New-York tribune., 1901-06-16

rubbed along in their usual fashion. Alcibiades
was a dog Of some resource. When things We're
very bad, he Was capable Of abstracting piece
81 meat from a butchers shop and bringing 1T
In triumph Il Billy's lodgings. his master
would then gravely reproVe the dog ami cook
the meat.
once Billy sold him to young dog trainer
who thought Alcbades would exercise a good
moral influence over his younger pupils. The
price agreed upon was -. but within week
t.iily bought the odd sinner back for - shillinSs
the reason being that Alcibiades not only OBJ
stnately refused 10 perform tricks Of any KIND
for 4 stranger hut displayed his annoyance at
things Ia general by killing valuable fox ter
rier.
came across them again n Brighton Billy
and his dog were giving brief performances on
the beach. They both looked little older. and a
little WicEeder. Poor Old Billy was going down
hin rapidly. strange as ii may sound he was a
man uf high education. and had once held a
good appointment as master in public school.
The downfall had been brought about 10y the
usual causes and now lie had degenerated into
a thorough Vagab0nd.
II was rather a pitiable spectacle to see the
good natured weak old fellow and his dog going
through the same tricks: Alcibiades looking as
plouS and Nlcilant as ever. but a little more
raggcd. ana a trifle stiff in the joints.
Iiut il was here that Alcibiades put the finish
ing touch q" remarkable career. IL was a
crowning stroke Of diplomacy and sagacity. for
which al least three people owe him an ever
lasting deht II gratitude.
II happened that at that time I working
extremely hard 20 win the affections Of Ger
tain young woman. who weighed me i'm the
balance with a judicial eNactness which was
rather eNasperatInS
However. We had at least one common pc
cUliaTity-a profound respect for dogs and
when l told her Of Alcibiades and his master
who Were then performing the beach and
how. al one time / lad been their comrade and
companion she was delighted. | had rather
feared that her fastduus little mind might
have been shocked AT thu notion IF my having
once been intimate with such pair Of Vaga-
bonds hut. on the contrary. she was rather
pleased. think she considered IL a great honor
Tor any man to he intimate with such dos, as
-AlCihiadcs
When We arrived on the scene AIcibiadrs was
extremely busy balancing "A JaFaneSa umbrella
IN The end of his nose. He vinhe,i at me. and
tati"n by playing a c"ncertina. As as old
Bhly saw ] had arrived. and was accompanied
10y a lady. he judged IL "A favoI;s bic moment
IL TAX, up a collection - Alcibiadrs was sent
round with a tim mug. while his master gave
iathetic recitation about his -'gTandchild's
DOH
may mention that Alcibildes could take up
a collection in way that would put many
ChuTchWarl"ns tu shame. There was escap-
inE him. In fact. II YOU seriously tried 10 avoid
HIM. he shifted thc calves of your legs in a way
which would excite lihrr,ility in q miser.
Iiut. 10 NV surprise. h.. took comparatively
little notice ~ me. hut passed to Miss Wood
hurst. ana made much fuss her as il she
htt is--il friend of the family. sorry
because she just the kind Of girl 10 lose her
head il dog took any notice Of her
But Alcihiades behaved i'm a Uust eccentric
fashion. for he seemed to abandon the sacred
task of collect Ing. and hack to old Billy
with his stump Of tail quiVering with emo
tion.
The OLD man gave me "A grin of welcome. and
glanced At The girl hy my side. To nry surprise
he stopped dead short in his recitation and