Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-01-19
JOHNNY'S CHRISTMAS.
d aARAH RRYcE BOWEN.


was trying hard to dress himself-the
buttons were ali too big for the holes.
he said-he heard a sharp bark down.
stairs. Jimmy stopped at once, and
bis eyes and ears were wide open. At
another bark. half dressed. be dashed
out Of his room and downstairs. There
In the library he saw as pretty little
fox terrier as ever stepped on four
feet Jimmy stood looking at the ter
rier, and the terrier stood with bis
pointed nose and sharp eyes turned
directly on Jimmy. Then by way Of
making Jimmy's acquaintance be wag-
ged his tail. At that moment Jimmy's
father came into the room and said:
He's your Christmas present, Jim.
How do you like himY'
Jim was 50 wrapped In admiration
Of his dog that be made no reply.
Finally be gasped:
'1s be really all mine, papa7"
"All yours. sonny. INTENDED to give
him to you at breakfast, but his bark
stood 10 the way. Come; we three will
60 up and finish your dressing. | sup
pose II have to help you now that your
attention Is diverted from your clothes
Come on, Zip"
'1s that his uame?"
That's a good one for him. don't
might be Zip"
| And Zip the terrier continued to be
called. There is as much affinity be-
tween children and dogs as there is
cnmity between dogs and cats. From
the moment Jimmy saw Zip he loved
him, and from the moment Zip saw
Jimmy he adored him. Jimmy began
to 60 to kindergarten that year, and
from the time he departed Zip did
nothing but wait for his return. In
deed, be would have gone with his lit
tie master had the door not been shut
on him when Jimmy went out. But
as soon as Jimmy came home Zip re-
sembled a rubber ball on the bound.
He jumped all over the boy. his en-
preston plainly denoting his Joy.
Then what times Zip and Jim would
have together! They would romp till
Jim was too tired to romp any longer.
Then Jim would get out his toys, and
Zip would sit by watching him. turn
ing his little head at Jim's every mo-
ton.
Jimmy's parents objected to the two
friends passing the night as well as
the day together. and this was a great
hardship for both the dog and the
boy. Many time, Notwithstanding
great precaution. the family would
awaken In the morning to find Zip and
Jim IN bed together. Jimmy's mother
threatened to send his pet away II he
did II again.
One morning Zip waited as be was
always directed to wait for his chum
to come down to breakfast Jimmy
did not come. Zip noticed that the
father and mother looked anxious, and
the dog was himself correspondingly
worried. He ran this way and that
way. buttlng his nose against a door
that confined him, aud when a maid
opened It without thinking Zip sprang
through and ran upstairs into Jlm's
room. There lay Jim In bed looking
red aud hot. His mother was bending
over him anxiously. Zip sprang up
on TO the bed. The mother ordered
him OF, but one look from Jim
changed her intention, and she per-
mitted Zip TO remain.
But Zip had 10 60 when the doctor
came and was kept out of the room for
the rest OF the day. In the morning
Jim was little better, and his Christ
mas dog was let into his room and up
on to his bed. where he licked the
boys hand. looking at him with mel
ancholy eyes, as though his heart
would break. but he was not permit.
ted TO remain long. Jimmy was too
III. Indeed. there were times when he
probably did not know that bis pet
was with him. Zip was put outside,
but remained at the door. looking up
wistfully as people went In and out,
as II for q bit Of comfort as to his
friends condition.
Jimmy grew worse. aud It seemed
that be would pass away shortly be
fore the dying year. The day before
Christmas after the doctors morning
call Zip saw Jlmmy's mother in tears,
She had been told that the crisis
would take place during the next
twenty.four hours. Zip could not be
driven from the door all day. In the
evening be saw By tho expression on
the faces OF those nursing Jimmy that
something important was taking place
II was o'clock. The dinner table
was set below In the dining room. On
the sideboard was dish OF fruit, In
Guiding some Malaga grapes, But nc
one seemed inclined to eat. and the
room was deserted. The door OF Jim
my's bedroom opened, and q trained
nurse came out A few minutes lateI
Zip hoped up on the sick boys BED
with bunch OF grapes In his mouth
Jimmy's mother was about to take
Zip In her arms and set him outsid,
when her boy opened his eyes. Seeing
Zip and the grapes. he put out his
hand. trying to break on grape. buI