Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-11-07
Peter the Wicked

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Al We drew near the corner OF our
own street, blissfu2ly treadins 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
eor desert that very night, certain
dog eolemnly emerged from the
gloom, seized the evening paper with
gusty sort of sigh, and then trotted
ahead, the very picture Of mournfll
resignation, ears Tapping in dismal
manner and tail trailing along behind
at the most melancholy angle imagin-
able.
why, Fido!" we cried. in a rich.
manly bass voice. why, Fido!"
But Fido never faltered. He seem
ed rather in some mysterious way to
give his fat old back an ominous as
pect. as II here was dog who sell
dom complained. but when he was put
upon. It was far too serious q bust
ness to be smoothed over by a few
fine words.
And vainly was 1t also that we bent
over-as we walked-and gave him a
pat And vainly was 1t that we sound
cd an alarm against mythical cat.
And vainly. too. did we walk faster,
emitting encouraging noises and try
ing to warm Fido into the exuberance
OF gallop; 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
up 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, up-ended, tapped Fiio 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, il whisp-
OF. while a loud purring noise sound
ed from the dining room, as II 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.
1--WE had the awfullest day with them
But never mind. Dinners ready, and
I've got such 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
strutted round him, purring loudly, IT.
ritating Fdo 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 q
Z particularly eloquent sound Of sorrow.
lis he looking at you?" asked Ali
ella. Throw him a bit of meat
George, to cheer him up. I've had the
awfullest time with them today
You've no idea"
Accordingly, we threw Fido a bit
Of meat to cheer him up; but Peter
intercepted 1t nonchalantly, mean.
while making feint at Ffdo's nose,
and then eating the meat with such
nose that Fido 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, for
while we were cutting bit Of meat
to the proper size, the pets perceived
1t. and every time we started to
throw 1t to Fido. Peter appended with
5oyial air, making pass at Fido's
nose as he did so, until finally, when
We solved the problem by handing
the bit OF meat to Fido in person,
Peter snatched it from the dear old
dogs very mouth, and ate it himself
30 openly, SO noisily, so ostentatious.
ly, SO insultingly, that Alicia was NOV.
ed to open championship of Fido the
Wronged.
poor old Fdo!" she cried. 'It's q
shame! I'll fix that wicked Peter
though. I'll fix him!"
And with determination written
large all over her dear little person
Alicia cut whole slice of meat Into
appropriate little bits, poured gravy
on them, and showed the net result
. to Ndo, who sighed, while Peter, pur.
ring in very ecstasy, showed Fido
back, and indicated to Alicia that the
place for her to put the plate down
was right in front of him.
Now. George" said Alicia, "you
hold Peter"
Hold him?" we asked. We had held
Peter before under similar circum
stances. Cant we shoe him into the
pantry and close the door?"
mo" said Alicia. II want to pun
ish Peter by letting him see Eide
eating"
Here. Peter, Peter!" We began
without making too much noise about
II HE won't come" we concluded.
"GeorEe!" cried Alicia, as no one
but Alicia caI.