Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-22
How Duke Earned
His License

ed to any one until Robin adopted him.
The dog followed Robin home from
school n day, and rel after had re.
fused to leave him.
Duke proved to be a very civil dog,
kind, affectionate, and possessed OF
more than ordinary intelligence; but
how he did eat! Robert often shared
his own dinner with him in order to
avoid hearing his father say: THAT
dog isn't worth his keep. He eats
thing of that sort.
Robins little heart was near break
ing one day, when he overheard his
father telling his mother that Duke
must be got rid of in some way before
the time came round for licensing
dogs.
His mother found him in a corner of
the woodshed with his arms around
Dukes neck, while the dogs eyes look
ed appealingly into those Of his boy
friend as if begging for protection.
Every nov and then the dogs tongue
would lick the hand that dropped from
his shaggy neck, as if in sympathy he
could not otherwise express. And al
together 1t was a picture hard to look
upon with dry eyes.
1T really seems a pity to separate
them" Mrs. Jordan confided to Robins
father when relating the circumstances
to him.
Eyes, it does. But I certainly cannot
afford to both feed the dog and pay his
license. If Robin will agree in some
way to earn Dukes license I will agree
to keep on feeding the rascal Mr..
Jordan replied, as Duke who had slip
ped into the room during the converse
ton, snuggled a. cool lose coaxingly in
to his hand.
Robin, who was close behind Duke,
heard the proposition. and ~ioyfully &C
ceded to it. Earn the money for Dukes
license? Of course he would! There
were numberless ways in which he
could do 1t, Why, he almost felt the
money in his hand now.
. In the first place there were sodas.
No more Of these until Duke could
boast a paid-up license. Baseball
ames too, must be cut out. Why,
when Robin started in enumerating the
many wa~s in which money slipped
through his fingers he was sure that in
three weeks, at least. Duke would find
himself a respectable, licensed dog.
Duke. unmindful OF the unusual in
terest he was exciting, still followed
Robin about in faithful dog fashion all
day. and at night stretched himself
contentedly upon his bed Of meal bags
in the woodshed.
"One dollar of your fee earned al
ready, old fellow" Robin exclaimed,
throwing his arms impulsively around
Dukes neck one night, as he was set
ting himself down to dog slumbers.
AS If half sensing the meaning OF the
lords, Duke softly licked Robins
cheek, accompanying the caress with
a low whine.
81 wonder If Duke understands what
I am doing for him. Robin unused as
he was undressing himself ten minutes
later. I'm quite sure he would do AS
much for me, If he could. Not the
same thing, maybe. but I know he'd do
anything be could to help me If I was
in. trouble" he assured himself as he
jumped into bed.
A couple of hours later Robin was
aroused from a dreamless sleep by
something brushing his cheek. 1T
feels Just like Dukes tongue he muir
INJURED sleepily, and he was about to
drop off again when the touch was re-
peated, this time accompanied by the
clawing of a paw at the bedclothes. He
put out his hand; it rested upon
Dukes shaggy head. The dog was
whining and acting strangely.
what is the matter, Duke?" Robin
said, by this time wide awake.
Dukes answer was a series of loud,
short barks that DON woke Robins
father and mother and brought them
into the room. Duke Immediately
rushed through the door and down the
stairs, Robin and his father and moth
er rapidly following.
Robin had wondered how Duke had
managed to gain an entrance to the
house, but the open door between the
shed and the kitchen reminded him
that he must have forgotten to close it.
A fire smouldering in the corner OF
the shed told the rest of the story. The
dog had smelled it and had fastened
to notify the sleeping family of their
danger through Robin, his little play
fellow and friend. The smouldering
flames were soon extinguished, but
had Duke delayed five minutes longer
they would have burst forth.
After the excitement was over, Rob-
ms father stopped and laid his hand
tenderly upon the head Of the faithful
dog who in all probability had saved
all their lives. =,
you have erned your license. old
fellow: and if I continue to pay it as
long as I live I shall still consider my.
self in debt to you," he said in a husky
voice.
Dukes soft brown eyes looked first
at Robin and then at Robins father
while his wagging tail seemed asking
"Who will own me now, you or NOD
in?" .E
Merna Irvine's School Was
Out December II; Merna
Is ONLY Six