A Trial in Tom Belcher's Store

The short story, “A Trial in Tom Belcher’s Store” by Samuel A. Derieux, takes place in the rural south of the United States (USA). This story explores the strong bond between a boy and a dog, and the emotional ties that bind the boy and dog in friendship, and reveals the authors insight into human and canine nature. The author was born in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from Richmond college, in Richmond, Virginia, where after graduation he became an assistant professor of English. He later joined the staff of the American Magazine. In 1919, he received the O. Henry Award for short story writing. Samuel A. Derieux died in New York on February 27, 1922 at the age of 40.