The Jennings daily record., 1902-07-15
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Fleddie and Fleddis

Nv n. q. DA COSTA.
(Copyfight, 1eoe, BY Daily Story Pub. C

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How cold it was in Bleeker Lane!
The wind seemed to have particular
spite against an old, ramshackle.
three-story frame building that stood
on the corner, humping into it, and
sweeping and growing about it until
it heaved and groaned. as II crying
out against its rough playfellow. The
falling snow piled up against it, and
by the dim light one could see how the
boisterous wind lifted the snow and
flung it against the old house. snow
balling it, roaring with glee as now
and then a window broke in. Up on
the third fioer4 the snow poured in
through one of the broken windows as
If curious to see the inside, then
formed little piles which were whirled
the big wind outside, then piling up
against two huddled up figures that
lay in the farther corner, revealing
girl, scantily dressed, rag of cot
ton shawl wound round her, an eleven
year-old girl but with an expressive
wisdom and experience in her face
that made one shudder, while plying
her. Her eyes were closed and she
breathed softly. The other was dog
The snow kept piling up against the
two until the dog moved uneasily, and
licked his mistress hand with a fer
vor that woke her instantly. She pat
ted his head. and slowly rose reveal
ing an immense pair of shoes in which
her feet were lost. cut and torn, and
one 1atchIess.' The snow. losing it's
support, flew around the room, then
settled down on the floor. making
white covering of purity that hid its
dirt. Everyone in Blocker Lane knew
the girl and her attendant, the dog.
The dog had been rescued by Fleddis
from an immense tin pail which he
was regarding aggressively one sum-
mer's day, crouchicg in the sun with
despair written in his very tail.
Blocker Lane first knew them as
"Fleddis an the dawg," then as Fled.
die an Fleddis." putting the dog first.
He was terrier Of the ordinary size.
but his love for his mistress was so
fervent that it was a constant +source
of wonder to the 'Avenoo'. as it was
derisively' called, why some on It.
wasn't leaking outn his skim Fled
die" she said, wait ere till eoaaest
back" and he curled himself in q.
corner accordingly. Gathering up her
wisp of shawl. she dragged, the shoes
down thes worn-eaten steps. almost
being run down by a half drunken man
as she stepped outside. He raised his
fist threateningly. "Oh! FIeddis!" he
hiccoughed. and lurched on. PooI.- lit.
tie girl! How pitiful she looked as
she passed~upS the narrow 'arleyt AS
she came to the wider street. a shah,
by house. brightly lit up, caught her
attention 1t was a children's party
going on, but she peered through the
half-curtaineds.~windo with. little,
gasps of admiration and enYy, until
:some- one opened the door and she
scuttled away AS she went up the
street she begged timidly. and when
she finally got copper from passing
man it was accompanied with; Chill,
dren like these 'begging! Shame fhf!"
The snow was falling lightly: hat .as
she tramped on it got in her shoes and
she could barely walk. her feet were so
cold. 1t was getting. dark. and she
stopped at friendly. bakers and,-sot
d 1Oll 1ol HSI SCAl, CAS AAAAN-AooAe eSN
woman putting some cakes in the bag
as she saw how wistfully her custom
er eyed them. AS she drew near the
frame house she called home. light
fared up in the sky bursting through
dense bank of smoke and revealing
the alley crowded with a jostling
throng, fire lines drawn, and streams OF
water spattering against the ram
shackle buildings. coating the street
with ice and freezing on, the fire fight
ers below. A sudden pang seized her.
Fleddie! The fire was already circling
and coiling around the. rotten frame
she had left, and it was doomed- The
firemen saw this. and trying to protect
the other houses. thought nothing of
the dog.e The room was1 bfightly' lit.
and FIeddis saw her pet, coiled- in the
corner 1t stirred, and then jumped
up as the Tight became brighter. Round
and round it shifted. then ran to the
stairs. They were smoking, but. the
dog went down few steps, then rum
ming back fearfully. sprang to the
window and hung there, looking down
pitifully. Compassionate murmuriA&s
kan throug/the crowd, and net was
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