The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-11-29
HIS MOTHERS HEART
WAS NOT MARBLE


Young Jack, who as usual had risen
al a disreputably early hour, rushed
into the dining room as the rest Of
the family was breakfasting. A rap
turous expression was on his face,
and in his arms was a tiny, monde
script puppy, blind, and with a rest
less. %inquiring nose.
Mother! just look! Isn't he a
beauty? A horrid old man was going
to drown him."
A chorus of CALCULATIONS arose.
Jaw, amt he cute?" came from
Billy, two years younger than Jack.
Hes a fine little fellow" agreed
Jacks father. See the way he's nos
ing at the button of your coat"
Another dawg!" exclaimed Hulda,
as she brought in the bacon. But
she stopped long enough to tickle tha
temptingly soft brown head that
bobbed h~elplessly over Jacks arm.
Amt he nice, mothsr!" inquired
lack, %aRxiously, sensing something
ofni?ous in his mothers silence.
~~Charming!" said Jacks mother.
with unaccustomed satire. What do
you propose to do with him?"
"Why-why. keep him. of course"
said Jack. Poor little fellow, he
amt got no home"
That's very sad" said Jacks
mother, unsympathetically. but I
am not going to have another dog
around the place. Dogs are dirty and
noisy and full of Aeas, and l loathe
them; so you may as we'll make up
your mind to get rid of this little
beast"
Jack looked at his father appealing
ly.
Don't you think, Helen" began
Jacks father.
NO. | don't think that I'll give in
again." interrupted Jacks mother. 81
do think, however, that you have had
enough experience in adopting dogs
70 last you for one summer. There
vas that long-legged young St. Der.
nard the Cations gave you. 1t killed
twelve of the Franklin chickens, if
you remember, and you had to pay
for them at market prices. l thought
when the st. Bernard was poisoned
o would have learned discretion,
but you had to bring home hat pedi-
greed fox terrier you said you got
at such a bargain"
That was a good dog, though" de-
clared Jacks father, land I'd like to
get hold of the policeman who shot
him just because his license tag was
issued for a dog described as a ST.
Bernard"
Il had hoped that incident would
make you more careful about evading
the law" said Jacks mother, but,
nevertheless, you kept putting off get
ting a license for the collie you
brought home to be a comrade to the
children until it bit the Collins child,
and the dog was shot, and you were
hailed into court and fined for not
having licensed or muzzled the
beast"
Anyway, Helen" said Jacks faith
or, every boy ought to have a dog.
Let the kid keep it. I'll see that it
is licensed and cared for"
II will not have another dog around
the place." insisted Jacks mother.
At this Jack deposited his new pet
upon the floor, and ran from the room
bowling. Left to himself, the puppy
sprawled %unhappily on the carpet,
feeling around with that pathetically
searching nose of his. Then, as if
conscious that it was alone in a cold.
unfeeling world, it set up a p~laintive
whining.
The family ate breakfast in silence
for a few minutes, and then Jacks
father stirred uneasily.
my goodness, I can't stand that
he said at last. Il believe the little
beggar's hungry"
He made overtures to the pup with
a piece OF bacon. The pup shifted
tentatively at the morsel, and then
resumed its wailing with renewed
vigor. Jacks father regarded u
thoughtfully.
Perhaps" he said, finally, ct isr'
old enough for bacon"
Something very like a giggle cans
from Jacks mothers end of the table.
but when Jacks father looked up, bis
wife was coldly putting bread into
Billy's egg. Then Jacks father poured
some cream into a saucer and de-
posted it under the pups nose. The
whining continued. Very gently,
Jacks father thrust the wabbly little
black nose fairly into the saucer, but
the obstinate owner wouldn't drink,
and the whine developed to a fright
ened yelp. Jacks mother left the
room precipitately.
I'm afraid you'll really have to go,
pup" said Jacks father, stroking the
fat little brown back.
At that moment the postman's
whistle sounded at the front door,
and Jacks father went to get his
mail. 1t was fully ten minutes before
he returned. AS he entered the room
he gasped in establishment. Jacks