The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1948-06-24
May best dOgW s'#Hs5sR' As ''0T

Nov be careful, Jimmie lad"
said grandma as she Scraped and
stacked the dishes. Watch that
gun. Keep the safety on, and take
care when you're climbing fences"
Eyes, grandma" said Jimmie. He
whistled for Tip, and they followed
grandpa to be in on the fun.
Matt decided on the marsh where
the tracking was good. He and Lady
hadn't gone a hundred yards before
they hit track.
tits that big old buck I've been
hankerin' to get for two years" NUT
tered grandpa Lady was fast on
the track, with her nose laid to the
ground, and Jimmie guessed at the
speed she was going it was a hot
scent. Every few minutes she would
lift her head and bay. She had a
beautiful voice, full and low. The
track doubled back several times.
The buck was willy and knew all the
tricks.
They followed for an hour, Lady
going full tilt, never doubling for
more than a moment which way the
little brown animal had gone. They
crossed a small creek, where the ice
lay thick, and on the bank under
an old stump that grew close to the
waters edge, Lady began to dig in
the snow.
"He's hoIed up here" said grand
pa. Jimmie stood motionless wait
ing and watching. His breath hung
fr0stily in the air.
just then Spike and Trumpet ap-
peared over little knoll. Trumpet
was on the same track Lady had
taken Jimmie laid hand on Tips
collar, and they stepped back and
watched Spikes black and tan
hound come up to the stump.
Trumpet laid back his head and
beloved.
Jimmie took few steps dewn the
creek and waited while the hounds
dug at the stump, and the two men
stood poised with their guns cooked
ready for the kill.
Suddenly both hounds seemed a
little uncertain. They made whuf-
fing noises in the snow and walked
round and round the stump. The
two men. relaxed and lowered their
guns.
Spike" said grandpa quietly, 81
been thinkin' all the way over here.
It looks to me like it don't matter
which of us gets this mink. It amt
the mink nor the dogs that count.
It's you and me bein' friends that's
important. After Is years, Spike"
Matter of fact" said Spike, II
was thinkin' pretty much the same
thing. Let's call off the bet, here
and now"
Jimmie smiled. Suddenly, within
a few yards from where he stood, a
cautious brown head appeared above
hole In the ice. None of them
ever knew why the smart old buck
chose that moment to emerge from
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blur he darted across the ice. The
hair on the back Of Jimmie's collie
stood straight up. The mink slipped
on the ice and came to almost full
stop.
His heart hammering, Jimmie
raised the little 410 to his shoulder
and fired. Oh, boyl He got him!
The mink rolled over and over. Tip
skidded over the ice and picked the
mink up carefully in his mouth.
Then he brought him back to jim
mic. He laid his burden down at his
masters feet and wagged his tail.
Jimmie'S heart Swelled with pride.
This was day he would never,
never forget.
He heard the sound Of laughter
behind him, hearty mems laughter.
He turned around, and there were
Spike and grandpa slapping each
other on the back and laughing till
the tears rolled down their faces.
"We've found the best dog, Spike"
said grandpa. "It's Tip! And son,"
he went on, putting his arm around
Jimmie's shoulders, you are ~
doubtedly the best man."