Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1913-01-15
HIS MOTHERS HEART
WAS NOT MARBLE

Young Jack, who as usua. had risen
at 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 tiny, monde
script puppy, blind, and with rest
less, inquiring nose.
Mother! Just look! Isn't he
beauty? A horrid old man was going
to drown him!"
A chorus Of calculations arose.
"Aw, amt he cute?" came from
Billy, two years younger than Jack.
He's q 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 the
temptingly soft brown head that
bobbed helplessiy over Jacks arm.
"Ain't he nice, mother!" inquired
Jack, anxiously, sensing something
ominous 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
am not going to have another dog
around the place. Dogs are dirty and
noisy and full of feas, and 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
| 1y.
Don't you think, Helen" began
Jacks father.
mo, don't think that III give in
again." interrupted Jacks mother. II
do think, however, that you have had
enough experience in adopting dogs
to last you for one summer. There
was that long-legged young st. Ber
nard the Caxtons gave you. 1t killed
twelve OF the Franklin chickens, II
you remember, and you had to pay
for them at market prices. I thought
| when the St. Bernard was poisoned
| you would have learned discretion,
but you had to bring home that pedi-
greed fox terrier you said you got
at such bargain"
THAT was a good dog, though" de-
clared Jacks father, land Id like to
get hold of the policeman who shot
him just because his license tag was
issued for a dog described as st.
Bernard
"I had hoped that incident would
make you more careful about evading
the law" said Jacks mother, but,
nevertheless. you kept putting OF 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. nuzzled ~
beast
Anyway, Helen" said Jacks faith.
er, every boy ought to have dog.
Let the kid keep it. I'll see that IT
is licensed and cared for"
"I 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. Lett 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 cold,
unfeeling world, it set up plaintive
whining
The family ate breakfast in silence
for few minutes. and then Jacks
father stirred uneasily.
"My goodness, l can't stand that"
he said at last. II believe the little
beggar's hungry"
He made ovcrtures to the pup with
piece of bacon. The pup shifted
tentatively at the morsel, and then
resumed its wGiling with renewed
vigor. Jacks father regarded it
thoughtfully.
Perhaps" he said, finally, "it isn't
old enough for bacon"
Something very like giggle came
from Jacl, mothers end of the table,
but when Jacks father looked up, his
wife was coldly putting bread into
Billy's egg. Then Jacks father poured
some cream into 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 mement the postman's
whistle sounded at the front door,