Townsend Harris High School - Crimson Gold Yearbook (Flushing, NY)

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, S. 13' sv: Bi ximfgui x , L ' h-:Q S' , VNU A ,vgxx 2 X' ij it EQNQKZ' f 1 P- S. . W ' 1 i f' , W X A I ' e ever he saw me, with my shadow close behind, he would set up the most awful gyrations, barking and yelling, and acting like a six month's old puppy. This state of affairs went on for about a week, and let me tell you it was awful. No matter where I went, there was this mutt fol- lowing me, never letting me out of his sight. And you should have heard the remarks those dogs uttered, as they saw us. Hi ya, Aggie, how's your shadow? Doing anything to- night ? It was simply unbearable. Once, exasperated beyond measure, I turned to- wards Beebo and cried: WiH you PLEASE let me alone, and follow somebody else? Chase your shadow, do anything but get out of my sight. He only grinned, displaying yellow, ugly, teeth. I gave up in despair. Exactly eight days after the beginning of this-what shall I call it, martyrdom ?-I was walking with my mistress who was wheeling the carriage with the baby inside. Behind me, as usual, paced Beebo. Once or twice my mistress attempted to Shoo him away, but after retreating for a few paces he loped back, that idiotic grin spread over his entire face. In disgust, my mistress decided to tol- erate him, and I, of course, completely igs nored the dog. After about an hour's enjoy- able walking fit was a beautiful morningj, we entered the edge of the woods which skirted our county, and presently found our- selves at the top of a rather high hill which led at a steep grade to the icy waters of the lake, far below. It was a beautiful sight, the tall trees waving gently too and fro around us, the waters rippling softly below, the low hum of insects as they went merrily about their tasks, the sweet singing of the birds in the branches, I was thrilled to my very mar- row. fMy goodness, I never realized I was that poetic., My mistress set the carriage fits lock for the wheel being brokenl against a rock, and seating herself on a stone slab, started to read a book she had brought along. I was about to go off in search of butterflies, when I heard a terrific howling, as of a dozen dogs barking at once. Beebo, who had remained near the carriage, the had a keen affection for the childl perked his scraggedly ears at the sound. A moment later we saw Sir Colvin, his tail waving like a Hag on a windy day, come rac- ing full speed straight for us. Behind him page fifty-four

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up to my words, I would have a dreadful time in town. You dggnit say,', he growled meaningly, his eyes aglitter. Well, he turned around and motioned toward that disreputable sheep- hound who had edged up. f'There's a wit- ness. I DARE you to live up to your words. I turned cold with fright and shame. Me, Lady Agatha the Third, to kiss such a-oh, words fail me. It was frightful. The very thought sickened me. But yet I couldn't re- fuse. The disgrace of kissing him would be much better than the thought of what the other canines would say. You see, I have a sort of reputation in town of never having refused to take a dare. Pm something like that human fellow, Steve Brodie, I think his name was. By this time Beebo was close to us, his large tongue hanging out, his eyes half-closed oblivious to all that was happening. 4'Well, ' grunted Sir Colvin, Pm waiting. He flicked his tail in satisfaction. He had me in a pickle and knew.it. Coming to a decision I stepped over to Beebo, grimaced, and licked his face rapidly, once. Wwhy, you should have seen the ex- pression on that creature's countenance. His eyes popped open wide, his body seemed to shrivel, and from his throat issued the queer- est sound I have ever heard, something like the baa of a sheep. Glancing at Sir Colvin, I saw him wriggling with joy, his mouth open in complete ecstasy. Giving a short bark of contempt, I walked rapidly away. I, Lady Agatha, to be humiliated in such a manner! Well, the next day everyone knew of this event. Sir Colvin saw to that. And how he gloated. Wherever I went I was met with glances that would never before have been cast my way. It soon grew totally unbearable. And to augment this tragic state of affairs, that mutt-that-dog, Beebo, as though not realizing why I had shown such affection for him, followed me around wherever I went, like a bodyguard. Never would he let me out of his sight. Occasionally he tried to get into our house, but my mistress saw to his staying out, thank goodness. My mistress and master, quite naturally, could not under- stand what was going on. All they saw was this simply horrible, ugly, despicable hound, following me wherever I went. And to say the least, they were displeased. But the worst one, by far, was that--dog, Sir Colvin. When- page ffty-three

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ran a troop of the most disreputable dogs I have ever seen. I could see with little eifort that Sir Colvin was out to insult me further. I don't think Sir Colvin realized how close he was to us, as he came running, like the windg otherwise he might have acted with more caution. There is a little knoll just before the top of the hill, and at the crest, stood the carriage, with the goo-ing baby in- side, playing with a rattle. As Sir Colvin came charging up at full speed, he suddenly saw the carriage and tried his best to stop. His efforts were so earnest that for a moment I thought I was witnessing the emergency stop of a speeding locomotive. His four wheel brakes, however, failed to aid him, and head first, he went crashing into the carriage. The carriage quivered for an in- stant, wobbled, then, slowly at first, increasing in speed as it went, started rolling down the steep incline of the hill, straight for the lake! My mistress sprang to her feet, horrified, unable to think or act. Sir Colvin staggered on his legs, dazed from the shock. I was too far away to do anything. At that moment I saw something streak down the hill and head for the swiftly moving carriage. It was Beebo. His head lowered, his tail dragging the ground, his ears flattened, he fairly flew, trying to overhaul that four-wheeled hola- caust. In all my life, I have never seen a canine run as fast as that animal did. I would never have believed that Beebo could have gotten up so much energy. The carriage was going fast, but slowly the flying animal was drawing closer. Now it was more than fifty feet from the edge of the lake, but Beebo was abreast of it, and drawing a little ahead. Now he was in front of it! We could see Beebo strain himself an instant, then sprang sidewise, in front of the carriage, and stand stock still. How he did it is entirely beyond me. All I know is that it must have required plenty of strength. Crash! With a dull thud the carriage smashed into the big hulk and knocked him over. Again it hit him, but with much abated force. Then, stopped by his now motionless body, it stopped. From where we watched, we could hear the baby crying softly. Two weeks later I was strolling down Main Street, alongside Beebo. His entire body, practically, was swathed in bandages, and he walked with difliculty, but that same, happy, idiotic grin, diffused his features. Around his Page fifty-five