Evening star., 1923-03-04
BY
SAMUEL A.
DERIEUX.

You know, an 7 know, he has SPOKE
the truth this day. The boy did not
entice the dog. He even went down
the road, leavin' him behind. He run
back only when She dog was in dire
need an chokin' to death. He no more
stole that dog than / stole him. I
dismiss this case, Mr.. Thornycroft,
| this case you've brought against Davy
Allen. / declare him innocent Of the
charge of theft. ! set it down right
here on the records of this court"
"Davy" gasped Mrs. Allen. "Davy"'
But old man Thornycroft start~d
forward, and the dog, painting. shrank
between che boy and mother "JIm
Kirby. cried the old man. YOUR
magistrate. What you say goes. Bur
that dog thar-he's mine, Hes my
property-mine by law" He jerkcd
piece of rope out Of his overcoat
pocket and came on toward the COW
ering dog.
"Davy," Mrs. Alien was holding the
boy. 'Don't-don't say anything.
You're free to go home. Your records
clear. The dogs HIS
Hold on" Mr. Kirby had risen from
his chair. "Mr Thornycroft, this
courts not adjourned yet. I'll stick
a fine to you for contempt you'll re-
member the rest of your days. You
stand where you are. SIR
nCIVERING, the old man stood. Mr.
~ Kirby sat down, face flushed.
eyes blazing. Punch up that fire,
Tom Belcher,' he said. Il air..
through yet" ..
The hound came tremblingly bac.
to Davy. The magistrate resumed
What i was goin' to say, gentle
men. is this: I'm an officer in an or
ganization known az the Society for
the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals
AS such an officer it's my duty TO re
port an bring to trial any man who
treats dumb brute in cruel an in
human way. Mr.. Thornycroft, judgin'
by the looks of that houn'. you AIM
give him enough to eat to keep cat
alive. You condemned that po'. beast.
for no fault of his own, to the life of
felon. This houns neck IS rubbed
raw. A man that would treat dog
| that way amt fitten to own one. An
l hereby notify you that ] will .indict
you for breakin' the law regardin the
! treatment of animals: an I notify
you. furthermore, that as magistrate
| I'll put the law on you for that same
| thing. An it might be interestin' To
| you to know, sir, that ! can fine you
as much as five hundred dollars, D"
send you to jail for one year or both.
, If I see At, SIR
| He looked sternly AT Thornycroft
Now, if you will give up that houn'
| Buck-to me, say will let the ma
ter drop: but If you don't
Cit out of my way" cried Old MAJ
| Thornycroft. "AlI Of you, I'm gosu'
I'm goin'.'
Hold on said Mr.. Kirby. DO ynti.
in the presence Of these witnesses
| turn over this dog to me- reiinouisl-
ing all claims TO him, on the coudi-
tions named? Answer. Yes or no.
There was moments silence. then
the old man cried out
Take the old hound. He ain; wuti.
| the salt in his vittles."
He jerked the door open.
| Yes. yelled the old man. and
| slammed the door behind him.
One minute, gentlemen" sad NJ
Kirby. rising from the table and
gathering his papers and records to
gether. Just one more thing: T.
anybody here has any evidence. or
knows of any. tendin' 70 show that
this boy Davy Allen is not the prone
person TO turn over a houn' dog 10. !
hope he will speak up" He waited
moment In the absence of am
objections, an considerin' the eyi-
dence that's been given here this
mornin', I'll just let that dog go bach
the way he come. Thank you gentle
men. Courts adjourned"'
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