The Globe-republican., 1904-05-05
.:TATTERS.
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80.
By ORRINCToN LADD

*
XkXAGkAKx ners were unspeakable
and 1t was plain that he had never had
a master to call his own until he came
to our house and adopted Shazzar.
Hes a very smart dog" said Shaz
Ear, stoutly, when the family rose upon
him for welcoming a tramp cur. Hes
a very smart dog, and there's q lot
good blood in him, too"
"Shazzar," l should explain. is short
for Daniel Belteshazzar, which latter
according to Uncle Dan, is short fol
Daniel Gordon Banks, aged nine. On
the question Of parting with that dog
Shazzar was modest and respectful
but firm. He felt the soundness Of his
position. He had long been promised
a dog; here was the dog.
"And, papa, of course, If you make
me, know I'll have to give him up,
but know that you won't ask me to
do it."
After that there was nothing for ii
but to let him take the poor skulklne
thing over to Bernice to be named
Bernice does all our naming. When
the new dog was brought to her she
eyed him with disfavor.
"Tattersw she said, scornfully, and
returned to her bread and mOlasses
again.
So Tatters became member Of the
family.
His education began at once under
his new master. 1t was very painful
process a constant surprise and grief
to Tatters and a matter Of grave con
Germ to the boy. Shazzar explained II
all out when he gave Tatters his first
hard scrubbing. Shazzar himself was
used to having advice on morals and
manners rubbed in with his morning
soap and water, and he wanted Tatters
to enjoy the same great blessing,
"You see, it's this way, Tatters," he
said. you've got to be a good dog
and keep clean and toe the mark Oh
you'll be sent away. So if l dig into
you, or pull in the tangled places and
make the tears come, you've just got
to stand it, cause I'm doing it for your
good. And, Tatters, maybe I'll have to
punish you sometimes to make you IN.
derstand things, but don't you go off
afterward and sulk and hate me.
Cause I have to discipline you, Or
else maybe I'll lose you. And remem-
Der, If ever l do have to whip you that
it'll be hurting me lots more than ii
will hurt YOU"
Before long a real change began in
Tatters. His coat became smooth and
glossy, and his lean bones put on flesh.
His tail, that always used to hang at
half.mast, ready any minute to surren.
der and be hauled down between his
legs, was now raised bravely to the
breeze, and never came down till sun
set. And little by little it dawned
upon him that the house was not the
same as outdoors, that muddy feet
meant trouble as soon as they came
near the kitchen floor, and that no gen.
tlemanly dog will ever jump up and
muss peoples clothes, no matter how
glorious he may feel. But if there was
a change in the dog there was no less q
change In his master. Shazzar'S
mamma noticed 1t first, of course, and
became rec0nciled to Tatters from that
day, As Shazzar explained to Bernlce;
"You see, If Tatters doesn't behave
I'll lose him. And IL l don't brace up
and set him good example he won't
know how to behave. An Tatters, he's
the happiest dog in Norf America.
'Twould just break his heart to be sent
away. So simply got to be good, and
l can't boost you up TO reach the jelly
JAR" D
So 1t Is easy to see how the fall Of
Tatters came to our household like q
bolt out of a clear sky.
1t was this way. Cousin Bernice had
canary, "Mr. Fitz," that had the
prettlest songs and the most engaging
manners in the world. He was often
let out Of his cage, but Tatters had
been made to understand that It was
safer even to chase the nelghbors'
chickens than to so much as bark OF
Mr. Fltz.