THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 57, 11 March 1907, Page 4

THE STORYTELLER .

JIMMY'S DOG. 'liy J- Carstairs.) wlWcvoK of the "Bolcar" was peeling pot.u..: s, hut he paused in his task to wip'o l is :m e jwith the back of his hand. V> h;leim the act, liis eyes lighted on a playing with a poodle. The animal had a air, its spotlessly white coat was thoroughly cleaned and comhed, a perfect I understanding evidently prevailed between , loy and dog. The former had been with some gieces; o{ W ood and a % nitfeqiiate tools, hut he 'was now resting and putting his dog through a variety, of clever tricks, all of which it performed with dexterity and grace. The ciok viewed the scene unappredatively jfor a. minute, then he aneritv shouted: \ I lore, |you. Can't you get something mor- iiiejul to do than teadiin' that mongrel a IoS o' fool nonsense any decent dog would IH-jashamed o"! Go into the galley and scoun saucepans"." | "I'll «4 yon hanged first," said""jimmy i liobl-er, Ijartly. i Depreciotory allusions to his dog. Fido, ) always roused Jimmy's temper. | "I can't help you lieing a wicked old {man," ho'continued, "but I snfourjago you 10 he a lazy one as Vrcll."-i i "It's bejomin' to hear you talk o' lazifness." responde<l the cook. "You'vo been jinakin that couch for weeks, and you never Jget any farther forward Your dog couch Reminds iiie o' tflo Tower o' Babel, nut. jthats a tllooshm you don't understand. Its in a. Book you show no signs o' ever Bavii. read all your life." : "If so:nef people wouldn't steal my wood bud hide iky tools I'd soon have it made. I know yoil're all annoyed, .because I have kuch a clever dog, but I'll have a couch jor Fido yet, and spite you aJI." 1 ' 1 "You won't spit« m«, sonny. All I want is to sec you doin' something more intellecSual than makin' a dog eou> h out o' a (Sieesc, l)o.v|that 1 expect you stole. Why don't you go and read, and try to make jfeursclf intelligent like your mates are?" "I prefer spending my time w-i' Fido, tkrauie he: lias greater intelligence than a ly other body on this ship, so far as I ! t ive been able to discover." The other; members of the crew had been 1 >tening impartially, to :thc dialogue. But 1 is unfavorable comparison; of., their in- [ t lUeenoe w)tli that, of the dog's was about ,t be reserved vigorously when an unoxi p cted diversion arose.

i [Two ladiflp saddehly%f eared aVid crossel the gangway on to the dock of the Ifclcar. eider was and aggressive, tho younger was a girl of rare beauty aid winsotqe shyness. | rGood evjening. j said, the firmer, "ij am Mi&l Tprfcy&o# secretary ci the Sailors' Instittite£ «4| i\vs is^tfiss : ' Molly McCain, my Ve aw>-ficg-gftg subscriptions for the Institute. Probalpy yon hafe spent many happy tlfere. It is a cosy retreat for sailors, and kqeps many cf them from drunkenness and all soils of ■■wickedness. But the present accommodation is too small, and we have decided to increase it Many friends have promised ui help,-bUtTir was' "suggests tho saijors might like to subscribe a iittle too. Not much, you know. Just- a mite to sho\* your goodwill. Miss McCabe aip I were deputed to call on you. So here wi are. W4 don't want money just now. simply vant your promise. Any time wmhin six mbnths will do for paying." thus far ijiss McCabe had said nothing. But the poWer of Miss Torrance's elo-quenee-was-'feeble compared with tli<» power of Molly McCabe's sweet blue eyos. When Miss Torrance finished, Molly looked coaxinglv at every man. And. under that gaze, each one melted. Bill Greer was about ,tfl_ say, J,'Put -.m£.,d&w.n---for. a. bob." But. with Molly's eyes upon him. he said "two bob." IBs'mates 'savlHho

