BALDY OF NOME 



These endearments were exceedingly 

 impolitic, for they were invariably di- 

 rected toward the very dogs who were 

 most apt to overvalue mere physical 

 charm or ingratiating tricks of manner. 

 But there was one thing more objection- 

 able still that could be laid at Her door 

 She was constantly lowering the gen- 

 eral tone of the Kennel. Had Baldy been 

 a French Poodle with little tufts of hair 

 cut in circles around his ankles, and a 

 kinky lock tied with a splashing bow over 

 his eyes, he would probably, with delicate 

 disdain, have characterized Her as lack- 

 ing in "esprit de corps." As it was, be- 

 ing a blunt Alaskan, he growled rather 

 sullenly when She came too near, and 

 considered that She had no more dog 

 pride than an Eskimo and Baldy's con- 

 tempt for Her could suggest no more 

 scathing criticism. The team dogs were 



[22] 



