The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-08-12
Bobs, the Beggar
BY CLARISSA MACKlE
g Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.


trying to make friends with huge
mastiff which sat patiently on the
sidewalk, waiting for someone with
in the store.
"You don't dare!" challenged one
boy to another.
Jimmy Smith elevated freckled
nose, and Unanswered his way to
the display stand. In moment he
had shining tin pail and was offer
ing the handle to Bobs, the dog.
That was how it happened that peo-
pie smiled as they saw the big dog
sitting patiently, holding the pail in
his mouth. Around the corner peered
four freckled faces, eyes ashine with
delight.
An old lady walking slowly along
dropped a dime in the pail, and
went on. Bobs moved an apprecia-
tive tail. A young man absorbed in
his newspaper saw the outline OF
the supplicant's figure, dropped an
other dime in the pail. n
Then, at last, came Jerry Lamson.
He was late in getting to his office
and had not a moment to spare, but
when he saw the shining pail and
the great golden eyes of Bobs, he
paused long enough to pat Bobs on
his splendid head, and flick a dollar
bill into the pail.
This was too much for the watch
ing bows and they made a dash for
the pail. Jerry, suspicious, watched
them and smiled. Bobs growled deep
in his chest and showed his fangs.
cts darned queer" thought Jer-
ry Lamson, and hurried on as he
went back to the hardware store
and entered. The proprietor was in
the distant background talking to a
customer.
els that your dog out there?"
asked Jerry. ''The one holding a
pail for pennies"
ga pail for pennies?" asked a new
voice, and the customer turned
around. Jerry watched as she came
down the store, walking with the
free stride of an outdoors girl; her
fair hair shone under a bright little
felt hat, her face was charming, her
clothes extensively simple. F m
one gloved hand dangled a leash.
81 left my dog outside" she said,
going to the door.
Jerry was holding it open for her.
"He doesn't look like a begging
dog" he remarked.
Bobs turned appealing eyes to his
mistress.
"Poor old boy" murmured the
girl. Someone played a cruel joke
on US, didn't they? I'll take the
pail, Bobs, and we will give the
money to the blind man on the next
block" She emptied the money into
her hand, and replaced the pail.
Don't you dare laugh at him!" she
said to Jerry, cit would break his
heart to be made ridiculous"
Jerry barred his head. ''There isn't
anything amusing about it., he said
a little stif1y. He smiled down at
Bobs, and Bobs thrust friendly
muzzle into his hand.
Jerry replaced his hat and went
on. Jean Manners watched him out
of sight. isn't he splendid?" she
thought, and blushed in the think
ing. ''Bobs liked him, and his judg-
ment of men is infallible."
Not so long afterwards Jean and
Jerry met in a conventional manner
at an evening party, and mutual at
traction led to a rapid wooing on
the part of Jerry, very successful
lawyer, and within four months the
engagement was announced. By this
time Bobs and Jerry were devoted
friends.
Then, when a lovers quarrel
came, and stayed, black and
menacing so that the two strong
natures clashed, and parted, Bobs
was lonesome and depressed.
Both of the young people were
aching to make up again, but the
same lofty pride dominated each Of
them. They both resolved to forget
Bobs didn't forget, and one morn.
ing he ran away from home
Straight down the shady street,
turning into Center street, down
Center to Main, trotting along
sure of his destination. When he
reached the hardware store he
paused and looked up at Mr.. Peet
standing in his doorway.
"Hullo, Bobs," he said.
Bobs barked a response and looked
at the display table and wagged his
tail. Mr.. Peet laughed. "Want
something to carry, eh?" he asked
Reaching back he picked up little
broken basket and offered it to the
open mouth. Clamp went the big
jaws, and there was Bobs, the
mendicant, once more.
Mr.. Peet dropped a bright penny
in the basket, and Bobs dashed of
down the street, the little basket
dangling from his mouth. Two
blocks down, and up familiar stair.
case to the first floor. The door was
open and the Office boy laughed
when Bobs cleared the railing and
went straight toward Jerry Lam
sons door, marked Private" Moth
ing was private to Bobs when he
was after one he adored. He pushed
down beside Jerry's chair, and look.
.v,f ,,VN ,,v,4l r,,ol, =. L.