Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-19

Z to Solomon John, to the detriment of
trade, and to be patronized by Billy
4, Wigg, who was much puffed UP with
self.importance, conceiving himself to
s-be principal owner of the earth and
sole proprietor of Solomon John. In
the half of which he was correct.
: / was very fond of Billy Wigg, deS-
1pite his airs of superiority. Harvey
preferred old Solomon: but this was
:: semi-professional interest, for my
medical friend had contracted the
pamphlet habit, which he INDUCED
before scientific bodies made up of
gentlemen with weak eyes who knew
more about opthalmology than can
be found in many fat tones.
Solomon John was a remarkable
case of something quite unpronounce-
able, and Harvey used to gaze
into his eyes with rapt intensity
while Billy NVigg fidgeted and
struggled against the temptation to
gnaw such portions of him as were
within reach; for Billy Wigg didn't
understand, and what he didn't under
stand he di3approved Of on principle.
in the light of subsequent events /
believe Billy's uneasiness to have
been an instance of animal provision.
TO see Billy Wigg conduct his mas
ter. across that mill-race Of traffic
that swirled between curb and curb,
as he did every morning in time for
business, was an artistic pleasure.
Something more than a mere pilot
was the dog. rather the rudder, to
whose accurate direction old Solomon
responded with precise and prompt
fidelity. A tug of the trouser leg
from behind would bring the ancient
newsboy to a halt A gentle jerk for
ward would start him again, and, in
obedience to a steady pull to one
side or the other, he would trusting
ly suffer himself to be conducted
around a checked wagon or a halt.
ed car.
All the time Billy Wigg would keep
up a running conversation made up of
admonition, warning, and encourage.
ment.
Come on, now"-in q series of
sharp yaps, as they started from the
curb. Push right ahead. Hold hard.
That's all right; it's by. Hurry now.
Hurry, ] said. VIII you do as ! tell
you?" Then, to a too pressing cabby,
in an angry bark, Whats the
matter with you, anyway? Trying
TO run folks down? Hey? Well"-
alphabetically, in response to a jerk
on his string these fool drivers do
stir me up. Wait bit. Now for it.
And here we are"
How many thousand times dogs
and man had made the trip in safety
before the dire day of the accident,
not even Solomon John can reckon.
Harvey and / had started down.
town early, while our pair of paper.
vending friends CHANGED to be a
little late. AS we reached the corner
they We're already halfway across
the street, and Billy Wigg with all
the strength Of terror was striving to
haul Solomon John backward.
Whats the matter with Billy?'
said Harvey. From the sidewalk, we
could not then see the cause Of his
excjtment.
A second later. The question was
answered. as there plunged into view
from behind a car the galloping horse
OF derlict delivery-wagon.
Good heavens! Look at the old
man." ] cried, and, in the same
breath Look at the dog" gasped
Harvey.
WITH one mighty jerk, Billy Wige
had torn the leash from his mas
ters hand. Berefit Of his sole guild
ance in the thunder and rush OF
traffic, the blind man stretched out
piteous hands warding the death he
could net zee.
Billy" he quavered, where are
you, Billy? Come back to me, Billy
dog"
For once Billy Wig was deaf to his
masters voice. He was obeying d
more imperious call, that unfathomet
nobility of dog nature that responds
so swiftly to the summons. He was
casting his own life in the balance tC
save anothers.
Straight at the horses throat h
launched himself. forlorn hope. i
was very big horse, and Billy wa:
not big dog. The upstroke Of tn,
knee caught him full; he was flung
whirling. fell almost under the wheels
of cab, rolled into the gutter anC
lay there. quiet.
The horse had swerved a little, no
quite enough. There was a scream
and the blind man went down from
the glancing impact Of the shoulder
Harvey and / were beside him al
most as soon as the crosswalk police
man. The three of us carried him t
the sidewalk.