The Shadow Dog of Jeremiah

The Shadow Dog of Jeremiah

by

J. Lee McPherson

Published by J. Lee McPherson

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2011 by J. Lee McPherson

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Cover by ------ Donna Schoolfield

Edited by ------ Barbara Harless

Prologue ------ From the Jaws of Death He Rose

Long ago, before this land we call America was inhabited by those who came across the ocean, there was a tragedy that took many lives. An earthquake shook the ground, which opened up to swallow a whole village of natives who lived on the fault line. Those who weren’t swallowed by this evil demon were screaming in terror, running in all directions. There weren’t many heroes on this day… but there was one.

A child was clinging to the edge of the bottomless pit of horror when a large dog that belonged to the village came up to the boy and stood staring into the child’s eyes. The boy, just before losing his death grip, reached out with one hand and grabbed the thick fur around the animal’s neck. The dog slowly started backing up using all the power and stamina he had until the boy lay flat upon the ground. The animal, panting, looked up at the sky and howled.

The dog stood gathering his strength when he heard a scream from another location. He ran in the direction of the scream and found a young mother on a ledge just below the edge of another large opening created by the earthquake. She had an infant in her arms and the dog was confused as to what he could do. The ledge had slipped a couple of inches and the dog had no time to waste. He jumped down to where the young mother was and the mother somehow knew that she must use the baby’s coverings to tie her child to the dog. She worked as fast as she could and prayed to her Creator.

The mighty dog didn’t have time to think; he took a giant leap with his heels digging in to every rock that was protruding out beneath his feet and finally made it to the top. Upon bending his head the coverings of the child slid from around the dog’s neck and the infant was safe.

Now the dog shook his head in wonder and finally looked up to the sky as if seeking an answer. After a few seconds he knew what he must do. He went to the infant and took the loin cloth from the child. He shook his head with the cloth in his teeth until it came apart and was in one long strip. He dragged the cloth over to the edge and dropped one end over to the young mother. The mother had given up after she knew her child was safe. She accepted the fate of death but saw the strip of loin cloth dangling over the side. She prayed that the dog would have the strength and as the ledge gave away she grabbed the cloth and hung on for dear life. She felt herself being pulled slowly upward. She couldn’t do anything but stay still for she knew if she bounced around it would be over. It was agonizing for the animal and the young mother but her prayer was finally answered when the mighty animal finally pulled her upon the flat surface.

The young mother cradled the infant in her arms while the large dog made it to a clearing by some large trees and laid his body down to regain his strength. The mother slowly got to her feet with the child and looked toward the dog as if praising him for his bravery, when she felt a slight tremor and saw a large tree come crashing down upon the dog.

It was over for the brave and mighty animal.

But was it really over? The young mother sat on the ground, rocking her child, staring at something she could not fathom. She saw the motionless creature rise slowly into the air. Her eyes followed the animal up, up, until finally it disappeared into the sky. The two natives who ran to her side never saw the dog, and thought she’d been laying there the entire time. She tried to tell them what had happened, but they didn’t seem to believe her, and so she never mentioned it again.

Jeremiah Speaks…You are a very brave and compassionate animal. I have extended my hand and you have risen to be at my side. I, Jeremiah, have spoken, and I will now bestow upon you the name Lazarus, for I have lifted you up into the kingdom. However… you, my friend, deserve more than to live among wandering shadows. So I will set before you a task.

"There may be many tasks ahead, my friend, but the final test - based on the decisions you make - will grant you a great reward. Will you be a faithful servant, Lazarus?"

There was a sound of approval from the dog who sat beside his master.

"That is good. Then prepare yourself Lazarus for the task set before you."

The Town of Shady Lane - 1897

Some might say Shady Lane resembled a small Swiss village in the mountains, and to an extent they’d be correct, because it was a quaint little town. However there were no mountains to speak of. Instead, there were beautiful rolling hills with a mixture of meadows and trees. Some would also say that it was a boring little town with no excitement, and they’d be correct about that too. Indeed, for many years life went on with nary a notable event until catastrophe opened the door and in walked courage, love and devotion in the form of a large canine.

