The Worthington advance., 1898-06-09

not really cold. So they stayed where
they were. And at last, when even we
other three were beginning to feel
rather chilly, we saw Lord Tottenham's s
big black cloak coming along, Tapping
in the wind like great bird. So we said
to Alice: n. s e..
Hist! he approaches. You'll know
when to set Pincher on by hearing Lord
Tottenham talking to himself; he al
ways does while he is taking off his col
lar . -
Then we had walked away whistling,
to show we were not thinking of any
thing. Our lips were rather cold, but
we managed to do it.
Lord Tottenham came striding along,
talking as usual. People call him the
mad protectionist. I don't know what
it means, but I don't think people ought
| to call a lord such names.
|, AS he passed us he said: "Ruin of the
Fcountry, sir! Fatal error, fatal error"
and then we looked back and saw he
was getting quite near where Pincher
was and Alice and H.O. We walked on,
so that he shouldn't think we were look
ing, and in minute we heard Pincher
bark, and then nothing for a bit, and
| then we looked around, and sure
enough good old Pincher had got Lord
Tottenham by the trouser leg, and was
holding on, so we started to run.
Lord Tottenham had got his collar off
it was sticking out sideways under
his ears, and he was shouting "Help!
help! murder!' exactly as if some one
had explained to him beforehand what
he was to do. Pincher was growing
and snarling and holding on. When we
got up to him said
'Dickie, we must rescue this good,
old man.
Lord Tottenham roared in his fury:
"Good old man be something-or-oth-
cred! Call the dog Off"
So Dicky said: "It is a dangerous
task, but who would hesitate to do an
act of true bravery?"
: And all the time Pincher was worry
ing and snarling, and Lord Tottenham
shouting to us to get the dog away.
And he was dancing about in the road
with Pincher hanging on like grim
death, and his collar tapping about
where it was undone.
! Then Noel said: "Haste, ere yet it be
too late;" so said to Lord Tottenham:
"Stand still, aged sir, and I will en-
deavor to alleviate your Distress
He stood still and stopped down and
caught hold of Pincher and whispered: {:
''Drop it, sir, drop it,
So then Pincher dropped it, and Lord
Tottenham fastened his collar again
he never does change it if there's any
one looking-and he said:
''I'm much obliged, I'm sure. Nasty,
vicious brute. Here's something to
drink my health
But Oswald explained that we are tee
totalers and do not drink peoples
healths. So Lord Tottenham said
''Well, I'm much obliged anyway. And
now come to think of it, of course
you're not young ruffians, but gentle
mems sons, eh? Still, you won't be
above taking tip from an old boy-I
wasn't when I was your age" and he
pulled out half sovereign.
It was very silly, but now we had
done it felt it would be beastly mean
to take the old boys chink after put
| ting him in such funk. He didn't say
anything about bringing US up as his
own sons, so didn't know what to do.
I let Pincher go, and was just going to
say he was very welcome and we'd
9oh
seemed the best way out of it when
that beastly dog spoilt the whole show.
Directly I let go he began to jump up
at us and bark for joy and try to lick
our faces. He was so proud of what
| he'd done.
Lord Tottenham opened his eyes, and
he just said:
''The dog seems to know you"
And then Oswald saw it was all up,
and he said, ':good morning." and tried
to get away.
But Lord Tottenham said: "Not SC
FAST" and he caught Noel by the collar.
Noel gave howl, and Alice ran out
from the bushes. Noel is her favorite; {;
I'm sure don't know. why. Lord Tot
| tenham looked at her, and he said: $50
there are more of you." And then H. O.
| came out.
"Do you complete the party?" Lord
Tottenha1n asked him, and II. 0. said
there weren't any more of us.
Lord Tottenham turned sharp off and
began to walk away, holding Noel by
the collar. We caught up with him and
asked him where he was going, and he
said: Ito the police station
So then I said: ''Well, don't take
Noel-he's not strong and he easily
gets upset. Besides, it wasn't his do
ing. If you want to take anyone, take
melt was my idea entirely
D;cky behaved very well. He said: ::
eff you take Oswald I'll go too-but
don't take Noel; he's such a delicate
little, chap"
Lord Tottenham stopped, ,fand he said {:
"You should have thought of that: be-
FORE"
Noel was bowling all the time and his
face was very white, and Alice said:
'Oh, do let Noel go, dear, good, kind
Lord Tottenham, he'll faint if you don't
Il know he will; he does metimes.
Oh, I wish we'd never done it.! Dora
said ii was wrong"
"Dora displayed considerable COM
mon sense,'' said Lord Tottenham, and
he let Noel go, and Alice put her arms
round Noel and tried to cheer him up.
Then Lord Tottenham said: Twill
you give me your word of honor not to
try to escape?"