The evening times., 1899-12-23
BOTTLES.
A victim Of Pro.perity.


There, Bootlesi Another seven and-six
penny worth of useless dogr'
She had said the same thing every Jan
uary for eight years; 1t was standing
joke between her and Bottles, but the,
never tired Of it, being one of those ex
quisite satires whose brilliance is no
dimmed by time.
"Once more l am licensed to keep on,
dog and you may wink impudentiy at th'
anything to you. It's been a hard matte
to find the shillings, but not so bad as som,
years"
And the leaping Bottles, perfect en-
bodiment of joyous welcome. spoke love
and thanks enough to repay a much dearei
tax, and as he actively superintended the
preparation Of their tea he was the happi-
est dog in the world.
Yet they had known vicissitudes, thest
two friends. since he had been given tC
her-a foolish, ecstatic, romping pup-eigh
years ago, by the boarder downstairs.
She had been ill sometimes and not abb,
to 20 to business for weeks OF even months
and this meant hard times for both. Blu
I Bottles, whether lean or fat bore their re.
! verses with cheerful patience and Iovet
her dearly through them all. He also loved
one other. the lodger next door In the dui
I cheap street. who had been formerly the
I boarder downstairs.
His mistress and this man we're botl
something in the city," they went to-
gether every morning, and a tender friend
ship fcurished between them that was
hardly hopeful enough to be called love
For they were both SO poor and struggling
that marriage looked as far off as heaven
There was sort of understanding between
them that when his income reached hum
dred and fifty year they should marry,
but they rarely alluded to such an impos-
sible future and worked on TO meet the ne
, cessities of each day.
Such discipline made the man stronger
and more patient, but the woman rebelled:
. she was younger, with a constitution that
could i'll bear the strain of daily drudgery:
il tired her. and sometimes a sharp word
betrayed this, for she was naturally sweet
tempered. But her friend-ay and Boobies,
too-understood this well, cheering her
with love and every little thoughtful kind
ness that affection could suggest. At first
sight there does not seem much that one
toiler can do for another, but in number
less unobtrusive ways he lightened for her
the burden of life.
Because he could do no great things,
John Sinclair was all the more iai ,hful N
little services. and Bootles Iejoiced in
them both with no divided mind. and for
once the old adage concerning the insult
ability of three was made null and void.
Eight times this harmonious trio had
seen tine old year die into the new. and
perhaps only Boobies knew how happy
they really were. how dear the companion
ship was in spite of toll and poverty, and
the strict economy which made BoOties
keep his bone preserve as much a secret
from predatory cats as he could. The only
feline thing he tolerated was the land
lady's kitten, but perhaps that was mere
policy, for he was a knowiedgab.e dog,
understanding the blind side OF elderly la
dies. Eight times his tax had been in
sisted upon by an implacab.e government
and then there came change. Lucy's
uncle-also something in the city, but
very moneyed something-lost his wife
and knowing that for at least year the
etiquette of grief prevented his taking an
ether he suddenly called TO mind MS poor
relation, remembering that she was lady
like and pleasant TO look at. He actually
invaded the cheap street-which until then
had never contained so expensive a person
since it was made-and seemed 10 gid
Lucy's shabby room with the superfiuoGs
atmosphere of wealth which he threw on
as though unable to consume il on the
premises.
Without wast..g much time or many
words he told her she could come and keep
his country house for him, and be mistress
of ii during the present year If she wished.
and that he would give her suitable al
lowance for such a position.
You must dress well, of course" he said.
with a glance that withered up her frock.
There are visitors always coming and GO
ing at my place, and you must be up 10 the
Ill
made clothes and little good jewelry."
Hardly waiting for her answer he was off
in the whirlwind of his self satisfaction,
never dreaming that she could hesitate over
such handsome offer; nor in truth did
She for il meant, practically, year OF
rest. OF charge, and even luxury. She was
so jaded that the mere anticipation of such
things seemed new life 10 her; she goried
in them until she remembered Jonn Sinclair
and the difference her going would make 10
him. The parting would be heavier to bear
for the one left behind in the old drudgery.
and she saw the patient face grow paier
as she told him. But for her he tried 10 be
very cheerful.
1T will do you no end Of good" he said.
"and We can write TO each other-of course
We can write frequently, ! suppose you
will leave Bottles with me?"
indeed, cannot spare him. Where I go.
Bootles goes. Uncle Marsh and I might
bring him
So in a very little while, John Sinclair
got leave of absence for an hour, 10 see
Lucy of by the Brighton train. The part
ing was cruel to both when il came. Boot
les, labeled and disconlate, looked visit
fully from one to the other, conscious of
something sadly amiss. His mistress had
told him that they were going down into
grew wild, but rabbits save of the Os-
ter to the Cockney Bootles, and her enco-
Their destination. however, troubled him
gether, that was the main point, and the
suitable carriage, Bottles was in first with
guard smiled genially, for his official
frown had been laid in the dust OF a whole
silver shilling.
Il thought you'd like him in with you,''
said John. and although she tried to thank
him for this last kindness she could find
no voice. and John was nearly as bad. For
all his quiet bravery, he knew that this |
parting might be the beginning of the end |
them. |
You'll take care of the little ferns, |
John? One is delicate and wants more to |
drink than the Others"
IN take care of them,'' he promised |
Der, land I'll be sure and tell you when |
my ship comes home.''
But for all the real hope he had, the |
shin might have foundered long since |