ball at the beginning, and, by line-plunging and forward passing, carried it up the field to the Laurellville ten-yard line. Here it was lost on a fumble. After two line-plunges, Turner broke away and ran seventy yards, through the whole Mercer team, for a touchdown. It was the star play of the game, and the Laurellville rooters were wild with joy. Gillicuddy kicked goal. Score: Laurellville 10; Mercer 6. Neither side did anything in the remaining few minutes of play, and the game ended with the ball in mid-field. Goal: Stone. Referee, Mr. Lands. Umpire, Mr. Nelson. Linesman, Mr. Looney. Now you are ready to prepare a school paper. There should be three or four issues in a session. These should be planned carefully by an editorial committee, assisted by the teacher. EXERCISES I Write an account of a football game you have attended. II Write an article on some subject of special interest to your school. Perhaps your school grounds are in need of attention. III Write a general news item which might be used in a school paper. CHAPTER XXIX CAP, THE RED CROSS DOG For Study and Composition Read the following story: Pierre was twelve years old on the day Cap was born, and he often said that Cap was his birthday present and special charge. Pierre trained Cap to come at his call and to go with him to care for the sheep. Every day the boy and his dog wandered across the hills together, watching and guarding the flock. Then when the sheep were ready to go home, Cap barked at their heels, and not one of them dared to disobey his sharp command. He was like a captain calling orders to his soldiers, "Fall in! Forward march!” And the sheep would scurry before him down the dusty road. The years went by, and war came to the peaceful valley. Pierre was eighteen, and glad to march away with his comrades to serve his country. Cap, having no more sheep to watch, was given to the Red Cross Society to search for the wounded on the battlefield and bring them help. He was very proud of his harness, with its relief supplies, and of his red cross, the badge of service. From the first day, he showed his ability to look after wounded soldiers. "That dog is the kindest and most faithful animal in the whole lot," said the young doctor who trained Cap. "The other day he saved thirty lives; when he comes back with a hat in his mouth, we know some one out there in the field is in need of help, and he leads us to the place at once. He can do everything but talk." One day there was a frightful firing across the trenches, and the dogs and men suffered from the deadly fumes of poisonous gas. The doctor then put a mask over Cap's face to protect him from the gas, and the dog went on with his work. While roaming around in No Man's Land, seeking for some one to help, Cap found a young soldier who was alive. Suddenly the dog's tail began to wag, and he broke the law of the Red Cross dogs and barked, for he had found Pierre! His master, who had been sevcrely wounded, lay upon his face, helpless and unconscious. Cap pushed him over on his back; then licking his face and barking, he restored the young soldier to consciousness. "Oh, Cap! Good dog! Did you come for me?" gasped Pierre. Seeing the flask carried in the dog's harness, he managed to remove it and take a drink to save himself from becoming unconscious once more. Cap took the soldier's hat between his teeth and ran back to the hospital tent for help. Soon the ambulance men followed the dog, and found Pierre, who had fainted again from loss of blood. Cap began to lick the soldier's hands and face. "Down, Cap!" said the young doctor. "You must not be rough with your caresses." But the wounded soldier opened his eyes and said faintly, "My good dog! He saved my life once when I went to rescue a lamb. Now he has saved it again." Cap walked slowly behind the ambulance which carried his master to the hospital, and lay down outside the door. All night he watched and waited, refusing to go out into the field again. The doctor, who understood dogs, would not let them order Cap away. "Look at his big eyes," said he. "Cap is suffering with his wounded master. No, he shall stay here and watch while the other dogs work in the field." So the doctor removed the harness and left the faithful creature on guard at the door. Cap watched and waited for several weary days and nights while Pierre struggled back to life; but one happy day the door opened to admit him, and the dog rested his head upon the cot beside his master. Pierre feebly stroked him, and looked lovingly into his faithful eyes. "You saved my life, Cap," said Pierre, "and we must soon return to work, I to the trenches to fight for France, and you to No Man's Land to rescue the wounded." Cap gave his head a shake, and then, looking long at his young master, trotted out and stood at attention before the doctor. The doctor knew what the dog meant, and buckling on the Red Cross uniform, fitted out the dog for work again. GEORGENE FAULKNER. Tell this story to your parents. Tell in class stories of Red Cross dogs. What other services did dogs perform during the World War? Our government sent shiploads of dogs for service in the army. EXERCISES Dogs are useful in many ways. Find out the ways ir which they are of use in our country; in Holland; in Scotland; in Alaska; in Switzerland. The stories told of the St. Bernard dogs are most interesting. See if you can find one to tell in class. II The following sentence, "Rex proved himself a faithful friend," suggests a story. Plan and tell the story. CHAPTER XXX PATRIOTISM For Study and Composition I This poem tells the true story of a wounded Confederate soldier boy, who was nursed by Doctor Ticknor and his family at Torch Hill, near Columbus, Georgia: Out of the foremost and focal fire, "Take him and welcome," the surgeon said, And we laid him down on a wholesome bed, Utter Lazarus heel to head! And we watched the war with abated breath, Months of torture, how many such! Weary weeks of the stick and the crutch, And still a glint in the steel-blue eye Told of a spirit that wouldn't die, And didn't! Nay, more, in death's despite |