Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-10-07
HOW RICHARD SAVED
THE SPOONS. By Harriet B.
Waterman.
w ES," Philip Howard was saying,


ward fire alarm, they jump down and
bark"
"Pooh!" said Earnest Weston, 81
don't believe it. Bronze dogs can't
bark"
II didn't say they could" replied
Philip. 81 only know these do. every
time they hear that bell"
II don't understand it. OF course,
know well enough that it's trick; but
l can't see through it," said Richard
Monroe. Say the whole thing over
more slowly, won't you, PHILIPPE"
Philip spoke with great distinctness:
You know, l presume, the house on
Euclid avenue, where Mr.. James Mon
roe, who has the honor Of being my
uncle. lives?'
II ought to-" said Richard, doubtful
ly, "for | live there myself, if he is the
Mr.. James Monroe who has the honor OF
being my father"
Exactly the same!" replied Philip.
well, you are aware then that, beside
the steps before that house, are two
dogs, made of bronze. Many a time and
oft have you and played circus upon
TO unders tand me when / say that every
time they hear the Fourth ward fire
alarm they jump down and bark
Did you ever see them do it?'
NO"
Philip admitted the fact with some re-
luctance.
Il never remember, though, being at
your house when the Fourth ward fire
alarm sounded. You must have been
there lots of times. Queer you never
noticed them"
"One question more, and I'll stop"
said Richard. "IIave they always done
500"
Always; just the same as now" was
Philips prompt response.
And Richard, pausing only to say,
81 know it's q trick and not the truth,
and I'll find out before I'm DONE
walked slowly away from the boys and
towards his own home.
why didn't you tell him?" said
krnest 10 Philip. Hell bother over it
ever so long"
"But he'll puzzle It out before he
stops" said Philip, proudly. "iIe is a
j
He thinks and thinks, till he gets things
worked out every time"
On the steps leading up 10 the front
door, Richard stopped to look at the
dogs. They were certainly quiet. as
their kind are liable 10 be. If they
jumped down to bark a fires, theywere
very careful to jump back in exactly the
same place.
1t was very provoking to be so puzzled
by what he knew perfectly well was
only the twist of some word; though he
repeated Philips sentence over and over
without getting the least idea Of what
the catch might be.
The next Wednesday he was Weakened
in the night from a sound sleep by the
noise of a door, slammed violently. He
started up in his bed. listened, and
heard the ringing of the Fourth ward
fire alarm bell.
Then, If ever, was his time for PROV
ing that dog story. lie was forbidden
10 go TO fires at night; but Alfred who
was grown up and did business with a
lumber company, always went. He had
slammed the door, which Richard knew
would be unbolted until his return.
Richard had never been told that he
must not go into the garden to hear the
dogs on the steps bark at fire bells, so
hastily slipping on shoes and clothes,
he made his way quietly down the stairs
and out the door.
The dogs were in their usual position,
but Richard knew that Philip had some
g Sc 100,
so he waited for the bell 10 ring again.
He leaned upon one of the dogs-a dan
gerous proceeding, if the animal per-
formed as Philip predicted. But Rich
ard knew that, if the rush Of the hose
carts caused a trembling, or if the wind
or echo sounded in their threats the
gentlest noise that could be exaggerated
into bark, he should be in position
10 hear.
But there was neither motion nor
sound. Again and again the bell sound
ed, aud each time the dogs failed to
jump or bark, or be in the slightest de-
gree affected.
He was so interested in his expert
ment that he did not notice Alfred, who,
finding the fire far distant from his lum-
Der yard, had returned after few mo-
ments.
The slipping of the bolt on the inside
of the door reused Richard TO the fact
that he was locked out. When he
thought of ringing the bell, and so gain
ing admittance, he had for the first time
grave doubts as 10 whether the heads
of the household would altogether APP
l & At
not forbidden it.
Moreover, he felt that he would not
enjoy explaining his motive; he realized
as he had not before the utter foolish
ness of imagining even that those dogs
would jump and bark, and he did not
care 10 expose his folly.
He walked around the house, but he
knew the fnstenings too well TO have
any hope Of getting in.
lie came back, resolved to wait quiet