Chapter 1

Mary Anna Gowin had only been teaching for three years in the little one room school house in Shady Lane, Virginia. The year was 1897 and she was only twenty four years old but loved her job as a teacher. She especially loved the children, and they in turn loved her. Everybody knew her as Anna Gowin. That was how she introduced herself to those who hired her, and that was the name she preferred.

Anna wanted to be a school teacher from the time she was in the first grade. She just thought it was the perfect thing to do and still felt the same way about the profession she chose. Although Anna was appealing to the eye with her beautiful long blonde hair, volumptious figure and picture perfect complection she did her best to hide these assets. She kept her hair tied in a bun and dressed

in the standard school marm fashion. Looking at her would give one the impression of a strict, firm and obedient demanding teacher. However, Anna was just the opposite of these things. She was a compassionate person who treated her students as if they were her family. With that being the case the students wanted to learn the best they could to gain favor in the teacher’s eyes. Very seldom did Anna have any problem students.

Anna was married to a man by the name of Harley Theodore Gowin. Harley was the town barber. Harley’s father John Gowin was the town barber in town up until he was robbed and killed on his way home one evening in 1895. Two men saw him come out of his shop knowing he would walk right pass the alley where they hid. It was over in an instant with Harley’s father lying dead in the alley with a deep stab wound. The two men had left town on horseback and were never found. It was hard on Harley losing his father. His mother Ellen, had already deserted them a few years before, deciding she wasn’t cut out for married life. Harley never heard from her since she left and didn’t really care that much, after seeing the way it broke his father’s heart.

Harley took over the barber shop after losing his father. He knew that’s what his father would have wanted and Harley liked being around people sharing stories and jokes. The town folks knew Harley since he was a child so he fit into his father’s shoes easily and gave a pretty decent haircut as well.

Harley was a year older than Anna. They got married just a few months before his father got killed. Harley didn’t look the barber type as he was a young, dark haired, muscular man who loved the outdoors. He was three inches shy of being six foot tall which made him three inches taller than his sweet Anna. However, Harley felt right at home in the barber shop and in a way felt he was still working right along side his father.

Harley charged five cents for a pretty decent haircut and together Harley and Anna made a fairly decent living. They had a small white house on the edge of town which really wasn’t far from his barber shop or the school where Anna taught. Shady Lane didn’t have over five hundred people so it wasn’t a long walk to any place in town.

Anna and Harley had a large handsome dog, though where the dog came from is still a mystery in the town of Shady Lane. He just appeared one morning out of nowhere and squatted on the Gowin family’s front porch. Nobody in town claimed the dog and he was determined not to leave. They decided that they couldn’t just leave the poor animal out in the cold with nothing to eat so they started giving him food and water. Before long he was lying on the floor of their living room making himself right at home.

It was around Christmas time, a year and five months ago, when he showed up on their doorstep, and the dog had turned out to be the best gift they could have received. They gave him the name Nugget for he was the color of gold and as time went by they became very attached to him. Harley and Anna both talked to the dog like they were talking to their own child, and he listened like he was their own child too - which could be taken several different ways. Nugget was, to them, the best dog in the world.

Like most people in town the Gowin family had a horse and buggy, but most of the time they walked to wherever they were going. Occasionally they would hitch up the buggy and go for a ride in the country somewhere to enjoy a small picnic in some secluded spot.

Today was one of those occasional days when a picnic was in order. It was a Sunday afternoon in May and the weather was perfect so Harley hitched up the buggy to the horse they called Peanut and left town with Nugget following along behind.

After admiring the scenery of the Virginia hills with all the wild flowers growing along the roadside and in the fields Harley stopped the buggy. He pointed at a beautiful little spot next to a flowing stream with a view of the surrounding hillside.

Let’s take the buggy over there and tie it to that big tree. Is that alright with you?

Why Harley, that’s perfect. Don’t you think so, Nugget?

