Evening star., 1901-08-10
THE CAUSE OF THE DELAY

Wednesday morning last the Monthoffs
locked all the windows and doors Of their
cute little home out near the end of one Of
the trolley lines. They were off for the
seaside, and figured on the II o'clock train.
The Newfoundland pup wagged his tail
joyously as Monthoff tried all the doors.
Perhaps the Newfoundland pup thought
that he, too, was bound for the seaside.
But he wasn't. The MonthoffS were to
stop by the house OF colored man who,
for the sum of $5 in advance, was to take
care Of the Newfoundland pup during their
absence. Then, minus the pup, the Mont
hoffs were to board another car, and go
down to the station for the IL o'clock
train.
1t all looked so easy.
The Newfoundland pup trotted along az
ter them, chasing butterfly here ana
there they walked toward the trolley
car Both Mr.. and Mrs. Monthoff regard
ed the Newfoundland pup somewhat visit
They couldn't bear the idea of leaving
Roly Poly behind, but they knew that
they couldn't break into seaside hotel
with a youthful dog whose greatest de-
light was to waddle around in muddy
pools and then to place his paws affec-
tionately on the rich foulard dresses OF Ia
dies to whom he was a perfect stranger.
And so they had to make the arrangement
Poly while they were away.
They waited quite q while for the troll
ley car to reach Them AS the car bore
down upon them, without giving any sign
that it was going to hesitate, they OBJ
served that the motorman was pointing
sternly at the Newfoundland pup and
shaking his head. The car whizzed right
by.
these cars?" inquired Monthoff, glancing
at his watch.
why, yes Mrs. Teentsey often takes her
Cutey back and forth on the line" replied
Mrs Monthoff, not without a trace Of an
noyance in her tone.
"Um-ye-es," said Monthoff, doubtfully,
''but you forget that Mrs. Teentsey's mutt
Is shivering little bit Of toy terrier that
your hat, and that she hides him in the
folds OF her handkerchief, or in one of her
ears while she's on the cars"
well, I just don't care one oit,' said
Mrs. MonthOff, growing more disturbed, "a
dogs dog. amt it?''
But the next time" he growled. Il am
idiot enough to make myself a bond slave
to dog you'll know it, that's all!'
If he wasn't ashamed OF himself to speak
In such a bitter tone Of the poor little thing
that was about to be deserted - Little
thing" growled Monthoff, under his breath,
hat!"-and said that If he was going to be
so cross about it she had a great mind
not to go to the seaside at all.
The next two cars pulled up for the
Monthoffs, but neither of the conductors
was to be persuaded to let the dog ride.
"All right" groaned Monthoff, after the
parley with the second conductor. we've
missed the IL o'clock train, anyhow, andll
have to wait for the one that goes at 1,
but we've got to get this miserable brute
Into town somehow or another or abandon
our summer vacation. Little Roly Polyll
Just have to toddle along after tho car,
that's ALL"
He almost pushed the protesting Mrs.
Monthoff on board the car
"The poor little things so fat that he
can't run more than a block!' Mrs. Mon
onto the car.
II can't help that" muttered Monthoff.
ferociously. THE poor little things not
going to chisel me out Of my months leave
II know myself. He's got to run
He clambered on board the car, and away
1t went. Roly Poly gazed reproachfully at
the retreating car for a moment, and then,
to the vast delight Of the Monthoffs. he
took 1t into his head to chase the car. They
both stood on the rear platform and en-
couraged him, and Roly Poly did we'll for
all Of fifty or sixty feet. Then he lay down
painting in the middle Of the car track. and
attended to flea that was doing business
on the left side of his neck
stop the cart! almost shrieked Mrs.
MonthOf at the conductor. and when the
car came to standstill she very deter
that II he was selfish enough brute to go
of and leave poor little abused dear die
like dog in the road, then she wasn't
that kind, and he could go away and leave
them both II he chose Monthon followed
her of the car. and 1t went on its way.
Then they walked a mile and half to
the nearest drug store and Monthof tele-
phoned for a cab. The cab reached the
drug store along toward 3 o'clock. The
cabby charged Monthof So for taking the
outfit Of three to the home of the colored
man who was to assume charge of Roly
Poly, and then to hike the Monthoffs to
the station. The heavy charge was for
time expended. for the colored man wasn't
at home, and the Monthoffs had to sit down
In his shack with Roly Poly and wait an
hour and a half for his return. They
caught the 7:30 train for their seaside re-
sort. They hadn't had mouthful to eat
since breakfast, and were wilted and be-
draggled.
If the colored care-taker Of Roly Poly re-
ceives secret instructions to poison the
Newfoundland during the Monthoffs' abb
sence the friends of Monthoff who are
acquainted with this story will not be sur
prised