Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-04
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
| a 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 commenceI. He
puts the date of II In june when Lettuce Green
went to Europe, aud left me her canares as a
paItlng gItveWo or the loveliest little yellow
ana green darlings that ever were seen. That
is quite absurd, though. The real trouble began
month later. when he 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
full now, Ii you never did before"
Nonsense" said: ''its nothing to take care
OF pair OF birds" But Jack only laughed.
Such darltngs as those birds were! L cam
say that they ever learned 10 know me-not
| really, you know. They fiuttered just as much
and were just as hard TO catch the last day that
let them out OF their cage as they were the
i1rst. That was one Of the things that Jack OBJ
| jected TONY letting them out OF the cage /
mean Jack wrote. you sector the press l
mean-and the back parlor. which was also his
study. was the only place where could keep
"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
o. gu lhelT cage; Their faVorte promenade is my
desk, and never Can ind paper that / want
Tier they have been roofing ABOUT there
But, Jack" said ''they must have their
MolnlIg 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.
III You " ould rather have me let them out while
you're at home. though-
IN Va
enough to see the results without having them
Hopping down bodily upon my head. Never
mind IN be careful to leave my inkstand I'M
covered. and they'll be drinking the ink some
day. and that will be the end OF them
Jack, you are very unkind." 1 said: but Jack
only laughed, and went out of the room. l was
always careful to see that the tnkstand was
covered after that, though.
III vas soon after that that he brought home
MS cog; | never Shall forget that day. He
knows that never could bear dogs. am afraid
OF them, horribly afraid, and l never thought
he would be so cruel as TO bring one of the great
numbering things home to scare me out OF my
poor little wits.
"Here. Madge," be said, as he came In, lead
Ing the thing. ''As 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 knew It
the two big hairy paws were on my shoulders
aid the fr1ghtful face close against mine.
Jack" screamed-"oh, Jack take him off,
or shall die
Jack laughed and caught the creature by his
collar and pulled him away.
"Nhy, bless your heart. Madge!" he said
''tne dog won't hurt you. He is only pup
nine months old 10 day-and as full OF affec-
ton as he can stick. He only wanted to make
friends with you"
But l 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
g1zed; but 1t was then that our troubles began.
for all that.
What 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 my lace set-Aunt Clarice's wedding pre-
Sent-WhiCh had been laid out to bleach had
disappeared bodily, all but tiuttering end
which hung out OF Hero's mouth as he careered
about the yard; or il was one OF Jacks dress
boots cbeWed TO pulp. aud grave enough
Master Jack looked that time. only wish his
belongings had suffered oftener: but unluckily
he took precious good care 10 keep them out OF
the way.
Jack and l were poor enough, but we had
rich relations. Jack had an uncle, Mr.. Philip
Phelps, aud an aunt, Clarice Vaughan botu
OF WHOM had declared their intention OF leay-
ing US tnelr respective heirs. Aunt Clarice was
a childleS5 widow, and ncle Philip bachelor.
Both or them were peculiar III their Way, aad
full OF WhiLns and ''f.ids" We had never been
able TO entertain them hitherto but as soon as
We were settled in our own house each of them
had promised us visit. II was time for Uncle
Philips arrival soon after Jack brought home
that Wretcned Cog. Uncle Philip had always
seemed very fond OF me, and resolved TO ap-
peal 10 him privately TO induce Jack 10 Danish
the horr1d thing from the house.
tLGie Philip was stout ana rublcund, with
D2id PIX head fringed With white hair and
laughing blue eye-two OF them In fact. IN
luckily Ior my private plans, he took most
kindly 10 Hero from the first; and as watched
the SoItening OF his eye over the pups clumsy
gamoolS realized that any attempt to iadu-
eEce him as desired would be utterly Ia vain.
Z N
light OF bis arrival, he Sitting ia large easy
Chair In the window. He Wa3 Just giving us
MtA:co Then he started and clapped his hand
10 Els mead. with sudden ejaculation.
u thought !ou told me you hai no moslli-
tees here" he said With puzzled air.
Neither had We, as JACK aud | both assured
him. and after moment he took up the Unrea1
Or his narrative. Crack another slap AT his
PAID head, and another BREAK Ia his tale.
What do you mean by denying mos1uiCoes?r
he cried Indignantly. 81 know That m3saul-
toes and malaria are two things that the lu-
but thought That you two were above such
weaknesses"
our earnest "But, indeed dear UNCLE was
suddenly Interrupted by sudden tlutter OF
Wings, and dOlc',e OF cold Water exactly on
the center OF Uncle Philips head. Jack sprang
TO his feet.
Its those beastly birds, Madge," he said.
They have been chucking their seeds at Uncle
Philip, and now they've finished up with
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 az he
glared at the cage overhead, was a study. |
apolog'zeG, eagerly, ablectly, and, hoped, to
some purpose. Then We adjourned TO the
mont paIior. and finished the evening quietly.
Uncle Philip was up bright and early the
next morning. / was surprised to Ind him In
the dihlUg-room when went down, before the
bell rang. TO see that the table was properly
set. Hero was beside MIN, blinking up with
els great stupid eyes, one big paw laid upon
Incle Philips knee, and mis- red tongue lolllng
cut idiottcaily. Uncle Philip greeted me affec-
uonately, though, fancled, With Father an air
OF conStraint.
did you sleep We'll, Uncle Philip" asked.
Uncle Philip hes1tated.
Ut was quiet enough most Of the night" he
said, but was somewhat disturbed toward
morning"
Not USED TO the city noises?" | asked; bat
Jack. who had come In behind me, laughed.
Nonsense, Madge," he said. "You forget
that Uncle Philip lives In 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 Cohlonnded racket. Now confess Uncle
fnlllp, was not that the trouble?"
why, Jack" / said, half crying. SIT IS too
Da0 or ou. The little darllngs couldn't disturb
any oo1y with their singing, and you know there
10 Loi aAotEef WlndoW In the house where they
can hahg; Z cle Philips is the only other east
room, and they must have the morning SUM-
On, pray don't disturb your ARRANGEMENTS