The Meeker herald., 1909-12-18

was = naughty. naughty boy. and that
II didn't stop ringing that bef1 she
would call policeman.
| Then l heard somebody on the low
q noor calling for Bruno" and insist
Ing that it was perfect outrage.
Really. felt awfully mortified. It
was the first time anything Of the
kind had ever happened to me. and I
particularly regretted that 1t should
have occurred at Bertha's home. I
realized keenly that l ought to do
something decisive at once; 80
grasped my cane in the middle and
aimed desperate blow at the push
button. But just as swung back my
arm light suddenly shone in the
glass panel Of the door. there was .
and ''quadruped coming along tho
hall. regardless of the umbrella stand.
and amid the snarls of dog an elder
ly gentleman could be heard amour
cling his intentions of breaking some
body's neck.
So said to myself: For goodness
sake!" and the dispatch with which
got down to the sidewalk was a reve-
lation. didn't know that had 1t in
me to be so nimble.
l had barely reached the bottom
when the cross man let the dog out and
told him to sic" me and chew the
pants on me. At the same time he
flung stick of wood after me, and
made use of very ungracious express
sion.
lean understand why he might have
liked to hit me with the stick. but
am at loss to know why he should
have wanted the dog to treat ME SO
shabbily. l certainly had not done
4 anything to the dog.
| thought II best to run all the way
home. 1t was only matter of few
blocks anyhow, and l planned to get
into the back alley and jump the fence.
was worried. though. to know how
was going to get around the corner
at Butternut street. 1t is no easy
task to go round corner on an icy
pavement at full speed without either
breaking your neck or losing ground.
and had before me the further pos
sibility of losing portion of my ap-
tparel should invite the nearer ap-
proach of the dog by slackening my
gait.
Therefore, when I beheld standing
on the corner u tall, fiatfooted man
who looked like Presbyterian. said
to myself: For goodness sake!" and
the next moment l grabbed him about
the waist and swung myself around
the corner with dexterity that sur
4 mr. hNn foff
As did SO, hurriedly begged his
pardon and told him to believe me
that ] should never have taken the
liberty had not been sore pressed.
l really was very sorry when heard
1 with what loud whack the old gentle
man fell down: and when heard him
graphing with the dog | said to my.
self: For goodness sake!"
| / don't know just what the cross dog
did to the good man, or what the good
man did to the. cross dog. but the two
of them together certainly made an
unholy disturbance. And three or four
timid pedestrians. seeming danger In
the commotion, took their cue from
me and began to run.
| It was exceedingly disagreeable to
me to be the cause of so much public
excitement: and when windows began
to go up and men and women poked
their heads into the night felt posi-
lively Inundated. BY the time ! got
into our back alley there was perfect
stampede of boys and men coming
down the street. There did not appear
to be any clearly defined notion among
them as to what 1t was all about. but,
SO far as could judge. the crowd was
, made up of two factions-one running
away from danger and following me AZ
leader. and the other impressed with
| the conviction that l was being chased
Included in the latter faction were two
policemen.
Fortunately, happened to know one
of these and when they nabbed me as
l was about to scramble over the fence
said to him: Believe me, O'Hara.
this Is all very painful mistake.
am simply running away from a dog
charged with a mission to lnjure me
and disgrace me-"
After moments consultation, In
which O'Hara assured his fellow ON
Ger that he knew me to be perfect
gentleman, they agreed to allow me to
proceed unmolested. with the under
standing, however, that would appear
In court should developments make 1t
necessary.
The family were somewhat surprised
to hear me come into the house
through the kitchen. but said nothing
to them at the time concerning my
misadventure. except to confide to my
sister Ellen that had inadvertently
got some ice water down my neck. and
that one of her hot lemonades, with
dash OF brandy and nutmeg. would be
particularly agreeable.
She responded at once with her
usual tact and goodness. manifesting
no curiosity and asking no questions