The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1915-08-26
Bedtime Stories
For Little Folks
RAGS LAST FIGHT.

4 VI course, you remember about 1T
tie Rags, the dog that saved Hunk
when he fell over a cliff and broke his
leg. Well, this is about another adj
venture in which Rags played the hero
for second time.
After he had gotten used 20 his
bright, new collar, Rags would lie for
hours on the front lawn, right by Baby
Pauline's cradle. For everyone knew
she must have fresh air and they also
knew that the dog would not let any
one touch her without a fight.
Here he would stay for the entire
morning, mapping when the baby slept
and playing with her when she was
| awake. SO the time passed on very
pleasantly.
One morning the children all came
out in the yard directly after break
fast, so as to arrange some boxes
down by the gate in order to see a
circus procession pass. About ten the
parade started and the bands came by
with big burst of music AS soon as
Hunk heard the noise he ran out of
the house to join the children at the
gate.
Hello, Rags, old boy" he said as
the dog trotted up for pat on the
head. You're looking fine today
take good care of the baby while We
watch the parade so by"
And as Rags limped back to the
cradle Hunk smiled sadly, thinking
that Rags was getting too old to be
trusted with the baby And the dog
seemed to read the mans mind, for
he laid his head solemnly on his paws
and kept blinking his eyes just like !
people do when they want to keep the
tears from coming.
The baby woke and Rags played
with her for some time, pulling her
rattle away and bringing the sticks as
fast as she would toss them away into
the grass, but she soon grew tired and
went off into another nap. So the
dog lay down again, watching the pro
cession as it swept by with flying nags
and music trembling in the air.
Then around at the back of the
house he heard a queer bark-a short, |
hoarse yelp-that he did not under
stand. But he started to his feet and |
sprang before the cradle.
AS he did so there came around the |
house on run a big yellow cur, its |
eyes blinking wildly and its open
mouth dripping foam. Over in the |
lane at the side a policeman was run
ming toward the dog, while a couple |
of boys screamed at the top of their
voices, Mad dog, Mad dogi"
-Ihe animal rushed straight toward |
lie baby, but Rags stood bravely in
front. Hunk heard the cry of Mad I
dog" but was too far off at the gate
TO reach the baby in time, yet he |
came dashing madly around the house.
Just as the policeman rushed in the
side gate the mad dog sprang toward /
the baby. Rags sprang too. All the
lighting blood in his young days was
up and he forgot his age With hair
bristling and mouth wide open he met
the mad dog, and the two animals
srappled in mid air.
Back and forth they leaped and
plunged, biting, snarling and hanging
On to each other. Just then up came +
both Hunk and the policeman, while
he babys mother grabbed it and flew
nto the house with the children.
"Mr. Officer" said Hunk, sadly, as 4
lie watched the dogs in a deadly en-
)race, there is only one thing to do
10Th must be shot"
yes, SIR" replied the officer, draw
ng his pistol, Rags is a brave hero, n
)ut he has been bitten and it would
,e dangerous for him to live" Hunk 4
urned his head away, the policeman |
sighted his pistol there was a quick
'ang, and both dogs lay on the lawn
dead
Little Pauline was broken hearted /
'ver Rags death and sobbed for hours.
But the next day Hunk had a fine
'ox made, a grave dug in the bottom
# the garden. and in the afternoon all
he neighbors came to see the dog
'uried. The mound was covered with