The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-03
his kisses till she smiled again, and the


the room. She little knew what plans
had developed themselves in Ned's
small head during the night, when the
little fellow had been unable to sleep,
and had tormented himself with wish
ing he was ga big boy, and could earn
money for his poor mamma" No, in
deed, she knew nothing of any plans
on his part. So she had kissed his
sweet lips, sighed to herself over his
pale cheeks, and telling him that she
would not be home until afternoon, and
he would find luncheon for himself and
Fido all fixed on the closet shelf, had
gone out into the streets to look for
work from store to store.
But Ned knew what he had to do be-
fore mammals return, and no sooner
had she gone than he brushed his curly
head, made himself neat and clean,
and lifted his Scotch cap from its peg
behind the door. That was the signal
for Fido to sit upon his hind legs and
beg, as Ned had long before taught him,
when preparing for race in the street;
and now he not only begged, but
thumped his bushy tail impatiently
against the floor, saying, dog fashion,
"Come, do hurry up" He didn't APP
pear to notice that his little masters
face was sober this morning, and that
once two big tears gathered in the blue
eyes which were usually such merry
eyes, as boys should be.
And finally, after Ned had written, in
a very scrawly hand, "Dear mamma,
Fido and are going to take walk just
little while,'' and placed the queer
little note where his mother would see
it if she came home before him, the two
friends went down the narrow stairs,
and through the alley into the street
which led toward the City Hall Fido
looked inquiringly into his masters
face to see what could be the reason
that he walked so quietly along this
morning, instead Of, as heretofore, rae
ing and chasing his four-footed little
comrade from block to block. But Ned
was swallowing several large Jumps in
his throat and mad no heart Tor d iroiic
1t was not long before the City Hall
Square was reached; and little timid-
ly, now that he was in so large and
strange place alone, Ned seated him
self upon the broad stone lower step of
the great building, and lifted Fido in
his arms. Then he mustered courage,
and cried, feebly, although he fancied
his voice was very loud and brave:
Anybody want to buy dogP Dog to
sell. Want dog?"
But nobody seemed to hear him, and
the noise of the streets frightened our
poor little fellow into silence for
while So he buried his face in Fido's
shaggy back, and tried not to cry.
''Oh, my doggie Fidor' he muir
INJURED, you've truly got to be sold
Oh, dear! it is awfully hard, and I'll
most die without Y on. But you must
be sold, cause mamma is so poor"
Fido wriggled about, and objected to
being held in Ned's arms, when he
wanted to frisk about on the broad
pavement; and so he whined and
snarled a. little, and even ventured
growl : oraething very rare with gentle
Fido. But Ned did not dare let him
go, and so RSld the tighter until doggie
tried the persuasive powers of his little
tongue, and kissed his masters hand
over and over again.
Then pretty soon policeman came
by and eyed Ned severely. That was
terrible scare for the youngster, and
he said, eagerly, "Please, sir, l amt
doing anything Pm only waiting to
sell my dog, cause my mothers so
poor"
The burly guardian of the peace
laughed and went his way, and Ned
breathed freely again. But somebody
had CHANGED to hear his words-a boy
of ten or twelve years-and he came
near to look at the dog in Ned's arms
g VIII you buy him, boy?" asked
Ned, earnestly. "Tll sell him real
cheap; and, you see, / must take man.
ma some money to-day"
The boy was ready enough to make
the purchase, but though he turned his
pockets inside out, he could not rake
and scrape from them more than the
sum of one dollar.
Here's all I've got, he said ''My
grandpa gives me lots of money; but
it's all spent but this, and you won't
sell him for dollar, supposep"
Ned's eyes sparkled. "Oh yes,
will, too" he replied. ''Oh yes. in
deed. A dollar is hundred cents,
and never had so many cents in my
life, boy. You may take him now.
Only let me kiss him good-by, please"
His voice faltered little toward the
last, as he Rugged the dog tightly to
his heart, and the tears streamed pres
emily from his brave eyes, in spite of
all the winking and blinking to keep
them back
"Oh, my Fido! my own little doggie"
was all he could say, while the dog
wagged his tail and wondered what the
fuss was about.
"There, now you'll have to CO." Ned
said at last, smothering one more sob,
and loosening his arms. Take him,
boy, please, quick as you cam
The boy promised to be very kind
and good to Fido, and attempted to lift
him from Ned's knee. But to this Fido
would not agree, expressing his dislike
OF the new and extraordinary arrange
ment, which he couldn't comprehend,
bya growl and short bark
Ned apologized. "You see, I've had
him an awful long time, ever since l was
little fellow, and l spose he don't
want to leave me-"
So tho nA,u p,actor tod n ct,;,,o. 70