Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-07-12
The Little Yellow Dog.


and bright and loving, with such sunshiuy
face that it cured the blues Just to look at
her.
She had great many names. She would
answer to Dantie," " Pussy" Sunshine"
and Polly" quite as well as Mamie
"Polly" was grandpa's name for her.
Polly had one fault that does not mean
that she had but one, but that this one was
so very great it was noticed more than all
the others.
The fault was this: she was never quite
ready to do anything the very minute she
was asked to. She always had something of
her own to attend to first.
If papa said, DANTE, please get my slip
pers," he was sure to hear Yes, in just
minute, papa. Dolle is most asleep" When
grandpa said, " Come, little Polly, can't you
run upstairs and get my glasses ?" she was
sure to take Just three more turns round the
room-if she happened to be playing with
kitty-before she started. Or, if she were
reading a story and was asked to do an err
rand, she would get slowly up, and creep
along with her eyes on her book, stop at the
foot of the stairs and read few lines, stop
at the head of the stairs and read, and then
call out, Mamma, did you say you wanted
a spool Of white or black thread ?"
1t was very trying indeed, and grandpa
said the ugly weed ought to be rooted out
before it grew any bigger. Sometimes, he
tried TO make her ashamed of it. When she
was gone long time for the newspaper that
he sent for, she would find grandpa busiy
writing when she came with it; and he
would take no notice of her, until she said,
"Here is your paper, grandpa"
"My paperP he would say then, looking
- Co.
did send send for paper some minutes ago,
didn't II But the time has gone by now.
have turned my attention to other sub
jects. No paper for me, Miss Polly, thank
you"
Then Mamie would hang her head and
blush, but by the next time grandpa asked
ten all about it.
One day, grandpa called Mamie to take
walk with him. She ran for her hat and
sack, for she was always glad of the chance
to go with him. They always had nice
times together. He explained everything
to her that she did not know about, and let
her chatter off long stories and, if they
came along to any shop or place where any
thing curious was going on, grandpa took
her right in.
"Where are we going to-day, grandpa ~
said Mamie, holding fast to his hand, and
giving happy little hop.
"Going to see dog" said grandpa, Z" that
can do what girl can't"
Mamie of course was eager to know what
dog could do that a girl could not, and she
asked great many questions; but grandpa
stopped them all by beginning to tell long
story about the st. Bernard dogs that saved
a great many people from freezing. The
story lasted until they got to the shop where
grandpa had his boots mended. The shoe
maker was little old man and he had
nice little shop, and good little old wife,
and funny little yellow dog.
Very soon, grandpa said, Mr.. Jyricks,
want my little girl to see what wonderful
things your dog can do"
Then, the little man twinkled smile from
his mouth and eyes and called, Here, Jip,
you " and then the little dog in the next
room came scampering into that room, so
fast that he almost went heels over head,
and seated himself in little yellow ball at
his masters feet, his bright eyes turned to
his, as much as to say, Now, sir, what will
you have?"
"Jip, shut that door p said Mr.. Jyricks /;
and at the door Jip flew, and with his two
fore-paws pushed and pushed with all his
might, until it shut.
"Now, Jip bring my slippers" his mas
ter said and Jip scampered into the other
room and out again as quick as wink, with
a slipper in his mouth, laid it down, and
then ran back and brought the other one.
And so he brought his masters glasses and
the newspaper, without waiting an instant
after he was told.
Mamie laughed until she almost cried to
see the funny little fellow perform. She
was so taken up with his tricks, seeing him
stand on his hind feet and offer enc of his
fore-paws, when she said, " How do you do,
Jip p that she forgot all about asking her
grandfather what he meant by saying Jip
could do what girl couldn't, until they
were almost home. Then grandpa said,
"I'll tell you, when we have our talk to-
night"
"Now, grandpa" Mamie said, as she nes-
tied into her grandfather's arms, after tea,
when he and she were alone in his room,
now tell me what the little dog could do
that can't. I'm sure can shut doors, and
bring your slippers and newspapers and
glasses"
"Polly," said grandpa, taking her round
face between his hands and looking into her
eyes, "the little dog can do it right a,oay the
minute he is spoken to. o Polly, Polly to
think a poor little yellow dog can do what
you cannot" The little head went down
then on grandpa's bosom, and neither OF
them spoke for few minutes then grandpa
said,--
"Polly suppose can buy that little dog
to wait upon me, then you need not take the
time from your kitty and dolly to run or
rands for an old grandpa"
"Grandpa," said poor little Polly, sitting
up and wiping off the tears, with her hand
kerchef done into hard ball, and strug-
Cling with her sobs "l-I-shall just DIE
If you do it it'll break my heart right in
two. Just try me once more, grandpa |
truly will do every single thing the very
minute you tell me. | do want to stop be-
ing so naughty. will remember, sure as |
live and breathe"
Then the gray head and the golden head
went together, and there was a great hug
ging time, and grandpa took the sorrowful
little bundle to his bosom, and said " There,
there, little one, don't cry any more. Grand
pan help you remember, won't he 2"
"Yes," said Mamie, sitting up straight.
" You'll say little yellow dog to me every
time you see me going to forget, won't your"
Then grandpa laughed loud and long
and he Rugged his pet again, and took off
his glasses and wiped away tears or some
thing from them.-The PdnSy.