The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1922-06-08
A Dog ard n Loaf
of Bread
BY MARVIN ST. JOHNS



flying canine. 1t struck the animal,
who uttered cry of pain and disap-
peared, llmping.
Easy, mother; easy does It, you
know" spoke an even, soothing voice,
and Jared Smith came into view.
"Just a minute more and might have
got IL. Here's your rolling pia, ma.
I'll look after the dog"
"You1l do no such thing. Jared
Smith" stormed his angry helpmeet.
"The animal got mis- lesson and de-
serves IT,"
"And what has he been dolngT' In
qulred Jared placidly.
Better ask that when you get your
supper" observed Mrs. Smith tartly,
seeing as the dog stole the small
loaf I'd baked special for you, and
put II out to cool.
"One thlng-don't you dare to bring
that animal back here Now, you
mind mel" proclaimed Mrs. Smith.
Jared went out In search of the
animal In disfavor. He had picked up
the poor creature coming home the
day previous.
Jared was tender-hearted, even with
the brute creation. He came across
the dog sinking behind the barn and
holding up a broken paw.
"why, you poor thlngw he pitled,
caressing the frightened and trembling
animal.
Jared went into the barn and got
some horse llniment and some rags.
| He soon had the in lured limb mended
up. Then he filed a pan with water
and led the animal to ali empty cat
tie pen way back of the house.
"Now you stay ere till the storms
blow over" he advised his dumb
| charge.
"where are you going with that
tinplate Of stuff" demanded Mrs.
Smith.
"Its for that dog, Samantha" ex-
| planned Jared. "Y'u hurt him a good
deal. He won't trouble you any be
fore he gets In shape to travel on his
way"
you'll Just encourage him to hang
around" declared Mrs. Smith, pee
vishly.
Samantha" said her husband
softly, "don't forget that David liked
dogs"
"Davldw The old wrinkled free Of
the woman famed, paled.
David-her boy Ia dror opened In
her soul long closed seemingly, and
a host of longing, pititul memories
had rushed In.
Two years lonely, bitter and hope
less-two years without the boy who
had run away from home to become
sailor. Only once they had heard
to the mourning mother from the er-
rant but loving son.
'I wouldn't do II over again." read
the pathetic missi"e but I'm started
and I've got pride enough to GO
through with II. Mother, I'm going tc
the East Indies next. Then I'm com
ing home"
A year went by and no further WORD
from the wandering boy and the shiT
he had sailed In reported lost In o
terrible storm of the Malacca coast
Mrs Smith was strangely silent al
that evening. After they had retired
for the night her husband noted how
restless she was. Once he fanCied h,
heard her sohblng softly.
He was himself awakened shortly
: after midnight by the barking Of the
dog.
"You can fetch that dog into th'
kitchen II you want to, Jared" sh'
said.
AS Jared came out into the yart
the dog limped up to him. The farme
petted the animal and motioned 1t Il
I, follow him into the house. Howev-
! the animal acted strangely.
"The critter acts funny declare 7
t Jared was saying as his wife CAM
out into the yard "Why, what doe
the animal want, anyhow"
, Out Of curiosity both Of them fol
t lowed the llmplng animal. The do
, penetrated the thick copse given owe
to dense underground. Ten feet ad
vanced among this Jared Smith haltet
with a shock.
"why, Samanthaw he exclaimed
"It's a man !"
Mrs. Smith peered tlmorously owe
: her husbands shoulder.
"Oh, Jared Is 1t some one dead?
she shuddered.
81 think not. hope not, Samantha,
replied Jared, lifting one-half cate
little loaf from beside the prostrat
fgure-"your bread!"
Just there the dug crept up to IN
. stranger and nosed at his face burle
In the grass The recumbent ma
moved and then with a grodn turne
his weary fever-stricken eyes upo
/. the intruders.
"Motherl" he uttered, and co
lapsed
"Oh Jaredr fairly shrieked Mr.
=, Smith, "it's my boyw
+ Thus the runaway had come HON,
X Just In time they had found hin
/. The doctor. who had been called, tol