Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-11-07
Peter the Wicked


As we drew near the corner of our
own street, blissfully treading our
pleasant hOmeward way, and already
enjoying in anticipation the old-fash-
toned sage pudding-with raisins in
It that Alicia had promised to have
Tor desert that very night, certain
dog sOlemnly emerged from the
gloom, seized the evening paper with
a gusty sort of sigh, anu then trotted
ahead, the very picture of mOurnf1l
resignation, ears Tapping in a dismal
manner and tail trailing along behind
1t the most melancholy angle imagin-
able.
why, Fido!" we cried, in a rich,
manly bass voice. ''Why, Fidoi"
But F'ido never faltered. He seem
ed rather in some mysterious way to
give his fat old back an ominOus as
pect. as if here was a dog who sell
dom complained, but when he way put
upon, it was far too serious a bust
ness to be smoothed over by a few
fine words.
And vainIy was it also that we bent
OVer-as we walked-and gave him a
pat. And vainly was it that we sound
ed an alarm against a mythical cat.
And vainly, too, did we walk faster,
emitting encouraging noises and try
ing to warm Fido into the eXuberance
of a gaIlop; for although he had to
twinkle his desperate old legs at an
incredible speed to preserve his trot,
his ears only tapped in a still more
dismal manner and his tail trailei
along behind more abjectly.
ThereupOn, strangely disturbed, and
fearing we knew not what, we ran
I'D our front steps, and were much
relieved to find Alicia waiting just in
side the hall to give us our customary
good one. But even as we went
through this pleasing little ceremony,
Peter lodged from behind Alicia's
skirts, appended, tapped Fido on his
nose, and then trOtted into the dining
room with an impudent wave of his
tail, while Fido dropped the paper,
the better to look lugubrious, as he
mutely invited us to bear witness to
this outrage.
"Whatever's the matter with Pet
err" we demanded, as soon as we
could catch our breath. Poor Old
"Sh!" cautioned Alicia, in a whisp-
er, while loud purring noise sound
ed from the dining room, as if there
was a cat who was not afraid of any
dog that ever lived. Don't encourage
them, George. I'm trying to get them
to make friends again.
make friends?" we cried, as Fido
looked at us in sad-eyed wonder at
our neglect to tell the shameful Peter
what we thought of him. make
friends?"
yes" said Alicia, raising her dear
little eyebrows and shaking her head
eve had the awfullest day with them
But never mind. Dinners ready, and
I've got such a pudding"
So down we sat-as soon as we could
manage it-and tried to give ourselves
UP to the enjoyment of thinking about
the pudding and listening to Alicia's
evening budget of news; but when
ever our eye wandered over to Fido
that faithful old prince sighed, and
the more he sighed the more Peter
ritating FidO with his tail, walking on
the tips of his toes to look large and
imposing. and staggering in his gait
whenever FidO relieved himself of a
particularly eloquent sound of sorrow
rs he looking at you?" asked Ali
cia. Throw him a bit of meat
George. to cheer him up. I've had the
awfuIleSt time with them today
You've no idea"
Accordingly. we threw Fido a bill
OF meat to cheer him up; but Peter
intercepted it nOnchalantly, mean
while making a feint at FidO's nose
and then eating the meat with such
a noise that Fiio almost wept. Then
Peter resumed his bullying walk
round the long-suffering Fido, pushing
against him at times as if he would
just as soon shove Fido out OF the
room as look at him.
Don't say anything" whispered
Alicia, but throw him another bit Of
meat, George. Throw it when Peter
isn't looking
But this was a difficult task, fol
while we were cutting bit Of meat
to the proper size, the pets perceived
it, and every time we started tC
throw it to Fido, Peter appended witt
a jovial air, making a pass at Fido';
nose as he did so, until finally, wheE
we solved the problem by handing
the bit Of meat 70 Fido in person
Peter snatched it from the dear ole
dogs very mouth, and ate it himsel
70 openly, SO noisily, so ostentatious