Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1915-08-05

ward Miller was never annoyed BY
the children again. II began to be
said that the dog. which he had adopt
ed out Of the bitterness Of his heart.
was making a man Of him Old nc-
qualntances. who had dropped Miller
years before. began 20 nod 70 him In
the street Somehow life began 10
seem easier 10 the old man.
However. he stili collected his
money rs harshly as ever, he stilI
snaried as he went about his ways.
II is hard 10 change ones disposition
AZ seventy. But the dog was always
at his side, with the friendllest dis
position imaginable, always with tail
wagging. and Miller's devoted friend.
Then came the day which was
destined 70 have a permanent effect
on the old man He was going home
with Outcast after an interview with
one OF his debtors. He had fully lived
up TO his reputation and he was
thinking bitterly that he would show
the fellow no mere mercy than he
would have expected. Suddenly a
runaway horse came tearing down the
street. attached TO a buggy, fortunate
ly empty, which was swaying dizzily
from side to side.
Right I'm the path of the animal
was n young woman, poorly dressed,
wheeling a baby-carriage. She saw
the horse and seemed paralyzed with
fear. She did not know where to turn.
The animal was almost on top of
her.
Suddenly Outcast Ieaped from the
old mans side and sprang directly In
the horses path. barking furiously.
The horse swerved, Outcast caught
at the reins. the horse dashed to one
side and fell. dragging down the dog
with It and overturning the buggy
within a foot of the baby-caFriage.
An instant later the spectators had
leaped to the fallen animals side and
were pulling Il to its feet. Others
seized the mother and the carriage
and conducted them across the street
under the shade OF Miller's trees. The
woman was sobbing Historically and
clutching the child, which still slept,
in her arms. Miller stood at the side
OF the horse.
Outcast was in a sorry plight The
horse had kicked him as Il fell and in
flicted serious injuries. The dog
could not rise; II got on it's front feet
and dragged its hind quarters pitt
fully. II licked it's masters hand.
Old Miller, forgetful of all but the
dog. kneeled beside II. stroking the
paralyzed back Il was clear that Ont.
cast had not long to live. He picked
him up in his arms.
There were tears In old Miller's
eyes, and his hide-bound nature
seemed softened at last-broken.
As he stood there the young woman
came mp to him timidly.
Your dog has saved my baby's
life," she said. rs there anything |
can do-anything at all? / don't know
how | can thank you. I have nobody
in the world but my child and crippled
husband"
Old Miller stared at her. what Ia
your name, girl?" he demanded
roughly.
Emily Miller. sir"
Old Miller took her hands I'm his.
Il have nobody in the world either
unless my children come back 10
me" he said.
People said afterward that 1t was
the Joy of the reunion that made old
Miller q friend of all the boys and
girls in PiIkington. But everybody
gave the credit to Outcast. who might
generally have been seen playing
with little Henry on the old mans
doorstep. The superstition grew. also
that when the noted surgeon cured
the old mans son of his -lameness II
passed into the dog. and that was why
he limped little. because things
get distorted with the lapse OF time,
long before he died cranky" old
Miller had passed into n legend.
Copyright. 1915. by ". G. Chapmanl