Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-28
EARNING A DOG.

Gertrude Bliss rushed into her mothers
| room one morning "Oh, mammal" she cried,
| please give me five dollars. 1 want to buy
| the cutest little puppy you ever laid eyes
on. There's man out here who is selling
| them. and Jennie's mother has let her buy
| one and-and-oh. can't l. too?'
Five dollars for puppy. Gertrude!"
| swered mother. don't you think that is
great deal? No. dear. 1 have too many
things to spend money on without adding
fox terrier puppies to the list. 1 sorry
| to disappoint you, but can't afford it,
Gertrude being a very human little girl,
| began to whimper. 81 never wanted any
| thing so much" she sobbed. He's white
all over with black ears, and a dear pink
nose, and was going to call him Billy af-
ter our horse that died.
Gertrude, l am ashamed of YOU" said
| mamma sternly. There is no use crying
when 1 have once said no! Five dollars is
entirely too much to spend for a misear-
able little puppy that we don't know any
thing about
He isn't miserable" said Gertrude. ''Oh,
dear, oh. dear, you never let me do"
Her voice was lost in a burst of sobs as
she went slowly down stairs
Little affairs like this were such ordi-
nary proceedings with Gertrude that Mrs
her small daughter would, too. But for a
long time Gertrude thought about the tiny
fox terrier and kept referring to it again
and again.
Il do want a dog she said one day to
her mother. cant you suggest some way
to get it?''
Papa. from the next room, overheard this
touching appeal and came suddenly in.
Gertrude" he said, would you like to
earn a dog?'
Earn it,'' cried Gertrude. How could II"
WELL look here. If you have my slip
pers ready for me every night for a whole
month when | come home and do all the
| errands you can for your mother. at the
end of that time III give you So and you
can buy a dog with it..
'Oh. goody, goody!' cried Gertrude clap
ping her hands. You dearest father, III
do the very best I can. Just think of hav-
ing that dear little puppy all myself! OF
course, that fox terrier has probably been
bought by some one else long ago, but Mr..
Ely always has dogs to sell down at his
place"
The bargain was made and Gertrude did
her best. She never once forgot the slip
pers She ran errands untirlngiy and did
not complain even when mother asked her
to darn stockings. In fact she
sweet and obliging that both her parents
wished she were trying to earn puppy dogs
all the time.
Mr.. Bliss said one morning: Gertrude,
l went in to Mr. Ely last night and he
showed me some little bull terriers one of
which he will let you have for So. His price
is great deal more than that to most peo-
Pile, but i think he has soft spot in his
heart for little girls with golden hair
Gertrude was delighted and right after
school went to look at them. for the month
was nearly up and the So almost hers.
Jennie Tyler's fox terrier had grown up
and Gertrude glad she had waited for
puppies were so much more cunning. and
Gertrude had just as much fun with little
Prince Henry as if he had been her own
At last the day came when Gertrude
ini hav ond ar ia hnr QlI-p
to her with kisses and praise for her duti-
full behavior. Have you decided on the
dog. Gertrude?" he asked.
Yes. father" 1 think one of those little
bulldogs is just what l want" said Ger
trude. But Mr. Ely said 1 could not have
him for another week yet. and hate to
walt so long"
She looked lovingly at the IS. and hating to
| be parted from it a minute tucked it in her
waist and started for school. The day
seemed endless. Gertrude could not fix her
mind on lessons, and visions of bull terrier
puppies danced before her eyes.
At O'Clock the children poured from the
schoolhouse and Gertrude and Jennie Tyler
walked home together usual.
Il can't decide on dog said Gertrude.
Seems to me If I'm going to pay such
big price as s. ought to get something
| so. Jennie?"
Jennie said yes. she certainly did. but
probably the bigger the dog was the more
| 1t would cost.
AS though 1t We're an echo to their
| thoughts. at this moment bark sounded
| along the road, and suddenly there
bounded in sight big. dirty-looking yell
| low dog, which some people would have
| called
| He wagged his tail joyfully and play
fully planted one huge paw in the middle
| of Jennies clean pink Bingham.
Isn't he a dear?" said Gertrude. I'm
| sure he must be a very fine dog. He's
| big. you know, I'm sure he'd cost $40.
| Here comes his master l guess I'm going
n SIX how NOuii charge
| his dog
| At this minute dirty. unkempt man
came slouching along the road. He saw
| the children. and also. for the first time
! In his life his eye fell upon the yellow dog.
Jennie nudged Gertrude, who after a
brief hesitation. approached the tramp and
! said politely. Sir, how much would you
| sell this dog for?'
| Dat amt my dog" lowered on the mans
| lips, but seeing a chance to make some
| money. he changed his mind, and replied
| shrewdly, well, me and de dog very
much attached to each other, and l don't
| care if 1 don't sell him"
This made Gertrude all the more anxious
for the dog. who certainly had a sweet and
| gentle expression
wouldn't er-er-$5 be enough?"
| The mans eyes glistened. Hardly,
ma-am." he said You said I'VE had him
long time. and we amt got no friends but
each other. Well. look here, seeings it's
! you I'll change my mind. He's yourn,
| where's the money!?
| What kind of dog Is hep asked Ger
i trude, fumbling for the So.
| "a pighound," answered the man read
| ilv. and fine at that. De breed is
| scarce up here but where l come from they
| are thick as hops
| He has Lovely eyes" said Jennie, feeling
| she must say something.
! Yes" said the man. "a fine eye. In
! fact you couldn't find a finer If you was
| to look a week. And see what lovely
| coat It's soft and yet not too soft On the
whole girls. l t'ink youse have a grand
| bargain My money, please. miss"
| Gertrude handed over the money readily.
| Hes so big" she whispered to Jennie,
| I'm afraid we're cheating this generous
| gentleman
| was unite a distance down the road
! Wait a minute" screamed Gertrude.
| what's his name?
| Willie" called back the man.