The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-06-07

A group OF boys we're standing oUe
day by the village poud. They were evil
and enjoying themselves very much;
only now and then one less hardened
than the others would exclaisl:
Let tho poor li%.s wretch be.
Suddenly a deep-toned Dark sounded
near az hand. At the first notes. the
boys dropped the pebbles or grass they
held. and listened. but when the second
bark came nearer still, there was cry
And ali the boys took to their heels.
BOB. the sources dog. came bounding
10 the scene OF action. lie hated Dogs
OF any kind, bat most Oh an he hated such
naughty boys, and he newer saw a KNOT
OF them together without considering II
was his duty 70 disperse them. lie
caught sight Of tho youngsters az the
pond as he was starting FOR his morning
walk. and dashed up like steam -en slne
70 see what they were after.
The boys meanwhile had scrambled INTO
various trees, and watched the enemys
Bob looked around with a sneer on
HIS already well turned-up nose, when he
caught sight Of something struggling 10
climb up the edge OF the pond.
"My!" exclaimed Jack Hunter the boy
who had pleaded for mercy. Il wouldn
give much for that little begsarS AIe'
IL Bob gets hold Of H."
But Jack was strong. Bob could be as
poor exhausted kitten and trotted grave
~ home with it IN his mouth.
mo, Bob, no, VI don't want any
drowned rate here" said the squire, as
lie met his favorlte dog.
But Bob trod majestlcally on III ne
reached his own kennel, then he drop
ped the poor kitten on the nice. clean
straw and began licking II all over.
Half an hour afterwsrd Squire Strange.
looking in found Bob lying fast asleep
81, tfffan nestled IIfVynNu his biz
That was the beginning OF the strange
friendship between the wee Kitten and
the big dog. Where Bob went, there
Pussy was bound 20 20. TOO. Sometlmes
she would ride on his back; sometimes
Bob would carry her in his mouth, ard
sometimes the kitten would leap about
by his side; but wherever one was. there
you would find the other.
Now, IL happened one day that a dog
show was 10 DO held about three miles
OF. and Bob's master determined that
he should so.
Hes bound to get a prize" the Squire
said 10 his cOdchman.
Yes, Sir, u he don't cut up rusty at
being shut up In one OF those cages
Bob got temper, sir, and U they do
any thing he don't Ike, he'll lct-em
know IT,"
Tho squire laughed.
Never fear. Fob will be all right
You'd better take that kitten away over
night. Lock her up IN the loft"
Tho kftei was taken away, and Bob
spent the Night bowling, I'LL the coach
man got out OF bed and whipped him.
Il suppose Il was the moor" DO re-
marked next morning 10 tho Squire, but
his eisht-year-od son knew better
RE led the kitten AZ his father had
told him, then he tied a Plsce OF blue
q the loft very quietly with Pussy IN
his arms
Mesnwhue. Bob had been dragged very
unw.llRgly 70 the show. De was ac-
customed 10 freedom, and resented the
chain by which the coechman led him.
Still mora did ne resent being thrust into
q sort o. cage. and having numbers Of
people staring at him. Finally he turned
his back on every one, curled himself up
in the farthest corner OF his box, giving
an occasional growl II anyoge ratified
the bars % rouse him, and looking per-
feet picture OF sulkiness and discomfort.
y thought Squire Strange's dog was
10 be here" said one OF tho judges. He
ought certainly 70 take the first prize. "
He IS here, l believe" was the re-
plg; "but he is In such bad temper
that no one can get 10 look at his points.
Hello What's this? This isn't d cat
show!'
its neck was rushing about from cage
10 cage, mewing piteously, as II look
ing Tor something. suddenly BOD gave d
start, shook nlmset out OF MS pdu tenn
per. and uttered one loud, glad bark.
The kitten sprang through the bars.
and when the judges came round again,
they had no difficulty in finding Squire
Strango's Bob. for there wasn't another
dog equal 10 him.
As for the kitten. she was just bub-
hing over with delight al having found
her big friend, and began playing with
his tail as IL 1t were mere reel or
"How on earth did that kitten get
here | wonder?' said tho Squire, when
he saw them together. He did not know
Tor a long time that little George had
carried her all the way. and had then
given her push in among the dog ken
nets "a find her frend.-Llttle Folks.