The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1915-02-18
FORTUNES OF FRITZ
BY JULES ooIk.

I'D like to give you that dog, pro
ceeded the man in the doorway I'D
like for you to have it. He's a nice
pup and I'm grateful for what you
"Oh, all right" said Bammett, alb
systematically, frowning at the paper
before him. Already he had forgotten
his charity client and was vaguely an
noyed at his chatter.
IN 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 a surprise to see Fritz, because
most of him was where n didn't ex-
pect II. Reliable persons assured BAN
NETT later that Fritz was a d~achshund
of good breeding, but Bammett al
ways shook his head. He said Fritz
was. nothing more or less than a 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 han 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 fit 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 shout
ders and beaming eyes. The rest OF
him trailed of 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.
81 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 / give him to-" asked
Bammett.
Go away" cried Mrs. Bammett to
Fritz.
Bammett, gazing at Fritz, brown,
beaming and wagging. felt a 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. Bam-
NETT asked a week later.
81 thought you were beginning to
like him." said Bammett. you feed
hint"
Il can't let a living thing starve to
death right before my eyes!" she as
serted, frigidly. Il 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
Fritz had come c~ontentedly
and laid down across her feet. She
frowned as she looked at him.
you might push him away. you
suggested her husband.
Il wouldn't hurt a helpless creature
matter how | hated it," Mrs. Bam-
NETT told him, v%irtuously.
Bammett came home early one night
and found Fritz in Mrs. Bammett's lap.
She had The grace to blush.
He just got up here" she explained,
g" was putting him down.
I stopped to notice how silky
his hair is. If you cared anything for
lc JOu WOulu nave uOuC ooLActulu6
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.
he doesn't care about dogs"
He paused. Mrs. Bammett, her arms
about Fritz, whose tongue vas hang
ng out from his sudden choking surge
INTO her embrace. was glaring at her
husband. Henry Bammett!" she
Give this poor, helpless puppy
a horrid old ~janitor who'll make
lin live in a coal cellar? Not If
1t. The idea! l don't believe
'ou care anything about the dog at
IL. 1 shall keep Fritz myself II To-
'ody else on earth cares enough about
i'm to-
Fritz. old boy" interrupted Bam-
nett. you win!"
Napoleon Distanced.