Baldy of Nome | Page 9

stretches of rank grass, tender willows, and sweet-smelling herbs in
summer, or over the wide, snowy plains in winter.
Then, later, the boy came to Baldy; and there were blissful periods
when he would lie with his head on Ben's lap; when the repressed
enmity of the haughty Tolmans, the cold indifference of the
magnificent McMillan, and even Matt's eternal vigilance were
forgotten. Periods when his companion's toil-hardened hands stroked
the sleek sides and sinewy flanks that no longer hinted of insufficient
nourishment; and caressing fingers lingered over the smooth and
shining coat that had once been so rough and ragged.

To see Baldy receiving the same care and consideration as his
stable-mates, who had won the plaudits of the world, justified the boy's
sacrifice; and in spite of his loneliness he always left Baldy with a
happy heart.
"We'll show 'em some day we was worth while, won't we, Baldy?" he
would whisper confidently; and Baldy's reply was sure to be a
satisfactory wag of his bobbed tail, signifying that he certainly intended
to do his best.
[Illustration]

III
The First Step
[Illustration]

[Illustration]
CHAPTER III
THE FIRST STEP
With the boy's more frequent visits Baldy's horizon began to widen
almost imperceptibly. He even looked forward to those moments when,
with George Allan and his friend Danny Kelly, Ben stood beside him
discussing his points and possibilities.
Up to the present his world had included but two friends--the boy and
Moose Jones. Annoyed and sometimes abused at the Camp, he had felt
that there was no real understanding between himself and most of those
with whom he came into association, and it had made him gloomy and
suspicious. Now he knew, with the intuition so often found in children
and animals, that George and Danny, as well as Ben, comprehended, at

least in part, the emotions he could not adequately express--gratitude
for kindness and a desire to please; and in return he endeavored to show
his appreciation of this understanding by shy overtures of friendliness.
He even licked George's hand one day--a caress heretofore reserved
exclusively for Ben Edwards--and he escorted Danny Kelly the full
length of the town to his home in the East End, much as he dreaded the
confines of the narrow city streets where he was brought into close
contact with strange people and strange dogs.
At Golconda, in his absorbing affection for the boy, he had more or less
ignored the others of his kind--they meant nothing to him. But now the
advantages of plenty of food and excellent care were almost offset by
his occasional contact with the quarrelsome dogs of the street, and his
constant companionship with the distinguished company into which he
had come reluctantly and in which he seemed so unwelcome.
In "Scotty" Baldy discerned a compelling personality to whom he
rendered willing allegiance and respect, as well as a dawning affection.
And it was with much gratification that he had heard occasionally after
inspection comments in a tone that contained no trace of regret at his
presence, even if it had as yet inspired no particular enthusiasm. To be
sure Allan found some merit in the least promising dogs as a rule, and
perhaps the faint praise he was beginning to bestow on Baldy had in it
more or less of the impersonal approval he gave to all dogs who did not
prove themselves hopelessly bad. But it seemed at least a step in the
right direction when "Scotty" had said, replying to criticism of the
Woman, "No, he is certainly not fierce, and by no means so morose as
he looks. So far I must confess he's proving himself a pretty good sort."
Of course even the Woman, who admitted frankly that first impressions
counted much with her, knew that it was not always wise to judge by
appearances, for she had seen the successful development of the most
unlikely material. There was the case of Tom, Dick, and Harry. No one
would ever have supposed in seeing them, so alert and with the
quickness and grace of a cat in their movements, that in their feeble
mangy infancy they had only been saved from drowning by their
excellent family connections, and their appealing charm of

responsiveness. A responsiveness that in maturity made them favorites
with every one who knew them, and prompted the tactful ways that
convinced each admirer that his approval was the last seal to their
satisfaction in the fame they had won. When Tom leaned against
people confidingly, and put up his paw in cordial greeting; and Dick
and Harry, so much alike that it was nearly impossible to tell them
apart, stood waiting eagerly for the inevitable words of praise, it was
hard indeed to realize that their perfect manners were a cloak for