Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-12-27

which hung 81 helplessly upon her charity
Take him home she dare not Even the
woodhouse and stable were considered too
good for him 10y those in authority there,
She had heard him discussed and denounced
in the family circle too often. Ii had even
been said that he was too untldy and un-
slightly to be ''harbored' anywhere. And he
,cas very dirty There was no DENYING that
She admi ted il 10 herself she looked at
HIM through her binding tears But he
couldn't help it. poor fellow. Dirt and ugli-
hess seemed to stick to him in spite of him
self And what had he ever done that made
everybody SO set against him. she wondered.
Nothing; nothing In the vide world that she
ever lad heard of His only otfense seemed
to ts that he wasn't good-looking AT this
point of reasoning she gave way to "A fresh
burst of tears This world was evidently too
clean and prosperous for an ugly, worn-out
Jog. no matter how good heart he had
She wished II were a dirtier world-perhaps
L would be kinder
She remembered the dngv houses across
the river which She passed sometimes around
Whose greasy doors children, dogs and
chickens PLAYED in one common bed of dust.
such houses were not too fine and clean 10
shelter even an ugly old dog. She almost
wished she lived in one of them. Anyhow,
,he wished her mothers holse had bare
floors. instead of rich carpets, and that there
an old kitchen. shed. on the place
dirty enough TO contain a dirty old dogs
oA!
Down the street and across the bridge went
Grace with the dog. walking slowly and he
iewing the way with tears They moved
along aimlcsslv. the dog relying on the
child. and the child sad beyond expression
and not knowing where TO ask for aid or
what to do
After much melancholy wandering they
went up the stairs TO her fathers office, and
went in. The child told the story of their
woes with tears and Sobs. and the dog stood
by in silent but touching confederation. The
sight would have moved even hard hearts TO
pity and Graces father was a sympathetic
man. He was kind to rare degree; but
POOR Prince standing there in a crouching,
SpiritesS attitude. was 50 ugly, repellant
20 entirely diSheartening a sight that he
could not think of taking charge of HIM un-
der anv circumstances.
What can do with him, Grace said he,
iespairinglv. Il cannot have him around.
He makes me sick to look Al him. He does
indeed
''Oh, papa" said the little philanthropist,
with fresh food of tears. let him make his
home in the hall, in the very meanest
corner of it have engaged his board, and
| will wait upon him He will not take up
much room and he vii! be good. know
he isn't pretty. though | told him he was be
cause everybody else ~avs such cruel things
to him His heart is nearly broken; and.
papa, you know he didn't make himself
maybe God made him well me- and
wouldn't like 10 have him abused just be
cause he made hun ugly"
The argument prevailed, and Prince took
up his abode in corner. more luxurious
quarters than he had ever been accustomed
TO in his impoverished life. Grace carried
him food according TO promise, and life
went on for him as smoothly as the nature of
things permitted He knew the hours in
which she passed to and from school and was
always at the foot. of the stairs waiting for
her Something very like joy lighted up his
sorry old face when he saw her coming, and
though he grew more rheumatic and spirit
less every day. he was never too feeble tc
escort her part Of the way on her journey.
In the mornings he went through the town
with her and never left her until she was
near the school house. and in the evenings he
always crossed the long bridge beside her,
evidently in as high a state of bliss as his
crushed spirit could rise to He WAS neither
protection nor ornament 10 her, but she
Joyed his companionshIp because she knew it
pleased him to be with her and hdeous as he
was she loved him.
If dog can worship. that dog worshiped
that child Nobody else ever said anything
kind and pleasant to him. Most persons who
saw him made open fun Of his unattractive
presence, not dreaming that his understand
ing of the English language was by no means
trifling. not thinking that a dog has any
feelings which words can wound Grace's
father never spoke unkindlv To him, but he
T0itlN Nlrht 10 MN at all anu iitNtl lSchtN
at him if he could help it.
Autumn slipped away December declined,
and at last it WAS the day before New
Years. The afternoon was bitter cold. but
clear as winter sun and the crisp winter air
could make it. Prince escorted Grace across
the river bridge as usual When they
reached the point where they were in the
Ii Il. 4
the dog his customary friendly pat on the
head and said: "Good-by, Prince, nicey dog
Tomorrow will he New Years, and YOU
shall have no end of good things to eat
Yes and I'll take you to walk. Princey, dear
"A long walk up to the house, if dare
The poor brute looked up into her face
with eyes full of anguish, and whined
piteouIy. without turning to go hack"
oh, Prince, poor old doggy" she entreat-
ed, don't grieve so at leaving HE or you
will break my heart OF course you are
lonely. old fellow but you kaoC I'll come to
morrow"
Still the do- whined, kissed her gown. and
lmplored her, with his eloquent old face, to
let him go farther.
They went on together, Prince rubbing
against her clothes and looking often into
her face with his bleared and pathetic eyes,
as though there was something he wanted to
say very much if he only could. At last they
arrived at Grace's home, ami she again bade
him good-by, sweetening the sorrow of part
ing with many a loving word Prince
whined, fingered, wept-Grace was sure his
ewes overhowed with tears-kis>ed her gown
again and again then turned away and
started slowly back toward his lonely lodg-
ings.
Tho child watched him with heart full of
loyIb,. pity and eyes glistening with tears.
He had never looked 50 old, 50 feeble or so
>orrowful before. Twice he stopped, turned
rnnnd looked at her and slowly Maggti his