The Afro-American advance., 1900-09-15

ON, when i was ilEHie EiFlg i lDFeu
dogs. too. and used to weep and be
very angry because my father would
not allow me 10 have one. But now
am glad that did not disohey 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 II you wish. and give IL 10 some
poor little child who has 10 other
pleasure. We will talk about IL to-
morrow, dear. am going to take the
lamp out now, Good night"
"Good night" said Benjamin. very
near to tears. "Butifyou please, mann
ma, II can't have that pup I'd rather
Just leave IL with its mother" Yet
as the light receded, a trustful little
heart prayed Againl ''PIease, God,
make grandpa like dogs"
The ma for was handsome. erect old
gentleman, past 90 years of hge. His
mustache, his flowing side whiskers
aud his hair were quite white, but his
eyes were as alert and his tones as de-
eided rs man In earlier prime. Jim
Dorsey's pups were three weeks old
when he announced TO his daughter one
morning at breakfast:
"Maude, the governor of the state.
and ms 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
iuRly. OF course you will know what
to get. but would suggest that you
have quail as a side dish. The govern
or used 10 be very fond Of quail"
All that day and half the next BenJa-
| min hved In blissful anticipation Of
the coming of the governor. His live
~ fancy painted him at least six feet
tall, wearing helmet with nodding
plume and possibly a suit OF silver mail
lie was sure this last would be very
handsome aud appropriate, and per-
| haps he would carry a sword,
When In due time the governor APP
pearcd. wearing a black suit after the
pattern OF the MAJORS q soft hat. and
carrying not even cane. hen Minis
amnzcment and disappointment knew
no bounds.
But the governor was fine-tookiug
and pleasant, after all. Dcujami stud.
4 led this out In the unoccupied intervals
| between the IL courses that did honor
| 20 the majors board. And he smiled
across the table at benjamin as 10 he
| knew boys, and commiSernted with
him upon his herufiled shirt waist and
yellow shoes
| After dinner. when the major sug.
gested q stroll about the grounds. and
| this great man stretched out his hand
| TO benjamin with a 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
erunched under foot that day. as the
governor smoked aud commented
| pleasantly ON the fine effects every
where present. The stables were vlS-
ited, aud the horses petted and ad.
mired.
II have a new cigar" said the major,
shat l had ia mind 10 have you flavor
Ia the opeR air, II you viii excuse me,
l viii step 90 the house and get H."
The governor and benjamin were
alone, The majors grandson looked
tlmidly mp into the great mans face.
while sudden thought made his
brown eyes sparkle with enthusiasm.
MAYBE you would like TO see Jim
Dorsey's pups" he said. a note ot eager
anxiety In his voice.
"Jim DoFsey's pups7 Certainly"
said the governor all attention.
In moment the dtpgy iean-te shell.
tered the head OF the chief tlignitary of
the state, aud Jim Dorsey. proud aud
flushed, held the pups up, one after
another, 10 the vyes of the admir,ug
audience.
/ "Ihat one would have been mine.
said benjamin. as the pup with the
star en- its forehead hung suspended
for moment by the back OF the neck.
"iesf" said the governor, pleasantly
as II waiting to hear more.
For enc awful moment all the pent.
mp grief threatened 10 oserwhelm ths
stout little heart. The next benjamin
finished quayerlngl,; "Bat grandpa
doesn't like dcgs.s
That's pity" said the governor,
and looking hard at the pup. THAT
viii make a fine dog some day. Have
Yea taught the old one any trieksr"
i The proud mother acquitted hcrseli
Of number Of astonishing feats. while
the governor stood by hlowing white
rings Of smoke In the afr. Perhaps
the years rolled back ard be saw an,
other faiihiel little deg. 10 handsemrr
J than this. that hoahacd through bis
own eIrcied arns with joyous bark.
: The performances was finished. and
! Jlm Dorsey stood staring after his de
! IpaEtlng gasata. hia heart allied 10 ever,