The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-11

I pocket for his lunch and held it coax | ingly between the palings. but the pug was not to be baited with coarse bread
 a anu meal T in all his his petted, well-fed life. | Billy did not consider this bad begin | ming. however; he was so accustomed to
 being snarled at by the surly country | dogs.
 Billy finally broke the ice in this wise. Having heard of the pugs predilection
 for candy. he determined to play his trump card. He had long carried in a partly for the lack of a suitable invest ment ana partly because the conscious ness of ownership expressed in dollars Sy csai sad so s fosn so smes sndep the su chantments that he cheertully spent ms nickel penny by penny. for the tootn, n, some. commodity which was the price or or | joyous fellowship that followed left Biliy | nothing to regret in his bargain.
 Billy's new.found happiness came to
 nistea sees of departure about the l tory. The rector's guests were going, and the impending separation from ms dear. canine playfellow filled him with with the dog had been given to the rectors wife. He assumed that as It had arrived with the strangers. 1t would also depart Billy thought the situation over in bit ter rebellion. Gradually he evolved a way out of his trouble. He remembered with a thrill the long-disused shanty Tn a rusty, old musket and other valuables safe from the vandalism of his step- brothers. What could be simpler than to secrete the dog in this safe place. own portions of meat and cakes for him to eat and there were few corn sacks in the barn which would do admirably for his bed. Billy acted upon this allur- ing plan.
 week elapsed and Billy heard rumor of the distress at the rectory which took the edge off his satisfaction. The rec tors wife had actually been R,y seHn ,h not foreseen. His conscience began to work in deadly earnest and he would hug the dog in passion Of repentance. mind for him to be indifferent to tears. An old formula which she had patiently instilled became luminous with meaning: ,,r DO unto others" Assuredly. Billys conscience had become sadly overweight
 Yes, he would take the dog back and make a clean breast of title thought of his father, with dark mfsgivings. but he would know that the rectors wife was not crying
 that he felt like frisking. too, but his courage ooZed with every step.
 BiIlys rap brought the rector to the door. The pug yelped delightedly. In the noisy welcome that followed Billy would have slipped away, but the rector drew him inside.
 where did you find him, Billy"
 Didn't find him." said Billy, laconic- ally.
 "Where has he been?'
 q had him Billy was dreadfully scared. but he was not ready to tell the whereabouts of his treasure house; n,,,,- did you bring him back because you were sorry you had done wrong?' The rec tor was sounding his moral sense." Bily's head dropped lower.
 "Who required you to bring him back?"
 Nobody Billy muttered. You brought him because you were sorry for us,' suggested the rector's
 Billy raised his beautiful eyes to hers in a flash of gratitude The rector started. It gave the plain features the effect of an illumination. ] My dear she continued, drawing him to her, "how came you to do ftp Billy burst into tears. T didn't want him to go away"
 The lads life was barred before them in it's great friendliness The childless mother clasped the motherless child to her heart.
 Finally she said. Billy, how would you like to be our little son-to live with us and have the dog for your very own%'
 Billy's arms frightened about her neck in an excess of feeling. And so 1t came to pass.