Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-14
A NARROW ESCAPE.

Mr.. Perkins came home one afternoon
very tired. 1t was quite dark in the hall,
and he stepped slowly along after he closed
the front door. 1t was well he stepped slow
ly, for at the very second step his foot came
In contact with something soft which
emitted fearful howl Mr.. Perkins was
so startled that he lost his balance and
fell headlong. Fortunately, he fell on the
sofa and nothing but his feelings was hurt
After he had kissed Bessie and Tad and
Mrs. Perkins Mr.. Perkins prepared to put
on his slippers and be comfortable. but ms
slippers were nowhere to be found Inc
whole family searched high and low for
them-they were not in the closet. they
were not under the bed or the lounge. they
were not anywhere.
Il think" said Tad. that you must have
worn them down to business this morning
and forgotten.
Just then Eliza, the cook. opened the door.
Sure. SIR" she exclaimed. hetoins up
two muddy, strengthening objects,
found them out by the fence. wnere Two
OF them little varmints was chewin EN-.
They were the slippers and they bore the
ened. and Tad couldn't help snickering. be-
cause the slippers did look SO FUNNY Wnefe
the puppies had chewed them.
Mr.. Perkins turned to the children. ne
was very angry. II those aoss s ao u. ro at
more damage every one OF them sinai 81
oncer' said he.
"They-they didn't mean to. papa" gasp
ed Bess hoard
Just at that minute growing was heaau
and three dear little roly-poiy IoA tei re, ~,
puppies dashed into the room, naYliis ~
most beautiful time with newspaper
which they were tearing to snrsos; par-
your evening paper" gasped MIS-
kfns but 1t was too late to rescue IL
Poor Bessies eyes filed with tears
though It was very funny to see the PUPPIES
play: for papa's brow was neasy NIL no
stern frown. Then her ears causht .ne
SOUND of scuffling in the hall; three NOR
n11npies appeared at the door chewing anu
tearing and growing over somethins. WIN
a cry of dismay Bess pulled from them one IN
of her fathers new gray gloves che"eo O.
most toe pulp. -, ,xu par-
kins sternly. Tomorrow morning every
one of those dogs must go. John win y pu.
them in a basket and take them away. 4 ou .
need not cry, children, l WarhSe yne
Then Mr. Perkins went outdoors, ouinpins
two sleepy puppies out of his hat, anu
nearly tripping again ON third IN 'he ua'h
hall. .raod-
fuI time had come; their father might as
well try to stop the water flowing over NJ
agara Falls as to stop their tears. hhSy
cried over each one of the nine GEAR it'io
dogs separately, and then all together IN
bunch. The puppies thought II new
game. and enjoyed it: but the two motner
dogs, Tippy and Topsey. knew something
was wrong, and they looked very SOBER.
Bess and Tad came to the supper Lapie
with swollen and fearful eyes and SHINING
noses They said not word and couio
NOT eat. Mamma Perkins looked troubled
and papa had not yet found his temper.
After the children were tucked IN peo
mamma came downstairs and drew little
chair close up to the big armchair where
her husband was sitting, and put her SOFT
hand in his Papa Perkins smiled very
For h.
evening.
Puppies all asleep. we can be happy
he said.
II hope you don't allude to the children,
too, when you say puppies said MIS-. FER
kins. Do
NBless you. no." said her husband. DO
you remember when you first saw me,
Elizabeth"
Indeed 1 do" said Mrs. Perkins. 1T was
one day when you were about ten, and you
jumped into the muddy pond to save my
little dog from drowning"
Mr. Perkins squeezed her hand
"Thad, the children are heartbroken
1--WE can't let parcel of chewing pups
destroy everything we possess-tempers and
ALL" growled Mr.. Perkins. Suppose we
let them each choose pet, and SEND the
rest away"
''Then do go up and tell the children SO
thew will go to sleep instead of crying,
suggested Mrs. Perkins.
After breakfast the next morning the
choosing began. BeSs, with many SiShS
and kisses on the dear little noses of the
nine puppies. selected hers and immediately
named him Rag Tag.
"Now, Tad" said his father. make your
choice and call him Bob Tall to match
Bessie's Rag Tag. Remember that you
must promise to take entire care of them
and be responsible for their good behavior
Tad looked very solemn. They were all
so dear and lively and lovely-how could
he select one?
"Come, Tad; times up said his father.
1T think said Tad, soberly, at last.
looking straight in his fathers eyes, Il
think, papa, I'll choose all the rest as
mine"
And Mr. Perkins who had found his tenn
per somewhere during the night, laughed
instead of frowned And SO 1t happened
that he helped Tad build a fine dog house
for the puppies and their mammas in the
yard; and no dog was allowed in the big
house except on state occasions, when Mr..
Perkins gave his permission.