A FRIEND IN NEED

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 11, 14 January 1933, Page 8

A FRIEND IN NEED

(A True Story.) ; • Sylkio was a spoilt, pampered, silkenhaired little dog. One of these little flogs who rides in motor-cars, who drinks cream instead of milk, and who is made as much of as a child. One day Sylkie decided to slip out •f tho grounds of his luxurious home, and see what the world held in store for him. He was let outside for a romp each day at abou,t 11.30 a.m.; but this day ho, jumped from the window, ran down the drive and out on to the street, with his head held high, his whole body a model of pride. But it is a true saying that, "Pride goes before a fall," for Sylkie had gone only about four blocks away from his home when some large dogs sprang upon him, biting and tearing his flesh. Before long he was left alone "in the gutter, where he lay unconscious till tho next day. During the afternoon of the second day, a littlo fox-terrier, Nedjie by name, came out on to th street to take a peep at the world, and in tho course of his wanderings found the little unconscious bundle in the gutter three doors from, his home. With all' /his doggie wits alert he sensed that Sylkie was not as ho ought to be. So, taking a grip of tho now dirty hair in his teeth, he dragged, the heap of unconsciousness under the gate and- inso his kennel, where he licked the

wounds until the poor little Sylkie regained ■ consciousness. That night 'Neddie's master and mistress were out, but next morning when Mr. Matthews went out for his morning walk, a very frenzied little dog awaited him. First of all Neddie barked and whined, then catching his master's eye, he ran to the kennel, but Mr. Matthews failed to understand him. He repeated thisl act several^ times before his master, finding something queer in his dog's behaviour, followed him down to the kennel. -.- At this Neddie leapt and barked for joy. When down at the kennel, the little fox-terrier ran inside and out for a few moments before Mr. Matthews realised that something must be in there. Putting in., his hand, he touched the now conscious Sylkie. 1 He took him up to the house, where he was bathed, and his wounds attended to. Mr. Somerfield, the owner of Sylkie, had for days been advertising for the little golden-haired dog. At last, aftef ten days had elapsed, ho decided to put the last notice in the paper. . That night when sitting over' the fireside, Mr. Matthews happened to glance at the evening paper, in ,which was tho last advertisement for Sylkie. The result was that next day Sylkie was taken home in an improved condition,, though he still required much care to make him well again, and a friendship grew up between the two families. ' Now, whenever tho two .little .dogs meet they are the best of friends, for I think that Sylkie realises ithat Neddie was indeed a "Friend in Need." ; ' "SUNNY TENNESSEE" (12) ! Lyallßay.