Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1901 — A PRIZE WINNER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A PRIZE WINNER

CpHl entries for the dog show were about complete. The proud oraera of the high-bred canines to be exhibited were rushing about the leave ball, all objecting more or less to the places assigned their various pets. Some of the more enthusiastic ladles were decorating the places where their pete were to display their charms with gay bunting and bright ribbons. Jl tall, fair girl was tacking up a strip of wide ribbon bearing the name "Tyke" In gold letters. She had adjusted It almost to her satisfaction, when an unusual sound, made her stop beg hammering to listen. A child's Wales rose shrill above the din of the ball and a man’s harsh tones brought bCnsion Denlston into the aisle to see wfeat was the trouble. There she saw A golden-haired boy, his blue eyes filled with tears, hugging to his breast a ridiculous stuffed dog. It had four legs, “ooe at each corner," but there the reMtnblance to a real live dog ceasefl. The man, half amused and half angry, was about to take hol<l of the child itudt roughly, when Marlon laid a restraining hand on his arm. “What Is the matter?” she asked, lastly. “Oh, this youngster’s a nuisance,*’ the answered, impatiently. “I’m worrM to death trying to get things Into Vkape here, aud just look at the thing b» wants to enter in the show,” aud bt pointed to the comical little animal with a laugh that made the little fellow's lip quiver as lie hugged the toy 'tighter. Inspired by the friendliness in Marion’s face, lie held his treasure up for her inspection. “Isn’t lie a fine dog?" he asked. “He certainly Is,” Marlon said. “I

am sure I never saw such a remarkable dog before. What Is his name?" “Dewey," answered the child, proudly. Marlon carefully concealed a smile, and the little fellow went on, “I named him that ’cause my papa bought him for me for beiu’ brave aud not crylu’ when ho went off to the Philippines. I didn’t cry, but I didn’t want my pupa to go," and the tears that were not Mied when “papa” marched away were very near the surface now as the little golden head drooped pitifully. Marion, bending hastily, put her arms about the child and said, tenderly, "I am sure papa was proud of his brave hoy. for most little boys would have ertod.” “Well, I didn’t,” the little fellow ■aid, up. “But mamma dML She's cried nearly all the time—*§p*ct».ny stnee a boy brought her a yottow letter." Marlon drew the child closer to her as ■he realised what the ■"yellow letter" meant “What is your name, little one?" she asked, gently. “Robert Elliot Dowling, but every one calls me Kobin. But, where’s ‘Dewey’?" Marlon's eyes wero dim aud she picked up the queer shaped canine and handed It to ltohiu. “Oan’f I leave him here?" he asked, wistfully. Marlon looked puzzled) “Leave him here?" she queried. “iVlint for, dear?” Roblu seemed surprised. “Why, for a prise.” he exclaimed. “You see," he added, confidentially, “I think maybe momma’ll feel better and not cry so much 1/ Dewey'd get a prize; and then, we don't have very much money any more, and muuimn says she guesses •he’ll have to go to work. I thought maybe people d pay to see Dewey. My papa said be was a lie was a a—oh, yasl. I know now- a very un—u—a—u •-al kind of a dog, aud my papa knew Into about dogs and ' everything, he did." and the little fellow paused for want of breath. Mariou, really distressed, started to ■ay ■omething almut "lire dogs," when the man who had called Itohin a nuisance stepped forward. "Young man,” ha said, “it would lie au honor to hare *Dewey* In tide dog show, Bml we’ll he glad to have you leave him here. You •m,” he added to Marlon In an undertone, “I snw the little chap's father’s name In the paper Just the other day. Ha was In almost the first engagement •ver In the Philippines and, you know what I mean.” Mariou nodded sadly, but she smiled as she took Robin's hand. “We’ll enter Dswey," she said, gayly. "but first you most take me to your mnmiua,*' and •ha went with the child to the humble home a fe4v blocks nway, where from 1 Vm heart broken soldier's widow she hoard again the story of the departure for the Philippines and the tragedy of the "yellow letter.** The annual dog thaw of this Western city mg* quite a social event, and the spaaing day found the canlnaa surroonded by hosta of admiring friends, bat the largest crowd was gathered •boot tbs space where Marion Den laton's beautiful oaekor spaniel, Tyke,

