The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1906-04-12
AN OTHER, couldn't you go tell
lhVAt Rollins rhat I inst can't sing

N\" OIftEh, cOuldn you go ten Mi'
lkvHI Rollins that I just can't sing to
0OA day. He ought not to expect a
boy to sing who has had his dog stolen.
I know he's been stolen, for he never
missed coming in to breakfast before, and
I've been all over the place hunting TOR
him."
In spite of her sympathy mother smil-
ed. ~ don't think Mr.. Rollins would
excuse you,' she said. You know this
il Easter Sunday, and everybody will be
out to church. You lave been rehears-
ing the music for months, and the voice
OF even the smallest choir boy will be
needed"
well, l know l can't even remember
the words. All / can think OF is Grip
Is stolen Grip is stolen y and l shall
want to be out hunting for him every
minute"
Come, now" interposed the father,
'brace up and get ready for church quick
If Grip doesn't put in an appearance pc
fore night, I'll advertise for him to-mo
row, and then if he isn't returned III &c,
you a new dog"
"A new dog?" cried Ralph. DO you
suppose l want a new dog? It's just
because he's Grip that 1 van him. Why,
he's all the brother I've had since-oh,
mother, l didn't mean"
Ralph had had a big brother a year
ago. Grip had belonged to Ralph and
Rob together. But Rob had quarreled
with father about spending money, had
called father a stingy old thing, and had
said that he was most a man and would
earn his own money and never take an.
other cent from father. Then he had
run away in the night. They had not
heard from him SINCE.
Mother laughed to hide the sorrow In
her eyes, and said:
you might as well talk of getting
Ralph a new mother If / were stolen
as to talk of getting a new dog in Grips
place. Mightn't he, Ralph?'
"Well, l could stand a new dog a lit
e.. better than / could a new mother"
Ralph replied seriously.
1t all ended in Ralph's going to
church. 1t was the largest Episcopal
church in the. little suburban city, and
to-day it was crowded. Even the aisles
had to be filed with chairs to accommo-
date all who came.
Ralph was a very sober little choir
boy. He could not forget Grip for an
instant. When the choir rose to render
the anthem he felt like shouting out, IF
l only knew Grip was safe! Oh, Grip,
Grip, Grip" instead of the joyful, ring
Ing words of the Easter music. ;
As they sang Ralph did not notice a
queer conyulsive ripple among the peo-
pie who sat in the center aisle. Men
reached down as if to grasp something
and then Strengthened up again with very
red faces. Suddenly Ralph caught q
glimpse of something that made him stop
in the middle of a word, transfxed with
mingled horror and delight. There, right
In front of him, was Grip, r~ascally little
terrier that he was, looking up at Ralp,
with an irreverent grin. He had wriggled
through under the chairs in the center
and emerged triumphant and painting
ready to join in the service.
The music seemed to fascinate the
wicked little dog. Before any one could
stir ne pricked up one ear and joined IL
wow, bow, WOO, WOO, 90 ow he sans
ch~eerful!s, making fearful discord in thr
glorious Easter anthem.
Three men IN the front seat stopped
at the same time to pick him up. and
in doing so bumped their heads together
with great emphasis and missed the slip
perry little dog, who vanished behind
Ralph's cassock, where he remained per
fectly still and hidden, with his head
pressed close against his little masters
knee.
"Quiet, Grip" whispered Ralph, and
the horriied congregation settled back
with a sigh of relief, while the ruf1ed
choir vent on with the anthem . Ralph
Joined in with new spirit, for, in spite
of Grips disgraceful performance, his
precious little playfellow was safely
snuggled up against him.
Through the rest Of the service Grip
took a nap under the seat, and bis
snores were only audible to the anxious
fttle choir boy to whom he belonged and
who sat with flushed face, very attentive
to the Easter sermon.
Even the occasional did not walker
Grip but just as Ralph was disappear
Ing in the very rear of the singing pro.
cession he rushed after him with a short
sharp bark hat somewhat spoiled thr
effect of the %re-echoing music and quit
scandalized the kneeling people.
Grip could hardly wait for Ralph tc
remove his vestments. He danced about
him. pulling at bis Gotta vigorously
Ralph gave him a ferocious hug, and
then was forced to turn and apologize &c
the tuning and irate choirmaster.
"He doesn't know any better, indeed
he doesn't. I couldn't help it, sir he's