Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-03
ISHMAEL
Drawings by Charles Livingston Bull

low leaves had been washed blown from the
double of wind racked naples; here and there
scrubbv oak tenacious of its redbrown leaves stood
solemn and dripping Save for these and for occa-
sonal empty wagon road and few glacial dunes the
lonely heath stretched fiat and unbroken from Hemp
stead to Westbury The setting had rent gap IN
the western Clouds and its golden beams reflected
from millions of randrops coarse prairie grass and
weeds and from the gstenlng roofs OF a few farm
buildings toward the south.
A flock of crows flew cawing overhead on the way to
their North Shore home. In tall sycamore near
Potter's farmhouse regiment of starlings held noisy
whisng council The vesper of the song sparrow was
heard in the land and somewhere to the east Screec
owl had begun his broken qerulous call These would
have been evident to the casual observer but among
the weeds and grasses there also dwelt a populous
community, hidden from mortal eyes, living their ad
little lives in accordance with the laws OF the
wild.
As the sun slowly sank beneath its band Of clouds
seatrv form crept out from beneath a tuft of grass
beside little swamp 1t a small creature, about
the size of gray squirrel with long. 1.-THE body, dark
brown, nearly black with spot OF white on the chm
One might have taken for weasel but for its larger
BODY thicker tall and catike head 1t Putorius
the mink.
He for moment his sharp eyes seeming to pene-
the rank ground vegetation and then he vanished
swiftly from sight though the earth had swallowed
him: only to reappear suddenly few rods away.
BY swift, battling stages he made his way to the
road and then began to rapidly toward the town.
his body bending like hoop, and his short legs pro-
peling him easily incredible speed Occasionally he
stopped, shifted the air, and then hurried on.
He passed two three farmhouscs, stopping for
only Whit or two, and at length to Thomas
Langes chicken house. Steathly he crept round it,
shifting the wire netting. The smell intoxicated
him. and his movements were hasty and excited.
Suddenly and terrible scent caused him
to stop and turn his head There by the side of
the barn stood the monstrous bulk of huge
IS the herr
dusk For moment they stood regarding each
other the dog boldly, the mink furtively, and L
then, the former took step forward, there
was slight scurry and Putorius completely and
instantaneously disappeared.
IN the Atwaters' living room next morning a /,
frightful row suddenly broke loose. Sandy,
the brown Irish terrier eaped upon the couch
by the window, barking furiously
what in the world is the matter?" demanded
Mr. Atwater, fastening into the room. He
glanced out the window and saw big black dog f
busy with a bone that Sandy of his
quaintances had abandoned on the front lawn
BE quiet Sandy, commanded Atwater Its
only Ishmael. Haven't you got used to him yet?'
"Poor Ishmael" said Mrs. Atwater stepping
to the window. Il wish would adopt
him. l suppose he isn't any particular kind of L
dog; but he's gentle and afectionate. hate to
chase him out of the yard all the time; but if II
pat him speak to him he wants to hang around
and simply can't have him here Besides, it
makes Sandy furiously jealous H
They stood watching Ishmael. He in 4
deed no particular kind Of dog. He had the long.
black hair of Newfoundland, while his noble
head and look about the face suggested Great
Dane. His big, thick tail, too, Danes, F
cept that it was hairy and set all wrong.
Atwater had chrstened him Ishmael because he
knew no master and every mans hand was
against him.
Sandy started up his indignant and vociferous
protest again, and because it the peaceful
Sabbath, Atwater forced to go out and shoe
Ishmael off.