A dog from nowhere
After living in the city for thirty-five year, Mr. James settles down in the countryside. He loves life there. The only thing he craves for is a dog. One day a handsome fox terrier comes to his farm. Will the owner of the dog come and claim him?
Goldie was a honey-colored fox terrier with a bushy tail. He was intelligent, curious and bubbling over with energy. He came from nowhere and attached himself to Mr. James.For thirty –six years Mr. James had worked in a city office, sat he was sixty-six he retired and set about realizing his dream. He moved from the city and bought a farm in the countryside. There he and his wife grew vegetables and looked after their fruit trees and their garden. Mr. James went out for long walks like he used to as a boy. The sight of a squirrel cracking a nut or the sound of a flock of birds taking off gave him intense joy. He had everything he wanted but a dog. He craved for a fox terrier but he could not afford to buy one. And then one fine day Goldie came from nowhere and became his best friend. Goldie belonged to someone else. Mr. James knew he should advertise but kept putting it off.
`It’s been three weeks since Goldie came to us,’ Mrs. James said to her husband. `Have you made an effort to find the owner?’
Mr. James felt a little guilty and ashamed. Next day an ad appeared in the lost-and found column of the local paper:
Found a dog. Owner may claim the dog by identifying him.
A week passed and nobody came to claim the dog. Then a car bearing an out-of-state license stopped in front of their farmhouse. Mr. James was making apple juice and his fife was returning from the orchard with a basket of purple plums. The stranger strode towards them. They noticed that he was tall, a boyish grin lit up his features and that one coat sleeve hung limp by his side.
`I hope you will forgive my coming unannounced,’ he said. I have come to you about…’ and he stopped and whistled, `Oh, that’s fresh apple juice! It smells delicious.’
Mr. James offered him a glass. He liked it so much that he had three more glasses of the juice!
As it was afternoon Mrs. James brought homemade food for all of them. The stranger ate it with great relish. After having lunch he stood up and patted his stomach. `If I stayed with you long, I’d have a big tummy,’ he said.
Mr. James looked up at him and asked, `what’s your height?’
`Six-two, I am an infantry man.’
`Our son was seven. He was on the ship that sank.’
`I am he felt you proud memories,’ the stranger said softly. `Now I will explain why I have come. It’s about the dog. The dog you advertised.’
`Oh! Mr. James Said, `the dog.’
`About four weeks ago,’ resumed the man, I had flat tyre driving through this part of the countryside. I went to call a mechanic leaving my dog behind in the car. When I got back the dog was missing. I looked for him but…’
`What breed was you dog?’ asked Mr. James in a leaden voice.
`A big honey-colored fox is terrier. I would know him instantly and so would he’.
It was then that hope died in Mr. James’s heart. He is your dog, I am sure. I am very curious to know his name. It’s bad luck to change a dog’s name. Please call him by his name and let him recognize you. He went with a neighbor’s boy and any minute now he will be coming back.’
`Here he comes,’ said Mr. James. I bet he will be glad to see you.’ The dog started quickly towards the tall man then stopped and looked at Mr. James. Standing between the two, he looked from one to the other, a baffled expression on his face. Then he stored towards Mr. James and licked his hand.
After an awkward silence the stranger said, `Three is a resemblance-a remarkable resemblance. But dogs often look alike. The name will tell, `Here Chief!’ he called softly.
The dog’s only response was to whimper and press his face against Mr. James’s outstretched hand.
`Not my dog,’ said the tall man. He thanked Mr. and Mrs. James for their hospitality and left in a hurry.
`Fine young fellow,’ said Mr. James. `Wonder why he was in such a hurry.’
A week passed by and no claimants appeared.
`The problem now is to find real name,’ Mr. James told his wife.
The same day a telegram arrived. It was from a distant city and was unsigned. It said: try happy’.
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