Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1914-11-19
FORTUNES OF FRITZ
BY JULES ODIN.

like for you to have 1t. He's a nice
pup and I'm grateful for what you
"Oh, all right" said Bammett, alb.
sent-mindedly, frowning at the paper
before him. Already he had forgotten
his charity client and was vaguely an
noyed at his chatter.
"Ill take him to your house, added
the man. Then he vanished.
That was why Bammett, when he
opened his front door that night, had
the surprise of seeing Fritz 1t always
was surprise to see Fritz, because
most of him was where one didn't ex.
pect it. Reliable persons assured BAN.
NETT later that Fritz was dachshund
of good breeding, but Bammett al
ways shook his head. He said Fritz
was nothing more or less than ball
of string unwound and stretched out
and that, for his part, he should think
Fritz would establish telegraph sta
tions on his head and tail in order to
keep track of himself during his tortu'
GUS progress.
The annoying part of 1t was that
every foot of Fritz's length was brim'
ming over with affection, and if there
is anything more annoying than being
compelled, in spite of yourself, to love
something you have made up your
mind to dislike it has yet to be dis
covered.
With Fritz coiled up comfortably IN
his lap that evening Bammett had
sudden chill. He remembered that
Mrs. Bammett disliked dogs vigorous
ly. In fact, that was why they had
never owned one heretofore Bammett
felt that he should have to pay dearly
when his wife returned for the mt OF
abstraction that was responsible for
his acquiring Fritz. And he was not
disappointed.
Mrs. Bammett shrieked when she ar
rived from the train that week and
was greeted by Fritz's head and shoul'
ders and beaming eyes. The rest OF
him trailed off into the buffers pantry
and was invisible.
where did that awful thing come
FROM" she demanded. Henry BAN
NETT, why on earth did you go and get
a dog the minute my back was turned,
when you know hate the creatures?
And he's so much dog!" she walled, in
dignantly.
II couldn't help it, said Bammett
after the manner of men. He was
thrust upon mel"
There was plenty Of time to run
before all Of him got there" Mrs
Bammett insisted. mo human being
could help seeing his approach hours
before his total arrival! You've got to
get rid of him.!
who can l give him to?" asked
Bammett.
Go away" cried Mrs. Bammett to
Fritz.
Bammett, gazing at Fritz, brown
beaming and wagging, felt new pro-
tecting affection stir within him. Sur
reptitiously he patted the sleek head
"Ill dispose of him, somehow, he
promised.
Aren't you going to do anything
about this dreadful dog?" Mrs. BAN
NETT asked week later.
Il thought you were beginning to
like him." said Bammett. You feed
him!"
Il can't let living thing starve to
death right before my eyes!" she as
serted, frigidly. II suppose l would
feed a convict, If he was helpless on
my hands,"
You might find somebody who
would take him." she insisted the next
night. Fritz had come contentedly
and laid down across her feet. She
frowned as she looked at him.
You might push him away. you
know" suggested her husband.
Il wouldn't hurt a helpless creature
no matter how hated it," Mrs. Bam'
NETT told him, virtuously.
Bammett came home early one night
and found Fritz in Mrs. Bammetts lap.
She had the grace to blush.
"He just got up here" she explained,
rapidly. Il was putting him down,
when l stopped to notice how silky
his hair is. If you cared anything for
me you would have done something
about him before this!"
Bammett rose to the occasion.
"Your troubles are over" he told her.
"The janitor of our building has prom
ised that he'll take Fritz as a favor,
though he doesn't care about dogs
He paused. Mrs. Bammett, her arms
about Fritz, whose tongue was hang
ing out from his sudden choking surge
into her embrace, was glaring at her
husband. Henry Bammett!" she
cried Give this poor, helpless puppy
to a horrid old janitor who'll make
him live in a coal cellar? Not If
know it. The idea! l don't believe
you care anything about the dog at
all. shall keep Fritz myself If no
body else on earth cares enough about
him to"
Fritz, old boy" interrupted Bam.
NETT, you win!"