The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-12-03
miscellaneous.
Jim's Thanksgiving.
BY SYDNEY DAYRE.

as that your dog ?"
Jim looked around. A brightlooking boy
of eight years was sitting in carriage which
stood before a six-story dry-goods store. He
was gazing admiringly at the pretty terrier
jim held in his arms. Hemoved toward him,
drawn by the quickly established chord of
sympathy between two boys on the subject
| of dogs.
"Ain't he beauty! Well, yes, Is'pose he's
mine. He fell off the box of a big style car
rage somethin' like that O. yourn, one day.
picked him up and run after it, but |
couldn't ketch it. didnt steal him." added
| jim, earnestly.
Course you didn't"
"I've done some mean things, but prom
Used mother I'd never steal. He was lame for
a while, poor little creetur, but l nusscd him
very careful, and he's well now"
| How'll you trade? I'd like to have him"
But Jim Rugged the dog closer to him, as
the small boy drew various treasures from
| his pockets.
There's top'll spin for fifteen minutes; and
look at that knife-four blades and nut
pick; then there's these carnelians-look-
nine they're worth a quarter apiece I'll
give em oil for him."
jim shook his head. "He's all I've got, you
see, and I'm fond of him. I've fed him when
l went hungry myself"
"Tll give you some money, then. See, you
could buy-some clothes"
jim looked down at his pitful rags, but
stood firm.
"Take this anyhow, said the boy, with a
look of sympathy, holding out halfdollar.
"Get something good for you and the dog
Jim eyed the coin wistfully, wont your
father carc?" he asked.
mo, no" laughed the boy he isn't here
though. Been gone away for six months
and he's coming home to night, and we're
going to have the joIliest Thanksgiving
Where's your home? ?"
81 amt got no home. There's no Thanks
givin' for me anywheres."
"Dear mew the bright face heightened into
an expression of surprise and dismay. "But
my mamma says everybody has something tC
be thankful for :" but he looked at Jim rs il
he thought there might be cases in which this
was to be doubted. "rll tell you what" he
went on, after pause. "You come to oul
house tomorrow afternoon, and I'll give you
such n dinner! Say, now, will you"
II don't know" said Jim, slowly. "Pd like
to. Where is it?"
mo. Avenue You come there
and ask for Johnny Wexford. Now do
promise, won't you ?-and bring your dog
Say, what's his name?"
"Well," said Jim, in halfapologetic tone
'his whole names George Washington, but
call him George for short. You see, aim
, got no folks, and | make b'lieve he's folks
and talks to him, and he most knows all
say, and IL seems most like he was my broth
, err. / had little brother once, and my
mother was real good woman, and"
"There's my mamma" said the boy in til,
carriage. "Just show her that dog"
But Jim drew back as o lady approached
and nodding to Johnny, "Ill come" mingled
in the crowd. He soon sought q poorer
street.
"Ho, no, George my boy, what do 20,
think of that" he said, showing him til,
money. "What'd you like for supper to
night? Blony-sassage and crackers ell p
Yes, / knowed you'd say that" as George
wagging his tail vigorously, licked his mas
,, ter's face. "Or what'd you say to regla
bakers roll and bit o hot steak ?" George
attention was just here riveted on a cur of 10 9
back stood up as he answered his growl-
NO." went on Jim, II thought you'd So,
that was too extravagant for the likes O. we
s so we'll have the b'lony, George.
"And where shall we put up tonight, lit
tie Teller, ehY Shall we go to the Unitet
> States, or to the Jefferson Club HouseP o
shall we go out to the junction, where W.
sep las night? It's gettin' leetle cold 70
country lodgin's, but they might be expectin
us, and we wouldn't like to disappoint 'en
y ell, George? The warm side o that straw
o stack want bad, you know. We might tax
our supper out there and eat, ell"
George wagged his hearty approval of tn
plan, and Jim took his way to a suburban de
B pot. Here he awaited the making up of
freight train, and in the gathering twilight