The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-10-03

back gate OF No. IL Templeton
flats. and il was followed by a
shabby canine body that had once been
white, but was at present a dingy
drab, the result of infrequent bathing
The apparition lodged, evidently eX-
pecting a brick or billet OF wood for n
welcome, instead Of which soft ju-
yenile voice said encouragingly:
"Come in. old fellow; don't be afraid,
there isn't anybody here but me-"
And "old fellow" wiggled along,
showing gladness and gratitude In
every motion, and made his way to n
small boy seated on box In one corner
of the yard, engaged in fixing some
sort OF mechanical toy. The dog
wagged his abbreviated tail In an at
tempt TO be fond, and AT the same
time exhibited row Of dazzling white
teeth in an undershot jaw, and he
looked very tough, but little Mark
Roberts was not the least bit afraid
He patted the stray dogs head, called
him "old fellow" and then bethought
him that II would only be kind to give
him something TO eat. So the next
thing the cook in the Roberts family
saw was Master Mark, In white blouse
and lace collar entering her spotlcss
kitchen with n down-atthe heel bull
dog that was from all appearances at
outs with the world.
"Law-a-massy, yo' drefful boy, wha
yo' mudder say an yo' fadder when
day see dat dog"
She gathered her skirts about her
prepared to run, but Marks pleading
arms were about her fat waist and she
dropped in heap and gathered him
into the fold OF her sheltering arms,
while the dog waited at respectful
distance snuffing the odOr OF a roast
cooking in the oven.
Hes awful hungry, Cn0y. and !
think he's lost. Maybe If you wash
him mamma will let me keep him.
I've wanted n real live dog all my
llfe Cindy."
Dress de chile, he talks es ef he was
es ole es Methuselcm," Cindy cried,
and straightway she began rum.
mage for bones and odds and ends left
from the table. and these were carried
outside and made fine feast for the
starved stranger. But what to do
with him next? If only Cindy were TO
be propitiated that were an easy vic
tory, but Marks mother hated dogs.
She often said So and believed il her
self. Mr.. Roberts was totally unac-
quainted with the canine type, was al
ways spotlessly dressed and while
not especially disliking the animals,
wanted them to keep a respectful dis
tance. He had fears, too, of hydro.
phobia, and like other ignorant per
sons believed that the bite of dog
was fatal whether the animal had
rabies or not.
Against these objections what could
Mark do? What he did was TO keep
the dog secreted on the premises until
he had been groomed into the sem
blance Of fine kennel-bred sport with
a milkwhite coat and sleek head,
showing of pink serratcd ears, and
an expression of countenance so en-
trancingly ferocious that milkmen and
grocers' boys delivered their goods to
Cindy at the gate. And just at this
time Clndy advised Mark to let his
father and mother see his treasure. for
she feared consequences If they found
out that she was harboring the in.
truder and was as deep in the con
spiracy as the boy himself.
So this was what Mr.. and Mrs. Rob.
erts saw when they had dined one
evening and expected TO spend an hour
listening to Marks account of the days
doings. He had been vague and un.
satisfactory lately at this post-p
dial hour, sometimes unduly excited
and again unnaturally quiet. Cindy
had given him blue ribbon-it had
been washed and ironed-and leading
his acquisition by this tether he
marched into the parlor, and neither
of them saw the animal until Il stood
before them regarding them with can
Inc curiosity. Mrs. Roberts climbed
on chair and screamed. Mr.. Roberts
said sharply, Take that brute away"
and then Mark made his plea
He's just lovely, papa; plays with
me all the time and doesn't never get
cross. Cindy can tell you-Cindy.
come here"
II declar ter goodness. Mis- Roberts.
dat chile am so posest ter hev n dawg
Use scared ter hear him 20 on. An
dat ar is n nifty nice kind; he got mos.
es much sense es | hes myself, an he
doan nevah bark, jest flt ter play wifi
chilluns."
How long has been herey" asked
Mrs Roberts as she stepped down to
earth again.
Use cawnt exackly say. but he's
done 'customed 10 de place an |
reckon feels at home, an dat chile jes
too happy for ennytlng waltzin' roun'
VIII him foh company all day"
Mark had his arm around the brute $
neck and was rubbing his own smooth
cheek against the blunt head. the dog
accepting his caresses with such evi.
dent appreciation that Mr.. Roberts.
after watching them moment. said:
Il haven't any use for a dog. but II
the boy wants this one TO play with
] have no objection. But keep him
away from me-"
Hes to stay In the yard. remember
That, CiDdy," said Mrs. Roberts. sharp.
ly. Il suppose Mark could be fur