Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-07
Polly and Jack and the Dog.
fearful Beginning of Summer Trip Which
All Three Took.

fearful Beginning of Summer Trip Which
All Three Took.
There was Polly and Jack, and then there
was Fluffy.
Now, Fluffy was one of those diminutive
poodles whose long, black hair is constant
source of delight to the children and of dis
comfort for the dog. At least 1t was so
with Fluffy, for Polly and Jack used to
take fiendish delight in tying his locks into
strange and wonderful plaits adorned with
ribbons of all sorts and descriptions.
At those times Fluffy would protest vigor-
ously and bark most piteously, but 1t was
of no avail against the combined efforts or
the children, who really believed that they
were merely making their pet, as Polly ex-
pressed 1t, more boo full"
Sometimes I used to think that 1t was
merely a. clever subterfuge on the part OF
the dog, for after he was decked out in his
brave array he would stop whining and
settle down comfortab ably, with his stumpy
tail wagging in the happiest manner imagin-
able.
If, however, Fluffy used to protest against
the manner in which he was beribboned 1t
was as nothing when compared to the day
that Polly and Jack were taken with their
nurse for a visit in the country. That was
because, Immediately upon the news that
they were to leave town, the question at
once arose as to the disposition Of Fluffy.
The children's father thought that Fluffy
should remain at home and keep him COM
pany In the big apartment uptown, but to
that the children refused to listen. Then
their father suggested that the poodle
should be placed in care of the baggage
man on the train on which they were to de-
part.
This suggestion was greeted with howl
of protest from Jack and veritable deluge
Of tears from Polly, and was at once aban-
doned. Their father gave up in despair,
and their nurse, while soothing the chill
90 cd M fnn 10 al H.
seemed that Fluffy was doomed to remain
behind until Jack, who had ceased his
bowls and was thinking hard, suddenly
came forward with the following PROPOSE
ton:
" 'Des leave everything to me and Polly,
and we'll take doggie along wiz u.s."
AS there wasn't anything else to do their
father lit cigar and went into the library
hard time that he was having in town and
how he wouldn't be able to stand 1t with
the children away too.
The next day the children and their nurse
were taken to the station, and under Jacks
arm was the most curious sort of a pack
age imaginable. It was made out Of some
soft cloth and had an opening at the top
which had been pulled tight by means Of
two strong pieces Of Irvine. But that was
not SO curious as the way in which the
package moved about. 1t was full of Jumps
and moving bumps, and every once in a
while sad, far-distant yelp would sound
from its depths, which would instantly
strike terror into the hearts of Polly and
Jack; for If the truth must me told, inside
the bag was Fluffy, and very wideawake
and protesting Fluffy at that.
Everything went well until the uptown
station was reached and they had passed
through it on the way to the train.
Victory seemed in the childrens grasp,
when suddenly a mournful howl was heard
from the depths of the bag, and to Jacks
horror and the gruff amusement of the
ticket puncher the tail of the incarcerated
Fluffy was seen protruding from the open
ing Of the bag.
Without a word and despite the frantic
efforts Of Jack to hold fast the ticket chop
per seized the bag and, opening it with
deft motion, pulled out Fluffy, who greeted
him with joyful licks of appreciation.
That dog can't go in the passenger
cars" he said, with strange sort of soft
ening of his raucous voice, but he can be
put in charge Of the baggage master and
you can get him at the end Of your jour-
ney."
ing their blue eyes Polly and Jack watched
their father take their pet to the forward
end of the train, slip something sivery into
the paw of the baggage master and return
to them with a check, which he placed in
Jacks care.
1t was all over so suddenly that the chill
dren could hardly realize 1t; and without a
word they suffered themselves to be led to
their seat in the passenger coach, where
they fell into eachsothers arms in a pas
sion of anguish andstears.
There were a NUMBER of people that
wanted to mob the ticket puncher; but
wiser counsels prevailed, and when the
train pulled out Polly and Jack had wiped
their eyes and were waving a mournfu!
farewell to their father, who was standing
WILLIAM TEALL MACINTYRE.
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