“OL’ SPOT” ENTERS THE FRAY 
Yes, you guessed it correctly. 01’ Spot was the family watch 
dog who came into the possession of the family without pedi¬ 
gree or recommendation—just dropped by some passerby who 
contrived to rid himself of the nuisance without doing murder. 
He grew into a dog of rare intelligence—absolutely unwaver¬ 
ing in his fidelity to his master, and of unfailing courage when 
it came to safeguarding the little children committed to his 
care. 
Our early home was situated between two spring heads. At 
some remote period of the past, when the world was new, 
these spring places must have been large pools of crystal-clear 
water—pure as the mountain dew, but with the lapse of ages 
had accumulated leaves, trash and washings from the hills 
until now they were transformed into impenetrable mire. For 
reasons which are not wholly obscure, we called it “The Devil’s 
Swimming Hole.” A dense and tangled verdant growth for 
an undetermined number of acres ’round about was supported 
by these spring places which proved as inviting a spot to every 
predatory species of animal and bird as the oasis does to the 
weary and thirsty desert caravan. Such places provided a con¬ 
venient springboard from which marauding birds and animals 
would initiate their constant forays against the domesticated 
fowl of the barnyard. If every creature, of whatever kind, 
which ever sought asylum in these cool jungle spots were com¬ 
manded to march forth it would provide one of the most 
spectacular parades ever witnessed. 
Such a spot, as the reader might have already surmised, 
was the scene of much strange carryings on. Tragedies with¬ 
out number were eternally being perpetrated among members 
of the feathered family. Such deposits of almost bottomless 
mire might easily be visualized as the spawning ground of all 
living flesh, and successfully defied all creatures save those 
peculiarly adapted by nature to take up residence within its 
sloppy confines. Alligator turtles, and all species of moccasins 
found a safe haven there. The bullfrog, that basso-soloist of 
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