The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-11
HIS CLEVER ALLY
ay w. oRAwFoR Q SHERLOCK


 (Copyright, 1907. by Mary Mekeon
 Now. Tip. something must be done. but how I am going to do 1t Is more than I know"
 Jim Granville stretched his great length on the grass beneath an old oak tree and addressed his fox terrier. who surveyed his master with evident interest and understanding There was a frown on the broad forehead or the young man and troubled look in his big brown eyes T;p sat on hls launches, wagging his diminutive stump of a tail vigorously. one eye fixed intently on his masters face while with the other he watched the movements of a squirrel on an over hanging branch.
 I'm in love, Tip" continued Gran vile, flicking the ashes from his cigar with an impatient gesture. You know what that means old fellow. since you've been paying your addresses to that little spaniel of Miss Browning $ Yet you can't understand why l don tell the girl so and settle the whole matter do you? Tip, canine affairs are different from human affairs. Men have responsibilities and dogs don't. That's the whole difference in nut shell.'
 Tip gave a short bark as if he fully comprehended the distinction , and Granville went on: 'I have pretty good income Tip, but it Is not big enough to support two establishments If I got married my mother would have to live with us, and you know, from your own experiences, that she is woman of decided convictions"
 Tip shuddered at the remembrance of a whipping he had received for the slight offence of chewing up one of Mrs. Granville's gloves in a moment of absent mindedness and then hung his head.
 Well. Miss Browning also has de- cided views on certain questions of life and she and my mother disagree upon almost every subject. The natural re- suit of bringing such opposite natures together and compelling them to live beneath the same roof would be trouble, Tip. serious trouble. too. I would have to side with my wife against my mother or I would have to side with my mother against my wife. Tn either case my position would be decidedly unpleasant. don't expect you to fully understand this, old fellow. You we're separated from your mother when you were too young to comprehend the meaning of filial affection. But human beings are quite different and have q certain duty to perform in looking after their ma ternal relations kow. these are the facts in the, case. Tip and something must be done, but l don't know what 1t is to be-"
 The squirrel had disappeared from view and Tip fixed his undivided at tention upon his mastA- evidently meditating deeply over the perplexing problem. The stumpy tail ceased its pendulum-like motions and his sharp ears were pricked up in an attitude of earnest atention.
 This crisis has come upon us sud- denly, my boy" pursued Granville after few moments of silence. Things were running along all right and there was no necessity for imme- diate action until this big fellow from California. Wentworth's his name came upon the scene. He's been show ing Miss Browning the most decided attention. Took her out three times last week in his auto and twice to the theatre In fact, every time I went there she was out with this con founded Wentworth and I haven't had chance to say word to her since he came"
 The terrier whined sympathically and his master continued:
 Hes twice as old as she is. Tip but mat don't make any difference in these days when men of 70 marry women or 20. There ought to be a la" passed that would prevent people rom marrying when there is more than i've years difference in their ages and if I ever go to Congress I'll