JUST FOR A DOG.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 241, 11 October 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

JUST FOR A DOG.

AN ELOQUENT APPEAL. "MAN'S BEST FRIEND." Some years ago, says a writer in tlie New York "Outlook," tlie late Senator Vest was attending court in a country town. and. while waiting for the trial

of a caSo in which he was interested, lie Avas urged by tlie attorneys in a dog ease to help them. Ho Avas paid a fee of 250 dollars by the plaintiff. Voluminous evidence Avas introduced to slioav that the defendant had shot the dog in malice, Avhile other evidence Avent to show that the dog had attacked defendant. Vest took no part in the trial, and was not disposed to speak. The attorneys, however, urged him to make a speech, else their client would not think he had earned his fee. Being thus urged, he arose, scanned the faces of each juryman for a moment; and said: — Gentlemen of the jury, the best friend a man lias in the Avorkl may turn against him, and become his enemy. His son or daughter that ho lias reared Avith loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to-us, those who A/o trust Avith our happiness and pur good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It Hies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. 'A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people avlio arc prone to fall on their knees to do ns honour Avhen success is Avitli us may be the first to throw a stone of malice Avhen failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish Avorld—the one that never desarts him —the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He Avill sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry Avinds bIoAV and the suow drives fiercely, if. only he may be near his master's side. He Avill kiss the hand that lias no food to offer.. He Avill lick the "wounds and scores that come from the encounter with the roughness of the -jvorhl. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he Ave re a prince. When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in. his love as the sun in his journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master an outcast into the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him, to guard against danger, to light his enemies. And Avlien the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in his embrace, ahd his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their Avay, there by the graveside Avill the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad, but open, in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death. Then Vest sat down. He had spoken in a low A-oice, Avithout a gesture. He had made no reference to the merits of the case. When he finished, judge and jury Avere Aviping their eyes. The jury filed out, but soon returned with a verdict in favour of the plaintiff for 500 dollars. He had sued for 200 dollars.