Evening star., 1923-02-18
Always There Came Back to the Dog
the Terror the Panic, the Agony
of That 'Mistreatment of Long Ago

nlotner were champlonS. Belore ne
opened his eyes and while he was
crawling about over his brothers and
sisters. blind as puppies are at birth
linn Thompson, Mr.. Devants kennel
master, picked him out.
Il believe that's the best 'un in the
bunch" he said
On the day the puppies opened their
eyes and first gazed with wonder at
this world into which they had been
east. Jim stopped down and snapped
his fingers. There was general
scampering back to the protection of
the mother by all but one. That was
Comet. Even then he toddled tward
wagging miniature tail.
At the age OF one month he pointed
a butterfly that lit in the kennel yard
Come here, JAMIE" yelled the de-
lighted Thompson. who saw IT,
"Pointed--the damn little cuss!"
When Jim started taking tho grow
ing pups out Of the yard and into the
southern winter home. Oak Hill. II
was Comet who 'trayed farthest from
the mans protecting care. While at
sight of a tree stump or a cow or
some other monstrous object his
brothers and sisters would scamper
back to the man. Comet would ven-
ture toward it, provided IL were not
he would bark, anxious little yelps, to
show how brave he was. Then he
would turn and run back-but not
until he had first barked.
Over and over Jim. speaking Of him
10 his wife-they looked after Oak
Hill in the summer--would say with
convictions:
Hes Gon' to nake great dog"
It looked a 8 IL Jim's prophecy would
be fulfilled Comet grew to be hand
somer than his brothers and sisters.
When Jim taught them to follow when
he said Heel to drop when he said
Drop" and to stand stock still when
he said "Ho!" Comet learned more
quickly than the others. In every
T. thing he was favored, even in tenn
permanent. Now and then he quar-
relied with hts brothers, who grew
Jealous OF him and sometimes the
quarrel ended in a fight. But the
night over. he never sulked even If he
were beaten, but was loving brother
two minutes afterward.
His height he gained quickly. like
tall beanpole boys. and. though big.
his bones were shapely, and the mus
cles began to stand out on his lank.
handsome body. At six months he
was a STRIPPING youth, two-thirds pup.
one-third grown dog. Though he still
romped with the others 1t was plain
TO the practiced eye that he was diff
fcrent. Sometimes he lay in the
shade long time and thoughtfully
saZed into the distance, dreaming
as serious minded youths dream the
world over. But all Comets dreams
were central in fields Of broomstraw,
where birds lay hid and IN the thrill
ings his nose told him there.
At six months he set his first covey
OF quail. and, though he was trenn i
bling with the excited joy Of one who
knows he has found his life's work.
still he remained staunch several
minutes. And. though when the birds
flushed he chased them, he came
quickly and obediently back at Jim's
command.
Everything size. contour, nose,
muscle. intelligence. spirit-pointed
to a great dog. Yss-Comet was one
OF the favored of the gods.
One day after the leaves had turned
red and brown. and the mornings
grown chilly and pungent, a crowd Of
people. strangers to Comet, came to
the big house at Oak Hill. With them
were automobiles, trunks. horses. All
this was tremendously exciting. and
with noses pressed against the chick
en- wire of their yard. Comet and his
brothers and sisters watched these
soiugs-on.
Then out of the house. with Thomp-
son, came a big man in tweeds. and
the two walked straight to the Curl
Gus young dogs. who were watching
them with shining eyes and wagging
tails.
Well, Thompson. said the big man,
which is the future champion you've
been writing me about?"
Pick him out yourself. sir said
Thompson.
THEY talked long time. planning
i the future Of Comet. His yard
training was over-Thompson was
only yard trainer-and he must be
sent to a man experienced in training
and handling for field trials. His
Erade-school days were past. He
must go off to college. He must be
prepared for the thrilling life of the
field-trial dog.
'IArsen's the man TO bring him
out" said the big man in tweeds. who
wae George Devant himself. II saw
his dogs work in the Canadian der
bies. I like his methods"
Thompson spoke hesitatingly, as il
he disliked to bring the matter up.
Mr.. Devant, you remember, sir, a
long time ago Larsen sued US for old
Ben. saying the dog was his by
rights?"
Yes, Thompson. / remember-now
you speak Of it."
We'll, you remember the court de-
c;ded against him. which was the only
thing 1t could do. for Larsen didn't
have any more right to that dog than
the Sultan Of Turkey. But, Mr.. De-
want, / was there. I saw Larsen's
face, sir, when the case went against
him"
Devant looked keenIy at Thompson.
Another thing. Mr. Devant,"
Thompson went on, still hesitatingly.
Larsen had chance to get hold Of
this breed Of pointers. He lost out