The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-11

..Mercy-goodness. yesp' exclaimed Flossy, in answer hugging her pretty white fur huff to her face to keep away the cold; for, although the snow was falling in big white flakes of feathery softness. the air was nipping, and by nightfall the temperature would be far below the freezing point
 Charlie and Flossie Andrews did not live directly in the town, their home be- ing situated just outside it's limits, and when the weather was severe they got a good taste of frost going to and from school. which was almost mile distant from where they lived
 At the suburb line the other school children dropped away, one by one, till Flossie and Charlie were the only two going in their direction. Then it was that Charlie addressed the above remark to his sister
 .'Wouldnt you hate to be tramp and have to eat handout' and sleep in stable?" Charlie asked, continuing the subject
 T wouldn't be tramp" argued F'los- sic. I'd work and earn money and have a home Nobodys got an excuse to be a tramp"
 Well. that all depends" replied Charlie. Sometimes circumstances all ters cases" While the children chatted and trudged along the snow-flled road leading to their cheerful home, that stood a short distance ahead of them, they did not know they had a com panion-one who followed close to Charlie's heels They had gone quite a way before Charlie felt conscious of the presence of stranger. and turning quickly to glance behind him. he was somewhat surprised to see fine New foundland dog keeping step with him.
 Well, heloi Where'd you come from. old chap?" he asked, stopping short and addressing the four-footed follower
 The dog halted, too, and wagging his tail looked kindly and inquiringly Into Charles face.
 wy, where'd that great big dog come from?' exclaimed Flossie in sur prise. He looks like an immense white sheep with all that snow in his fur"
 T never saw him about town, and guess he must be a newcomer" said Charlie, holding out a cold, red hand toward the dog Wish he belonged to coaxing the dog to him. Gee, but you are beauty Look at his height. Floss; ain't he a dandy?"
 .s Yes; ID,..I but I'm .ifFaid afraid of him" an- take us down in minute if he wanted to, Wonder whose he is, anyway?''
 Bet ne q stray said Charlie feel he had collar. "No, sir; he 0i basnit sr,t n q collar On Hes a tramp as sure as nv names Andrews mean to take him DOIIft NllI me iDD.
 Now. don't you know papa won't at- low him to stay?' said F1ossie, shaking the heavy snow off her shouIders Come. chase him back toward town and
 'I bet hell let this dog stay" replied Charlie. He's a Newfoundland and they re worth money
 No, he won't" declared Flossle. He has always said dog shouldn't be kept on the place. You know he was bitten by ferocious dog once, and he has never had any love for the animal since. But But I'm going to go on home. It's too friends with tramp dog"
 So saying Flossie turned her face homeward and left Charlie with his neW-found companion.
 Well, m going. to risk taking you home, old fellow" Charlie said in a friendly voice, batting the big dog af- my pal. for Tn sure you're worthy a good, true frend.''
 The big dog looked his approval of Charles suggestion, and, ,wagging his tail till it seemed 1t must become loose from the exertion and fall off, he trotted along beside the friendly boy in an ap- parently happy frame of rninS
 Flossie had prepared her mother for the arrival of Charities new-found com panion, and that good lady met her boy at the hall door, saying: Now, son. you must not bring that dog in the house. You know your fathers dislike to dogs, and I am quite sure he would disap- prove of one being kept on the place"
 But. mama, dear" pleaded Charlie, this is poor outcast, and just see how 1t is showing! You wouldn't turn a hu- man being away on day like this and this fine old fellow is just as susceptible to cold and hunger as person is. Please give your consent for him to stay He may sleep in the barn."
 "Oh, he has home, of course" said Mrs. Andrews. "So fine an animal as he is need not be a wanderer on the earth. If you drive him away he'll go home. the right place for him"
 ''If he has home he wouldn't be out in this storm" urged Charlie. No dog would be such fool. See how he wants to make friends" and Charlie called att tention to the dogs very sociable man ners. He was looking at Charlie with