Really, if Prince had been a vain dog, his ego would certainly have become unduly developed because of this incident. The Corners, as a community, voted him an acquisition, whereas heretofore he had been looked upon as a good deal of a nuisance.
After she recovered from her fright, Miss Minnie walked home with Carolyn May and allowed Prince’s delighted little mistress to encourage the “hero” to “shake hands with teacher.”
“Now, you see, he’s acquainted with you, Miss Minnie,” said Carolyn May. “He’s an awful nice dog. You didn’t know just how nice he was before. But I am glad he didn’t really bite that dirty-looking old tramp, Miss Minnie. I expect it would have made Prince sick. And I’m going to take that piece of his old coat and bury it in the garden.”
Even Mr. Stagg had a good word at last to say for Prince; for he had been coming home to supper at the moment the dog chased the thievish tramp through the village.
“We have too many of that gentry here because of the railroad. I wish he’d chase ’em all out of town,” declared the hardware dealer.
Besides, he profited by the incident. The very next day Miss Minnie came into his store and bought one of the very nicest dog collars he had in stock—a green leather one with brass rivet heads studding it and a shiny nameplate.
The silversmith, Mr. Murchiston, took almost a week to engrave on it:
Prince
For a Brave Deed
The next Friday noon Miss Minnie told Carolyn May she could bring Prince to school with her—of course, on his leash. By this time all the other pupils had learned that, even if he did look savage, Prince was quite as gentle and friendly as little Carolyn May herself, and they had ceased to be afraid of him.