Under the Lilacs

o further, for Bab and Betty gave a simultaneous

to one! It w

art of the blows he had received. "We don't call it splendid; do we, Sancho?" he added, making a queer noise, which caused the poodle t

asked Mrs. Moss, rathe

Plains.' Didn't you ever see or hear of him?

nd I'm sure I don't remember what or who I saw then," answered Mrs. Mo

demanded Ben, turnin

Borneo, and a clown and monkeys, and a little mite of a pony

I used to ride with him till I got too big. My father was A No. 1, and didn't do any thing but

d?" asked

or Ben gave a gulp as if something

where he is," said Mrs. Moss, leaning forward to pat t

h an effort the boy steadied his voice

ider. You jest oughter have seen me when I was a little feller all in white tights, and a gold belt, and pink riggin', standing' on father's shoulder, or ha

o pieces?" asked Betty, q

it. I li

cried Bab ent

great ball up top of the grand car drawed by Hannibal and Nero. But I didn't like that, 'cause it was

lls and neroes?"

there, and they didn't darst till he was gone

take your part?"

on in the Tunnymunt act if they didn't stop knockin' me round when I wouldn't help old Buck with the bears.

ab, in great excitement, for at the only cir

d of him. But they had a way of clawin' and huggin' that wasn't nice, and you couldn't never tell whether they were good-natured or ready to bite your head off. Buc

Moss, rather confused by the sudden

St. John. They all change 'em to something fine on the bills, you know. Father used to be Senor Jose Mon

atly to the surprise of the little girls, who were much

way and what became of your Pa," she said, composin

York and when he was fixed he'd send for me. I was to stay in the museum and help Pedro with the trick business. He was a nice man and I liked him, and 'Melia was goin' to see to

d you ha

o, for father trained him, and he always did well with me. But they wanted me to drink gin to keep me small, and I wouldn't, 'cause father didn't like that kind of thing. I used to

en! Why didn't 'Melia put a stop to

n there was no one left b

ide the tears he could not keep from coming

d you me

want a boy, and I travelled along and tried to get work. But I'd have starved if it hadn't been for Sanch. I left him tied up when I ran off, for fear they'd say I stole him. He's a very valuable dog, ma'am, the best trick dog I ever see, and they'd want him back more than they would me. He belongs to father, and I hated to leave him; but I did.

him he stood straight up, put both paws on the boy's shoulders, licked his face with a world

ers may vanish and friends die

to pat and fondle the good creature, assuring him that they entirely forgave the theft of the cake and the new dinner-pail. Inspired by these e

t animal in the house. Praises of his dog pleased Ben more than praises of himself, and when the confusion had subsided he entertained

mind about him, and when he came to an end

for you to do, would you

; for the place seemed home-like already, and the good

wonder if he'd take you for a chore-boy, if you are as smart as you say. He alw

ery unnecessary question to put to a person who h

espectable; and I guess you'll be happier switching Brindle and Buttercup than

n, with sudden meekness, remembering

lumber till the racket overhead subsided; for Bab insisted on playing she was a bear and devouring poor Betty, in spite of her wails, till their mo

ming of gilded cars and mouldy coaches, runaway boys