Ruskin didn't like archeologists; they
were always digging up problems from the past.
Like the day Bigelow walked in and announced—
Earth's Gone To The Dogs!
By William J. McClellan
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy
October 1954
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Ruskin leaned back and yawned—the porch chair creaked comfortably. Itwas a comfortable day. Fifty yards away the barnyard was alive withSpring noises. Clean crisp smells floated to him through the brightmorning air.
Daisy walked slowly up and watched him with big affectionate eyes.Ruskin smiled down at her. She was a pretty one, pretty soft hair, deepblue eyes, lithe rounded lines.
"Nice doggie."
He patted her head gently.
"Nice doggie," he repeated.
Holidays in the country came too seldom.
The quiet was wonderful.
Tom, the wrinkled little farmhand, opened the porch door.
"Mr. Ruskin?"
"Yes, Tom."
"Man here to see you."
"Who?"
"That digger fellow."
Ruskin frowned and swore quietly. Even his holidays were shattered bypeople who couldn't forget he was Commissioner of Internal Security.And these people were always little unimportant ones, like thisarcheologist Bigelow, whose little fears suddenly became giant threatsto national security.
"Send him out here, Tom."
Tom turned back into the house. Ruskin could hear his gruff voiceinside, and a few moments later Bigelow, stooped and bespectacled,emerged from the house.
Ruskin smiled weakly.
"Hello, Bigelow."
"Good morning, Commissioner."
Bigelow stood, clutching his briefcase, shaking with excitement. Thensuddenly his eyes fell on Daisy and something like fear passed over hisface.
"Sit down, Bigelow."
Bigelow balanced himself delicately on the edge of a porch chair, hisbriefcase resting on his long bony knees. But his eyes remained fixedon the dog.
"Is this social or business, Bigelow?"
"Sort of both, Commissioner," he answered slowly. Then added quickly,"But I wouldn't disturb your holiday if it wasn't important."
Ruskin nodded dully.
Then several moments of silence during which Bigelow continued to watchDaisy carefully. Finally, since his visitor did not seem inclined tospeak, Ruskin asked simply, "Well?"
"First tell the dog to go away."
"Daisy?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I won't say a word with IT here."
Ruskin shrugged.
"As you wish," he said. "Daisy ... go ... go on, like a good girl."
Daisy's big eyes seemed hurt but, reluctantly, she walked away.
Bigelow watched suspiciously after her until she was well out ofhearing.
"Now," he began, "a week ago we started digging around the crater onthe East Coast where some great pre-Atomic cities once stood...."
Bigelow paused excitedly.
Ruskin sighed. It was much too nice a day....
"... and there we came upon THREE pre-Atomic books!"
Bigelow paused again.
"A wonderful find," Ruskin said, without enthusiasm.
"More wonderful than you think, Commissioner."
Bigelow squared his shoulders dramatically.
"Two of them were much like the other pre-Atomic books in the museums,but the third...."
Bigelow was bursting with excitement.
"... the third had pictures in it!"
Ruskin straightened up.
"Amazing!"