Daniel Pratt 229 



The dog would watch each morning at the proper 

 time for the boy's appearance. As soon as the little 

 fellow came in sight, Daniel would run to meet him 

 with a speed and force that almost seemed to put the 

 child's life in danger. But the boy always stood firm, 

 smiling pleasantly, while Daniel would pull up short 

 just in time to prevent a collision. Then the child 

 would talk to the dog, pat his head and stroke his 

 ears, and off they would go together as happy as two 

 friends could be. 



Daniel appeared always anxious to help the little 

 fellow, but at first it seemed difficult to do so. One 

 day, however, as the boy stood leaning on Daniel, 

 a sudden thought seemed to come to the dog. He 

 turned and began to pull gently at one of the crutches. 

 The child, thinking it play, feebly tried to resist ; 

 but Daniel insisted upon having the crutch. He 

 then pushed his big body against the boy, who was 

 almost forced to recline upon the dog's back ; when 

 off trotted Daniel with his burden, as proud as a king. 

 The little fellow could hardly understand it at first, 

 but it seemed great fun, and he was certainly getting 

 over the ground faster than he ever had done with 



