Animals: Malicious Mischief

Caleb Norris Jr., 14, Detroit, loves dogs, has read every one of the dog stories written by Albert Payson Terhune. Last week, while touring through Pompton Lakes, N. J., his father pointed out a big house, told Caleb that Author Terhune lived there. Caleb wanted to go in. The gate keeper said it would be all right for them to enter, so Mr. Norris turned the family sedan up the winding drive. Suddenly, as the car turned a corner, a collie rushed directly into the road. Before Mr. Norris could put on his brakes, he hit the dog, killed it.

When Author Terhune learned of the accident, he was enraged. The dog was Sunnybank Jean, 10-yr.-old "heroine" of books and articles from which Terhune's royalties have exceeded $9,000, he said. He took the whole Norris family to the police station. Before the village justice he swore out a complaint of malicious mischief against them. When Mr. Norris paid him $100, he withdrew the complaint, allowed them to go back home to Detroit. Author Terhune turned the money over to the Pompton Lakes policeman & fireman's fund. "It was all very messy," said he.