The Washington times., 1902-06-08

A BOUT a year ago there appeared
~ at the door of house UP in
| ~ Pleasant Avenue an intelli-
gent-fa black cocker span
| iel whose affectionate manners and
excellent department gave rise to the
| suspicion that he was the prodigal
canine pet of some one who was at that
moment bemoaning his absence. What
ever 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 CT any boy or girl. and
whose ability to catch ball caused him
to be frequently pressed into service
when a game was on.
The grown-ups. too, save one grumpy
old man in the fiat at the corner. were
well nigh as enthusiastic over his cum
ming ways. The butcher always had a
bit OF meat laid by for him, and the
baker would feel that he had neglected
some special duty if he mad not saved
a bun or cake for the little fellow.
One morning the dog catcher's wagon
appeared on the block where Tick was
wandering 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 Efiie. Johnny and Hal
bowed down with grief. but every child
friend of the little canine captive felt
that woe too deep for utterance had
settled upon the community. Such a
tragedy called for immediate action.
Some one told them that Tick could be
recovered for 50. But 50 was sum far
beyond the resources of Ticks little
owners. Papa and mamma needed every
penny to buy shoes and clothes for Effie.
Jack and Hal. and there was no chance
of getting such tremendous sum as 81
from the slim 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 catastrophe was discussed in the
most excited manner. Finally plan
presented itself, upon which they i'm
mediately proceeded to act. A public
subscription was at once started, and
every one tsave the grumpy old mani
who knew the little dog was importuned
to contribute tC the fund for Ticks re-
lease. The baker and the butcher each
gave 10 cents. A little girl whose father
was a policeman dared the parental
ire by waking him from his sleep to
tell him of the sad case. and secured a
quarter. even though he did not seem
to be very pleased at being aroused
from his first nap after long all
night beat. The huckster. the iceman.
the janitor, the kind-hearted doctor, the
cigar store man-all gave something.
while the children themselves scraped
together as many pennies as they could
until the much desired 81 limit was
reached.
With the pennies. nickels and dimes
tied in a handkerchief, they started
fer the Shelter. over on the East River.
but, alas! on reaching there, discovered
that SO instead of 50 was needed to
bring Tick back with them. 1t was a sad
little procession that wendell its way up
Pleasant Avenue. but it was a determin
cd one The immediate vicinity of Tick s
former residence having been thoroughly
they decided to branch out
into more distant quarters. and. ringing
every doorbell, state their case. and per-
haps enough pennies could be begged to
make up the other 81 In every house
where there were children the greatest
interest in the project was shown BY
3 o'clock. when they had at last secured