Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-08-16

"My goo'nessw exclaimed Genesis,
glancing back owe his shoulder. "'At
liz thing ask like he think he go'n' a
git so~mewheres!!" And then, in answer
to a frantic pull upon the tub. Look
like you mighty strong t'day," he said.
II cain go no fastuh!' He glanced
back again, chuckling. "'At lii bird
do we'll not mix up nothin' 18th ole man
Clematis!'
Clematis, it happened, was just COM
ing into view, having been detained
round the corner by his curiosity con-
corning a set Of Louis XVI. furniture
which some house movers were I'M
packing upon the sidewalk. He APP
preached with glowing eagerness at a
gallop. Flopit was about the size of
Clematis' head, and, although Clematis
was certain that Flopit was something
alive, he could not decide what.
Flopit paid not the slightest atten-
ton to Clematis. The self Importance
Of dogs, like that Of the minds of men,
is in directly inverse ratio to their
size.
All at once a roguish and %irresponsi-
BILE mood seized upon Clematis. He
laid his nose upon the ground, DELHI
Grating a bit Of gayety, and then, with
a little rush, set a large, rude paw
upon the sensitive face Of Flopit and
capsized him. Flopit uttered a bitter
complaint in IN asthmatic voice.
ooh, Massey dray bid horror!" cried
his mistress, turning quickly at this
sound and waving a pink parasol at
Clematis. "Shoo! Dirty dog, go 'way!"
And she was able somehow to connect
him with the washtub and boiler, for
she added, CLASSY laundrymans to
have bad doggies!"
Mr.. Watson rushed Upon Clematis
with angry bellowings and imaginary
missiles. "You disgusting brute!" he
roared. "How dare you?"
Apparently much alarmed, Clematis
lowered his ears, tucked his tail UNDER
meath him and fled to the rear, not
hating once or looking back until he
disappeared round the corner whence
he had come. There" said Mr.. Wat
son, IL guess he won't bother us again
very soon!"
1t must be admitted that Milady was
Il Of those people who do not mini
being overheard, no matter what they
say. Lucky for u.s." she said, "wt
had a nice dray bid mans to protect us
wasn't it, Flopit? And she though
it necessary to repeat something sht
had already made sufficiently EN-
platte
Massey laundrymans!"
Il expect l gave that big mongre
the fright of his life" said Mr.. Wat
son, with complacency. Hell prob
ably run a mile"
The shoulders of Genesis shook a
he was lowed along by the %convulsiv
tub. He knew from previous evidenc
that Clematis possessed both a hig7
quality and a large quantity Of pei
s%istence, and it was his hilarious opin
ion that the dog had not gone far. A
. Il matter Of fact, the head of Clemati
was at this moment cautiously extend
ed from behind the %fencepost at til
corner whittier he had fled. Niewin
with growing assurance the scene be
fore him, he permitted himself t
emerge wholly and sat down, with Iii
head tilted to one side in thought.
Almost at the next corner the clothe,
boiler with legs and the washtubs ant
Genesis were marching OH, and jus
behind them went three figures not 81
\ familiar to Clematis and connected il
his mind with a vague, mild apprehcn
} sion. But all the backs were safel,
toward him, and behind them pattere(
that small live thing which had so pro
foundry interested him.
He rose and came on apace silently
When he reached the side of Flopit
!; some eight or nine seconds later, Glen
!: ats found himself even more fascinat
ed and perplexed than during their for
mer interview, though again Flopi
: seemed utterly to disregard HIN
Flopit was a dog, but he felt that i
was his business to find out. Heavel
knows, SO far Clematis had not a par
ticle Of animosity in his heart, but h
considered it his duty to himself, il
case Flopit turned out not to be a dog
to learn just what he was. The thin'
might be edible.
Therefore, again pacing obliquely be
: side Flopit, while the human being
ahead went on, unconscious Of the ap
preaching climax behind them, elena
= tbs sought to detect by senses keene
than sight some evidence of Flopit'
standing in the geological kingdom
and, shifting at the top of Flopit's hea'
y though Clematis was uncertain abou
its indeed being a head-he found him
y self baf1ed and much disturbed.
Flopit did not smell like a dog; b
IA smelled of violets.
rLAnrED m