The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-08
THE COMMONWEALTH DOG.
A TRUE STORY.
BY EDITH TOWNSEND.

About year ago there appeared at the door of house up in Pleasant avenue an intelligent-faced black cocker spaniel, whose affectionate manners and excellent deport- ment gave rise to the suspicion that he was the prodigal canine pet of some one who was at that moment bemoaning his absence. Whatever he had been, Tick became at. once the idol of the three children into whose family he had strayed. Every child on the block and around the corner, as well, soon became devoted to the little black fellow, who could play hide and seek with all the vim of any boy or girl, and whose ability to catch ball caused him to be ire auently pressed into service when game was on.
 The grown-ups, too, save one grumpy old man in the hat a the corner, were well nigh as enthusiastic over his cunning ways. The butcher always had bit of meat laid by for him, and the baker would feel that he had neglected some special duty IT he had not saved bun or cake for the little fellow.
 Tick felt his importance and was greatly chagrined when the grumpy old man would
 
 toward him on the street or threw stones at him when he jauntily trotted up the steps of his house. This conduct on the old mans part was not productive of good man. ners on Ticks side. He would bark furi- ously and give every indication of desire to bite the old mans legs. Therefore, It was not surprising that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was in formed one day that there was vicious black dog without license running at large on Pleasant avenue.
 One morning the dog catcher's wagon ap- peared on the block where Tick was wan derlng happily up and down, and when the children came home from school they learned that their pet had been captured Never had there been such weeping; never such indignation. Not alone were Ellie, Johnny and Hal bowed down with grief, but every child friend of the little canine captive felt that woe too deep for utter ance had settled upon the community. Such tragedy called for immediate action. Some one told them that Tick could be re- covered for $2 But $2 was q sum, far be- yond the resources of Ticks little owners. papa and mamma needed every penny to buy shoes and clothes for Ellie, Jack and Hal and there was no chance Of getting
 
 pocketbOok mamma had so frequently to open for the baker, the butcher and the landlord
 A sorrowful group gathered at the lamp post Saturday morning, and the awful ca tastrophe was discussed in the most excited manner. Finally, O plan presented itself, upon which they immediately proceeded to act. A public subscription was at once started, and every one (save the grumpy old man) who knew the little dog was i'm portuned to contribute to the fund for Ticks release. The baker and the butcher each gave 10 cents. little girl whose father was a policeman dared the parental fro by waking him from his sleep to tell him of the sad case, and secured quarter, even though he did not seem to be very nleased at being reused from his first nap a after long all-night beat. The huckster, the iceman, the janitor, the kind-hearted doctor. the cigar-store man-aH gave some. thing while the children themselves scraped together as many pennies as they could un, iii the much desired g limit was reached.
 With the pennies, nickels and dimes tied in A handkerchief, they started for the Shel- ter. over on the East River, but, alas on reaching there, discovered that s Instead of s2 was needed to bring Tick back with them. It was a sad little procession that wended its way up Pleasant avenue, but It was determined one. The immediate vicinity of Ticks former residence having been thoroughly canvassed, they decided to branch out into more distant quarters, and, ringing every doorbell, state their case, and perhaps enough pennies could De