The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-09-08
grandpa doesn't like dogs. I'll ask

a cup
Elementary appeal. none the less sim
eere for being whispered within his
little heart, that blended in this
wise: Bless everybody, and make
me a good boy. Amen. And, God,
VIII you please make grandpa like
dogs. Make him like that one of
sim Dorsey's with the spot on its
1orhead forever and ever. Amen"
Something kept sleep out of Benja-
INNS eyes for u very long time after
this prayer was whispered, while his
mother mended the pockets of the
small velveteen trousers by the softly
shaded lamp. Then a small voice
spoke from the little white bed:
Mamma, why doesn't grandpa like
dogs?"
The sweet-faced lady bent her head
a little lower over the needle. Il 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"
Il hate iowers!'' said the small
voice, p~assionately. They don't
know anything-they amt alive!"
"Grandpa is proud of his horses,
too" went on the soothing voice.
Il don't like EN-" said the small
voice, decidedly. They don't follow
a 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 a dog does"
60 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 dogs?"
Yes"
"-And if he had lived wouldn't 1 have
had a dog?"
Perhaps. Go to sleep. benjamin."
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 a pup. They have
five. They have the old dog. too, and
three rabbits and a pair of white rats
and a But l wouldn't want a
coon. Do poor people always like
dogs?"
Perhaps. But 1 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, a long time ago." she went
on. 'when / was a little girl. I 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.
I am glad that I 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. I am going to take the
lamp out now. Good night"
"~Good-night." said Benjamin.. very
near to tears. But if you please. NAM
ma. if l can't have that pup I'd rather
just leave it with its mother" Yet
as the light receded, a trustful little
heart prayed again: please, God.
make grandpa like dogs"
The major was a handsome. erect old
gentleman. past 60 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 Ge-
cideG as a mar in earlier prime. Jim
Dorsey's pups were three weeks old
when he announced to his daughter one
morning al 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. l shall invite him
to dinner. so you may prepare accord
ing,y. OF course You will know what
to get. but | would suggest that you
have quail as a side dish. The govern
Or used 20 be very fond of quail"
All that day and half the next Benja-
min IiveG in biissful anticipation of
the coming of the governor. His live
" fancy painted him at least six feet
tall. wearing a helmet with a ~nOGding
plume anG possibly 4 suit of silver mail
he was sure this last would be very |
handsome and appropriate. and per-
haps he w0u.G carry a sword.
When in due time the governor ap-
Deared. wearing a black suit after the
pattern OF the majors 4 soft hat, and
CARRYING not even a cane. Beniamin's
amazement and disappointment knew
TO bounds.
But the governor was ~tine-looking
and pleasant. after all. Benjamin stud
ieG this out in the unoccupieG intervals
between The II CURSES that did honor
10 the majors board. And he smiled
across the table at Benjamin rs if he
knew boys. and commiserated with
him upor his beruff1ed shirt waist and
yellow shoes.
After dinner. when the major sug-
resteG a stroll about the grounds. and
this great man stretched out his hand
to Benjamin with 4 smile. the last rem
nant 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.
How finely the sunlight shifted. and
how pleasantly the autumnal leaves
~crunched InGer foot that day. as the
governor smoked and commented