same. , Jimmy had been sitting with Fido in his arms. "Put me down ioi ten shillings; please." he said loftily. "My name is James IlobberJ'. The ladies looked . and • the crew smiled. Jimmy's poverty was chronic, and his remark was regarded as .an impudent attempt to chaff the ladies.^ ' "t)on't niind him/* said Bill "He just wants'fn be 'trtok- notice of." , "You Jet me Giver;*-r6fort«d Jimmy. : "I Siiid • put mc down for ten shillings. Miss." "But, tjwt .is-atlarge,si|m. said Molly. ' wOuldh't fair to take so much froma- Wi Although it is delightful to know you liave such a generous spirit." - "Thank you. Miss, and put me down fatiijho Mf-srtvfcceign. I don't grudge 1 it, It's in ? fgwxj caU^o f J2vsiy day' I see so much wickedness done through drink that . I'm. <Kt£cr.,to help,. I know terrible cases o' sailoi drunkards that will be a warning to roe,as Jong as I live." "ThatV splendid, * ejaculated Miss Torrance. at"Jimmy concluded his virtuous speech,.and Molly smiled her sweetest on the lx>y. Jinftfy&fad loftked at- none of his mrvtes. but a faint, cnmsuii ; ting&d th*> cheeks of thos« capable of blushing. Each : stirred uneasily, as if scenting a personal allusion under Jimmy's lofty sentiments. "Well, James, such kindness greatly i cheers us."and well put you down rather - than hurt your feelings." Miss Torrance made the entry, and Miss ' McCabe look up the conversation. [ "Tbat-Sva pretty dog,. James." "And as smart a-s pretty, Miss. Would j you like perform fc* f Jhnn.y "put Fido fbrougli his paces. By \ «r.errr la tighter and admiring exclamations the ladfrs Expressed their appreciation of the performance. "It i? ' lhuuia=!it;aflv. "V/hrrcv* r did he learn sii'h < Icvt r tricks?*' "Trained him all mvsclf. Miss"

•Tusl then Fn-d (,]«! sliippea- of the l>a\iar. stopped ;iU;iid. Tic was a young map. of pleasant eoiuiteiKinee and generous impulses. Yet lie evidently found it his duty, before to keep tlw ladies in conversation for ail unconscionable long time. At lasl, however, tho lieaming faces of the latter proclaimed success far in excess of anticipations. t'apt.vn Mollison gallantly gaide<l liis visitors tiiltnre, bnt- <J)i tJieir way Mollv paused and l>eckoned to Jimmy llobiier "I have some young friends who would be delighted to sec Fido perform. Could you come up to my home some evening andc'pafc-hiiii -through his tricks for their pleasme'" "Certainly, Miss." '•There is my card. Shall wc say Thurb-

day at seven''" "Thursday at seven. ''Thank you. James. You aro a liiost kin'' r.vid obliging boy. I sliall expeel you on Thursday. Good-night.'"' Miss McfaWs parting words reached C.iplain Molli=oii, who was already deeply interested 1 in the pretty visitor. "Making an appointment with your ;V.'<Hl,.'arl, Jimmy?" he laughed. "\o. sir." blushed Jimmy; "but Miss McC.d.e has invited me to her house at iiose Te.rare next Thursday." His sense o£ dignity alonp prevented Captain Mollison diseus.sing an appoiniment iu which he felt <leep concern. Tl;m?,d.-.y evening came, bleak and wet, bat beforo Jimmy set out ho was summoned to the cabin. "Are you goiuj ;d<.te to Rose Ttnace with tliat valuable dog?" "Ve:;, sir." "You mustn't. Dog fanciers would think nothing of Tobbiug a. lioy of sin U it \abiable dog. Some one must go with you." ''l'll ask Ben " . "Dovi'l trouble lien oil-a. dirty night lit,, this. I'll go myself. I am anxious about

Together, tli'i-rfoi"-. tliey def.oited. and. as they went, many things occurred to Jimmy's aetivr mind. Kre they reached Rose Terrace lie had a clear idea of what hir. skipper was after. When Fido was set down in the ■ o v parlor Molly MeC'abc instanlly i-emcikid : 'Dear mcj Jaiccs. Fido is drv and clean.

