The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-12-20
Chapter ~
Dog Burial

as MICHAEL put the car int
the garage at the side of tn
house he heard the sound of ham
mering coming from the Deanes
He went to the house, called IN {,
luck, It'll be out for a while
honey. Over with Gordon" anS
went down the path and around {,
the other house. There, as he ex
peeted, he found Gordon out in thu
yard, finishing the lid on the boz
that was to serve as Fred's coffin
Gordon's eyes looked as If they
might have brimmed over at some
not distant time; but Michael tool
no notice. He dropped down on one
knee beside the lad, and put out {
hand to the box.
Good Job there. he muttered
Taken manual training Iessons?'
Yea" said Gordon. He got ur
and Carried the box to the gate
then lifted the dogs body, lyine
there beside the hedge wrapped II
Q torn blanket, and laid it gently in
the coffin.
"Give me one end" Michael said
briefly, and picked it up. Gordon
led OF into the woods, toward the
river bank, and Michael followed
The box was very light. Fred had
been only small dog. The world,
Michael reflected, was full of small
dogs; but, In Gordon's eyes, there
would never be another one exact
~ like Freddie.
The grave was already dug, ly-
ing open underneath a great pine
tree almost on the edge Of the river.
They put the box down, and Cor
don lifted it to set it softly in the
hole. He turned away for a minute
before they started heaping dirt
upon 1t. Michael gathered an arm
ful OF pine branches, while Gordon
was finishing. and brought them
70 lay on the top. Gordon stood UP.
He blew his nose. Michael took out
his cigarette case, looked at it, then
turned and held it out to Gordon.
Have a cigarette" he said. as
man to man.
Gordon shook his head. Don't
smoke" he said gruffiy, and
Strengthened his shoulders.
Through the thin fringe Of trees
between them, and the river, the
sunset was visible as through
heavy lace. Gordon leaned his back
against a tree and looked at it.
Funny thing a fellow can't even
have a dog" he said at last. with
what started out as a nonchalance
and ended with a hint of a catch in
his throat.
Michael did not answer.
Maybe they'll let me have a
bike" Gordon said. MON thinks
they're not safe"
Not any toe safe, the way some
kids ride through the traffic" Mi
chael replied.
'Nothin's safe. had a boat once.
Nom never found it out. She'd
have thrown a fit. Dad did have a
at when he found out l had it."
How'd you get a boat without
their knowing?"
Found it. 1t foated down one
spring, and stayed here all summer
without anybody coming after it.
! took it. Saved my money, and
give it a swell paint job, and fixed
It all up" He scuffed at the pine
Cant have nothin'," he
said.
They take it away from your"
'Who? Dad? No. Somebody
swiped it."
Maybe the owner found it."
I'll Get Even
MO CHANCE. had that boat
~ hid. KEEP it up a ravine with
branches over It If the owner had
a wanted 1t he ought to a come for
II sooner. It was my boat. No, some
body that saw me in it ook it.
Watched where put il, and swiped
it. I'd like to find out who. that's
what ] would. I bet it was the same
guy poisoned Fred. You just wait.
I'll get even with him" sd
You're crazy" Michael said.
Who'd have it in for a KIDD"
Gordon, looked at him sidewise.
That's all right" he said at last,
as III q little ashamed of himself.
"rlf take care of that. I'm not such
a kid, III show him."
rWho9"
that's Il. who?" He looked at
Michael directly. ''You took that
meat down town, I bet, to have
them find out II ii had poison.
Didn't your"
'Yes."
1T win. You mark my words"
He chose his fathers favorite
phrase. HE poisoned my dog. an
III. sure get even"
Behind them in the wood g
sleepy bird cheeped suddenly.
Gordon jumped. I'VE better GET
home" he said in a low voice. He
bent double, and darted off to the
right with the speed of a startled
rabbit, Michael following quite un-
ashamedly.
At the gate Gordon looked al
him again. ut isn't so safe out there
In the woods with robbers and poi
soners around" he said in low
tone. San you just remember, Mr.
Michael Forester, he didn't in
tend TO get Freddie with that meat
II wasn't Fred he was after"
In the study the two girls sal
very quietly. waiting for him tt