The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-02
Pipkix,, the Puppy.


Now, of course. it's very nice thing
20 be blessed with "A rich uncle from
whom you have expectations. But
when that uncle takes advantage OF
the fact TO interfere with a fellows
lire OF life, and TO try and control his,
conduct, the thing becomes "a bit on.
Experto crede. 1 speak feeiingly. The
allusion is to my own case. have such
an uncle.
He is very rich man is my Uncle
James. He is upwards OF seventy. He
has organic kidney mischief. Thus
much TO the Cr. side of the balance
sheet But, then, there is also the
DIR. side, with the following heavy item,
viz: A continual worrying OF your num-
BILE servant by his rich relative 20 enter
the estate of matrimony. i understand
uncle's feelings in the matter or course.
i am the last male OF the family, ana
If i die without issue, our name VIII
become extinct. l am sorry for II. But
really, / see no reason why i should
make martyr of myself In order TO
perpetuate the family. IL Is not as
though "A crown, or even title, were
involved. We are an old family, but
we have never been particularly dis
tinguished No one will suffer, so far
Sentimentalists might take another
view. But / am not a sentimentalist;
nay, / abhor sentiment. j am pracu-
cal man OF As. a bachelor by deliberate
choice, who finds, like st. Paul. that the
single life is much better for me. New
er, therefore, will I sacrifice this, for
me. superior condition merely 10 pro-
mote a sentimental idea. 1 have not
told uncle this | don't wish 10 offend
the old boy. ] just keep putting MN
off with evasive answers. But / thlnh
he IN now beginning 10 see that II Is
hopeless TO expect me 10 marry. AT any
rate. ne has practically ceased TO worry
me on the subject, for which the LORD
be praised!
Then there is another item on the DIR.
side, which only lately have i realizeu
TO be such. My uncle goes in for breed
ing prize Airedales. You wonder why
/ am incommoded by that. 1 never was
until recently So long as uncle kept his
Airedales to himself IL was all right
but a month or two ago, in a MT OF un-
fortunate generosity, he took II into MS
head to make me present or one OF
his best pups. | assure you L was ap-
palled when he gave me the beast
dislike dogs at any time. even the best
trained and best behaved. But
gawky. sprawlng puppy. only hve
months old and entirely unbroken, 10
me- bachelor. living in rooms, was
something terrific The worst OF II was
] couldn't refuse the brute without OF
tending uncle mortally. i did, indeed,
say that, pom my life, this was too
good OF him, and that IL would be n
downright shame 10 rob him OF so val
liable an animal But escape was not
to be so secured.
Not at all. my dear boy-not at all!
he answered, beaming with conscious
benevolence. I'm glad for you To nave
Pipkin. I've often thought you must
find IL lonely in your bachelor quarters
and he will be company for you. AS
tonishng what companions dogs are
and how fond they get OF you, especial
ly when you have them from puppies.
"Awfully kind of you, uncle, l re-
piled. doing my best 10 look pleased, but
inwardly resolving that, SO far from
Pipkin being my companion, L would
take an early opportunity OF boarding
him out, and not see more of him than
j was positively obliged.
But even that prospect OF relief was
denied me, for my dear uncle. as II he
had read my thoughts, said to me hen
i left.
"Now mind YOU take great care of
Pipkin. my boy, and Keep him with
you and train him yourself. Don't give
him to any kennel man TO break what
ever YOU do 1 wouldn't have one OF
my prize strain placed with a stranger
for anything. He'll be "A little trouble
at first but you'll soon get him into or
der. I'll look YOU up in few days ana
see how you are getting on with him.
My spirits sank still lower. Living
as | did in the same suburb with my
uncle. | could not possibly billet Pipkin
out without his being aware or II. l
should be constrained. therefore, 10
keep the beast at my lodgings. on. why
had uncles generosity suddenly taken
this embarrassing shapeY
So | departed with Pipkin on a lead.
on the way he gave me some slight
earnest of what | had TO expect from
him. He tried to bolt after every other
dog he saw. He was perpetually get
ting his leading strap mixed up with
the wheels OF perambuiators ana the
legs of pedestrians. nearly tripping up
goodness knows how many people, all
of whom turned and scowled viciously
at me, as though il were my fault Then
he wanted to- be obtrusively friendly
with every one we met. and 60 show MS
friendTiness Dy sprawlng ON them. one
elderly gentleman. i'm particular. spick
and span old fop OF military aspect
suffered much from Pipkin's excessive
amiabililN, the awkward friendly,
brute planting his muddy feet on either
toe-cap Of the veterans Vanished boots
and then adding insult TO injury by
Jumping up and wiping them ON the old
fellows faultless ineNpressibles.
He turned liVid with rage. lie raised
his walking stick and fetched Pipkin
a violent whack. Goodness me, how the
puppy hoNled and squealed, And not
for the minute only. That was the
worse of il. Pipkin continued his shrIll
vocal music with unabated energy the
whole way home. You would have
thought he was being murdered. Ev-
crybody turned round TO see wha: l
was doing TO HIM, and humane old Ia
dies turned on me the blacklist looks
of indignation. I heard one of them
say: See how the poor doggie Is try
ing to escape from thai brutc!" and
her friend said something ia reply