You must hn,v<*• carried Mm." : ~ '""'''" Slio led tho way into a little sniokeroon;, where hw uncle. Captain Jlaig, instantly Molly McCabc's playful scolding. ' Bat let me introduce you to my uncle," sho continued. "lie is a retired '•skip)**! l "Xo, Miss. The skipper carried liim jo the door for me." "Do you mean to say Captain Mollison was at the door and didn't coin;.' in?" "lie's one of the bashful sort, Mist,. But he's so anxious not to navii Fido stpleu he's waiting outside now—"' "Waiting outside now! iv-posterousi (<o and fetch him." Within a lew minutes Ffod Mollis™ was in tlie parlor, showing: no : sinn „f 1-aSlifulnesi and "listening smilingly !o him f..r venrs Sit down and tell" iuc all cxcl.'.i.•;■• I. "I'reddie Mollison'; liless you, what a plea,sure. Freddie's ail' old appjvn.tieo o' mine, Molly, I've wondered about Jtbout > ! The, old-apprentice was as ;d"lighied as the old master at this chanrc reunion, and Molly left them to revive old memories while she returned ,to the parlor. It was laU* that night when Fred -Molli son left Rose Terrace, old Captain llaig's lusty commands to "return soon" following him. I',it, sweeter tar than tliesn,. Skipper Molliwn treasured the quint hut c igerly w,atc,hed for invitation that Jlollie gave him on her own behalt" From that night he was independent of Jimmy Hobber or .Jimmy Holjlier's do- tor a footing at Rose lerraee. IJ e refiti'mxl /lore often, i'.ut, for what purpose, outsiders could only guess. Certain evidences wore discussed knowingly l>y the llohur crew. Tho skipper disappeared on every l'o,>sihle occasion when the ship was in [ort; lie was unwontedly careful in his toilet, and he had evident ditlicuhv in re pressing his buoyont spirits. Then Miss McCalre hegan to visit the Bolcnr, always accompanied hy little people eager to .see Fido perform. And Miss MvCaNi lierself seemed to have no thought of anythinu j &:lv<s Jiunuy's pet,. But the older men on the Bolcar refused to l o imp isiil on', and. after some merry months, their >impi/ons were justified hy events. The eng.-nrnirn! of Captain Mollison tp Miss Molly M,( ',l,e wa,s formally announced. The wedding arrangementwere well advanced when the crew divissed inattevs one evening.

"Miss McCahe's a. lady wo nil admire. 1 ' •Toe Forsyth was savin-;.,. "She h;u> nlwavs lr»Mt<«d'us 'same's we'd born gentlemen. so I suggest wo give hiv'a wedding present." "I'second that," said Ron Wylio. "and I suggest there he no forks and kviive.,. nukractopr or teapot rubbish.' Evoiy VbrmeH Tool' gives that. Lei's bo original. Let's give something Handsome—-something she'll appreciate, something nobody o!s& will think o'." "It's easy talkin' iilw that, hut what do ; yt>n meap-by it?" asked Bill Greer. "You 'flight| : aa .well give tie? something square ancl bl?loii£ <and round and oval a.)l in one. : It donV hiMili anything unless you say what the thing is." : "Oh, if my remarks ain't appreciated 111 make no more,. Let's hoar how many brilliant suggestions you're goin* to make.' "I a. : n ; t goin' to make any. Just the same as you've done. But I won't talk so much and say so littloi" "I've an idea that would get you out of the mess." piped Jimn\v. "but I'll keep it. I'd just got snubbed as I always do." "Come along, Jimmy, like a good lad." said Joe, affable from desperation, "what ! d'you think wo should give Miss Molly?" , "Give her Fido." 1 The proposal v,as so, novel that? it took 1 some time to penetrate. | "Oh, yon needn't grin." sakl 'Jimmy, noting the contemptuous sign. "That's mv | suggestion. Take it or leave it. I'm willing to wait till you propose a hotter one. ! I'll soil Fido to you for two quid. That's fivo Vol) apiece. You couldn't buy anyj thing.>vortli offering to..Miss McCa.be for loss then ten bob apiece. and you couldn't j buy. anything sheVl appreciate like getting 1 Fido;'' She's fond of bin). So am I. But ! Tm not going to spwik of 'my own fcel- ! ing:% lam mil one that boasts of what I do. My heart and happiness aro bound up in Fido. But I'm prepared to sacrifice my heart and happiness for a lady like Miss Molly.'' Jimmy's allusions to his own magnanimous part in the- proposed tra-nsaetion were I coldly received. But. on consideration, his ■ suggestion va? undoubtedly excellent. Miss : "Molly wits enthusiastic about Fido. and Fido as a. wedding' prosent- would combine 'all 'he qualities Ben had' eloquently, if 1 vagfio'v. declared desirable-. ! The }>argain was struck. l. T ntrouhlod by feelings of jealousy .limmy collected money on the spot. Immediately thereafter ho Ktrx-k '■i janing nolo. lie intimated that he intended to devote ren of his newly acquired shillings to paying, per Miss Molly, his promised.contribution to the Sailors' Institute. This thoughtfulness irritated men who remembered how the speaker had eclipsed them in that it'eident. and who also widly reflected thai: they had not yet paid their two-shilling subscriptions, though the six .months had nearly expired. (To 1)0 concluded to-morrow).