Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-10-13

"Spoken just like the Cousin Maggie of
early days" said Mr.. Brou shton, vita a GER
tain tremor in his voice which proved that
his feelings were touched. "Alwa, full of
sympathy and thoughtful kindness. Yet
even you can hardly tell what friend Dandy
has been TO me through years ofloneliness-"
/ .'tfI had not a pack OF children to think
about, AIN quite sure / should want dogs or
four footed pets of some sort"
Only a fortnight has passed, but cousin
/ Dick" seems as completely installed in MS
new lodgings as II he had occupied them Tor
| months. His most cherished personal De,
! lOngings were all unpacIei and arranged
about his room according to his own taste
and fancy: A few well-worn BOOKS which
| he had taken from England In his youth,
! still held place of honor though they were
now fianked by many fresher looking vO'-
umes; and an old and cherished violin rested
/ in one corner, and helped to give the sitting
room its inhabited look, though writing ma
| terials near the window and newspapers ly-
1 ing about contributed to the effect.
! Over the mantle piece in his bed room he
had arranged his store of warlike weapons
a sword, which Richard BroughtOn had GER
tainly never used, but which he valued as
the gift OF dead friend; pistols and revolt
vers which he looked on as protectors in
\ many perilOus journey, and q boomerang
brought To England as curiosity.
! Mr.. BrOughtOn had finished his breakfast
and was enjoying his morning newspaper;
I but he had been TO the opera the night before,
/ and the melody Of an air which had delighted
D
/ the rhythm of the very didactic article he
was reading. He was not much disturbed by
Mrs. Gray's knocking at the door; she came,
as she usually did every morning, to receive
/ his orders for dinner.
.'You manage my dinners SO nicely for
me- said Mr.. BrOughtOn in answer TO some
/ suggestions of his landlady, "that think
I can do no better than leave all arrangements
To you. But do sit down; / want to thank
you for taking care OF my dog last night. 1
hope he was not troublesome to YOU"
Not in the least returned MIS-, GRAY.
when once he ascertai ned that you really
were not in the house, he settled down qui-
city, and played with the children till they
went TO bed
al am so glad your children are not afraid
of him." observed Mr.. Broughton.
ooh, they are too well used to a dog and to
pets in general TO be afraid of a gentle crea-
lure like your Dandy. In fact, my difficulty
is keeping them out of your rooms. Ally
very first-Any wanted to come in and see
the dog Just now. L dare say she is at the
door STILL
.Ob, pray let her IL. :" said Mr. Brolghtou,
himself rising TO open the door. Il will not
b. jealous because il is my dog she wants to
see-nOt me-" and there was little laugh at
the idea of Dandy being such a favOrIte.
When the door opened, sure enough little
Ally was found waiting, but not alone; her
brother, curly haired urchin two years her
Junior, had hold of her hand: and both were
evidently in expectation of being allowed
some little frOlic with the dog.
Come IN, my dears in exclaimed
sir. BrOuglIO0, DANDY Will De m ISL Apply
To see you, and will show you some OF his
accom- plishm entS. If yol Ike"
Though a little Shy at first with the
"strange gentleman" whom they had been
taught in a vague sort of way to rover
ence, and for whose CO Mort they were told
TO refrain from noise, the ShvneSs soon wore
off, when they found that Dindy's master
was willing 10 be their playmate as Dandy
himself. For their DEDICATION the dog went
through his most admired tricks; he jumped
over a stick, he allowed of mimic shooting
ar,I onfo fha Ioa lNr- ha hoe raI for min "a
of bread, but could not be induced to eat 1t
till assured il was paid for. Moreover he
howled note in unison with one of his
master played on the violin; but probably
without meaning TO imply admiration of the
latter performances.
A less keen observer than fond and Wild
owed mother was likely 10 be, might, if con-
templatipg this little scene, have felt pretty
sure that, fond as Richard BroughtOn was OF
his dog, il had not exhausted all his capacity
for loving. BE- people who have nvser had
their hearts thrill TO the mysteries of ca nine
attachment he had often been ridiculad for
the intensity of mis- affection for Dandy, and
when he spoke Of a "dOg's love" as being the
only ideal of this life that had ever been fully
realized, few people understood him. But
Mrs. Gray saw at a glance that he had ma
tural love for children, and probably for all
helpless creatures, and considering all the
circumstances of her hous ehold, she thought
herself most fortunate In her lOdger.
1t is astonishing how soon pleasant habits
may be formed. Before the next week had
v
children To come to MIR. Brou ghton's room at
least once day, Ostensibiy to play with
Dandy: but they also brought their toys to
show TO Dandy's master, aud Chartered
away, as bright, eager, fresh-hearted child.
rem are sure to do, with those whom by
some instinct, they at once recognize as
friends. Dandy's canine predecessor in the
house, the mucn lamented Topsy, was re-
quent subject of conversation. Her accom-
plishments were described, though admitted
10 be fewer than Dandy's, and her de 9TH and
hnriQl md
day little Ally came into the room hug ging
a thick Photographic al Dum 10 her arms. She
had brought u for the express pdrpos3 of
Topsy had been photographed nu mber OF
times; once costly curle1 up on a mat; onca
occupying An easy chair with something of
the dignity Of the judge; another time as al
unconscious member of group; and lastly
by The side of a lady who had her hand on
bis head.
And who is the LADY," inquired Mr.
BrOughton, trying to speak with a calmness
he did not quite feel. alt does not look like
your mother"
80 no, Why, IL is auntie," exclaime lit
tie Ally in tone which implied wonder
that be could for moment have taken it for
"Then Topsy was find of auntie, and
auntie was fond of Topsy, L suppo se?i said
Mr.. BrOught0n, wishing TO discover all he
could about this auntie.
The little girl nodded her head by way OF
reply, and then she said: "Auntie did cry SO
much when Topsy died She was auntie's
own doggy"
"And did you crs?r asked Mr.. Brouyhton.
Another nod of the heal; but the child ex-
claimed: Not so much as auntie-auutie
cried till her eyes were quite red.'
land is this portrait very like auntie?"
asked Mr.. Broughton.
"Ges; but she never wears such sleeves as
those now. I'll show you her new photo
graph" and the little fingers ra pidly turned
over the leaves and found q likeness taken
only the other day. Mr.. Broughtol recog-
niZed the same sweet face, though IL showed
that seven or eight years had probably passed
between the time the one photogr aph had
been "a ken and the other"
"And what is auntie's name?" inquired
Mr.. Broughton with forced conposure
"Auntie?" said the little girl, as If the
word was quite sufficient; but aide mo-
ment after, as If the thought of more infJr-
nation being required had just come to her:
"She is Alice, and / am Alice; only they
call me Ally. Auntie Is so good" the child
continued; '.mOther says that she is the b eSt
auntie that ever lived. Aud mus t try to be
good too, because have got her name"
"Quite ri CHIT, my darling" said Mr.
BrOughtOn, giving the child a fatherly kiss.
But run away now, for have letters to
write. Will you leave me the albIm; 1
should like To look AZ TJpsy again-though
don't think she was much like Dandy. De