The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-09-12

boy found his voice.
1T vas that red car. ] called TO
Peter, an first he began TO come. and
then he started to run and called
him. AN he wouldn't get up-and
come. and I went over to him.
The minister Just stroked the curly
hair back, as he said: 81 know,
sonny. but you wouldn't have had
Pete live, IL he was hurt badly, and
would suffer all the time. would you!
You love hi mtoo much for that
Geoff's eyes looked up quickly, his
mind was travelling faster than that
of the minister.
eff God takse care OF things when
they die, has the pain stopped hurt
in Pete now" he demanded.
Surely" said the young man. see
ing theological discussions of a diff
ficult character ahead.
Don't you 'spose God had enough
pups without taking mine from me!'
again demanded Geoff, and "oh! / do
want him back" and the child gave
way to uncomfortable sobs.
There were rocks coming, the min
lister was sure, and still holding the
sobbing child, he began telling him OF
the Indians, and how they believed
In a God who would give them good
hunting grounds when they died and
how they thought their animals
would go with them, too.
The boys sobs lessened as he lis
tened to the young mans voice, then
he spoke in broken tones:
"D'ye think IL I'm very good that
God1l let me see Pete again when /
die?"
The minister hesitated for a sec
ond before he said, "Of course, we
are none of US quite sure about any
thing in Heaven, but II you are a
brave boy and try not to fret, maybe
God will let you see Pete again!"
where does God keep the animals
when they come up?"
The Reverend Malcolm Browns
imagination had always been strong,
but this afternoon 1t was stronger
than usual
81 think, and the firm hand clos
ed over the hot ones of the child,
cts a lovely meadow, with trees,
and most of the things the animals
would like!" fl
can nobody is unkind to them;
they wouldn't take their ploythings
from them? Pete has lots of things
he plays with, an he'd be lonesome
without them!"
The minister's face wore strange
look, his theology was fast caring
him to the religions Of other worlds.
but he said, softly wiping off the
moist cheeks, 81 don't think God
would mind Pete taking his things
with him; he'd be glad to have him
happy!"
There was a long silence, and
when, some minutes later the mini
ster put the child down 1.-THE father s
door, he had promised to assist at
Bete's funeral that evening.
It was sunset when the young man
holding a box, and the little boy with
his arms full of different things,
stopped at the big aok tree on the
farther side of the fence.
The minister took off his coat and
dug the narrow trench, while Geofi
sat beside the boy and watched. The
little brown head lay on Geoft's own
cushion in the box, and Goeff was
only waiting to put in the other
things.
The minister ceased digging after
while, then replaced his coat. He
moved aside when he saw Geoff stooI
| over the box, and the sound OF ar
audible kiss made him swallow some
thing hastily. Then turning, hs
said gently, "Are you ready Geoff?'
elm a minute" the little boy re
piled, picking up Pete's plaything'
| and putting them into the box, round
the form Of the brown pup. FRS
came an old mophead, then a much
] chewed slippers, the remains Of 4
| wash-rag, and broken rubber ball
The young man stood with queer
Tightening at his throat, as the arti
cles were put in, one by one.
| Then on the body of the still sleep
i ing Pete, Geoff laid some bones
These would serve him for a Ion,
time, because he liked to bury them
The minister kneeled down, and
with eyes which saw but dimly, fitte'
on the lid of the box.
7 Together the two mourners replac
ed the earth, and when the last show
elfu1 was in, and the sods packe'
down, Geoff kne1t by the side, an
the minister, putting his hat on tn
grass knelt too
To his dying day he never forgo
that funeral prayer as Geoff, with
heart not too full to put up a pas
sionate plea for his pet, prayed:
Dear God, this is my pup, Pete
who's coming to you, and do plea
be careful with him. He can't ca