The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-02-12
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR,
"TAcKs."

Down from the icy barrens OF Can.
ada the bowling blizzard had torn its
way into the steel walled canons of the
great city, where the air was being
woven rapidly into swirling, smoth-
ering white blanket. Since the closing
of the big offices and department
stores at three o'clock the sound OF
transportation had come at longer and
longer intervals, until now at eight
the city was helpless and silent.
Peg Murphy with nj lie unsold pa.
pers, his block deserted, and Bully"
Moretti waiting returns" in the
warmth of the Italian cafe, shivered in
body and soul, huddled in the deep
recess of north doorway. 1t was pay
day and the "Bully" would hold over
on him for whole week.
Peg was very cold and very hun
CRY, and therefore his stub was hurt
ing him cruelty where the straps held
the wooden stick on his left side.
Also he had been very lonely all the
| time since his mother had gone on
her last journey, for which the county
| had paid.
Something soft snuggled against his
good leg, there came long whine
ending in a yelp of pain, and the boy
looked down to see small paw held
up, while Help" cried from the soft
eyes of dog whose every Irish hair
| spelled Rough on Rats
| AS Peg gently lifted the terrier to
examine the injury, an electric coupe
came to stop at the curb, and man
stepped from it into the lights Of
the movie theater., A touch of the
mystic was in the dark face above
I the high fur collar, as he turned and
said, smilingly, $50 that's why my car
has stalled right here. A boy and a
dog both in trouble on such a night
as this? Get in the machine and let's
see about it, Switching on the read
ing light he gently stroked the wiry
haired spine,-and softly held the paw
until the trembling ceased, and then
with swift certainty of touch with
drew from it a large tack bedded to
it's head in the fieshy pad. Into the
boys mind flashed picture from the
days following the one when he had
slipped in the icy slush<a and gone out
into great darkness as a loaded giant
truck pinned him down.
After years of seemingly being
whirled on great wheel, the dark
ness had lightened and he had opened
| b;c apoc ~ coo a haa,,+;f,,1 oncol cp,;f
ing down at him, and to hear her say
Hes coming out quite all right, Doc
tor" and to feel funny lop-sided sen
sation where his left leg used to be
Convalescing in wheel chair, while
discipline winked or deliberately clos
ed an eye to favorite son, he had ex
plored the great building and so one
day he saw the Picture which remain
. ed: the Great Vision.
"Gee," thought Peg, as the little ter
rier gratefully licked the mans hand
"his eyes look JUS like Jesus with the
lamb, in the 'ospital window"
"Now drop your papers and beat il
for home with your dog" the man was
saying, "and if every thing is not al
right with either of you at any time
look me up. Boys and dogs happen
to be long suits with me-" and card
and a dollar bill were pressed into
the lads hand.
With the correct change from the
restaurant Peg fought his way to
, Moretti. Big Bully" swore at the de
lay, and more at having to settle fol
the week, and then, his eyes alight
with pure malice, cried, where YOU
getta da pup? I shaka hees ham," and
his own closed with an iron grip or
the inflamed foot.
Promptly the dogs sharp teeth me-
in the back of that hand, and the en-
ragged Corsican called after the fleeing
pair, For that kella him; but he nc
die so quick lika he bite. Oh, no."
u That night, as Peg showed .'Tacks'
, to the kindly janitor in the furnace
! room, and curled down on a clear
! pile OF excelsior with the cold nose
, buried in the hollow of his throat, {
great content came to him. Again hi
2 belonged to some one his very own
Spring came; Moretti seemed 81
friendly that the two Celtic hearts for
, gave and Tacks almost forgot. I'm
) canily intelligent, he had joyousl!
! learned many tricks from his adorin,
. master. Muzzle lifted, he howled al
: Extra" with the best, and people
4 laughed and bought
FL Then, one afternoon, delayed TO
: change in the crowded restaurant, Pc.
a came out to find no trace of Tacks
q In vain his piercing three-note whis
8 tie (the code call which Away
brought the dog painting to his side)
! shrilled through the streets again an,
/ again.
8 Papers unsold, he. hunted franticall.
q for two hours, returning frequently t
} the boss to inquire, until Moretti, til
i ing of the game of cat and mouse
a said: sYour pup gotta no license; m,
!. Tony taxa heem to big yiyasec' DoctO