Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-05
P E T s

Jack and had been married year before we
went to housekeeping. People say that the first
year Of married life is the most trying. All can
say Is that we did not find It so. We never had
/ q word OF serious difference so long as we
boarded. but almost as soon as We were settled
In our own tiny, pretty house, our troubles
began.
Jack and have never been quite abe to de-
eide when our unpleasantness commenced. He
puts the date Of II In June when Lettuce Green
went 10 Europe, and left me her canarleS as
parting gift-Swo OF the loveliest little yellow
ana green darlings that ever were seen. That
is quite ABSURD, though. The real trouble began
month later. when 10 himself brought home
the great. clumsy, laundering Newfoundl and
pup, which was the pest Of the house for many
1t wasn't so bad at first. Jack only laughed
when he saw the canarieS. and said, "Why,
Madge. little woman, you'll have your hands
1ull now, III you never did before"
nonsense" said: ''it'S nothing to take care
OF pair OF birds" But Jack only laughed.
Such darltngS as those birds were! | can't
say that they ever learned TO know me-not
really, you know. They fluttered just as much
and were just as hard TO catch the last day that
! let them out OF their cage as they were the
first. That was one Of the things that Jack OBJ
Jected TONY letting them out OF the cage, /
mean. JACK wrote. you sector the press.
mean-and the back parlor. which was also his
study, was the only place where | could keep
the birds.
Really, Madge," said Jack one daY. 81 wish
y0n could find some other place TO keep those
birds, or else wish you would not let them out
or their cage Their favorite promenade is my
desk, ana never can ind paper that want
fter they have been roofing ABOUT there
But. Jack" said, ''they must have their
MoInlIg ny, poor little dears, and have always
let them have II While you are taking your con-
stitutlonal, so that they need not disturb you.
II You " Ould rather have me let them out while
you're at home though"
enough to see the results without having them
Hopping down bodily upon my head. Never
mind. IN be careful TO leave my 1nkstand I'M
covered. and they'll be drinking the Ink some
day. and that will be the end OF them"
lack, you are very unkind." satd but Jack
only laughed, and went out of the room. l was
always careful to see that the inkstand was
covered after that, though.
III was soon after that that he brought home
MS cog. | never shall forget that day. He
knows that never could bear dogs l am afraid
or them horribly afraid, and | never thought
he would be so cruel as TO bring one OF the great
numbering things home to scare me out OF nay
poor little wits.
"Here. Madge," he said as he came In, lead
Ing the thing. las you are so fond Of pets
have brought you one worth having"
Then the thing rushed at me, with its great
red mouth wide open, and It's white teeth shin
Ing, and It's eyes glaring, and before l knew 1t
the two big hairy paws were on my shoulders,
ard the tTightfdl face close against mine.
Jack sereamed-''oh, Jack. take him Off,
or shall die
Jack laughed and caught the creature by his
collar and pulled him away.
. why. bless your heart. Madge." he said,
tine dog won't hurt you. He is only pup
nine months old 10 day-and as full OF affec-
ton as be can stick. He only wanted to make
friends with you"
But don't want to be made friends With In
that fashion, / said, as well as / could speak
for crying.
Jack laughed and caressed me, and apollo
gized; but 1t was then that our troubles began.
for all that.
What a nuisance that dog was no one who
has not brought up Newfoundland pup can
imagine, Now twas one Of the best table
cloths, not only pulled OFF, but torn into rags;
or ny lace set--Aunt Clarice'S wedding pre-
sent-which had been laid out to bleach had
disappeared bodily, all but a tluttering end
which hung out OF Hero'S mouth as he careered
about the yard; or It was ore OF Jacks dress
boots cheWed TO pulp, aud grave enough
Master Jack looked that Time l only wish his
belongings had suffered oftener: but unluckily
he took precious good care 10 keep them out or
the way.
Jack and l were poor enough. but We had
rich relations. Jack had an uncle, Mr.. Philip
Phelps, aud l an aunt, Clarice Vaughan, botu
or whom had declared their intention OF leay-
Ing US their respective heirs. Aunt Clarice was
a childleS5 widow, and ncle Philip bachelor.
fun OF wilkins and ''ftds." We had never been
able TO entertain them hitherto, but as soon as
We were settled IN our Own house each of them
b Rf promised US visit: II was time for Uncle
that Wretched Cog. Uncle Philip had always
seemed very fond Of me, and resolved TO ap-
peal 10 him privately TO induce Jack 10 Danish
the horrld thing from the house.
JLCIe Philip was stout ana rubicund. with
BALD pink head fringed with white hair and
Laughing blue eye-two OF them, La fact. IN
kindly TO Hero from the ffrsI and as watched
tne SoIte1ing OF his eye over the pups clumsy
gamoois realized that any attempt to iahu-
eeLce him as desired would be utterly In vain.
n n hp hln ,rt..,
light OF bis arrival. he Sitting ia q large easy
Chair In the window. He vas Just giving us
graphic description OF recent visit 70 New
Mexico u hen he started and clapped his hand
IL lis head. with sudden ejaculation.
i thought You told me you had no m0slll-
tees here" he said With puzzled air.
Neither had We, as JACK aud | both assured
him. and after moment he took up the thread
or his narrative. Crack! another slap AT his
paid mead, and another break Ia his tale.
Crack crack. crack
What do you mean by denying mos1ulCoes?r
he cried Indignantly. al know that m1saui-
toes and malaria are two things that the lu-
habltants OF swamp viii never confess to;
but thought that you two were above such
weaknesses
our earnest "But, indeed dear UNCLE was
suddenly Interrupted by sudden tlutter OF
Wings, and d0ltc'te OF cold Water exactly on
the center OF Uncle Philips head. Jack sprang
TO his feet.
"Irs those beastly birds, Madge," he said.
ppI tny have been chucking their seeds at Uncle
shower bath. Taking their bath in their
drinking cup too, the little brutes. It's too
bad, VOW
Uncle Philip was silent, but his face as he
glaIed at the cage overhead, was study. |
apolog'zed, eagerly, ablectly, and, hoped, to
some purpose. Then We adjourned TO the
mont paIi0r. and finished the evening quietly.
Uncle Philip was up bright and early the
next morning. was surprised to Ind him In
the dihfDg-rOo when went down, before the
bell rang. TO see that the table was properly
set. Hero was beside him, blinking up with
els great stupid eyes, one big paw laid upon
/ ncle Philips knee. and MS red tongue lOiltny
cut idioticaily. Uncle Philip greeted me affec-
tlonately though, fancled, With rather an air
OF cOnstraint.
did you sleep Well, Uncle Philip" asked.
Uncle Philip hesltated.
III was quiet enough most OF the night" he
SAID, but was somewhat disturbed toward
morning"
Not USED TO the city noises?" | asked; but
Jack. who had come In behind me, laughed.
NONSENSE, Madge.' he said. "You forget
that Uncle Philip lives Ia Chicago, which Is not
exactly country, IL was all those birds OF
Yours again. Uncle Philips room is directly
over my STUDY, and the things tuned up at
daylight, as usual Nobody could sleep In such
a Gohlonnded racket. Now confess, Uncle
fnlllp, was not that the trouble?"
why, jack | SAID half crying. sit Is too
Dao VI ou. Inc little darllngs couldn't disturb
Sn. ue1y Win thelr singing, and you know there
10 Lol anotEef window III the house where they
can haIg; l ncle Philips is the only other east
fooln; anu they must have the morning SUM-"
ION, pray don't disturb your arranyements
la