon.
ium broke loose in financial circles. A
big tobacco draft was presented for
payment at TIE old Deposit Bank.
The president, who, alone, had the
combination to the vault, had not ar
rived Runners were sent for him but
he could not be found. A rumor went
about and about that the bank could
not meet the demands upon 1t, and a
bowling mob gathered around, de-
manding their money and threatening
to lynch the cashier.
That morning Vest slept late and
peacefully, as one whose conscience
is clear. When, finally, he came down
town, he stood aghast at the excite
ment everywhere, When he arrived
at an understanding of the situation
he went bravely TO the court house
and to the bank and made the state
ment that the judge and the bank
president had been unexpectedly call
ed down the river on important busi-
ness and had authorized him to say
that they would be back during the
course of the day.
But, personally, Vest did not care to
see them when they got back. When
they reached Owenboro Vest had dis
appeared. He was next heard from in
Western Missouri, and he never even
came back to Owensboro to visit the
folks until after he was elected to the
United States senate. Judge Johnson
represented the Owensboro district in
congress when Vest got to Washington
and welcomed him warmly.
The principal facts in this story were
related to the writer by Judge George
Vest Triplett, of Owensboro, a nephew
of Senator Vest, and vouched for by
old citizens of that city.
The "Dog Speech" which is said to
have elected Vest to the senate, follows:
"Gentlemen of the Jury: The best
friend man has in the world may turn
against him and become his enemy.
His son or daughter that he has reared |
with loving care may prove ungrateful.
Those who are nearest and dearest to
us, those whom we trust with our hap.
pinesS and our good name, may become
traitors TO their faith. The money that |
a man has he may lose. 1t flies away
from him, perhaps, when he needs it
most. A mans reputation may be
sacrificed in moment of ill-considered
action. The people who are prone to
tall on their knees to do us honor when
success is with us may be the first to
throw the stone of malice when failure
settles its cloud upon our heads.
"The one absolutely unselfish friend
hat man can have in this selfish
world, the one that never deserts him,
never proves ungrateful or treacherous,
S his dog. A mans dog stands by him
n prosperity and poverty, in health
md in sickness. He will sleep on the
old ground, where the wintry winds
blow and the snow drives fiercely, if
'nly he may be near his masters side.
lie will kiss the hand that has no food
o offer; he will lick the wounds and
ores that come in encounter with the
oughness of the world.
"He guards the sleep of his pauper
master as if it were prince. When
II other friends desert he remains.
When riches take wings and reputa-
ion falls to pieces he is as constant in
lis love as the sun in its journeys
Trough the heavens.
''If fortune drives the master forth
n outcast in the world, friendless and
omeless, the faithful dog asks no
igher privilege than that of accom-
anying him, to guard against dan
er, to fight against his enemies. And
,hen the last scene of all comes, and
cath takes the master in it's embrace
nd his body is laid away in the cold
round, no mater If all other friends
ursue their way, there by the grave
Ide will the noble dog be found, his
cad between his paws, his eyes sad
Mt open in alert watchfulness, faith
IL and true even in DEATH"
ID. l.. M.
- ~------