The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1900-09-08

Srahupd uoesn Ike uoSs. IL ASK
mamma"
That evening at his mothers knee
Benjamin's prayer contained sup
Elementary appeal, none the less sim
cere for being whispered within his
own little heart, that blended in this
wise: BLESS everybody, and make
me a good boy. Amen. And, God,
dogs. Make him like that one Of
Jim Dorsey's with the spot on its
forhead, forever and ever. Amen"
Something kept sleep out of Benja-
minis eyes for very long time after
this prayer was whispered, while his
mother mended the pockets of the
small yeiyeteen trousers by the softly
shaded lamp. Then small voice
spoke from the little white bed:
Mamma, why doesn't grandpa like
| dogs?"
The sweet-faced lady bent her head
little lower over the needle. II don't
know, DEAR" she answered, softly.
"All people do not like dogs. Grand
pa likes a great many other things
| flowers and trees and"
81 hate fowers!" said the small
voice, passionately. 'They don't
know anything-they amt alive!"
"Grandpa is proud of his horses,
too went on the soothing voice.
II don't like 'em," said the small
voice, decidedly. "They don't follow
fellow when he calls EN-, and they
don't sit up and beg, or carry baskets
in their mouths. They don't like a
fellow the way dog does"
go to sleep now" said his mother,
gently.
Two brown eyes shut tightly for a
moment and then opened wide again.
Mamma, didn't papa like doSs?"
"Yes."
sand il he had lived wouldn't have
had a dog?"
Perhaps. Go to sleep, Benjamin y
The gentle face was bent still lower
over the needle.
But sleep was impossible with the
thoughts that surged through Benja-
Minis rebellious brain. Jim Dorsey
is going to give me pup. They have
five. They have the old dog, too, and
three rabbits and pair of white rats
and a coon. But l wouldn't want a
coon. Do poor people always like
dogs?'
Perhaps. But / wouldn't take the
pup, Benjamin. Not now. We love
grandpa too well to cause him any an
noyance." The lady folded up the
trousers and drew a chair beside the
little white bed.
"Once, long time ago" she went
on, "when l was a little girl, l loved
dogs, too, and used to weep and be
very angry because my father would
not allow me to have one. But now
| am glad that I did not disobey him
am glad that have never disobeyed
him--and SO will my little boy be when
he is older. We will buy Jim Dorsey's
pup, If you wish, and give it to some
poor little child who has no other
pleasure. We will talk about it to.
morrow, dear. l am going to take the
lamp out now. Good night"
Goodnight" said Benjamin, very
near to tears. "But If you please, ma m.
ma. if can't have that pup I'd rather
|
as the light receded, trustful little
heart prayed again: please, God
make grandpa like dogs"
The major was a handsome. erect old
gentleman, past GO years of age. His
mustache. his flowing side whiskers
and his hair were quite white, but his
eyes were as alert and his tones as de-
cided as man in earlier prime. jim
Dorsey's pups were three weeks ole
when he announced to his daughter one
morning at breakfast:
"Maude, the governor of the state
and as you know, an old school friend
! of mine, will be in town tomorrow for
the purpose of inspecting the state asy.
lum for the blind / shall invite him
to dinner, so you may prepare accord
ingly. OF course you will know what
TO get, but would suggest that you
have quail as a side dish. The govern
or used to be very fond of quail
All that day and half the next Benja.
| min lived in blissful anticipation OF
the coming of the governor. His live
ly fancy painted him at least six feet
tall, wearing a helmet with noddng
plume and possibly suit of silver mail
He was sure this last would be very
handsome and appropriate, and per-
haps he would carry a sword.
When in due time the governor ap-
peared, wearing black suit after the
pattern of the majors, soft hat, and
carrying not even a cane, Benjamin's
amazement and disappointment knew
no bounds.
But the governor was fine-looking
and pleasant, after all. Benjamin stud.
led this out in the unoccupied intervals
between the IL courses that did honor
to the majors board. And he smiled
across the table at Benjamin as il he
knew boys. and commiserated with
him upon his beruffled shirt waist and
yellow shoes.
After dinner, when the major sug-
gested stroll about the grounds, and
this great man stretched out his hand
to(Benjamin with a smile, the last rem.
liant of regret for the suit of silver
mail vanished, and Benjamin laid his
own hand in the governors and loved
him with all his grateful, loyal heart