Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-03-29
The DOG" Ada
Adopted
BY WINIFRED sHERWlN.

Copyright. 1921. Western Newspaper Union
They were lonely old couple
Seth Earl was sixty and his wife,
Ada, fifty-five. If they had had chill
dren living they could have faced the
future more hopefully. But the lone
Illness that had always encompassed
them since their only boy, Arthur,
had died In babyhood, seemed to be
closing in around them more tightly
from day to day. like tangible thing
They owned their house in the vii
lage and Earl's pension from the cor
poration that had employed him for
30 years, small though it was, pro-
vided them with the necessities of
life. Since Earl had retired he had
mooned aimleSsly about the garden
plot.
Once, five years before, they had
discussed adopting a child. But Seth
had never returned to the subject.
Il guess I'm too old to start caring
for child now, Seth" said his wife,
"If only l had something, if only a
dog" he said to himself. "That would
be company. He'd come to wake me
mornings, barking and wagging his
tail, and then what walks we'd have
together. Well, why not? Why
shouldn't l have dog? Other men
have one"
AS he expected, Ada offered strong
opposition to the suggestion.
He'd muss up the house and
scratch things" she protested.
"Oh, yes, we can get a dog" an
swered Seth promptly. "The Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ami
mails has dogs to give away. 1 was
reading something about it in the
paper yesterday. Ada" he continued
firmly, I'm going into town tomor-
row to see that society, and I'm com
ing home with dog"
well l suppose he can eat the
scraps" said his wife, grudgingly. The
imminence Of the event startled-al-
most territied-her, but her husbands
easerness quenched all further objec-
tons on her part. She even began
to picture their neat little home with
Its new occupant.
When Seth had departed next morn
Ing Ada found, to her establishment,
that she had become almost as eager
as her husband.
And when at length Seth stood at
the door, detected and dogess a great
discomfort settled upon her.
Couldn't you find single dog that
would suit, Seth?" she snapped out
Couldn't get near 'em" her hus-
band answered, alphabetically. 81
found the society all right, but the
woman secretary wouldn't let me in.
No, nor even finish what l had begun
to say. l hadn't got the word adopt
out of my mouth before she asked me
If l were married Married 30 years.
l answered, 80 years, ma'am, and to
the best woman. Then bring your
wife along she said. we don't have
dealings with men,"
"You mean to say they take all that
trouble about dog?" inquired his
wife.
"Well, l suppose We'll just have to
give up thinking about dog" an
swered her husband, gloomily.
"Now, isn't that just like you,
Seth" replied his wife. "The mo-
ment trifle happens to upset your
plans you want to give up. You
promised me dog and dog I'm 60
ing to have"
Her husband drew her to him ten
derby.
"Ada, my dear, you're going to have
your dog, and the finest in the land"
he said, "even If it takes the last pen
ny of our savings"
"But it's not going to cost penny.
Seth," she answered. Because I'm
going into to town tomorrow and-and
Pm going to bring back our dog"
Seth Earl put his wife aboard the
train next morning. He was to do
the homework that day. while she
was gone upon their errand. And when
at last he heard tinkle at the bell he
could hardly open the door, he felt so
shaken.
Ada stood at the door, basket in
her arms. She entered and set the
basket down.
LET me see him." cried Seth, as
she began to unfasten the blanket
that covered it. us 1t q fox-terrier,
Ada? 1t must be puppy"
He jumped as child's feeble wall
came to his ears and looked at his
wife in terror as with motherly An
gers, she pinned back the coverings,
disclosing fine baby boy.
"You goose" said Ada softly. "That
was the Society for the Prevention
Of Cruelty to Children you sent me to.
And when saw the babies lying in
their little cots all In row / wanted
to take them all and-and-"
II wish you had, dear,9 answered
her husband, ecstatically. "This beats
the best dog living"
How to Photograph Pets.