San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-24
MISS R0SELEAF'S BABY.
BY RACHEL CAREw.


bardia," at Florence, because it was ru-
mored abroad that Miss Roseleaf's pug
Trotty was in eXtremis. He was not an
attractive animal, mentally or physically,
and had endeared himself to no one save
his lovely young mistress. His figure
was ruined through overlooking; he had
lost one eye in bygone tussle with a
butchers cat, and the other optic glared
at the world with sinister expression
from out the black patch upon his counte-
nance Had he not mouthed Maj. Wink
hams slipper into an unpleasant pulp,
and retired under Miss Pilcherton's bed,
there to snOre and brighten that lady into
spasms? He had also snatched a biscuit
out of the hand of infant innOcence-the
mother of said innocence passing sleep
less night wondering if it were not well to
send for Pasteur, to be quite sure that the
bite was no more than biscuit.
For all these misdemeanors, Miss Rose
leaf apolOgized with grace so charming
that the malcOntents were seen to stop on
the stairs to stroke Trotty and tell him he
was a dear little fellow, so he was-the
same quadruped which they had erstwhile
apostrophized as hideous, squad legged,
over fed, vicious tempered brute.
But how could they do else than melt,
with Doris Roseleaf's sweet eyes caressing
them from under the shade of her big
tossing plumed hat, and the shell pink on
her cheeks deepening to warm sunset
rose at praise of her ill favored pet!
eyes, Doris is so foolishly fond of the
dog, I'm obliged to put up with him; but
he is a great nuisance, to be sure, partic
ularly in travelling. When we start for
the Tyrol next week there will be the
usual narrowing scene-the railway peo
pie refusing to let Trotty go in the car
riage with us, Doris in tears, and at last
a fee to pay, or bride, that really breaks
my heart. We cannot afford such foolish
outlay. wish something would happen
to the wretched animal; he has lived
quite long enough In the above words
Mrs. Roseleaf has been wont to express
her chief grievance to a mixed audience
for years. Now that destiny, in the shape
of cramps and stiff neck, seemed close
upon the heels of Trotty, Mrs. Roseleaf
inwardly rejoiced but maintained a hypo-
critical attitude of concern in the presence
of her daughter.
81 believe it would be we'll to send for
veterinary doctor; he could give poor
Trotty some chloroform or something to
end his sufferings," she said to Doris,
and in an aside to a friend added: 81
grudge the expense, but it would be
such relief to have the little brute
surely done for, once and for ALL"
A few hours later, as Mrs. Roseleaf
returned from a walk, Doris met her
with a radiant face, crying: "Oh,
mamma, Trotty is so much better! going
to recover and be better and stronger
than ever before, the doctor says"
What doctor?"
"Why, the vet. you said we ought to
send for. l had him come while you were
away, and he must be a wonderfully
clever mamie has certainly saved
Trotty's life. He asked fifteen francs, but
had to give him twenty, as you had
nothing smaller in your purse, and l
couldn't ask him for five francs change.
Mamma don't believe you are one bit
glad that poor Trotty is better!" and tears
welled over in the lovely violet eyes which
worked such havoc in the mother most of
all.
"Yes-yes, child, Pm very glad," the
mendacious old lady answered, but her
looks beled her words Twenty francs
more paid for making the dogs life surer
than before, and l believed he would be
dead tonight. All, me! and that dreadful
journey impendingr' was the burden of
her thoughts.
Mamma" said Doris, one morning,
breaking in upon her parents persual of
"She," II have brilliant idea for max
ing the journey easy for US all. Miss
Willis told me SIZE gave her cat an opium
powder once, before taking him on a
thirty-six hours journey in the train. He
dozed all the time in his basket, quiet as
a lamb, and the guard thought he was
luncheon"
81 suppose you mean to give Trotty an
opium powder, but 1 fear the guards can
scarcely be induced to mistake him for
luncheon"
"No, they will be otherwise deceived.
Trotty is to be given big powder to keep
him quiet, and he is then to be dressed as
baby, laid on pillow, and with veil
over his face is to cross the frontier.
Perk shall carry him."
Doris, do you think I would ever con-
sent to such a preposterOus idea? 1t isn't
respectable What would people say and
think? Put such nonsense out of your
head at once, beg Of you"
mot bit of it, mamma, dear; the
idea is too excellent one to let slip. You
will be of my opinion quite, when you
have allowed yourself time to reflect.
The Stauntons' nurse is going to lend me
pretty pillow with lace and embroidery,
and one of their baby's dresses and a cap.
Your chuddah will do to wrap around his
body. Tina will dress him and tie him