Nugget let out a loud bark of agreement, then jumped from the buggy in playful spirit and took off running toward the stream. Anna and Harley got the picnic supplies out of the buggy and made a place on the ground next to the running stream.

This must be the last stop before Heaven, said Anna.

I agree. I don’t know of another place within miles as beautiful as this one. I would love to build a cabin right here so we could share this spot every day.

It would be wonderful indeed, dear. There’s nothing like being with God’s creatures. It gives you a certain peace of mind that kind of tells you everything is alright with the world.

You know, we’ve got a little money saved. I could check tomorrow and see who owns this property. They may be willing to sell a parcel, and if we sell our place in town for a decent price we could have our own cabin right here. What do you think Anna? Should I check into it?

You know I always trust your instincts, Harley, and we’ve done alright so far… so you go ahead and find out all the information you can and then we’ll decide.

I’ll do that. It may take a few days but I always say you never know until you ask. I can find out a lot from my customers. It’s about time for Howard from the bank to come in too. If anybody would know about this land up here it would be Howard.

That’s fine, dear, but you’d better eat your chicken or Nugget’s going to be eating it for you.

Yes, you’re right. Hey Nugget! Come on over here, boy, and eat some of this good fried chicken. Harley threw a piece in the air and Nugget jumped up and caught it before it hit the ground. Good boy!

After they had finished eating Harley took Anna by the hand, and they just strolled around through the trees looking and daydreaming about the cabin.

Anna said, Don’t you think our cabin would look good over here with a view of the hills and stream?

"That’s the exact spot where I would put it, Anna. But I guess we’d better be on our way home. It’s starting to cloud up.

You’re right. Everything’s packed up. Come on, Nugget. Let’s go! Come on boy. That’s a good dog.

One of Anna’s neighbors by the name of Robert and Edith Snodgrass had a little seven year old girl named Sadie. She was a student of Anna’s and also a regular visitor at their home. She’d pop in when you would least expect her. She’d always forget to knock, and usually just walked in banging the screen door.

Harley and Anna had known Robert and Edith for several years. They owned the general store in town. Robert was in his early thirties, had red hair and a little on the pudgy side but still a pleasant looking fellow. Edith was small in stature with dark hair and a fair complection. She and Robert both still had their freckles and passed them on to little Sadie as well as her father’s red hair.

Anna and Harley both liked the family because they were just down to earth good people who were always the first to offer a hand to anyone in need. They also knew that little Sadie inherited her father’s sense of humor along with the red hair.

Anna didn’t mind when little Sadie would come barging in the door. She was no bigger than a minute and was cute as a little button with her red hair and freckles but nosy as all get out. No matter what you were doing she was always there under your toes asking, Whatcha doin Mrs Gowin? Huh? Whatcha doin’? Can I help? Can I help?"

It could even be some stranger in town. He might be putting some chew in his mouth or any little thing and she’d say, Whatcha doin? Huh? Whatcha doin? Everybody in town got a kick out of little Sadie.

Anna and Harley had just come back from their picnic in the country when they heard the screen door slam, and in came little Sadie. Hi, Mrs. Gowin. Whatcha doin? Where’s Mr. Gowin? Oh, there he is in the living room. Hi, Mr. Gowin. Whatcha doin?

Hello Sadie. Don’t you know it’s gonna rain? Little girls shouldn’t be out in the rain.

Ah, papa said it’s gonna blow over. What’s that mean Mr. Gowin? Huh, Mr. Gowin?

Well, that means most of the rain is gonna drop somewhere else and maybe he’s right.

Yeah, papa’s usually right, Mr. Gowin. Where’s Nugget, Mr. Gowin?

He’s taking a nap on Anna’s bed. That’s where he always takes his naps.

Then Anna called Sadie from the kitchen. Sadie, come here sweety.

Whatcha doin? Mrs Gowin.

Well, I’m going to cut out some material for a quilt that I’ll be making.

Can I help, Mrs Gowin? Can I help? Huh?

"Yes, you can, dear girl. I will give you some scrap pieces and a pair of scissors, then you take your time and