The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-06-30

father shook his head doubtfully.
HE is too large dog to take care
of in the city," he said. II wanted
to buy small dog" The dog-fancier
smiled in Bens eager little face, as
he patted Don's beautiful head.
"They have taken such liking to
each other now that am afraid you
cannot persuade Ben to even consider
another dog" he said to Ben's father;
and they soon found this was the
case. No other dog would do. At
each pretty pug or terrier Ben shook
his head.
NO" he said each time. "If I
can't have Don, l don't want any
other dog, papa" Finally, the dog
fancier, who knew Bens father very
well, and who was very fond of Ben
besides, said:
"I'll tell you what I'll do, Mr..
Rogers. You may take the dog
home with you and keep him for a
day. Tomorrow Is the Fourth of
July and holiday, so will not have
any chance to sell Don then. Give
him trial; and then, If you don't
want him, bring him back on Thurs
day morning and exchange him for
any dog have"
"Oh, yes. Do, that, please, please"
cried Ben. THANK you so much,
Mr.. Wood"
Then, if mamma and I decide we
cannot keep him, will you give him
up and take another dog instead?"
asked Mr.. Rogers. Remember it
will be harder to give him up then
than 1t is now"
ut could not be much harder"
said Ben, with a sigh. IF you say
I cannot keep him after we give him
a trial, I will give him up; but I
don't want any other dog" Ben
thrust his hands into his .pockets,
and, walking to the window, swal-
lowed once or twice very hard. Ben's
father looked at Mr.. Wood with a
smile.
1T is hard to refuse the boy" he
said in low tone. II think we will
have to give Don trial" Then he
added in tone loud enough for Ben
to hear:
''All right, Ben. We will take Don
home, and keep him day at least"
Ben ran back to them with a bright
face, and Mr.. Wood said:
There, Ben, that is better than
not having Don at all. Now see what
he can do before you take him." Mr..
Wood pointed to a newspaper which
Icy on the floor some distance away.
Bring it here, Don," he COM
manded; and Don trotted obediently
over to the paper, took it up his
mouth, and brought it back to Mr..
Wood
Drop it," said Mr.. Wood; and out
dropped the paper from Don's mouth,
while he wagged his tail and looked
from one to the other, as much as to
say, Gould any dog do better than
that?"
Now jump" said Mr.. Wood. hold
ing out long stick; and over Don
went like flash.
Now give me your right paw"
Don held up his right paw, and placed
1t In Mr.. Woods outstretched hand.
"Good!" said Mr.. Rogers, laughing.
docs he know the left paw alsoq"
Lett" commanded Mr.. Wood:
and up came the left paw, to Ben's
intense delight.
Good dog!" said Mr.. Wood. HE
sometimes gets little puzzled about
the right and left paws, but he is evil
dently on his good behavior TODAY -
AFTER several more tricks, which Don
performed one after the other, Ben
iound TO his delight that the dog
would obey him also, when he used
tne same words of command that
Mr.. Wood did.
VIII put pretty collar on him"
saad Mr.. Wood, as they were leaving.
ana nook light chain to it. so he
VIII not get away from you" Ben.
WIN SHINING eyes and bright face.
led Don out. All that evening Ren
and Don and Ben's little sister. Doro-
thy' romped and played together;
and Don apparently was delighted
with the entire family. Mr.. and Mrs.
Rogers said very little about keeping
the dog; but Ben felt he had made
a good impression, and he hoped, as
only sNall boy can hope, that some
thing would happen to make them de-
eide to keep him.
The next day, the Fourth of July,
Ben was occupied all day with shoot
ing off fire-crackers, from an early
hour in the morning till supper time,
all OF which went off with a satisfying
bang. Don at first was little afraid
OF the noise, but soon grew accus-
toned to 1t, and sat up on the veran-
da steps, watching the fun from a
respectful distance. Just before sup
per, as a special treat, Ben's father
bought him giant fire-cracker. a
great tempting one, with a long
string fuse hanging out of one end,
the entire cracker about eight inches
long and covered with brilliant red
paper. 1t was one of the sort that
goes off with a magnificent whoop-
Ing bang, loud enough to satisfy even
the most patriotic little boy in the
country. and that ia varv 1oud IN