The Complete Short Stories. O. Hooper Henry

responded the stranger. “That is just it — Hell! — and that is paved with untold wealth — good intentions.”

      “Huh!” snorted one of the listeners, “much good that wealth does a feller; you can’t buy a drink with that.”

      “You are mistaken, my friend. It does you the greatest good in the world, and I will prove it to you; and, furthermore, it will purchase for you all the drinks you desire. Will you hear?”

      “Fire away”

      PART II.

      “When I was a lad, I was puny, sickly, and in consequence was barred from the joy of companions and play.

      My parents were too occupied with their great responsibilities — my father amassing wealth and my mother keeping her place as the leader of society — to give any special attention to the offspring who only upset the routine of the household by illness at inopportune times, and so the care was relegated to hirelings — who were paid for their time and gave accordingly only the efforts of their hands, with no thought that they possessed a heart.

      I was kept out of doors constantly, and my only companion was the mother of Dakta. We grew up together, and it was the exercise given me from very joy and ecstacy — together with the love and devotion, which I felt for the first time, and realized did exist — which restored me gradually to health.

      Next I became acquainted with selfishness and cruelty, for my playmate — having added to the joy of the world, five beautiful downy bits of life — was taken away from me, for she brought a good price with four of her children. Money was of more importance than love. Dakta, here, was left behind, however, for the stableman, for he had looked after her mother.

      It was from the stableman that I received my first lesson as to the wealth which was to be obtained.

      He was an ugly, brutal looking man, dirty and unkempt most of the time, but to me he was a very god, for each day he came to the wicket of the fence, with Dakta in his arms, and with a smile which was like a beam of sunshine, he would say, “Hey! little master, here she is,” and with that he would put Dakta through the wicket.

      Each day ever since she has been with me, sharing joy and sorrow and teaching me with infinite patience and love the great lessons of life — Faithfulness, Gratitude, Cleanliness, Godliness and Work.

      For ten years she has been steadfast and her love unchanged, although I have led her through the mire many times, and hunger and cold have been her portions.”

      Here he put his hand upon the dog and turned its face upward, and, looking into its eyes, said:

      “But never lack of love, old girl! Never that!”

      The dog kept its eyes upon him as he spoke, and the men were silent as it gave a little whimpering answer and licked the man’s hand.

      Turning once more to his circle of listeners, the man continued his story:

      “I have called you Dakta’s comrades for she selected you, and her judgment is unerring in regard to those who have wealth.”

      Here he smiled, and in a whimsical tone said:

      “She is an aristocrat, and traces her family many generations, and therefore shuns those who do not belong to her class. For we have mingled with each and every class — having been the invited guests of multimillionaires, pampered social leaders, and sat at the table of all of the rulers of the world. We have dwelt in hovels, slept in the desert, and wandered forsaken and alone along the highways.

      lonight our pilgrimage ends, for we have won the fight and I am once more in possession of my soul.”

      The music of his voice had stilled all the warring elements within each man, and they scarcely breathed for fear of losing that which they felt had entered and warmed them. There was no need for the gin and whisky, which had kept the blood heated, for there was a glow from the eyes of both man and dog which made them warmer than they had ever been.

      Putting his hand on the dog’s head, he said:

      “Attention. Dakta! It is time to choose.”

      Immediately the dog was on its haunches, ears erect, nose quivering and eyes going from man to man.

      “I have called you Dakta’s comrades, but you are mine as well — for ‘Lo! the stranger was at your gates and you took him in and bathed and fed him.’

      We need helpers, and Dakta shall choose. After she has selected each one for his particular office, we will discuss the work to be done. I will tell you in advance, however, that you will receive greater payment for your services than you have ever had before.”

      The men were as graven images.

      Then came the command:

      “Leader! Dakta!”

      With a dignity which was inspiring, Dakta walked around each man, looking, first, intently into each face and then sniffing. Having made the rounds, she walked to the most besotted looking, and putting her paws on his knee, looked up into his face and whined, meanwhile waving in triumph the flag of her tail.

      The man at whose knee she stood put out a trembling and hesitating hand, whereupon Dakta crave a little yelp of pleasure, and kissed it, At this the entire attitude of the man changed, and he sat erect, where before his body had slouched, and his head went up until the carriage of the body was that of a ruler, and he arose from his chair and, with eyes alight, followed Dakta to the right hand of the man and seated himself on the floor beside him.

      Again came the command:

      “Treasurer! Dakta!”

      Once more the dog made its rounds, stopping finally in front of a man who had kept his eyes upon the ground. He stirred uneasily at the touch of Dakta’s paws upon his knee, and made a movement as if he would push her away. At that she gave a little cry and jumped into the lap of the man and commenced to lick his face.

      The man made no move for a moment, and then suddenly clasped her in both arms and hid his face in her neck.

      “Well chosen, Dakta!” said her master.

      “Come, comrade, and sit at my left.”

      The man rose, still holding Dakta close to his heart, but his head raised high and his eyes straight ahead — and took his place at the left, upon the floor.

      Again came the command:

      “The Mender! Dakta!”

      Wriggling out of the arms of the man who held her, she once more made her rounds, this time stopping before Steve, and whining as if in recognition.

      Steve looked down into the animal’s face and said:

      “Hell! What are you?”

      At this Dakta leaped about him in ecstacy and tugged at his coat, until Steve put out his brawny hand and caressed her head.

      Once again came the voice of her master:

      “Well selected. Let him sit in front of me, Dakta.”

      And dragging Steve by the coat, she brought him in front of her master, who put out his hand and said: “Welcome, Brother.” As the man’s hand touched his, a smile went over the face of Steve and glorified it, and he silently took his place as indicated.

      Once more rang out a command: “The Light Bearer! Bring the Light Bearer, Dakta.”

      This time Dakta made a flying leap into the lap of Pete, and dog and man gazed into each other’s eyes. Then, as Dakta sprang to the floor, Pete followed her where she led him, to her master, who held out both hands and said:

      “My Brother!” And Pete passed around and placed his back next to that of the man. A final command rang out:

      “Select the brothers of each!” And Dakta made her rounds, bringing two to sit next to the Treasurer,