The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-18

aCln. Can't you imagine It!
You come back to the house and I'll
get the money for you," said the girl.
as she softly gigled at the picture the
boy had drawn.
The money was paid and Nero
changed hands. He made no objec.
lions. and he seemed so content and
gentle that the new owner had her
doubts about his biting anybody. In
fact, her father looked the dog over
and doubted If he would bite a mutton
chop.
What did you get such rat for .
dog?" was asked.
ITO bite some Of my callers"
Go ahead. I guess you'll pick out
the right one from the gang.
1t was the poetic young mans eve.
ming for calling. He had spent the
whole day composing sonnet to Miss
Lena's nose. and had finished and
brought 1t along. Such was his impa-
tience to read it. and hear her words
OF praise that he took no notice OF
the dog. He had scarcely been greet
ed when he took the manuscript from
his pocket and began:
"No blooming rose
With Lena's nose,
In soft repose
Can-the devil!"
''Why, Mr.. Davis!" exclaimed the
owner Of the nose.
Some darned thing bit me! There
1t is--a wretched little rat Of q curl"
"Sir!"
"Yes. bit me to the bone. and II
may be case Of the rabies!"
But you can have a case Of the
rabies and still be q gentleman. can't
your"
mo, sir-no. sir, I can't! II You
have started in to keep mad dog In
the house you must-ahem-excuss
me from"
And out ne bounced and made his
way to the first hospital to be treated.
1t wasn't the evening Of No. 2 to
call, but being at the umbrella mend
er's on the corner. he thought he'd run
in for a moment and ask Miss Lena II
her fathers business had been unfar
vorably affected by the tariff. He was
cordially greeted. but hardly had no
opened the subject nearest his heart
when he jumped foot high and yelled
out:
"Holy smoke, but I've run against
. live wire!"
"It's only Nero" tho girl calmly A.
sured him.
"what, that little curt Why. he's Bit
ten met"
"Yes. he bites most every one!"
well, you must excuse me II
don't call again until l hear Of his
DEATH"
"Oh, certainly"
Number four-he Of the sad eyes
and sadder sighs-called the next eve
ming to ask for Lena's hand and heart.
II was patent to her the moment she
looked into those sad eyes, and che
looked furtively around to see II Nero
was on the job. He was. He was
looking at the sad-eyed mans right
leg.
Miss Walters-Lena-you must
have seen-you must realize that T.
thunder and blazes!"
"Why, Mr. Pilgrim!"
"Your Internal little cur has bitten
mel"
"Yes?"
"And-and-"
"And I'm going to keep him hight
along!"
"Then-then," and out went the SAD
eyed man. never to call again.
There was only one more left-he
Of the lisp and the curly hair. He
called next evening. Nero was ready
for him, but the moments fed into
hours, and there was no crisis. At
length he proposed matrimony and his
case was taken under advisement
Next day Miss Lena asked her father:
"P"oa. will a man who let's dog
bite his leg for two hours and never
make q complaint make . good hu&
band!"
"Tiptop!" was the answer. Better
have the wedding next MONTH"
The bridal tour had been made
when the bride said to her husband:
"Have you any scars where Nero
BIT you that night!"
"Not a single scar! ! was wearing
solelesther feggings!"
iCopyYisht. 1919. bv the Mcclure Nevspa-
per Syndioate)