The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1908-01-03
A FIRESIDE STORY.

A FIRESIDE STORY.
Teddy was a strong, brave little
fellow, clever at his books, though
he didn't care much about studying.
His worst fault was fiery temper.
But he was trustworthy and loyal
and a great favorite with every one.
One day game of ball was being
played between the two divisions of
Ted's school. One side was called
the Red" the other the "Blue."
Teddy had bright ribbon knotted in
and more equally contested every one
became very much excited, and Ted
dy, who was "fielder"-I think you
boys call twas bound to win.
All the girls from the schools, and
the boys, who were not playing, were
watching eagerly. Shouts for the
Red" were met with louder shouts
for the Blue" Just at the most ex-
citing point an old white-haired ne
gro with large pack on his back
seated himself under tree to watch
the game. With him was dirty little
terrier, who, when he saw that his
master was interested in the game,
ran up nearer the players.
Just then the ball came flying
through the air and Teddy made a
rush for it. He just missed it, and
before he could pick it up the little
black terrier had saved him the
trouble. With the ball between his
teeth, the rascally little dog went
scurrying away from the players and
ran down the road.
Of course, the game was interrupt
ed, and Teddy's anger rose to white
heat. He tore after the dog, the
other boys following him, and, hob
bling along in the rear, came the
dogs bewildered old owner.
The dog, thinking he was adding
greatly to the pleasure of the oc-
casion, was enjoying the sport more
than those who had been interrupted
just at the most exciting part of the
game. He led his pursuers a great
chase; down the road, across a field,
through a wood and across brook.
He was finally caught, just as he was
recovering the ball, which he had
dropped. 1t was Teddy who pounced
upon him, threw the ball to one of
the boys and, picking up stick, beat
the frolicsome little dog furiously.
Teddy's comrades were half
frightened by his terrible rage and
did not dare to interfere. When at
last he flung the stick one side the
old colored man, breathless from his
hard walk, pushed his way through
the crowd of boys, and took the quiv-
ering, moaning little dog in his arms
and bent over him tender1y, the tears
running down his cheeks:
He didn't mean no harm, pore
lille Tap, an youse hurt me a great
deal wusser.n you hurt him, ma boy,
Gaze he's all Ise got"
The game was not finished. Teddy's
anger suddenly left him. He walked
off home without word to any one.
After that he refused to play ball.
You see he was furnishing himself for
his cruelty.
He never spoke of the incident to
any one, and when the other boys
alluded to it he looked so solemn that
they all hushed up, and gradually the
old colored man and the little dog
were forgotten.
Several months later Teddy and
some companions were walking home
from school in the afternoon. They
had been laughing and talking until
the. sight of a familiar gray-haired
figure in front of them made them
suddenly stop and look at Ted.
The old colored man was shamb-
ling along as fast as he could, cry
ing as he went:
ooh, ma dog; ma pore lille dog.
They'll kill him sure. Oh, gimme
ma dog, Gaze he's all Ise got
Ted took in the situation in min
ute. He stripped off his jacket and
called to the old man:
"They shan't hurt him. I'll get
him for YOU" Away he rushed,
every boy following at his heels.
Down the. road was a numbering
old hay wagon driven by two big
farmer boys. When they saw they
were followed they whipped up their
horses.
Stop there, you, and give up that
dog" Ted shouted.
At last the wagon stopped sudden
ly and Teddy tore up it's side. One of
the boys seized an armful of hay to
throw in his upturned face, but
Teddy was too quick for him. Dodg-
ing the hay he sprang up into the
wagon and grabbed Tip. The boys
in the rear cheered and shouted. Ted
turned to jump to the ground, but at
that instant the horses started off,
throwing the gallant little fellow off
to the front of the wagon, and
dreadful wheel went over him. Tip
ran to his master, unhurt. But
Teddy-Well, Teddy was never able
to run again. But one day, long af-
terward, as he lay propped up in his
chair, he said:
Grandmother, if | had to be hurt,
I'm glad 1 was hurt when l was and
not at another time"
why, what do you mean?" l
asked.
WELL" he explained, ''you see the
other time might have been when l
was running after Tip in such a
rage; then l could never have run to
save him, to try to make it up to old
Ben, you know"
Teddy got well again, but he was