The Penn's Grove record., 1917-11-30

ed up a switch, but Tige did not allow
his master to get near enough to Ell
Their punish or catch him.
another stubborn critterT" pulled
and painted Joel, after he had thus COW
cred a mile. Then, as Tige crossed
the crest of a hill and came in sight Of
the house where Mrs. Blake was a
guest, he delivered a resounding whoop
of satisfaction and delight and scudded
fleet as a hare, for his quarryl
swell, I'll be flummuxed!" fairly
yelled Joel, as, following the animal
with his glance, he saw Tige reach the
home of his daughter-in-Iaw, leap the
fence at a single bound and disappear.
The old man rubbed his chin and
scowled grimly. Tige wanted his mis-
tress, that was sure. Slowly the lips
of Joel puckered into a ~resolute knot.
Hes my dog and I'll have him !"
he uttered harshly. ST bought him, l
raised him. She shan't have him. She'll
be down to cart the furniture away,
next. Nor sir-e-ee!" So, fully reso-
lutte, Joel started down the dusty coun-
try road. He reached the fence that
Tige had vaulted. Ten feet beyond it,
seated on the grass fondling Tige and
crying at the same time, was his wife.
Excuse me, madam roared out
Joel, "but you've got my dog there and
I want him !"
challenge rolled her.
III you want your dog you'll have
to come and get him." she retorted
snappily.
"T1l do just that" announced Joel.
He got astride the fence, cleared it and
made for Tige, who covered and whim-
pered as he was seized by the collar.
Nancy could not stand the test. Her
lips quivered, her eyes grew moist.
pretty hard man, you, Joel Blake"
she said, ito take away a creature who
might be a comfort to me in my dis
tress! !"
"Aha! distressed, are your" Joel
braved 1t, although the sight of Nancy
had inwardly aroused the old tender
ness. "Not so fine living away from
home, hey? Right here We'll settle this
dog question. He can take his choice"
and he loosed hold of the collar. Hi,
Tige!"
The animal crawled to his feet, but
crouched there, whimpering back at
Mrs. Blake like a pleading child.
"Come on" ordered Joel, and strobe
On.
"Tige!" uttered Mrs. Blake in bro
ken accents. And then Tige did a
strange thing. He went over to Mrs.
Blake, seized her dress between his
teeth and pulled her towards Joel.
wants you to come home, eh?"
spoke the latter, softened. swell,
Nancy, SO do I, if you're so inclined"
always your own way!" sobbed
Nancy. eyes, for the sake of the fam
lily, to stop gossip I'll give in. Yes,
and I'll forgive you"
"Forgive what?" exploded Joel, on
the war path again.
"Your capers in the city,
"Hey?"
"Oh, I've found out! Read that, and
forget it, as I'll try to do"
She handed her husband the news
paper item which she had preserved,
and Joel Blake read:
AN unusually festive visitor of the
Pompeian Cabaret, after winning and
dining the dancers, fell into the rain
bow fountain and did considerable
damage to the electric lights He was
fined $25 and costs by Judge Carter in
the police court this morning. From
letters found In his wallet he is Joel
Blake, of Hudson, a farmer, who will
probably return to the home acres a
sadder and wiser man."
Joel Blake ~traversed the item, big
eyed. He whistled, and then he laugh
ed.
$50 that's it, eh?" he rallied. "Nancy.
girl, why didn't you show me this at
first? L never saw the item, but 1 don't
blame you for getting wild. Here's
the facts! / did visit a cabaret, and in
good company, with your brother, a
minister, just to take a peep at the
seamy side of life. Next morning I
found my wallet missing. Some one
had picked my pocket-of course, the
fellow who was fined for his escapade.
There was $500 in the wallet and I
couldn't get you that watch and chain"
"Tn walk a bit with you, if I may"
said Nancy meekly.
my direction is home" observed
Joel.
$50 is NINE" whispered Nancy, and,
hand in hand, they passed along the
smiling country path.
Brother Jonathan.
Rr0fhor Topofboo So a oo-o-a $500