Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-04-09
A DOG STAR
BY Martha McCulloch
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

4
trifles. But dogs! Dogs were the be.
all and end-all OF existence to Happy
Wherefore it appeared to him spe-
cial providence that he himself was
set In actual charge of the fine four
footed creatures. He pampered them
of course all he dared-also INDUCED
them. Thereby hangs this tale. Orion
running free of leash upon the lawn
out before his kennel, leapt the hedges
in pure wanton Joy Of supple strength,
and before he could be reclaimed
wrought havoc among the prize ducks
of old Miss Stretton, who lived next
door.
Result-a very pretty quarrel, made
prettier by the fact that Miss STREET
ton, fat and scant of breath, left the
settlement of it to Niece Ellen, one OF
the modern Portals, whom until the
quarrel rose, she had cordially disap-
proved. Now it was very convenient to
have a girl lawyer in the family.
OF course the slaughtered ducks, espe-
cially Sir Alexander, being of the
highest prize winning strains, were
not to be valued as mere poultry.
Happy Jack insisted that they were
nothing else. He had indeed half
mind to claim rebate owing to the
fact, that certain thrifty servants had
dressed and eaten the fowls. But
since by his reckoning, matter of
twelve dollars, ninety cents, would
square accounts, he let that part go by
default-he would never be the man
to grudge other wage earners the
chance to make or save trifie on the
side.
I'm here to pay in full, ma am. for
the fine dogs little diversions" he
said to Miss Stretton In tone meant
to be diplomatic-even propitiatory.
"Oh!' said the girl, her wideset
eyes looking through him. Gust how
much? I hope We agree in our esti.
mates
Happy Jack, after some fumbling,
produced a bill, written out in the
round school-boy hand of his son and
heir. Miss Stretton glanced at it,
frowned, bit her lips to keep back
laugh over the document, then pulled
out fountain pen, added two ciphers
to the sum. and gave back the paper,
saying: "I've kindly corrected your
little mistake"
mo mistake at all. II We live till
We see any twelve hundred and ninety
dollars o. Sidney Lees money, ye'll
make Methusalem look like baby.
Happy Jack cried scornfully-excite
ment brought back a trace of his
Scotch burr always.
Its cray We are-I might say
worse" he went on. Twelve hundred
dollars for three auckland ye ate
them" The last in scornful triumph.
"I've considered the drake at ten-and
the fule ducks"
you are overlooking the fright
the distress of mind-the upsetment
to my aunt" Miss Ellen Interrupted.
"Also the fact that Sir Alexander
swept the show ring wherever he
went-won five hundred in prizes this |
last six months-and could readily |
have sold for as much, any day in tho
week."
Eve heard folks tell tales ere this"
Jack snorted. "A brakes drake-no |
more or less. Besides, we've a Gods |
plenty o. his ducklings-"
Il believe you have a litter or so
Of Orion pups!" Miss Ellen interrupt
ed Beauties they must be, If they |
look like him. Why, there he is-right |
at our door
''Let me get him-the murderin'
pirate" Happy Jack cried, starting to |
push through the gate Miss Ellen |
clicked 1t shut in his face saying with !
a little laugh: "A dogs dog by your
reasoning. Happy. Stay outside until |
my aunt's claim is settled
"He won't that! He shant! Woman!
TI,< u - vt,Ht -
thousands to be fed on table scraps!"
Happy Jack cried angrily, shaking the
gate. It was of iron, with spiked |
top, and rather unreasonably tall, |
swung to stone posts. and flanked By
very stout and prickly hedges. But |
these would not in the least have
daunted Happy-what ~he feared was
the mysterious something called the
law-which he knew only vaguely, and |
the woman fronting him knew by
heart. He tegan to temporize. Sup
pose now-we wait till ye can see the
boss" he began. "Lemme git my
hands on that rescal promise We,
Yell never see his track again"
"Just what I'm afraid of-therefore
you can't have him until the matter
Is settled" Miss Ellen said, covert
smile playing about her lips.
III you poison him I'll have the law
on ye!' he Kissed. his eyes swapping.
Orion was the center of his universe
moreover the most famous of the
bench shows lay just fortnight
ahead. The dog had been of his feed
a bit-hence the liberty that had bred
Iawlessness. Vainly Happy JackI
and called-Orion ran abou.
like mad thing, shifting at the walk
which led around to the poultry yard,
giving the while short ecstatic barks.
Miss Ellen smiled watching his
yambols. He knows what he wants
and how much he wants IT, she
said, refectively, then piteously. Its
4 shame to kill him, or even send him
% the pound-but don't see how we
IAN nossibly keep him-and the
1ucks.''
Woman. Yell no have the heart"
Happy Jack burst out. And just then
| motor car buried to standstill be-
hind them In wink Sidney Lee was
,ut of it. smiling and bowling to Ellen.
at H.