HOW REX EARNED HIS KEEP.
BY WINTHROP DAY.
When the passenger train stopped at the little station up in the mountains, Carl and Rosalie were helped out of one of the Pullman cars by the porter. Sam, their Uncle Jack's big hired man, was there to meet them with the mountain hack and a team of splendid ponies.
"So you're all here safe, I see," said Sam in his hearty way.
"I know that we're here all right," said Rosalie, "but I'm not so sure about Rex. I haven't seen him since we left Kansas City."
"Who's Rex?" asked Sam.
"Why didn't Uncle Jack tell you about Rex?" said Carl. "Rex is our collie. He was put into the baggage car."
Just then the station agent walked from the front end of the train leading an immense dog by a chain.
"This is Rex," said Rosalie. "Isn't he a fine dog?"
"We got rid of a dog just last week," said Sam.
"Why did you get rid of him?" asked Carl.
"Oh, he wasn't worth his keep. He didn't do anything but eat. It costs money to feed a dog up our way. I haven't much use for dogs, anyway. They are a bother where there are a lot of sheep around."
"But Rex loves sheep," said Rosalie.
Sam did not look as if he believed this.
When Rosalie and Carl arrived at their uncle's sheep ranch far up in the mountains, they were given a warm welcome by their Aunt Janet.
"Your Uncle Jack told me to kiss you for him as he had to go to his other ranch for a week," said Aunt Janet.
Two days later Rex got his chance to prove his worth. Aunt Janet and Carl and Rosalie were just finishing their supper when a man from a neighboring sheep ranch knocked at the door and said that the herder of Uncle Jack's flock of yearlings had broken his leg and that someone ought to go for a doctor at once.
"Sam must go," said Aunt Janet.
"But who will take care of your sheep to-night, ma'am?" said the neighbor. "I would do it but I left my flock with my little son and must return at once."
"Rex will take care of the sheep," said Carl. "I know he will for he guards anything I ask him to."
"He looks like a sure enough shepherd dog," said the neighbor. "I would trust him with a flock of my own."
So while Sam was hurrying down the mountain side after the doctor, Carl and Rosalie went with the neighbor through the woods to the place where Uncle Jack's flock of yearling sheep were feeding. And Rex went with them.
"I heard wolves howling last night," said the neighbor. "Your dog will have to keep close watch to-night."
"Oh, he will sir," said Rosalie.
And sure enough! When Sam went to the sheep in the morning he found not one of them missing. Nor would Rex allow Sam to go near the sheep until Carl came out and called him away from his post of duty.