Mexico Missouri message., 1907-09-19

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II was hot sultry afternoon at the
end OF July. All the morning the sun
had shone pitilessly on the dusty pave
ments and slate roofs Of the busy
town, and now the very paving stones
were hot, and everyone went Imply
about his work and remarked on the
intense heat of the day.
In the center OF one OF the most
crowded pavements In one of the bust.
est thoroughfares of London, trot-
ted a little blsck.and.tan dog. His
eyes were strained and bloodshot, and
white foam dropped from his mouth
as he went along, glancing furtively
from side to side in search Of drop
OF water TO moisten his parched
tongue.
No one took any notice OF the llt.
tie animal except to move hastily out
OF its way or to cry to each other
that the dog was mad; but he was
too small to cause much fear. and for
the most part he slipped unnoticed
through the crowd. only pausing now
and then to sniff the dusty gutter or
to try and cool his tongue against the
sun.baked kerbstone.
A retriver dog passed within yard
Of him and disappeared down a turn
ing not stones throw from where. he
lay. Presently he reappeaTed with
water dripping from his shining black
muzzle. and the little dog groaned In
envy. Another dog passed by with
dry tongue hanging from between his
teeth, and then he too returned with
sprightly air and moistened lips. An.
other. and yet another. Our little dog
raised himself on tottering legs and
followed In the wake Of an Irish ter.
rier.
Down the little valley trotted the
Irish terrier, and after him limped the
little black-and.tan dog, painting In his
eagerness TO keep the other In sight.
In less than a minute the terrier
halted by stone doorway, and as tho
little dog drew near he could hear
the long gurgling draughts OF water
which the Irish dog was taking in.
The little dog waited till the others
thirst was assuaged. then he also
thrust his head into the pan and
eagerly Tapped up the small quantity
of water which was left. How good
those few drops felt to the little
uarched tongue! But oh! how he
longed for more! And even as he
longed, someone bent over him with
gentle words and filled the earthen.
ware pan with water 20 the brim.
Once more the little dog plunged his
head into the pan-nose and eyes and
ears, all we're immersed in the de.
| licious GOODNESS OF the water. Then
he began to drink afresh. and Tapped.
and Tapped, and Tapped until someone
lifted him gently from beside the pan
and stroked his little black head
kindly.
mo more Just now, little dog;
you'll be I'll, you know. Wait n bit"
said a soft voice; and the sad lonely
eyes of the dog looked into the sad
lonely eyes of a little crippled boy.
and straightway a friendship was
formed which was 10 last those two
as long as both remained on earth.
81 never did see such n child" said
Jemmy's mother that evening, when
she got back from work. "Ain't yer
three.legged kitten enough, or yer
blind canary. that ye must have a
dog for n playmate. too?"
"He seemed to want for to stay"
said the boy. looking fondly at the
little black-Rnd.tan head which rested
confidingly across his foot.
well. let I'm stay. then; it's not
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woman. and she smiled In answer to
the look of Joy which flashed into her
little sons face.
Hell remind me to keep the dogs
basin filled regular" said the child.
"'Tis quite a number OF dogs come
every day now, mother, to have a
drink. / think they must tell each
other there's always water here" and
the little hunchback laughed at the
thought. ''The big retriver comes
every day, and the Irish terrier; but l
had two new ones to-day, which ain't
never been before. and then this lit
tie un," caressing the little dog as he
spoke. "and two pigeons and one
sparrer."
Quite a circus. amt it?" said his
mother. Il wish they all paid their
pennies for the drink. Jenny. and
that 'ud pay for the little dogs H.
cense."
why, seven and six for Keeping q
dog" said his m-ther. Never mind.
| must try and get extra days worl
now and then--that won't hurt. And
again her hard-featuEod face was g.
lumlned by a sudden smile in answer
10 the look OF grateful pleasure which
the child gave her.--The Culver.