The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-30

ward Miller was never annoyed by
the children again. It 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 &C.
quaintances, who had dropped Miller
years before, began to nod to him in
the street. Somehow life began to
seem easier to the old man.
However, he still collected his
money as harshly as ever, he still
snarled as he went about his ways.
1t is hard to change ones disposition
at seventy. But the dog was always
at his side, with the friendliest dis
position imaginable. always with tail
wagging, and Miller's devoted friend.
Then came the day which was
destined to 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 more mercy than Re
would have expected. Suddenly a
runaway horse came tearing down the
street, attached to buggy, fortunate
ly empty, which was swaying dizzily
from side to side.
Right in the path of the animal
was young woman, poorly dressed.
| wheeling a baby-carriage. She saw
the horse and seemed paralyzed with
| fpor Che did In yxb 10 IN
The animal was almost on top of
her.
Suddenly Outcast leaped from the
old mans side and sprang directly in
the horses path, barking furiously.
The horse swerved. Outca3t caught
at the reins, the horse dashed to one
side and fell, dragging down the dog
with it and overturning the buggy
within foot of the baby-carriage.
An instant later the spectators had
leaped to the fallen animals side and
were pulling it to it's 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 anG
clutching the child, which still slept
in her arms. Miller stood at the side
of the horse
Outcast was in a sorry plight Tht
horse had kicked him as it fell and in
flicted serious injuries. The do,
could not rise; it got on its front fee
and dragged its hind quarters pitt
fully. 1t licked its masters hand.
Old Miller, forgetful of all but TIL,
dog, kneeled beside it, stroking tn
paralyzed back. 1t was clear that Out
cast had not long to live. He pickle,
him up in his arms.
There were tears in old Miller
eyes, and his hide-bound natur
seemed sortened at last-broken.
AS he stood there the young woma
came up to him timidly.
Your dog has saved my baby
life she said. rs there anything
can do-anything at all? don't kno,
how l can thank you. l have nobod
In the world but my child and cripple
husband"
Old Miller stared at her. what
your name, girl?" he demande
roughly.
Emily Miller. sir"
Old Miller took her hands in his.
Il have nobody in the world eithe
unless my children come back
me-" he said.
People said afterward that 1t wa
the Joy of the reunion that made oil
Miller a friend of all the boys an
girls in Pilkington. But everybod
gave the credit to Outcast, who Nigh
generally have been seen playin
with little Henry on the old man
doorstep. The superstition grew, ais,
that when the noted surgeon cure
the old mans son of his lameness
passed into the dog, and that was VIII
he limped little. Because thing
get distorted with the lapse Of tim
long before he died cranky" oil
Miller had passed into a legend.
Copyright, 1915, by W. G. Chapman)