Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-11

is with a deep-mouthed grip. He could choke
a man to death if he got such a hold. But
this poor Negro wasn't hurt that way. Why,
man, the bulldog loves old Eph"
But I saw now that no longer had to argue
for The Mugger Conviction was upon OMal-
ley. And it wasn't his examination of The
Mugger's war tools that convinced him of the
bulldogs innocence. He works fast, The Mug
ger. His alligator lower jaw once on your
thigh and you're goner! For his ears are
vevety, and the wrinkled mug of him is soft,
and his heart-warmng shuttle OF universal
friendship warmer still.
And I'd have done it," Officer O'Malley
said Had you folks got here Is seconds later,
I'd have had 1t done"
He rubbed around behind the Mugger's ears.
And Mugger stood in motionless delight and
let him rub. He might not know bulldogs this
officer of the 'av, but dogs in general he evil
IDENTIFY knew. There is that place you know.
behind the eals -.
But who did do it, than?" said O'Malley
I'VE shut the doors. Nothing got out. And
nothin's in. Only the f1ve-the six of US
You looked in our old car standing over
there?" / asked him.
Yes. Even there"
Beneath it?"
Sure dark there, but you can see clear
under to the other SIDE Look for yourself"
But knew where to look.
Eph Joppey is the handy man about our
neighborhood. He is a sweet, gentle old soul.
That day had brought him to our place in his
rounds about our suburb. He was to 90 a little
gardening, lawn moving, washing out the
garage, odd jobs; and feeling as safe with him
about as though he had been some trusted
Southern nanny, Steve had left the house.
hold in his care. Our neighborhOod had been
suffering, as outlying districts do, from scarcity
of house help. And Steve who needed q vaca-
ton from our kids, had consented to a nice,
long twilight drive, with dinner to end it.
Mind you, Eph. Bedtime is half-pas g." my
wife had told him.
"Sho, ma'am," Eph had assured her. I'm
shoe EN- of to covers early, ma'am"
And don't forget to feed The Mugger." I
said as we drove away Make it late this
evening. Keep him in the garage. Don't let
him out when I'm away"
Poor old Eph had not forgotten. The Mug
gers upset dinner pan lay on the floor beside
old Eph when Dr. Philbin and the officer found
him. I can see Eph coming down our driveway
with that pan of steaming dinner for The
Mugger in his hands. And / can see out from
the shadow Of our hedge, The Shadow stink
This dark shadow, sinking after Eph went
nose down, smelling at old Eph's heels. The
air was full Of the aroma Of rump stew. But
at Eph's heels was scent more significant to
that shadow. Weakness, timidity, defenseless-
ness; humans with their dun noses, cannot
smell these things, but dog here
weaker one-good hunting. There came the
unexpected, freezing snaIl!
Eph wheeled about In sudden fright and auto
maticaly let go feeble kick Then followed
wolf play, cruel game. A game Of shadowy
dashings in and leapings out. of nipping this
old carrier of savory meat of marrying this
weak one. It soon would have the much
desired effect of panic Another nip or two,
another little slash, and he would run, dropping
the pan In which good rump stew steamed.
And soon Eph ran. But he did not drop
The Muggers dinner Instead he held it close
to him as he ran. It was The Muggers dinner,
made, with fine pride and care, by old Eph's
hands. It wasn't any other dogs.