Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-07

into it from the pitcher on the table. ana
set It on the -oilcloth. will be very much
obliged to you, and / am sure Topsy Will
be also"
Nettie went up to the something that
looks like box" It was made of hand
some polished wood. and when she opened
the covers, there was a neat little porcelain
bath tub. She took out the saucer that
was sitting in the bottom of the tub and
followed Miss Verro's orders, Topsy all the
while dancing AROUND her with her fore
paws in the air. When Nettie finally set
the basin on the floor, Topsy looked up at
her before she began TO drink, as IL to
say, thank you" She lapped-up the water
eagerly, and when the last drop gone,
surprised Nettie by making q sudden turn
| and jump, ard landing in the dainty bath
tub. Nettie laughed aloud at this unex-
pected caper. Mrs. Howells and Miss Verro
looked around. and when they saw where
Topsy was they also laughed.
She is not like most dogs if she enjoys a
| BATH" said Mrs Howells.
She doesn't enjoy 1t at ALL said Miss
Verro; ION the contrary, the moment she
sees me roll the tub out she runs and
| hides. for she knows the bath is coming:
but il she finds il open when it is standing
in the corner, she seems to think 1t rare
fun to jump into it."
They turned away to their talk again. and
| Nettie, finding that Topsy was not inclined
to come out of the tub. stepped up to tt
and carefully shut the covers down over
her.
For minute or two no sound came from
the box. and Nettie began to be little
frightened. She had expected that Topsy
would try to push the covers up, but she
didn't, for though Nettie watched them
closely she couldn't see them move.
Maybe I've smothered her." thought
Nettie. in great fright, and just as she
leaned forward to lift the covers there
came that loud shrill bark, so suddenly that
| 1t made not only Nettie jump, but also Miss
Verro and Mrs. Howells
al
what are you doing?"
Nettie, looking little ashamed, opened
the covers quickly.
II was just playing with Topsy," she an
swered.
Topsy, however, did not cease barking
when the covers were turned back, nor did
she jump out Of the tub She seemed to be
asking Nettie to cover her up again, as IL
she had found a new game and was great
ly delighted with it.
Come and sit down again, Nettie." said
Mrs. Howells, perhaps that will make her
Nettie obeyed quickly but Topsy was not
to be put off in that way, and she barked
on harder, If possible. than ever.
BE still, Topsy. Be still. Topsy," called
her mistress several times, but Topsy, like
the spoiled baby that she was, kept up her
clamor.
Dear. me-" exclaimed Miss verro. after
Topsy had continued her barking for sew
eral minutes. 81 am afraid 1 shall have to
| whip her."
Don't you suppose she'll be still IL 1 put
the covers down again." asked Nettie, who
was very much ashamed of the commotion
she had raised, and was trying hard to
think of some way to end 1T. Before there
was time to answer her question q rap
sounded on the door. This brought louder
and shriller barking, but the naughty little
barker still stood in her bath tub. Miss
Verro opened the door, and bellboy deliv-
cred message from the boarder in the
next room. saying that. unless that dog
sbo oh ,,1af, %
Mullard."
WELL" exclaimed Miss verro nervously.
something must be DONE" and she walked
toward Topsy.
Nettie then remembered, suddenly. what
Miss Verro had said about Topsy's fear OF
the bath. She jumped up and ran across
the room ahead Of Miss Verro, took hold
of the brass pull on the end of the box
and away it went-it was on casters-into
the middle of the room. That was enough
for Topsy, she thought her hour Of trial
had come again, and she was out of the
| tub and on the floor before the box had
stopped moving.
They all laughed aloud at the way she
scurried out of the tub, and Topsy, looking
at them with very injured air, jumped
upon her chair beside Miss Verro and was
soon covered up and fast asleep.
A few minutes after this. when Mrs
Howells rose to CO. she said:
Il am 80 glad, Miss Verro. that you and
your sister have this beautiful little pet to
amuse you"
YES" was the answer, I'VE had known
Topsy for some time, but we never expect
ed to own her Her former mistress has
gone to Europe, for a five years visit and
she thought she could not take Topsy along.
We are delighted to have her, of course
but L am not sure she will thrive with u.s.
she has always had daily airing. but it is
impossible to give 1t to her here. We have
mad her now four weeks and she has been
out only twice. We are Obliged to DEPEND
wholly on the bellboys. you know, and they
~ y
lazy to bother with her; besides the last
time one Of them took her out, they let her
get wet and muddy, and an ugly cat
scratched her eye. There is a large yard
one would think, in perfect safety, but the
boys are not satisfied unless they can take
her on the street. SO we have about decided
not to trust them to take her out again"
Mrs. Howells glanced at Nettie whose
eyes were shining like two stars
Il see what Nettie is thinking Of" she
said. She Is wishing you'd let her give
Topsy an airing every day or two. You
would be quite content with the back yard
wouldn't you, little daughter?"
70, yes, If you only would let me take her
out Miss Verro," exclaimed Nettie, eagerly.
Indeed, child. that will gladly do; you
cannot imagine what a favor 1t will be to
u.s."
But will she go with me, do you s'posey'
20, yes, the poor little thing is SO crazy to
be out, that, although she will not let a
stranger touch her, she will follow any one
Off downstairs, and we always have to
watch her when our friends are leaving"
As II to prove the truth of Miss Verro's
WORDS, Iopsy at this moment opened her
eyes, and seeing the callers on their feet
she jumped from her chair and began to
dance around on her hind feet with her
forefeet in the air.
Not today, but tomorrow, Miss Topsv.~
said Nettie, swapping her fingers at her
playfuliy. and then they slipped out quick
ly and shut the door,
Go be continued)