Litchfield enquirer., 1878-05-23

the WneeIS on HLtIe DOyS DrOKen cart IO him while Jack, his body partly resting o1 the balusters, was half-sliding, half-skippins down stairs.
 Boys cried Greta. ''Oh, my soul. Oh my blessed boys, where have you been p
 ''Golly"' calculated the elder, standing stone-still on the stairs, erect as an Indian
 ''Wher've you been, you better say," saiC the younger, deliberately, having raised him self from his stooping posture and surveyed his sister.
 'I have been out looking for you two boys, said Grets. ''Oh, am so glad you didn't go Why didn't your"
 ''The man said it was going to storm, and wouldn't let us have the boat" said Jack.
 ''Then why didn't you think to inform you sister ?" asked Christopher, rather severely Didn't it occur to you she would think 0t you when the storm began ?"
 '.No, it didn't" said Jack, defiant in z breath.
 ''Mr. Field, owe you many thanks, :" saic Greta, turning to him with an humbled anC contrite heart. ''You have been very geod Please excuse all"
 Il have done nothing but would be glad to do-anything- you," said Christopher Please take care of yourself, won't you Don't remain in those wet things a minute Good day."
 ''You two are awful thick" said Jack scorn. fully, as his sister passed him wet as drown ed rat. Greta paused. A soft compassion shone in the blue eyes with tender impulse she kissed the lads brow, and passed. Jack colored red as fire, went to the door, and stood there whistling. Ten minutes after he rap ped at his sisters door.
 ''Can come in ?" Say, I'm awful sorry you got so wet" he said. 'I wish I'd told you. You see we came in and went up in Johnny Frenchs room to see a pistol of his, and we forgot all about the storm. You didn't take cold, did you"
 "Oh no," said Greta brightly. She was dressed freshly, and was buttoning on her dry shoes Jack took the button-hook a little roughly, and stopping, buttoned them for her. Then he kissed her, half on the forehead and half on the loose-lying wet curls above it, and went down stairs again, jumping two steps at time, He loved his sister, but MT. Fields interest in either her or himself ranked in his mind. He meant to play off some practical joke on MT. Field at the first opportunity. A prompting of Satan led him to go to the gate and watch Christopher down street next after noon. Behind him trotted his beautiful little spaniel-black, silken-haired, well-kept, and decorated with red ribbon. Jack whistled softly to the dog which he had once upon time fed and petted little, not knowing to whom it belonged. The little dog stopped, hesitated, but finally went on. Jack was in- famed by opposition. Heresolved to get hold of that dog if he perished in the attempt He went off and had mysterious talk with his brother Wally and Johnny French.
 On Tuesday evening of the following week, Greta, happening to leave her room just before tea-time, met her brothers in the hall carrying a basket on which each seemed anxious to re- tain his hold. Jacks left hand was pressed upon the lid. Johnny French was dancing along in the rear. The boys all looked gay and happy; but from within that basket came mournful and suggestive sounds. Greta's heart sank with a presentlment of evil.
 'Boys," she said take that basket into my room"
 The look of apprehension which had dawn ed on their faces at sight of her passed into a semi-rebellious one. But it was of no use. Greta opened her door.
 Bring it in here," she said, so sternly that Jack and Waly obeyed, while Johnny French slunk away. 'Open the basket" commanded Greta. A smile dawned on Jacks cheek. After all, it was ''joke," and he did look fun ny.
 Jack roared with laughter, and even Wally faintly giggled, as poor little Boz" tumbled out upon the floor, a comical spectacle. His long silky tail had been closely shaved, his body had been clipped in patches, and he was
 
 ribbon from cigar boxes being used. Jack ap- peared consumed with delight; but Wally's giggles ceased at sight of Gretas face She sat with helpless look, her hands in her lap. her eyes brimmed with tears
 ''Oh, boys why will you grieve me so ?" she said.
 '1t didn't hurt him bit, said Jack, after moments uneasy pause.
 Was it your dog?" asked Greta, her eyes flashing through her tears. ''Was it just t? Was it fair to take revenge on the strong by subduing the weak? am ashamed-oh, I am ashamed!"
 She rose and walked away from the boys to the window, and stood there alone with her face to the sky.
 The boys sat still on the floor. They looked manageable enough. Greta turned on them her grave sad face
 twill you take that dog home to Mir. Field and apologize to him? ?' she asked. ''It is your only manly course now. 1 expect it of you"
 twill we No, we won't" snapped Jack. :'You are so awful serious, ain't you? You never could see joke. There ain't any fun in you" With that he rose and jerked up his hat to leave the room. If Greta's father had been well, she would have at once sent both the boys to him to give an account of thenl- selves but the shielding him from annoyance had long been her care and the boys injury.
 Boys" said Greta, 'you may take your choice. Either you will return that dog to MT. Field and apologize, or I will do it. If you prefer to humiliate your sister further, do so."
 ."Gimme the dog," said Wally, with flash of independence, as Jack stood sulkily still. "Ill do it."
 Jack, secretly relieved turned as if angry, left the room, and slammed the door. Wally put the dog in the basket, accepted his sisters kiss calmly, and as calmly wiping away the tear she left on his cheek, trudged sturdily off with the basket. Mir. Field, to his intense sat- isfaction. was not at home so he left the bas- ket with the servant, and departed gladly. Bozs whines induced the girl to open the bas- ket, and when Mir. Field came home, soon af- ter the ''Hotel Jacob' was in an uproar over his dog. Boz was laughed at, carressed con- soled; the method of his return was mentioned as the ''cheekiest bit of the whole affair."" and unfeigned interest was felt ina note whic had been sent over some ten minutes after the bas- ket, to await Mir. Fields arrival.
 Christopher said not word, but closing his door after Boz and himself, took the note from the table. It said:
 Miss Godfrey begs Mir. Field to do her the favor of coming as soon assoon as may be con- venient to speak with her for moment"
 An hour later Greta, with beating heart, entered the parlor with Mir. Fields card in her hand. To her relief, he was the only person there. He rose from the sofa and came cheer fully to meet her.
 ''Mr. Field, am at loss for words in which to apologize to you" began Gretta, in trembling accents. Do not apologize. please" said Christo- pher's hearty voice. ''Your worry is the only thing care about. We mnst make allowance for boy nature. It is an unmanageable thing at times-a problem to itself and its students. was 8 very bad boy myself"
 "Were you ?" asked Greta, relieved, sink ing into chair. 'Please sit down, Mir. Field. IT want to explain to you about my boys. It is very greatly my fault that they are so will ful and spoiled. We have been motherless for four years. My father is very delicate I have not dared to trouble him with the man. agement of them. And was too ignorant and unwiss to be worthy of the responsibility as Aumed !"