St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-11-21
Walters Birthday.

81 should like to know why it must
always up and rain on a fellows birth
day." muttered Walter, as he stood
impatiently knocking his heels togeth-
er, and looking out at the dull, leaden
clouds from which the rain was steadily
falling.
"Why, have heard that the fellow
is only eight years old and if the re-
port is true, there could not have been
such a very great number of rainy
birthdays after all, could there, Wal
ter 2" called pleasant voice from the
hall, where his favOrite, aunt Fanny,
stood pulling off her rubbers and shak-
ing the water from her cloak.
Walter was little bit ashamed to
have been caught grumbling, but he
rushed out, shouting, go, good, good
it was just jolly of you to come here to-
day, aunt Fan" In his eagerness to
give his aunt one of his ''pOlar bear''
hugs, he tumbled over big basket,
which appeared to be filled full of barks,
growls and yelps, and this so surprised
him. that he stood and stared without
kissing her at all. In less time than it
takes to write about it, off came the
cover of the basket, and out sprang a
little, yellow dog, with the funniest
short nose, big, wicked-lOOking eyes,
and comical little stub Of tail, which
he proceeded to wag as if he meant to
shake it off. He at once began frisking
about, springing against Walters legs
and licking his hands and saying, Just as
clearly as a dog could: "YOu're good
fellow, Walter Clark, and l like you
very much. Come on and let's have a
frolic, won't you 2"
''Oh, is he mine Do you mean this
splendid dog for me, aunt Fanny "
cried Walter, in coaxing tone, which
showed that it would be very hard
matter to give up such pet and play
fellow as this promised to be.
eyes," said aunt Fanny, 'he is yours
"a birthday present from your cousin
John, who has been teaching him a
number of tricks on purpose to amuse
you. His name is Max.
Come here, Max. Shake hands with
your new MASTER" she continued, point
ing toward Walter. Up came one OF
the little fore-paws, and Max began to
strut across the floor on his hind feet.
"Say yes"
Max gave thaee sharp, quick yelps.
"Say no."
There were only two yelps this time.
"Now, cry.
The roguish eyes were covered with
the fOre-paws, and Max gave several
low whines as though he had been
hurt.
After this, he hunted things that were
hidden from him, laid himself out per-
ectly stiff and still as though he were
dead, sneezed, coughed and did num-
Der of other amusing tricks; but the
funniest of all was playing upon the
piano. He did this by sitting upon the
stool and striking the keys with his
fOre-paws, all the while bowling in Il
most dismal way.
OF course Walter was delighted, and
forgot all about the rain and the disap-
pOintment of not having tea in the gar
den with some of his friends, as he had
been promised. So he had another sur
prise when he heard the bell ring, and
running to open the door, saw that the
sun was shining brightly, and that
standing on the steps were his best
friends, Edith and Fred, come to spend
the rest of the day with him.
How the children frolicked with the
dog, played ball and croquet, and play
ed horse on the lawn! don't pretend to
know much about it; but l do know
that when aunt Fanny went home about
eight o'clock that night, she kissed a
very happy and a very sleepy little
boy, with crumbs of bread and honey
on his dimpled cheeks.-Y Young Folks
Rural.