South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-21
ADog Star
By Martha McCulloch

( He fancied among other things he
could have given points TO the orig
inal dog-maker. Which was pity,
seeing Happy Jack, head of his
kennels, said in the strict privacy of
his own mind, EFF them dumb
brutes knowed what sort o. Teller
that owned 'em. they'd never hold
up heads ner tails agin."
This was not in malice. Happy
Jack was ready TO admit the boss"
had his uses, and was even wise in
the way Of necktieS, womenkind and
other like trifles. But dogs. Dogs
were the be-all and end-all of exist
ence TO Happy-wherefore it ap-
peared TO him a special providence
that he himself was set in actual
charge of the fine four-footed crea-
lures. He pampered them, Of
course, all he dared-also INDUCED
them. Thereby hangs this tale.
Orien 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 re-
claimed 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
Stretton, 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 disapproved. Now it
was very convenient to have even a
4 crsr - g.,
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 a rebate owing to
the fact, that certain thrifty SER
wants had dressed and eaten the
fowls. But since by his reckoning.
matter of twelve dollars and 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 a 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 a tone
, meant to be diplomatic--even pro-
pitiatory.
"Oh!" said the girl, her wideset
eyes looking through him. Just
how much? l hope we agree in our
estimates"
, 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 a laugh over the document,
then pulled out a fountain pen, add
; ed two ciphers TO the sum, and gave
! back the paper, saying: I've kind
Ily corrected your little mistake"
NO mistake at all. II We live till
: We see any twelve hundred and
) ninety dollars O. Sidney Lees money,
yell make Methusalem look like a
baby" Happy Jack cried scornfully
excitement brought back a trace
, of his Scotch burr always.
It's cray We are-I might say
worse" he went on. Twelve hun
: dred dollars for three ducks-and We
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
| 70
day in the week"
i've heard folks tell tales ere
this" Jack snorted. "A brakes a
. drake-no more no less. Besides
we've a Gods plenty o. his duck
lings-"
Il believe you have a litter or Sc
OF orion pups!" Miss Ellen inter
rupted. 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 it shut in his face, say
ing with a little laugh "A dogs a
] dog by your reasoning. Happy. stay
outside until-my aunt's claim i,
settled
2 He won't that, He shant,
= Woman! The idea o. leayin a beast
worth thousands to be fed on table
J. scraps." Happy Jack cried angrily
shaking the gate. IL was of iron
2 with a spiked top. and rather unrea-
sOnably tall. swung 10 stone posts
and fianked by very stout and
( pricky hedges. But these would mo-
in the least have daunted Happy
what he feared was the mysteriou:
= something called the law--which he
knew only vaguely, and the woman
fronting him knew by heart. He
began TO temporize. Suppose nov
we wait till we can see the boss
he began. "Lemme git my hands or
l that rescal, / promise We, yen never
see his track again"
Just what I'm afraid of-there-
fore you can't have him until the
: matter is settled" Miss Ellen said
covert smile playing about her
lips.
IF you poison him I'll have the
law on yei" he Missed, his eyes
: swapping. Orion was the center OF
z