EULOGY ON THE DOG 29 



minous evidence was introduced to show that defendant had shot 

 the dog in malice, while other evidence went to prove that the dog 

 had attacked the defendant. Vest was not disposed to argue the case, 

 but, being urged, he rose, scanned the faces of the jury for a moment, 

 and said : 



Eulogy on the Dog. 



"Gentlemen of the jury: The best friend a man has in tne 

 world may turn against him and become his enemy; his son or 

 daughter, reared with loving care, may prove ungrateful; those 

 nearest and dearest, those we trust with our happiness and good 

 name, may become traitors to our faith. The money that a man has 

 he may lose it flies away perhaps when he needs it most; a man's 

 reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill considered action; 

 those who are prone to fall upon their knees to do us honor when 

 success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice 

 when failure settles upon us, but the one absolutely unselfish friend 

 a man can have in this world one that never deserts him ; never 

 proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands 

 by him in prosperity or poverty, in health or sickness; he will sleep 

 on the cold ground where wintry winds blow, and the snow drives 

 fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side; he will kiss the 

 hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores 

 that come in the encounter with the roughness of the world, and 

 he guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. 

 When all others desert, he remains. When riches take wings 

 .and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun 

 in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master 

 forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful 

 <log asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to 

 guard against danger; to fight against enemies. And when the last 

 scene of all comes, and death takes his master, and his body is laid 

 in the cold ground, there by the grave will the noble dog be found, 

 his head between his paws; his eyes sad, but open in watchfulness; 

 faithful and true even in death." 



Vest sat down. He had spoken low and without gesture, and 

 made no reference to the merits of the case. When he had finished, 

 judge and jury were wiping their eyes. The jury returned a 

 verdict for $500. Plaintiff had sued for $200. 



When in Edinburgh, I saw that monument erected by the 

 Baroness Burdett-Coutts to the faithful dog who for many years, 

 summer and winter, in burning heat, bitter cold, drenching rain and 

 driving snow lay on his master's grave, leaving it only for the food 

 and drink furnished by the neighboring shopkeepers, then back 

 to h's lonely vigil until death ended his pathetic waiting. 