waa on exhibition. Poor Tyke’s vanity would have been sadly wounded had he realised that not be, but the ungainly stuffed creature standing impudently on a small table, was the center of attraction. All day Marion sat by this table telling to friends and strangers alllje the story of “Dewey,” ' always ending with, “Perhaps you will be willing to pay something for seeing ‘Dewey.’ He’s a very unusual dog." "Poor little chap," her hearers would say, and the quarters and half dollars jingled merrily Into the little fancy basket at “Dewey’s” side as the pathetic story freely opened parses and pockets. Marlon forgot to notice that most of the visitors, passed Tyke, tba pride of her heart, by unheeded, Absorbed as she was In the wonderful "Dewey," she herself was near forgetting her pet’s existence. Toward evening a little figure flitted in through the door and up to Marlon's side. “Did he get a prize?" Robin whispered, anxiously. “No, dear, the prizes won't be awarded for two days yet, but every one thinks he is lovely,” Marion whispered, enthusiastically. “Must he stay here all night?” Robin asked, wistfully. “Why, you’H want hlin here this evening for people to see, won’t you?” “Well,” Robin said, hesitatingly, “you see ‘Dewey’ sleeps with me, and I’m ’fraid lie won’t sleep well here.” "See here, Robin,” Marlon said, cheerily, "you go to bed without ‘Dewey’ tonight, aud I’ll leave him at your bouse ou my way homo. Then you bring him back here in the morning." Marion did not add that she needed the funny little dog to wheedle dollars out of masculine pockets that she knew would be present in the evening, but said, coaxiugly, “I know lots of jieople would be disaiipolnted to-night if they missed seotng ‘Dewey.’ ” Itoblu patted his treasure a.fcojjonntcly, theo said, “It would be toe bad for them not to see him, ’cause there’s not another dog like him here,” and, feeling like a great public benefactor, he left “Dewey” perched on his flagdraped table and trotted borne. All that evening and the following days of tlio dog show Marion stood Guithfully at her post, relieved occaslonally by her sister Agnes. Agnes’ contempt for the dog show Itself was unbounded, but after hearing about “Dewey" she forgot that she "wouldn’t go near the horrid, yelpkig things,” and became almost as constant an attendant of the despised exhibition as Marion. The third evening was the time of great excitement. For the first time Marlon’s allegiance to “Dewey” wavered. Her little sawdust-stuffed protege was quite forgotten when the judges awarded Tyke the coveted blue ribbon and a prize of $25. But at an announcement made from the center of the hall she grabbed “Dewey" in remorse. One of the Judges was saying that, owing to the extraordinary good behavior of one of the dogs, a special prize would be awarded to the verj remarkable dog “Dewey” for being the best behaved dog In the show, and amid the cheers of the crowd Marlon held “Deiyry” up while some one tied about b l * shapeless neck an enormous r£d, white aud blue bow that almost hid the little dog from view. But still louder cheers raug out when It was announced that the special prize was SSO In gold. Then liefore Marlon’s mind came the picture of the desolate home, the sorrowing wife and brave little child, and, laying tier $25 beside the SSO, she said, "It is glory enough for me to know that Tyke 19 the finest cocker spaniel In town. lie keeps the ribbon and ‘Dawey’ shall have the money.’’ Her examjile was followed by others, until the silver pieces In the little basket were covered with gleaming gold. When Marlon carried the hero of the dog show back to Its owner that night, she pressed Into the hands of the soldier's widow a bag containing nearly S.IOO, the first ray of light to penetrate the dark cloud that settled over the little home with the coming of the “yellow letter.”—Chicago Record.

“DID HE GET A PRIZE?" ASKED ROBIN.